- Term Insurance
- What is Term Insurance?
- Why Do I Need Term Insurance?
- Term Insurance Calculator
- Why Buy Term Insurance?
- Who Should Buy Term Insurance ?
- How Does a Term Plan Work ?
- Experiences of term insurance buyers
- Features of Term Insurance
- Term Insurance Benefits
- Top Term Insurance Plans
- Hear from the experts
- What are the best term insurance plans in India 2025?
- Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance: Key Differences
- Know about Term Insurance Riders
- How to Buy Term Insurance?
- Steps to buy term insurance
- What are the 5 important stages in life to buy a Term life insurance?
- Know more about Term Insurance
- When Should I Buy a Term Insurance Plan?
- Term Life Insurance Period
- How to choose the right term length for your term insurance?
- How to select the Best Term Insurance Plan?
- Importance of sum assured
- Choose best term insurance plan
- Some Common Queries on Term Insurance Answered
- How term plan secures family future?
- Which Factors Affect Term Insurance Premiums?
- Why Buying Term Insurance
- Why choose HDFC Life Term life insurance plan?
- What is not covered in a Term Insurance?
- Term Insurance Buying Guide
- Common mistakes to avoid while buying Term Insurance
- Documents & Eligibility
- Terms Related To Term Insurance
- FAQs on Term Insurance
- Term Insurance Related Articles
- Key Takeaways
- Customer Reviews
- Talk to an Advisor
- Share your Valuable Feedback
- Submit your Feedback
- Popular Searches
- Disclaimers
What is Term Insurance?
Term Insurance is the simplest form of life insurance that only offers financial cover for a specific number of years. Term insurance plan provides a financial benefit to your nominee in case of your death during the term of the policy.
As term plan is a pure life insurance policy it offers the financial benefit only in case of death for the premiums paid. It does not return any financial value in case you survive the term of the policy. If you wish to get your premiums back after the term of the policy you can opt for term insurance with return of premium.
You can buy term life insurance plan by paying a premium amount at a desired frequency for the required financial benefit for your nominee.
For example, a healthy 25-year-old non-smoker male has to pay Rs.780 per month over 30 years for 1 crore term insurance.
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Why Do I Need Term Insurance?
Despite the many features and benefits of term insurance, people are skeptical about whether they really need term insurance or not. Here are some of the top reasons why you may benefit from a term insurance plan:
To Protect Your Family
As the main provider for your family, it's crucial to protect your spouse, parents, and children. Term insurance plan is a simple way to ensure their financial security if something happens to you. It helps cover their basic needs and gives you peace of mind knowing they'll be taken care of, even if you're not there. Don't wait, take this step to safeguard your family's future today.
To Protect Your Assets
If you have loans for assets like a home or car, term insurance can help protect your family from the burden of these debts after you're gone. This financial support ensures they can keep the assets you worked hard for, without the stress of outstanding payments.
To Cope with New Lifestyle Risks
When a family loses their main earner, it can be very challenging to manage finance. Term insurance provides essential financial support to help your family during this tough time. It ensures that your loved ones can maintain their standard of living and manage daily expenses without the added stress of financial worries. This support is crucial for helping them adjust and move forward without you.
Low Premium and Attractively Large Cover
Term insurance policy is an affordable way to safeguard your family's finances. With low premiums, you can get ample coverage, ensuring your loved ones are financially secure. It's a smart choice that provides peace of mind, knowing you've protected your family without breaking the bank. Choose the best term insurance plan in India today for a worry-free future for your loved ones.
To Be Prepared for Uncertainty
A term life insurance plan’s primary objective is to financially prepare your family for uncertain times. In case of a misfortune with you, the sum assured from the term plan will help your loved ones financially cope from the situation. You can opt for the best term insurance plan for 1 crore to be prepared for any financial uncertainty.
Uncertainty arising due to lifestyle diseases
Lifestyle diseases have been one of the leading causes of deaths in India. Deaths due to heart attacks have increased by 12.5% in 2022 when compared to 2021 (source: National Crime Records Bureau). Although we can take necessary steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle but it is recommended to secure your family’s financial future in case of your demise due to a lifestyle disease.
Term Insurance Calculator
Term insurance plans provide financial protection when your loved ones need it most. Use the term insurance calculator to calculate your premiums and get a policy today!
Why Buy Term Life Insurance Online?
Here are some benefits of purchasing an online Term Insurance Plan:
High Protection at Low Premiums
Term insurance is easy to buy and offers significant coverage at low premiums. Buying early means even lower costs. It's accessible online or through other channels. It offers peace of mind while keeping your budget in check. As per your financial needs you can opt for 2 crore term insurance to secure your family’s future.
Add Ons
Term insurance plans often include riders and add-ons to enhance coverage. Some of these add-ons are critical illness riders and accidental disability riders, providing additional protection and financial security in unexpected situations.
Financial Security
Term insurance plan is one of the purest types of life insurance designed to provide quick financial assistance to your loved ones when you're no longer around. It provides a lump sum of money to your loved ones promptly, helping them manage immediate expenses and maintain stability during difficult times. It's a simple way to ensures your family receives timely support when it matters most.
Convenience
Buying an online term plan is convenient and hassle-free compared to buying offline. With no need for multiple visits, the online term plan process is quick and straightforward, making it easy to get covered without any delays.
Affordability
Online term insurance plans are more cost-effective as they bypass intermediaries, resulting in competitive rates and affordable options for policyholders.
Simplicity
Term insurance buying is a straightforward, quick and user-friendly process. Simply go to the insurer's website, fill in your details, choose a suitable term insurance plan, pay, and activate the policy.
Comprehensive Features
Online term insurance plans offer various features, including death benefits, maturity benefits, tax advantages, and flexible premium payment options. These features ensure comprehensive coverage, providing financial security and peace of mind for policyholders.
Multiple Premium Payment Modes
Buying a term insurance policy online gives you the convenience of choosing from multiple premium payment modes like monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly or all at once.
Who Should Buy Term Insurance?
Let’s take a look at who should buy term insurance:
Term Insurance for Parents
Parents play a crucial role in providing financial support for their children, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive. From covering school fees and living expenses to saving for hefty university fees, parents are often the primary source of financial assistance throughout their children's lives.
Protect your children's future with our term insurance plan, ensuring financial support for expenses in any parental mishap. With term insurance for parents, rest assured, your children's dreams are secure.
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Term Insurance for Young Professionals
As young professionals you have limited financial liabilities. If you invest in a term plan now, your premiums will be low and becomes more affordable with every increase in salary, offering the much-needed financial security for loved ones.
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Term Insurance for Newly Married
Forget short-lived gifts like jewellery or dinner dates; give your spouse the security of term insurance. Unlike roses or chocolates, it's a gift that ensures lasting protection and peace of mind. Term insurance isn't just about temporary happiness; it's about securing your spouse's future. Choose a gift that lasts beyond the moment and invest in their long-term well-being with a term life insurance plan. To find the best fit for your needs, it's advisable to compare HDFC Life Term Insurance Plans.
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Term Insurance for Women
Today, women are equal partners in managing finances and supporting their families. Term plan is a vital tool to ensure your family's financial security if something happens to you. It guarantees they can maintain their lifestyle and fulfill their goals. It also helps settle any outstanding debts like home or auto loans. Plus, with critical illness riders, you're covered if diagnosed with serious illnesses like breast or cervical cancer. Term insurance for women is tailored to provide reassurance, ensuring your loved ones are safeguarded.
