How does a life insurance policy work?
When you buy a life insurance policy, you must pay a certain premium, which is determined by the insurance provider based on various factors. In case of any eventuality during the policy term, the insurance provider will pay a death benefit to your beneficiary. Your beneficiary may use this aid to settle your healthcare and funeral costs, repay debts, a fund for child's education or for any other purposes.
If you survive the term, a maturity benefit shall be paid (in some insurance types) to the policyholder. These funds, again, can be utilised to fulfil any financial need or goal.
Let us understand by taking an example.
Amit wants to protect his family in case of an unfortunate event of his early death. So, he buys a 20-year life insurance policy with a sum assured of ₹1.5 Crore and by paying a premium amount of Rs 20,000 every year. The sum assured is payable as a death benefit if Amit dies within the policy term and as a maturity benefit if Amit completes the policy term.
Scenario 1: If Amit survives the policy term.
Amit had paid a total premium of Rs 20,000 every year till the end of the policy term and will receive a maturity benefit as per the policy eligibility criteria along with a bonus (if any) on maturity. Post this insurance payment, the policy ceases to stay in force.
Scenario 2: If Amit dies during the policy term.
The beneficiary (nominee) will receive the sum assured of 1.5 Crore upon the death of Amit. The policy will terminate after the death benefit is paid. The sum assured received can be used to meet the same lifestyle and fulfil any obligations.
Thus, we can learn that life insurance policies can be highly versatile. It is not just a tool to secure your family's financial needs after your death but also aids in achieving your long-term financial goals. For example, you can utilise the corpus created from life insurance to pay for your child's higher education.