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What Is a Family Term Rider?

Integrate the Family Term Rider into your term insurance policy. It is key to financial security and regular monthly income for your family in your absence.

Have you sought ways to enhance the safety net offered in your term insurance coverage? If that concerns your family’s financial future, here is a perfect solution: get a Family Term Rider.

So, how can this rider option make a difference? It extends beyond conventional benefits, promising a steady monthly income in the event of the policyholder’s unexpected demise. 

It is an extended level of preparedness that provides financial stability to maintain the quality of the lives of the family members in the absence of the sole breadwinner!

This blog explains what family term rider is.

What is a rider in a term insurance policy?

A rider in a term insurance policy is an add-on cover option that provides a benefit in addition to the regular term insurance plans. It is a more targeted cover, over and above the term plan, which covers specific circumstances, such as premium waivers, critical illnesses, accidental deaths/disabilities, etc.

Different types of riders exist in term insurance policies. A family term insurance rider is one of the essential riders options considered crucial for a family.

What is family term rider?

A family term rider is an option in a term insurance policy that provides a complete or a portion of the term insurance death benefit as a regular income against a lump sum benefit. It can serve as a regular income for a family in the event of the unexpected death of the life insured. 

The family term rider, also called the family income benefit rider, can help a family with young members manage financial inconsistency without the family's sole breadwinner. It can also benefit a family who cannot handle a lump sum wisely.

How does a family term rider work?

  • The family term rider benefit can be availed of by paying an additional premium for the term insurance policy. 

  • It will ensure that the nominees receive a monthly steady flow of income until the end of the policy term in the event of the policyholder’s death.

  • The policyholder can choose the amount of monthly income that can be provided as the family term insurance rider benefit. It can be equivalent to their salary or the regular flow of income.

  • At the end of the policy tenure, the term insurance provider will provide the remaining portion of the sum assured as a lump sum, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

Benefits of family term rider

Elevate family security: the ultimate solution for managing routine family expenses

A family term plan helps secure a family’s financial future in the absence of the sole earning member in the family. However, the term insurance benefits are optimally utilised only when the nominee manages the lump sum death benefit wisely.

If the nominee is not mature enough to spend the amount on the right expenses, the family’s financial security can go for a toss! 

A regular income from the family term rider benefit can elevate the family’s financial security in such scenarios.

High value, low cost: making a huge sum assured affordable

A family term policy is considered one of the most affordable life insurance plans for a huge sum assured. And with the family term rider, although at an additional premium, it can provide a huge sum assured as a regular income and is affordable over the long term. 

It is cost-effective for the value and financial freedom rendered for reducing the family’s financial burden. 

Flexibility: Maximising lifetime freedom

With the family term rider, the policyholder can choose the amount of regular income, policy tenure, sum assured, etc., based on their family’s financial requirements and future goals. It can redefine a lifetime of financial freedom for their family in the event of their unexpected demise. 

Boost your savings: unleash tax deduction and exemption benefits

Under Section 80C, the premium paid for, and under Section 10(10D), the payout received from a term insurance policy qualifies for a tax* deduction and exemption benefit. The family term plan policyholders can ensure a monthly income in their absence for their family while saving on tax* throughout the policy tenure.

Who should purchase a family term rider?

A family income benefit rider is considered essential for any family. However, it can be crucial for certain specific individuals.

Family’s sole financial pillar: the earning member

A family term rider becomes necessary for families with a sole breadwinner. For instance, young parents, budding entrepreneurs with young family members, etc., must ensure a financial resource for their family’s routine expenses.

Youthful family unit: filled with young members

If a family is filled with young members, utilising the financial benefit can become challenging in the absence of the life insured. Therefore, a family term insurance rider in such scenarios can extend the financial advantage in a regular manner to secure the family necessarily and wisely for the long term.