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Term Insurance for Tax Payers
Term insurance policies come with tax benefits that help you lower your taxes. The money you pay for term insurance can be deducted from your taxable income i.e. deductions under 80C of the Income Tax Act.
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Term Insurance for Senior Citizens
Having a term insurance plan in your golden years provides financial security to your spouse. In case of your death, the payout from the term insurance for senior citizen will allow them to maintain their standard of living and cover medical costs.
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Term Insurance for Housewife
Term insurance for housewives is important as it provides her family with financial security in case of her untimely death. A term insurance payout helps cover the costs of running the household, including childcare and other expenses.
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Term Insurance for Self Employed
Term insurance for self employed lends financial security to the families of the self-employed in case of their death. The policy payout may cover the cost of immediate business overheads as well as everyday household expenses till someone else can take charge.
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Term Insurance for NRI
NRIs living abroad can take a term insurance plan benefiting their family back in India with financial security in case of their death. The maturity amount of the term insurance for NRI can help offer respite from the high cost of medical care, or the travel expenses etc.
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How does a Term Plan Work?
Term insurance plan work for a limited duration. They provide life cover for a specific time. To enjoy the life cover, you must pay premiums at regular intervals. If anything happens to you, the policyholder, during the policy tenure, your nominee receives the promised sum assured as the policy payout. To enhance your family’s financial protection, you can choose to purchase riders or add-ons. There are primarily 6 stages as to how a term insurance works:
Agreement
Term insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company. The policyholder pays a premium to obtain life coverage for themselves or a family member. The person covered by the policy is called the life assured.
Filling out the Proposal Form
When buying an online term insurance plan, a crucial step is completing the proposal form. This form requires details such as your date of birth, gender, lifestyle habits, income, education, and medical history. It is essential to provide honest and accurate information, as these details determine your eligibility for the term life insurance plan.
Understanding Your and Your Family’s Needs
In order to select the right term insurance one needs to assess his and his family’s financial needs. Once you have properly assessed the financial needs you will be able to decide on life cover amount, policy term, premium payment frequency, riders and more. You can make the correct choice out of several types of term insurance available to meet your needs for financial protection.
Calculating Term Insurance Premium
With the help of a simple term insurance premium calculator you can calculate the premium for your desired sum assured.
Making Premium Payment
After assessing the information you have provided in the proposal form the insurance company sets your premium rate. Now you will need to pay the required premium in a manner of your choice.
Assigning A Nominee
In case of a term insurance it is vital that the policyholder selects a nominee who will receive the sum assured payout in case the policyholder is no more.
Let’s understand how a term life insurance plan works with a help of an example:
-
Step 01
Start by entering your basic information such as age, gender, and income.
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Step 02
The calculator will then ask you to enter details about your existing liabilities such as outstanding loans, mortgages, and other debt obligations.
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Step 03
Once you have entered all your details, the calculator will analyse your data and generate a recommended term plan coverage amount.
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Step 04
The calculator will also give you an estimate of the premium you will need to pay for the term plan.
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Step 05
You can then compare the premiums and coverage amounts of different term plans and choose the one that best meets your needs.
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Step 06
After selecting a plan, complete a medical check-up and submit required documents to activate your life insurance policy and enjoy its benefits.
Experiences of term insurance buyers
We spoke to some term insurance plan customers and here is what they had to say:
Our Top Term Insurance Plans
Here are some of the best term insurance plans by HDFC Life:
Hear from the expert on Term Life Insurance
What are the best term insurance plans in India 2025?
Indentifying the best term insurance in India out of the various options available can be a challenging task. The easiest way to identify the best term insurance in India is to check for the claim settlement ratio of the insurer, brand trust of the insurer, affordability of the term insurance and ease of claim settlement process. Here are some options for one of the best term insurance plans in India:
Term Plan |
Benefits |
1. Term Insurance |
This policy offers financial security and protection to your dependents and beneficiaries at affordable premium rates, ensuring they’re supported if something happens to you. |
2. Term Insurance with Critical Illness rider |
This policy ensures your family’s financial security if you pass away unexpectedly. The lump sum payout can help cover your family’s financial needs and goals. Additionally, you can add a Critical Illness rider for extra protection against a range of serious illnesses, depending on the plan you select. |
This type of term insurance offers financial security to dependents at a low premium if the policyholder dies. If the policyholder outlives the policy term, all premiums paid are returned. |
|
4. Term Insurance with Waiver of Premium Waiver |
Under this plan, all future premiums are waivered in case there is a covered dismemberment or a critical illness diagnosis. Such a plan eases the stress of financial security in the face of unexpected situations and health concerns. |
5. Term Insurance with Accidental Disability & Death Cover |
In case you avail additional financial protection in form of accidental disability and death cover along with your base term life insurance, your nominee will receive the additional cover in case of your death due to accident |
6. Term Insurance with Monthly Income |
This insurance plan features payout in the form of monthly income to help ensure a regular inflow of money besides the lump sum received as a death benefit. |
This is an insurance plan offered by employers to their employees to lend financial security to their families. It is an affordable insurance cover for death or disability caused by illness or accident. |
|
8. Increasing sum assured plan |
In this plan, the sum assured increases by a certain percentage, typically capped to a multiple of the original sum assured. The premiums are higher than a level plan as the benefit amount increases with each passing year. |
9. Whole life insurance |
It is a type of term life insurance that provides life cover till the age of 99/100 years if all premiums are paid as per the premium paying term. |
How is term life insurance different from whole life insurance?
Here are some differences between term life insurance and whole life insurance:
Term Life Insurance |
Whole Life Insurance |
When you think of the period of term life insurance, it is intended to protect the insured for a certain period, usually between 5 and 30 years. For instance, a 5-year term life insurance means the policy guarantees coverage for precisely 5 years. As long as the tenure of the policy continues and you pay your premiums on time, you stay covered. |
Whole life insurance is a kind of permanent life insurance, denoting that if the premiums are continuously paid, it is intended to last the insured person till the age of 99/100 years. |
As you think of what is covered in term life insurance, it provides pure life insurance coverage, meaning that it only pays a death benefit if the insured dies during the term of the policy. The primary rule of term life insurance is that it is intended to provide financial protection during a specific period. |
Whole life insurance provides financial coverage just like a pure term insurance but the coverage is extended till the age of 99/100 years of the insured. |
Term life insurance premiums are often less expensive than whole life insurance. This is because term insurance is for a specific period. Term life insurance is an appealing choice for young families or people looking for economical coverage due to its cost-effectiveness. Generally speaking, premiums are fixed during the term, which means they don't change throughout the policy's 10, 20, or 30-year lifespan. |
Whole life insurance premiums might prove to be higher than pure term life insurance since it provides extended coverage till 99/100 years. Thus, a longer policy term leads to higher premiums for whole life insurance. To get a better understanding of how these premiums compare, you can use a life insurance calculator to estimate the costs based on your age, health, and coverage needs. |
In case of a basic term life insurance plan you don’t get any money back on surviving the term of the policy. Only under the circumstance when you have taken a term return of premium rider along with your primary policy you are eligible for getting back your premiums except taxes and levies. |
Whole life insurance usual has very long policy terms extending to 99/100 years of age. In case the insured is still alive beyond the age of 99/100 years they aren’t eligible for any money back. |
Term life insurance is typically not permanent, and not convertible to whole life insurance by default. However, certain term life insurance plans provide a conversion option. |
Since a whole life insurance currently offers life coverage till the age of 99/100 years it does not need to be converted to term life insurance. |
A term life insurance expires once the policy term is over or the policy lapses due to non-payment of premiums. There is no financial cover once a term life insurance expires. This kind of life insurance provides financial cover in case of demise of the insured and provides no financial return if the insured survives the term of the policy. |
Similar to a term life insurance a whole life insurance expires when either the insured lives beyond 99/100 years or hasn’t paid the due premiums. Post expiration a whole life insurance behaves similar to a term life insurance. |
What is a Term Insurance Rider?
