Need assistance in choosing the right insurance plan?

Need assistance in choosing the right insurance plan?Get a call from our Expert.

Are you an NRI?

Yes
No

+91 dropdown arrow

Term Life Insurance Myths

Even though we live in the era of information, the world of insurance is still shrouded in myths. Some are untrue simply because the ideas behind them are outdated, while others are misconceptions a lot of people have due to a lack of in-depth research. This is quite understandable because grasping all the moving parts of insurance can be difficult. However, it’s important to dispel these myths and know the facts before you select a term policy for your family.

To help you make the right choice, we address some of the 7 common myths about term insurance you should know. 

Myth #1: Term insurance is only for those who have dependents

No matter whether you’re single or married, life is equally unpredictable for everyone. If you don’t have a spouse or children, your parents and siblings might be considered as dependents whose future needs to be financially secured in your absence. Term insurance helps them cover the costs of your outstanding debts, unpaid medical bills, funeral expenses, etc.

Additionally, purchasing plans with a longer tenure while you are young will allow you to be prepared when you start a family. The best part is the sooner you purchase one, the lower your premium amount will be.

Myth#2: The insurance cover provided by employers is good enough

The single most important element of any life insurance product is consistency. You need to pay premium amounts on time at fixed intervals, or else you risk the policy getting lapsed and your life being uninsured until the payment is complete.

When you rely solely on employer-provided insurance, you may no longer be covered in the event of switching jobs or retiring. What’s more, the coverage amount won’t be enough for your family’s specific needs. It’s always better to buy term insurance on your own conditions because only you can decide what’s best for your loved ones.

Myth #3: Term insurance plans are only useful for death benefits

While the fundamental purpose of term life insurance is to provide the policyholder’s nominee with death benefits, its function is no longer limited to that. Tata AIA life insurance term plans offer extra features such as the ability to purchase additional riders to cover hospitalization expenses, or disabilities

Adversities like these can render individual’s incapable of working, and the rider payout will ensure that your medical expenses are covered without having to drain your savings account. You can choose whether to receive the benefit as a lump sum, fixed income, a combination of both. You can even avail of a waiver of premium payments for the remainder of the policy term.

Myth #4: A term insurance plan is expensive

The reason term insurance is so popular among people of all ages is that you can avail a high sum assured at a reasonable cost. What makes these policies particularly appealing is the fact that by buying early, you can keep your premiums lower than most life insurance products in the market.

This is especially true for online term insurance policies that offer attractive discounts while giving you the opportunity to compare, customize, and choose the right term plan with care.

Myth #5: The right coverage amount is 20x my annual income

You might have read this in several places, but it’s not the complete truth. While 20x your salary is a good place to start, the right coverage amount ultimately depends on various factors such as age, financial liabilities, the number of dependents, future goals, and so on.

Instead of going for a blanket figure, you need to calculate exactly how much your family might need. There are several insurance calculators online that will be able to bring you close to the right amount. Performing a detailed cash flow analysis is essential to determine a coverage amount that is realistic, practical, and takes into account all the necessary variables.

Additionally, you can use an online term insurance calculator to determine the right term plan coverage for you and your family.

Myth #6: It’s better to invest money than buy term insurance

This is a dangerous thought process because it entirely misses the point of what a life insurance policy can do for you. The premise is straightforward: if the policyholder dies, nominees will receive a payout known as sum assured. Of course, there are certain caveats on the circumstances of death, but most providers cover common causes.

The claims process of a term plan is simple to follow so that grieving loved ones can receive payouts without a hassle when they need it the most.

Myth #7: Purchasing a term insurance plan is complicated

On the contrary, you can easily buy term insurance online today. The process involves minimal paperwork and provides you with the added advantage of comparing multiple plans before you select, not to mention allowing you to avail of the plan at discounted rates.

Long gone are the days when you had to visit an insurer and have lengthy conversations with agents to understand and purchase policies. Now you have a long list of trustworthy sources that simplify the meaning of term life insurance and tell you what to look for while buying.

Since you have a clearer picture of how term plans work (or more importantly, how they don’t work), you can use this knowledge to pick the right policy for your family’s needs and goals. Make sure to do proper research about the term insurance plan and read the terms carefully.

Which features should you compare before buying a term plan?

Before choosing a term plan, compare the features that can affect the policy’s suitability and long-term value. Key factors include:

Coverage amount

  • Assess the coverage based on your income, financial responsibilities, and future needs.

  • Consider existing loans, dependents and long-term financial goals when deciding the sum assured.

Policy term

  • Choose a policy duration that aligns with your financial responsibilities.

  • A suitable term can help ensure that your dependents remain financially protected during key earning years.

Premium and payment options

  • Compare premium amounts across plans offering similar coverage.

  • Check whether premiums can be paid regularly or through other available payment options.

Claim settlement process

  • Understand the insurer’s claim process and documentation requirements.

  • Review the claim settlement information available for the insurer before making a decision.

Policy exclusions

  • Read the policy documents carefully to understand applicable exclusions and conditions.

  • Knowing these terms can help avoid misunderstandings when making a claim.

Additional features

  • Check whether the plan provides features such as riders, flexible payment options or increasing cover, where applicable.

  • Compare these features based on your financial requirements rather than choosing them solely for added benefits.

Planning to buy term insurance?

If you are considering purchasing term insurance, it is important that you know the policy's features to make a better decision. Being aware of common term insurance misconceptions can help you avoid confusion about coverage, claims, eligibility, and premiums.

For instance, term insurance may be perceived as having no value because it generally does not provide a maturity benefit. However, its primary purpose is to protect the financial interests of your nominees during the policy term

 Likewise, term insurance for those with dependents may not be applicable to everyone. However, you may consider appropriate life cover if you have financial obligations or anticipate future family needs.

When comparing plans, check coverage, the term of the plan, premium, exclusions, claim process and any other conditions. You can explore term insurance plans with Tata AIA and see the features, eligibility, benefits, and conditions of the insurance plans before taking a decision on them.

Conclusion

There are some common myths about term insurance that you should be aware of when evaluating a policy on facts, not assumptions. Know what coverage, policy terms, premiums, exclusions and claim-related conditions are before choosing a plan. It is a good idea to consider these factors when deciding which term insurance to choose, as they will help you decide the right one for your financial obligations and level of protection. Tata AIA provides term insurance plans that you can compare according to the terms and conditions of the respective policies.

Key Takeaways

  • Many common beliefs about term insurance are misconceptions that can lead to poor financial decisions
  • Term insurance offers more than death benefits through optional riders and flexible coverage features
  • Understanding policy features, coverage needs, and costs helps separate myths from reality.

Need assistance in choosing the right insurance plan?

Get 1 Crore Life Cover + 7% Digital Discount on Year 1 Premium

Are you an NRI?

Yes
No

+91 dropdown arrow

Select Plan
  • Term plans
  • Saving plans
  • Retirement plans
  • Wealth plans

Looking to buy a new insurance plan?

Our experts are happy to help you!

Are you an NRI?

Yes
No

+91

1.

What to know before getting term life insurance?

Before getting term life insurance, assess your financial needs, dependents and liabilities. Compare the coverage, policy term, premiums, exclusions and claim process before choosing a plan.

 

  • This blog is for information and illustrative purposes only and does not purport to any financial or investment services and do not offer or form part of any offer or recommendation. The information is not and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action.

  • Every effort is made to ensure that all information contained in this blog is accurate at the date of publication, however, the Tata AIA Life shall not have any liability for any damages of any kind (including but not limited to errors and omissions) whatsoever relating to this material.