Securing loved ones: a lifeline for individuals with liabilities

People who have loans, debts, mortgages, and other liabilities might have to plan their finances in a different manner. Since they need to pay regular instalments to clear off the debt, it can get burdensome for the families in the unexpected event of their death. 

A family term insurance rider can be a huge benefit for such individuals to help their families clear off their debts and set them free from such financial liabilities.

Term rider vs buying a separate term policy

Here’s how a term rider and separate term policy differ.

Feature Term rider Separate term policy

Policy structure

An add-on to an existing life insurance policy

A standalone life insurance policy

Purpose

Provides additional temporary cover alongside the base policy

Provides dedicated term life cover

Coverage amount

Usually subject to the insurer's rider limits and the base policy terms

Can offer higher cover amounts, subject to eligibility and underwriting

Premium

An additional premium is paid along with the base policy

Premium is paid separately for the term policy

Flexibility

Options depend on the insurer and the terms of the base policy

Greater choice of policy term and coverage, depending on the insurer

Underwriting

May be assessed along with the base policy or as per rider requirements

Separate underwriting requirements may apply

Suitable for

Temporary additional protection for specific financial responsibilities

Individuals seeking standalone term life cover

Policy management

Managed as part of the existing life insurance policy

Managed as a separate insurance contract

The choice between a term rider and a separate term policy depends on the amount and duration of additional protection required. A term rider can be considered when temporary additional cover is needed alongside an existing life insurance policy. A separate term policy may be more appropriate when standalone protection with a specific coverage amount and policy term is required. The availability, premium, eligibility and terms of each option vary by insurer.

How to add a term rider to your life insurance policy?

A term rider can generally be added when purchasing a life insurance policy, subject to the insurer offering the rider and the applicable policy terms. The process typically involves the following steps:

Check rider availability

Review the base life insurance policy to see whether a term rider is available. The types of riders, eligibility conditions and maximum coverage may differ across insurers.

Assess the additional coverage required

Identify the financial responsibility for which additional protection is required. This may include a home loan, education expenses or income replacement for a defined period. The additional cover can then be considered in relation to the existing life cover.

Choose the rider term

Select a duration that corresponds with the period for which additional protection is required. The available term options depend on the insurer and the terms of the rider.

Review the additional premium

Adding a term rider increases the overall premium payable under the policy. Review the additional premium, coverage amount and payment frequency before choosing the rider.

Complete the required underwriting

Depending on the insurer, age, coverage amount and other eligibility factors, additional medical or underwriting requirements may apply. Provide the required information accurately during the application process.

Review the rider terms

Before adding the rider, check its exclusions, coverage period, renewal or conversion provisions, cancellation conditions and other applicable terms. The rider ends according to the conditions specified in the policy document.

If the rider is added to an existing policy, its coverage remains subject to the base policy and the specific rider terms.

Conclusion

Transforming a lump sum into a regular income alleviates the need for financial support to manage routine expenses during unprecedented scenarios. By ensuring a regular income for the family, the earning member can ensure that the family’s financial needs are met, future aspirations are protected, and uncertainties are covered for a lifetime! And that is what makes the Family Term Rider a thoughtful investment for a family’s financial future.

Key Takeaways

  • A family term rider can provide regular monthly income to dependants instead of only a lump sum payout
  • It helps families manage ongoing household expenses and financial commitments after the policyholder’s death
  • The rider can be especially useful for sole earning members and families with young dependants.

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1.

When is the best time to purchase the family term rider?

The best time to buy the family term rider is during term policy inception. It can help you stay covered and ensure the regular monthly income for your family in your absence at any time during the entire policy tenure.

2.

Who can benefit from the family term rider?

The rider is a beneficial addition to your term insurance policy. It is a valuable consideration for sole-earning members, young parents, individuals with financial liabilities, and families that rely on a single income.

3.

Can I choose the monthly income provided by the rider?

You can choose the monthly income provided by the rider. However, it will depend on the sum assured and the insurer’s policy terms and conditions.

 

  • 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.