A term insurance rider is an extra feature you can add to your life insurance policy for added benefits. Here’s how they work:
Accidental Death Rider:
Disability Rider:
Critical Illness Rider:
Premium Waiver Rider:
Provides extra money if you pass away due to an accident.
Offers additional support if you become disabled.
Pays a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a covered serious illness.
Covers future premiums if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness or face other specified situations.
These riders enhance your coverage and offer extra protection based on your needs.
Our top riders with Term Insurance plan
They help you deal with those additional risks life brings.
HDFC Life Income Benefit on Accidental Disability Rider – Non Linked
UIN: 101B041V01
Get additional income benefits over and above your Sum Assured in the event of total permanent disability due to an accident.
HDFC Life Critical Illness Plus Rider
UIN: 101B014V02
We pay a lump sum amount equal to Rider Sum Assured upfront if diagnosed with of any of the specified critical illnesses.
HDFC Life Protect Plus Rider – Non Linked
UIN: 101B040V01
Get protected with a proportion of Rider Sum Assured in case of accidental death or partial/total disability due to accident or diagnosed with Cancer
HDFC Life Health Plus Rider – Non Linked
UIN: 101B031V02
Get lump sum benefit equivalent to Rider Sum Assured on diagnosis of any of the covered 60 Critical Illnesses or benefit as a proportionate of the Rider Sum Assured on diagnosis of Early Stage Cancer / Major Cancer depending on the plan option chosen.
Extra Protection with | Term Insurance Riders
Discover the power of Extra Protection with HDFC Life Riders
How to Buy Term Life Insurance?
Purchasing a term life insurance plan is a quick and easy process. Let’s see how you can get the cover you need:
Estimate Your Sum Assured
Think about your current financial situation. Do you have any debts or family members who depend on you? If something were to happen to you in the next 20 or 30 years, how much would they need to maintain their lifestyle? Decide how much insurance you need to support your loved ones and look for term insurance plans that provide that coverage.
Enhance Your Cover
If you want to increase your coverage, consider adding riders to your policy. Once you have a clear idea of what you need, you can easily get online quotes and compare different plans.
Fill Up the Application Form
Select the term insurance plan you want to purchase and fill up the online application form. You have to provide details about your age, medical history and lifestyle habits. You have to upload a few documents for verification. After that, our team will schedule a medical test for term insurance.
Pay the Premium and Rest Easy
Submit the application and pay the premium amount to enjoy life cover and peace of mind.
What are the 5 important stages in life to buy a Term life insurance?
01 Staring to earn
We you start earning a steady income in form of your salary or from your business it is essential that you get a term life insurance and take the first step towards financial protection for your loved ones. Starting as early as possible also gives you the advantage of lower premiums at a younger age.
02 Starting family
When you get married and start a family, financial responsibilities might increase if you are the sole earner for yourself and your spouse. In case of your untimely death, your spouse might have to undergo financial distress if not protected with a term plan.
03 Becoming Parent
Becoming a parent is a life changing event in most of our lives. Along the joy it also brings responsibilities towards your child. Your little one will be financially dependent on you and thus it is imperative that you protect your child’s financial future with a term insurance policy in case of an unfortunate event.
04 Taking loan/debt
Opting for liabilities such as home loans can bring financial distress on your loved ones in case of your death and they are not financially capable to pay the installments for the home loan. The life cover of the term life insurance plan will help your family pay off the debt in your absence.
05 Moving to a new country
Life as we all know can be really challenging and unpredictable when you move to a new country. To financially secure our loved ones with us in a foreign country and the ones in India it is a necessity to let a term insurance. Life insurers in India provide term insurance for NRIs.
Know more about Term Insurance
Here are a few more essential things to know about term insurance policies before you invest in them:
01 How to Choose a Term Insurance Plan?
Follow these steps to purchase the most suitable term plan:
a. Step 1 – Assess the Sum Assured
To understand your sum assured requirement, simply multiply your annual income by 10, and you will get a rough estimate. Do consider your EMIs and other financial liabilities.
b. Step 2 – Factor in Additional Benefits
Understand the following for enhanced protection before purchasing your term plan:
You can select from the critical illness or disability riders.
Choose the payout type - lump sum or monthly installments.
Check maturity benefits if any incase you outlive the term.
c. Step 3 – Pay the Premium
You can finalize the plan by paying the premium. Enter your details and make a secure payment online to purchase the plan.
02 How Much Term Insurance Cover Do You Need?
In case you have a young family or have parents who are financially dependent it becomes essentially to secure their financial future in case of an uncertainty. To ensure that all their financial needs are taken care of you need to get a term insurance with adequate amount of sum assured. There are some basic rules that people follow to decide on the life cover they would need:
10-15X your annual income :
One of the simplest ways to determine the adequate sum assured is to multiply your annual income by 10-15. This is a very simple and widely accepted approach to decide on the sum assured of a term life insurance plan.
D.I.M.E formula :
There is a unique approach based on the 4 fundamental financial needs to calculate the sum assured for your term insurance known as D.I.M.E (Debt, Income, Mortgage and Education).
In this approach you are required to add up your debt, mortgage and college expenses, and your salary for the number of years your family needs financial protection and that’s the life cover you will need. Let’s understand with a help of an example, suppose someone has debt of Rs. 5 lacs, home loan of Rs. 50 lacs, estimated education expenses of his children is Rs. 30 lacs and his salary is Rs. 10 lacs per annum. He has assessed and decided that his family needs financial cover till the time his kids get a job and that will take another 10 years.
For the above scenario the estimated life cover needed as per the D.I.M.E approach is 5+50+30+ (10X10) = Rs. 1.85 Cr
Human Live Value (HLV) :
Another popular approach is the HLV philosophy. To calculate your HLV you need simply to multiply a variable to your annual income depending on factors such as current income, working years, age etc. The HLV calculator comes in handy to calculate your HLV and take a decision accordingly.
03 What are the payout options in Term Life Insurance?
Term insurance offers multiple payout options, some of them are as follow:
a. Lump Sum: Here, the entire sum assured is paid as a one-time amount.
b. One-time lump sum payment with fixed monthly payout: A portion of the sum assured is paid one time in lumpsum and the remaining is paid in monthly installments for some years as chosen by the policyholder.
c. One-time lump sum payment with increasing monthly payout: A portion of the sum assured is paid one time in lumpsum and the remaining is paid in monthly installments that keep increasing every year. The term is decided by the policyholder.
04 What are term insurance variants?
Here are the term insurance plan variants you can choose from:
a. Life: provide pure life cover without any rider.
b. Life Plus: Life cover with accelerated death benefit rider
c. Life and Health: Life cover with Critical Illness rider
d. All in-one: Life Cover with accelerated death benefit rider and Critical Illness.
When Should I Buy a Term Insurance Plan?
Starting a term insurance early can save you a lot of money. Premiums go up as you age, so by signing up now, you lock in a lower rate. This is even more advantageous for non-smokers. Get ahead of the curve and ensure financial protection for your loved ones while keeping costs manageable. Don’t wait—take a look at the table below to see how premiums increase with age and make the wise choice to start your term insurance today!
Age |
Base Policy Premium (Life Cover ₹ 1 Crore) |
With Critical Illness Cover (₹ 10 Lakh) |
With Accidental Death Cover (₹ 25 Lakh) |
20 years |
Rs.772 |
Rs.875 |
Rs.895 |
30 years |
Rs.992 |
Rs.1333 |
Rs.1115 |
40 years |
Rs.1951 |
Rs.2890 |
Rs.2074 |
50 years |
Rs.4288 |
Rs.7416 |
Rs.4411 |
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How long should your Term Life Insurance be?
One of the most important decisions when buying online term insurance is choosing the policy term. Several factors can help you determine the ideal policy term, such as your retirement age, the time needed to pay off liabilities, the age by which you expect to have no financial dependents, or opting for coverage until the age of 99 or 100.
Another aspect that you can consider while deciding on the policy term for your term life insurance is the life expectancy at birth of your country. Life expectancy at birth is basically the average number of years a newborn is expected to live. As per World Health Organization the life expectancy at birth for India stood at 67.3 years in 2021. Refer to the graphical representation of how life expectancy has changed from 2000 to 2021 in India.
Source: World Health Organization;
(https://data.who.int/countries/356)
How to choose the right term length for your term insurance?
In case if you are wondering how long your policy term should be, you can consider the following factors:
Financial independence of your children
Providing for your children financial can be really expensive speacially in the urban world. There are various expenses that your kids incur like education, clothing, food and extra-curriculars. You should consider for how many years are you planning to provide for your kids as the expenses might increase if you are paying for their college.
Time period of your loans and liabilities
Often repayments of our liabilities are a big part of our monthly expenses and thus it becomes imperative that we take a term insurance. Now if you want your term life insurance plan to cover your mortgage, consider the number of years you have left untill you pay off the loans. You would want to avoid the scenario where your term policy expires after 10 years but your liabilities continues for another decade.
Your desired retirement age
Under an ideal scenario you would live off you savings post your retirement. Now if you are getting a term life insurance plan to replace your income, you might not need it post retirement. Once your major expenses like home loan and child’s education are taken care of and you are living your retired life with your savings, you wouldn’t ideally need a term insurance anymore.
Current Age
You should take your current age into considerable while deciding the adequate length of your term insurance policy. Depending on your age and current financial situation you will be able to decide on how long you should take a term plan for.
How to select the Best Term Insurance Plan in India?
To ensure you choose the best term insurance in India, you should:
Evaluate your and your family’s financial needs
While selecting a term insurance plan it is essential that you map the benefits of the plan to the financial needs of your family in your absence. The term plan should be able to help your family maintain a health standard of living, cover all liabilities and future expenses.
Look at the Claim-Settlement Ratio
An insurance company’s Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio tells you how likely they are to settle your nominee’s claim. You can check a company’s Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio online. HDFC Life has a Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) of 99.50%##
Understand the Customer Experience
Ask people you trust about their experience with the insurance company you prefer. You can also check online reviews from customers to understand whether individuals enjoy a pleasant experience with the company or not. Remember, your term plan could continue for the rest of your life, so you need to build a lasting relationship with the company.
Check the Solvency Ratio
The solvency ratio refers to a company’s ability to financially fulfill the insurance obligations. The IRDAI mandates that all insurance companies should have a ratio of at least 1.5. You can check the solvency ratio of companies online.
Consider the Benefits
Not all term insurance plans are equal. You should look for policies that offer higher benefits than others. Try and find policies that offer maturity benefits as well as flexible payment and payout options.
Choose Riders
Term plans offer more than just life cover. You can opt for riders that provide coverage for critical illnesses and accidental disability as well. The payouts from these add-ons can go a long way in offering financial stability to you and your loved ones at a difficult time.
Find Flexible Payout Options
When you purchase an online term plan, you often have specific financial goals in mind. Most term insurance plans offer lump-sum payouts to nominees. Often, these individuals get overwhelmed by the large sum and do not know how to manage it. You should consider policies that offer monthly payouts instead. Your nominee will be better equipped to deal with smaller amounts every month that can help them with immediate financial needs.
Research Online Availability
Before you make a decision, you must check whether your insurer is available to you online and offline. Most companies today have 24x7 chat features on their website so you can get quick answers to your queries. You should also look for companies that offer online filing of claims for quick processing.
Best Term Insurance Plans in India by HDFC Life
Here are the best term insurance plans offered by HDFC Life:
HDFC Life Term Plans |
Features |
Customer profile |
Policy term (in years) |
Premium paying term (in years) |
Death benefit (in Rs.) |
Monthly premium amount (in Rs.)9 |
HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Super (Life option) 10 (UIN:101N145V06) |
Term plan with a bouquet of benefits like - Increasing/decreasing life cover, Smart Exit, Spouse cover, Parents secure option. |
25 years, Male |
20 |
20 |
1 crore |
7438 |
HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Elite11 (UIN:101N176V02) |
A pure term life insurance created specifically for the Salaried segment |
25 years, Male |
20 |
15 |
2 crore |
10828 |
HDFC Life Sanchay Legacy (Life option)12 |
Unique term plan catering to the maturing HNI segment with additional process simplification |
40 years, Male (Minimum age is 40 years) |
Whole life |
10 |
1.2 crore |
1,00,0008 |
Why Sum Assured is an Important Factor When it Comes to Term Insurance?
Choosing the right sum assured in your term insurance plans is essential for your family's financial security. This sum provides crucial protection in case of unexpected events, giving you peace of mind. A higher sum ensures your loved ones are well-supported, covering debts, education costs, and income replacement. Selecting the right amount is key to ensuring their future is secure. To explore the best term life insurance options and find the ideal sum assured for your needs, click the tabs below.
Choose the best term insurance plan as per your needs
Below are the important factors of choosing the best term insurance plan in India for your family’s financial security.
Term Insurance Plan as Per Policy Term
One of the important factors while buying a term insurance is to decide on the correct term of your policy. Below are some of the commonly availed policy terms that you can explore in details –
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Term Insurance Plan as per your Age
Age is an essential factor that is taken into consideration while calculating your term insurance premium. Also, depending on age your life cover amount might change basis your financial needs. The more your age the will be your term insurance premiums. You can explore term insurance plans basis your age in details -
...Read More
Term Insurance Plan basis your Salary
Your income or salary is an important factor to decide the amount of sum assured you would need in case of a term insurance. Here are few term insurance plans which you can explore basis on salaries -
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Term Insurance Plan for All
Term insurance needs might vary based on your residential status, family and age. You can explore the below term insurance options to identify the best term insurance plan in India that answers your needs –
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Some Common Queries on Term Insurance Answered
01 What is term life insurance?
Term life insurance plan is a type of life insurance plan that provides comprehensive financial protection to your loved ones in case of your absence. Since this is the purest form of life insurance as it provides only life cover it is available at affordable rates. You can create term insurance quotes to find out the premium for the required sum assured.
Vipul Rana | Visakhapatnam
02 Do we get money back in term insurance?
No, you cannot cash out a term life insurance policy in India. However, there are other options available that may help you save money or provide more security. For instance, you can lower your premium payments by increasing the policy's term length or by changing the frequency of premium payments. You can also convert your term life insurance policy into a permanent policy, such as a whole life insurance policy, which will provide coverage throughout your entire life and may provide cash value or other benefits.
Arush Mehta | Mumbai
03 Can I have 2 term insurance policies?
Yes, you can have 2 term insurance policies. In India, most insurance providers allow customers to buy multiple policies from them. The advantage of having multiple policies is that it allows you to diversify your risk and get multiple benefits. However, it is important to remember that the premiums for multiple policies can add up quickly, so it is important to consider your financial resources and goals before taking on multiple policies. Additionally, you should read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure that the policies meet your needs.
Parijat | Bhubaneswar
04 Does term life insurance cover all deaths?
No, life insurance does not cover all deaths. Life insurance policies typically cover death due to natural causes, such as illness, and accidental death, such as death due to accidents or violence. However, some life insurance policies in India do not cover deaths due to suicide or other self-inflicted injuries. Additionally, some policies may have age restrictions or other exclusions in coverage like death due to risky activities, such as mountaineering, sky diving, or other extreme sports. It is important to read the policy thoroughly and understand the terms and conditions before purchasing a life insurance policy in India.
Rohit Ghosh | Kolkata
05 What are the exclusions in term insurance?
In India, term insurance policies typically exclude death or disability due to pre-existing conditions, suicide, self-inflicted injuries, and any other cause of death determined to be beyond the control of the insurer. Additionally, most policies also exclude any death or disability caused by war, military service, nuclear accidents, or participation in dangerous activities. In addition, if any medical tests are not completed or the policyholder does not disclose important information, the policy may be rendered void.
Krishnendu Kundu | Mumbai
06 Does Term Insurance Cover Accidental Death?
Yes, term insurance does cover accidental death for customers in India. The coverage will depend on the policy you choose. Most policies will provide a lump sum payment in the event of accidental death, which can help to provide financial security for your family. Some policies may also provide additional benefits, such as funeral expenses. It's important to read through the policy carefully and make sure you understand the coverage before signing up.
Rayan | Delhi
07 What is the biggest advantage of term insurance?
The biggest advantage of term insurance for Indian customers is its affordability. Term insurance plans offer customers large coverage at a very low premium. The premiums are fixed for the entire policy term, so customers can easily budget and plan for their long-term financial needs. In addition, term insurance plans offer a tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. This makes term insurance a great way to save money for the future while also providing financial security for the family.
Sweta Jhadav | Vadodara
08 Can a Senior Citizen Get Term Life Insurance Plan?
It’s always recommended to buy a term life insurance plan at a young age to avail lower premiums. A term insurance can be availed between the ages of 18-65 years. Now the sum assured will primarily depend on the income and retirement age of senior citizen. The term insurance cover will provide financial protection to the dependents of the senior citizen in case of an unfortunate event.
Ramesh Singh | Gurugram
How Does a Term Plan Secure Your Family’s Future?
Term insurance is one of the most cost-effective types of life insurance. You get solid life coverage for a minimal premium, and you can pay it monthly, quarterly, or annually—whichever works best for you. Plus, you can enhance your policy with additional riders like critical illness or accidental death and disability to better protect your loved ones.
In the event of your passing, your nominee will receive the sum assured, which can be used to pay off any debts or cover daily living costs. You can also choose how your family receives the payout—either as a lump sum or in monthly payments, which can help them manage long-term expenses and inflation.
By choosing a term plan, you’re ensuring that your family is financially secure and won’t have to struggle if you’re no longer there to support them.
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Which Factors Affect Term Insurance Premiums?
Your term insurance premium depends on several factors, including:
Age
In term insurance plans, younger and healthier individuals usually pay lower premiums because they’re considered lower risk. On the other hand, older individuals often face higher premiums due to potential health concerns.
Gender
Research indicates that women tend to live longer than men on average. As a result, insurance companies often offer women more favorable premium rates in term plans, since they’re likely to be insured for a longer period. It’s a way to reflect the longer life expectancy!
Health and Medical History
When you buy a term plan, you’ll need to share some details about your health and your family's medical history. Certain conditions, like heart disease or kidney issues, can run in families. If you or your family have a history of these health problems, it might affect your premium, potentially increasing it. But don’t worry—being open about your health can help you find the right coverage for your needs!
Lifestyle Habits
If you enjoy adventure sports, drink alcohol regularly, or smoke, you might be considered a higher risk for insurance companies. This can lead to a higher premium on your coverage. It's important to be honest about these habits when applying for term insurance. Being transparent helps ensure that your nominee won’t face issues when making a claim later on. It’s all about protecting your loved ones!
Profession
Certain individuals have jobs that place them in risky situations every day. People like sailors and pilots or those who work with hazardous materials may have to pay higher premiums for their term insurance plan than their friends with less dangerous jobs.
Rider Benefits
The type of benefits you are opting for through a rider along with your term life insurance impacts the final premium amount you need to pay. Rider benefits such as cover against critical illness or accidental death are available at a nominal increase in premium of your base term plan.
Tobacco or alcohol consumption
Consumption of tobacco or alcohol as we all know impacts our health adversely and increases the chances of developing serious illnesses. Due to the increased risk of diseases that you might incur because of consumption of tobacco or alcohol, your premiums will be higher than usual for a term insurance plan.
Life cover or Sum assured
The life cover or sum assured amount that you decide to take in your term insurance is a crucial factor considered to calculate the premiums. The life cover that you decide on should be financially adequate to address the needs of your loved ones in your absence. Higher the sum assured higher will be the premium keeping all other factors constant.
Policy Term
The tenure of your term insurance plan is also a crucial factor considered while calculating the premium. Of course deciding on the term of the policy should be a personal choice depending on your financial situation. Among term insurance buyers the most commonly opted policy term is till the age of 85 years. Higher the policy term higher will be the premium keeping all other factors constant.
Premium Paying Term
There are several options available to pay your premium for a term insurance plan. You have the option to opt for a one time premium payment, limited term premium payment or a regular term premium payment. Of course the premium amount will be different in the 3 scenarios and should be selected as per your convenience.
Why buying term insurance is a must for COVID?
- Term insurance plan are the most basic life insurance product available in the market. They provide life cover at affordable premiums. They are ideal for individuals who have certain financial obligations and do not wish to leave their family members with any kind of debt if something were to happen to them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became more crucial than ever to buy term insurance.
- Many individuals succumbed to the disease after long stays in the hospital. This left their families with broken hearts and mounting hospital bills that they might not have been able to afford. The payout from a term insurance policy could help these individuals pay off outstanding medical expenses and other debts.
- A term plan can provide your loved ones with financial stability during an incredibly difficult time.
Why choose HDFC Life Term life insurance plan?
Multiple Customisations
Pick from three plan options and riders to customize your cover and receive policy benefits based on your needs.
Accelerated Payout Option
If the policyholder gets diagnosed with a covered terminal illness, they receive the sum assured payout earlier. They can use the money to pay for medical treatments.
Increasing Death Benefit
Choose to increase your sum assured amount, up to 200% of the plan value, under the policy’s Life variant.
Critical Illness Benefit
Enhance your cover with the Critical Illness Plus Rider and receive the sum assured payout upfront after covered critical illness diagnosis.
Accidental Death and Disability Benefits
Receive an additional financial safety net with the HDFC Life Protect Plus rider2 after an accident leaves the insured permanently disabled or becomes fatal.
Maturity Benefits
Receive a maturity benefit equivalent to all premiums paid over the policy tenure when you choose the return of premium plan option and survive the policy term.
Cover for Your Spouse
The policy allows you to get additional coverage for your spouse, ensuring that your children remain financially secure, regardless of what happens.
Smart Cancellation Benefits
If you cancel your policy, you can use the Smart Exit option to receive an amount equivalent to all base premiums paid at the time of cancellation.
Waiver of Premium Benefits
Future premiums of term insurance plans get waived after the diagnosis of a covered critical illness or after total and permanent disability.
What is not covered in a term insurance?
Under the following scenarios term insurance benefit will not be paid:
Suicide exclusion
In case of death due to suicide within 12 months of the effective date of coverage the nominee will be paid at least 80% of the paid premiums or surrender value, whichever is higher provided the term insurance plan is in force.
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Misrepresentation of information
If you have concealed or misrepresented any information during the application process, you won’t be eligible for any benefits of the term insurance.
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Term Insurance Buying Guide
Here is a detailed guide that you can follow while buying your term insurance plan:
Always compare
Different people and households that have different financial needs and goals. Therefore, it is important to compare the options available when looking for a term insurance plan. This will help you find the plan that offers the best financial security for your family, keeping future needs, health conditions, medical requirements, debts, loans, liabilities, and more in mind. And it is also important to know the difference between a term insurance plan vs. life insurance plan to help you make the best choice.
Check the Claims Settlement Ratio
Every life insurance provider maintains a claims-paid ratio or the claim settlement record. It is a critical piece of information for a customer who can assess the company’s claim clearance track record before making a final decision. It indicates how easily your dependents will get the claim benefit as per the plan you choose. HDFC Life has an Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) of 99.50%##.
Check the Persistency Ratio
Read up online about how other customers feel about the company and your selected product. Other’s experiences and complaints, if any, provide insight into whether the plan and the company’s customer service, policy and experience. The annual persistency ratio is a good indicator of the insurer’s service capabilities.
Check the Solvency Ratio
The solvency ratio of an insurer is a representation of their financial situation in accordance with the solvency norms. It is the size of their capital with respect to the risks taken. By checking this ratio, you know if the company has sufficient funds to settle the claims in the short or long run. Usually a solvency ratio of 150% is acceptable.
Understand the specific benefits of the policy
If you are unclear about the benefits your policy offers, you can make wrong decisions when buying. It can also leave the beneficiaries confused while filing a claim. Make sure that the benefits offered under the policy are a good or close match to your financial requirements. This careful analysis will help you select a policy best suited to you.
Carefully Select the Insurance Riders
As a policyholder, understand that you need cover not only for death but also for critical illness, disability and accident. Incidences of cancer cases are estimated to increase by 12.8 per cent in 2025 as compared to 2020 (source: National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020). Of course we can ensure to lead a healthy life but the occurrence of such diseases is unpredictable and can severely impact the financial health of your family, it is only wise to add suitable riders to your term plan for enhanced financial backup.
Decide between Lump Sum and Regular Income Payout
Your term insurance plan offers a choice in the payout. You can opt for a total lump sum payout or a combination where a part payment is made in a lump sum, and the remaining goes out as regular monthly income. This helps the beneficiaries meet their immediate needs and sustains them for months. The lump sum can be reinvested for future financial needs.
Check Online Availability
In today’s digital era, it is important to have an insurance provider who is available online and offers faster resolution to queries. Check for online contact options and customer support numbers. You can try reaching out to check how fast your query is resolved and whether the support team is equipped to handle online queries satisfactorily Their responsiveness will matter in the long run.
What our financial advisors had to say about term life insurance?
Financial Consultant Testimonials | HDFC Life
Common mistakes to avoid while buying Term Insurance
Buying a term insurance is a crucial financial decision and thus we should be aware of some of the common mistakes to avoid while buying a term insurance:
Starting late
A term insurance premium keeps on increasing with your age. Often people make the mistake of delaying the purchase of a term life insurance to their late 30s or early 40s. The premium amount in your late 30s or early 40s can be considerable higher than the premium amounts in your early 20s. It’s recommended that you buy a term plan as soon as you have a steady income to pay the premiums.
Inadequate life cover
People often commit the mistake of taking a life cover that is being sold to them instead of evaluating their financial situation and then taking a decision. There are several ways to conclude on the life cover amount but it is an individualistic decision so it is recommended to access you and your family’s financial needs before taking the decision.
Ignoring riders
Term insurance plans come along with riders that provide a comprehensive financial cover for a nominal increase in premiums of base plan. There are various riders available to cover against different mishaps. People often end up ignoring riders perhaps due to lack of understanding of their purpose. Riders such and critical illness rider and accidental death benefit riders help you get a well rounded financial protection in case of unfortunate events.
Sharing inaccurate information
While buying a term plan people might end up providing inaccurate of incomplete information in order to save on premiums. It is highly recommended that you provide accurate and complete information to your life insurance provider others wise this might lead to rejection of claim. Insurers have very robust and stringent processes in place to identify inaccurate of incomplete information.
Opting for a short policy term
One common mistake is selecting shorter policy tenure in order to save on premiums. The decision on policy term should be to be taken on the basis of how long you want to financially protect your financial dependents in case you are not there. Suppose for example you believe that all your liabilities will be over, children will be financially independent and your spouse will have adequate savings to survive in case of your demise at a particular age then you should opt the term plan till that particular age.
Not buying term life insurance online
Not buying a term insurance online has few disadvantages such as not able to calculate and compare premiums easily and not gets exclusive discounts that some insurers provide to online customers. Buying term life insurance now a day is really convenient.
Documents & Eligibility for Term Insurance Plan
The documents required to apply for a term plan include:
1 Acceptable KYC proofs
List of valid KYC documents for individuals
Sr. No |
Documents |
Identity Proofs |
Address Proofs |
1 |
Passport |
Y |
Y |
2 |
Voter’s Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India |
Y |
Y |
3 |
Permanent Driving License |
Y |
Y |
4 |
Aadhaar Card |
Y |
Y |
5 |
Central KYC Identifier (can be accepted, if the downloaded documents are from the list of Officially Valid Documents (OVD) reflecting across Sr. No. 1 to 4 and there is no change in the address basis the document downloaded from Centralized KYC Registry (CKYCR) database as mentioned on the proposal form) |
Y |
Y |
List of valid KYC documents for legal entities
Features |
Documents |
Insurance Contracts with companies |
|
Insurance Contracts with partnership firms |
|
Insurance Contracts with trusts & foundations |
|
Insurance Contracts with Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) |
|
Any other 'Officially valid document' that shall be notified by the Central Government, in consultation with the Regulator from time to time.
2 Acceptable Income Proof
Sr. No |
Source of Fund / Proof of Income Document |
Resident Indian |
NRI |
|||||
Salaried |
Self Employed / Business |
Agriculturist |
HRI / PEP |
Special Jurisdictions |
Salaried |
Self Employed / Business |
||
1 |
Salary slip / certificate – issued in last 3 months |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
2 |
ITR / Form 16 / assessment orders / Computation of Income issued in last 3 years |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
3 |
Bank statement which establishes the Source of Fund / Bank statement (preceding 6 months) – addition of non-cash credits |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y (Indian Bank Statement) |
Y (Indian Bank Statement) |
4 |
Audited Company accounts issued in last 3 years |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
5 |
Audited firm accounts issued in last 3 years and Partnership Deed |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
6 |
Chartered Accountant’s Certificate issued in last 3 years |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
7 |
Fixed deposits liquidation entries in bank statement/ mutual fund redemption entries in bank statement (to the tune of total premium paid by customer in a Financial Year) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
8 |
Rent receipt (issued in last 3 months) with valid agreement |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
9 |
Mandi receipt / Form J issued in last 1 year / agriculture records |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
10 |
Indian / Foreign Bank statement having non cash credits (preceding 6 months) Also the translation of the Bank statement is required, if not in English |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
3 Acceptable documents for change in Date of Birth
The allowable document list is as below:
- Birth certificate
- PAN card
- Aadhar card
- Driving licence
- Passport
Terms Related To Term Insurance
The amount of financial protection that the policyholder can receive is referred to as coverage.
An individual’s insurability measures the conditions that could affect their health or life expectancy or make them susceptible to injury.
The maturity date refers to the day when the policy automatically ends and the insured receives the benefits of the term insurance plan, if any.
A nomination refers to the process during which the insured authorizes another individual to receive the death benefit payout. The authorized individual is called the nominee.
The premium is the amount the insured must pay to keep their term policy active. Premium payments can happen as a lump sum or in installments
The insured may opt to end the term plan before the maturity date. The amount they receive when they do so is known as the surrender value.
Your term insurance company will have a Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR). It refers to the number of claims they settle against all claims received in a year. At HDFC Life, our CSR is 99.50%.
Term insurance add-ons or riders provide an additional element of financial protection over and above what your policy offers at an added cost. For example, you can pay for an accidental death rider, which provides an additional payout in case the insured meets with a fatal accident.
The sum assured is the amount you choose as your term insurance payout in case anything happens to you. It is the amount the term insurance company will provide to your nominee. The sum assured plays a part in determining the premium for the plan.
The sum assured is also known as the death benefit. It is what the nominee receives in the unfortunate event that that policyholder passes away.
The individual who enjoys life coverage under the policy is called the insured.
Term policies now offer a maturity benefit. The amount the insured receives is known as the maturity claim.
Some policies are insurance-cum-pension plans that offer a regular payout. The age at which the insured starts receiving the payouts is known as the vesting age.
FAQ's on Term Insurance
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Term Insurance.
1 What is the age limit to buy a term life insurance?
The age limit within which an individual may purchase a term plan range between 18 to 65 years.
2 Why is the term insurance premium amount for smokers higher than that of a non smoker?
Smoking can lead to serious health risks such as cancer or heart disease, increasing the mortality risk for smokers compared to their non-smoking peers. To offset this higher mortality rate, term insurance companies charge smokers a higher premium. If you're looking to buy a term insurance for smokers, our comprehensive guide provides a clear understanding of essential term insurance terminologies to help you make an informed decision.
3 Is COVID-19 covered by HDFC Life Term Insurance Plans?
During these harsher living conditions presented by the pandemic, HDFC Life Term Plans have got your covered for Covid-19 as well. All life insurance policies issued by HDFC Life cover COVID-19* claims. For more queries on term insurance, visit the HDFC Life website.
Covid-19 disclaimer: “*The settlement of Claim would be subject to declaration of all pre-existing medical conditions at the time of policy purchase and in accordance to applicable terms and conditions of policy contract"
4 What kinds of deaths are not covered in term life insurance?
Term plans will not cover any deaths caused by self-inflicted injuries or suicide. Additionally, deaths caused by intoxication or sexually transmitted diseases like HIV or AIDS are not covered. The insurance company will carry out investigations into every claim. If they uncover any kind of fraud, the death will not be covered.
5 What documents are required to purchase an online term plan?
To buy term insurance online, you will need the following documents:
- Any valid identity and address proof: Aadhar Card, Central KYC Identifier, Passport, Permanent Driving License or Voter's Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India
- Any valid income proof: Audited Company Account, Audited firm accounts and Partnership Deed, Bank Statements, Chartered Accountant's Certificate, Foreign Bank statement, ITR / Form 16 / Assessment orders / Computation of Income, Mandi receipt / Form J / Agriculture records, Rent receipt and Salary slip / Certificate
- PAN as mandatory document
6 Can a person buy 2 term insurance plans?
Yes, you can have multiple term insurance policies in order to ensure that your loved ones can achieve their life goals in the case of any unfortunate event. They can also manage to pay off liabilities such as loans in your absence.
7 Does Term Insurance Plan cover death or health related issues?
Yes, the HDFC Life Term Plan covers issues related to health and death. There are riders that come with the term plan among which are the basic death benefits and health benefits that you can avail in accordance to your needs. Being the cheapest and one of the most affordable types of insurance available, term insurance plans serve to provide protection with a life cover for your family.
The critical illness rider can be opted for protection from a critical illness. In such a case, you will receive the sum assured upon diagnosis. This is in addition to the benefits that are to be received in case of death during the policy term.
In case of unforeseeable events within the policy term, the nominee that you chose while filing for the term insurance receives the death benefits. The nominee, who is also referred to as the beneficiary, receives a lump sum amount as part of death benefits.
8 Should I buy a term insurance or a traditional life insurance plan?
It is a smarter move to invest in term insurance plans in comparison to traditional life insurance policies. While both cover the risk of premature death, the difference between term insurance and life insurance lies at the point of maturity.
A conventional life insurance plan with maturity benefits, like moneyback policies, endowment policies, retirement policies, etc., is typically 10 times its premium amount. From the perspective of wealth creation, such products provide 3% to 4% interest rate which is largely what you get had you kept your funds in your savings bank account. With term insurance policies your net gain is higher in comparison to a life insurance product that comes with a maturity benefit.
However, the choice needs to be on the basis of your life goals.
Other benefits that make buying a term plan a wise decision are:
Death Benefit: Even though term life insurance provides a death benefit in the event of the policyholder’s demise prior to the maturity of the term policy as opposed to life insurance offering both death and maturity benefit, the compensation offered by a term insurance policy's much higher.
Low Premiums: Term plans offer higher risk coverage on low premium but does not create wealth like life insurance policies.
Flexibility: It is a much simpler process to surrender term plans compared to conventional life insurance policies.
9 Can I change the frequency of payment for my term plan?
There might be instances when you would like the change the premium payment frequency.
“For example - If you have been paying your premium yearly, you might want to change it to monthly or if you have been paying your premium monthly, you might want to change it to yearly.”
With HDFC Life’s term insurance policy, you can change your premium payment frequency anytime.
10 Can you cash out term insurance policy?
Term insurance plans generally do not offer maturity benefits, so they do not have any cash value. Given this, it is not possible to cash out a term insurance policy. The policy will only provide a cash benefit in case something happens to the insured individual.
11 Do term insurance plans offer tax benefits?
Yes. The premium you pay for the upkeep of your term plan, up to INR 1,50,000 per year, is tax-deductible under Section 80C6 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Additionally, the payout you or your nominee receive will also be tax-free under Section 10(10D)7
12 What policy term should I select for my term life insurance?
Ideally, you should select a term for your whole life or one that will see you through until your retirement. You can purchase a policy when you’re in your 20s for affordable premiums in the coming years
13 Should you opt for Limited pay or regular pay term insurance plan?
Your decision should depend on your financial ability to pay premiums. If you can afford small regular payments, you can commit to a regular pay term plan. With this option, you can pay every month, quarter, six months or year. Conversely, if you can afford to payhigher premiums quicker, you can opt for a limited pay option.
14 Can I change the frequency of life cover after the term insurance policy is issued?
Yes, many insurance providers will allow you to change the frequency with which you make premium payments toward your term insurance plan. But, you will only be able to make the change when the policy is up for annual renewal.
15 Will I get my money back for a term life insurance if I survive the policy term?
This depends on the type of plan you purchase. If you have a return of premium policy, the insurance provider will return the premium amount once the policy expires. Most regular term plans do not offer any monetary benefit at the end of the policy term if the insured survives.
16 What if I become NRI after purchasing a term plan?
If you happen to shift residence out of India after purchasing a term plan, you must let your insurance provider know about the upcoming shift in writing. The company will then confirm whether they will keep your policy active or not. Typically, they will keep your policy going as long as you pay the premiums on time. However, some policy providers will not cover risks in particular countries. So, make sure you document their approval before you move.
17 Why should I buy a term life insurance?
Term insurance policies provide your loved ones with financial security at a particularly difficult time in their lives. Additionally, depending on the term plan you choose, you can also secure your own financial future in case you’re diagnosed with a critical illness or you meet with an accident that leaves you permanently disabled.
18 How much cover should I take in a term insurance plan?
The amount of coverage that you should ideally opt for in a term plan can be determined with the help of several parameters.
- Current Annual Income: The generally accepted thumb rule is 20 times your current annual income which more or less factors in all possibilities like life cover, high inflation, and the rising costs of living that helps to decide your overall term insurance plancoverage.
- Current and Future Financial Commitments: Outstanding loans and debts are yet another key factor that is considered when determining your term policy coverage. If you are the primary breadwinner of the family, you must opt for a large enough coverage that will secure your family, take care of ongoing and future financial obligations in your absence.
- Financial Goals: Factor in all liabilities that you need to meet in the future when deciding on the sum assured for your term insurance plans. The whole point is to make sure that your family is able to maintain their lifestyle and meet financial goals in the event of your sudden demise.
- Age at the time of Policy Purchase: You can use the term insurance calculator to reach a decision. 20x of current annual income if you are in your 20s, 15x of annual income if you are in your 30s, and 10x of annual income for those in their 40s. Remember to add any outstanding debt to this calculation too.
Duration of the Coverage: It is best to purchase young and opt for a maximum tenure of coverage on your term plans.
19 What are the in-built benefits offered with HDFC Life Term Insurance Plan?
You can enjoy the following benefits with your HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Super policy depending on the plan variant and add-on covers you select:
- Death benefit paid to your nominee in case anything happens to you
- Accelerated death benefit paid in case of a terminal illness diagnosis
- Return of premiums if you outlive the policy term
- Waiver of premiums in case of a critical illness diagnosis or permanent disability
20 Can the nominee be changed after I have purchased a term life insurance plan?
Yes. After you have purchased a term insurance policy, you are free to update the name of your nominee at any time. You may want to add a spouse after you get married or add your children as nominees as well.
21 Do I need to buy term insurance even if I am covered under my company's group policy?
It’s a good idea to purchase an individual term plan even if you’re covered under your company’s group policy. Group term plans often do not offer very high cover amounts. Individual plans, on the other hand, can be customised to suit your individual needs. You can decide your sum assured and how you’d like the payouts to be made to your nominees. Individual plans also offer continuous cover, which may not always be the case with group plans. If you happen to leave the group, you will no longer enjoy the life cover offered, which leaves you and your family with significant financial risk. With both an individual and a group policy, you can enjoy enhanced cover at all times, irrespective of whether you opt to change your job at any time.
22 What happens to a term insurance policy if the insured individual outlives the policy term?
Term insurance policies mainly offer the nominees of the individual a death benefit. If you happen to outlive your policy, the policy will end so you no longer have life cover and in most cases, you will not receive any kind of maturity benefit. If you’ve purchased a term plan that offers a maturity benefit, then you will receive it once the policy term expires. Before the term expires, you have the option of converting your term life insurance policy into a regular life insurance policy. You can check with your insurance provider on whether this is possible and ask about the process for the same.
23 How do I select the best term insurance for myself?
The term insurance policy that you choose will depend on your financial requirements. First, you must decide whether you want a simple term plan or if you’d like to get critical illness and disability cover as well. Next, you should look for policies that also offer maturity benefits, such as the return of the premium. Finally, you should look at the sum assured on offer. The sum assured that you opt for will depend on the number of dependents you have and the kind of lifestyle you’d like your family to enjoy in the future. Once you understand your needs and requirements, you’ll be able to select the right term insurance policy.
24 What does term insurance do?
Term insurance provides financial protection to the family of the insured at an affordable rate. The insured pays out a premium to the insurance provider for a specified period, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. In return the insured gets pure life coverage without cash value accumulation, making it affordable and straightforward. Term insurance ensures that loved ones are financially secure in the event of the policyholder's untimely demise.
25 What is the minimum income required to buy a term insurance plan?
There is no minimum income required to buy a term insurance plan. However, you still need to show your income statements/bank statements to the insurer to help them understand your premium paying capability. Ideally, insurance coverage is a 10 to 20X multiplier of your annual income and accordingly coverage of the term plan is determined. It is important to maintain the coverage for the said term that the insured is comfortable paying the premium.
26 What is the right age to buy a term insurance?
The best age for purchasing term life insurance is ideally your mid-20s or the early 30s. This is because around this age group you are young and healthy. As a result, the premiums are generally lower as the insurer perceives the risks to be lower as well. Nevertheless, individual circumstances, financial responsibilities, number of dependents, and long-term financial planning goals are all factors that influence your decision and life stage for buying a term plan.
27 Are term insurance plans refundable?
No, the premium on a basic term insurance plan is not refundable. Quite contrary to other insurance policies, such as whole life or endowment plans, a base term life insurance plan does not have a cash value component. It does not have a savings component either.
If the policyholder survives the policy term, there is no payout or refund of premiums paid. You pay the term insurance premiums solely to get insurance coverage for the specified term.
However, you can explore the features of a TROP (Term Insurance with Return of Premium) policy where this option is available to the insured. TROP allows the policyholder to get his/ her premium back (excluding GST) if he/ she survives the policy term.
28 Which is the best term insurance plan?
The suitability of a term insurance plan depends upon several factors. These include individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. In addition, you need to consider coverage amount, premium affordability, claim settlement ratio, customer service, and additional benefits if any. Hence, always research to find your best term plan. It is wise to consult a financial advisor if needed.
29 Can anyone take a loan on term insurance?
It is not possible to take a loan against your term insurance policy according to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) guidelines. The same way even unit-linked plans are not eligible for loans.
30 What are the three types of term life insurance?
The three main types of term life insurance are basic term insurance, whole life insurance, and term insurance with a return of premium.
31 What is the difference between fixed and term life insurance?
Fixed-term insurance ensures coverage only for a particular period – 10, 20, or 30 years whereas term life insurance provides a payout to your beneficiaries when you die. If there are no beneficiaries, the policy exists till the end of the term.
32 Can term life insurance be cashed out?
No, you cannot cash out term life insurance plans. However, you can sell your policy or change the coverage plan by reducing your premium payment or turning the policy into a permanent one.
33 What is the best amount of term life insurance?
There is no specific feasible amount for a term insurance plan. However, if you are starting young and have the necessary amount to invest, you can opt for a term insurance or whole life insurance of Rs. 1 crore. Moreover, you can avail of a term life insurance coverage equal to 10 to 12 times your annual income to avail financial protection and maintain a standard of living.
34 What is the 3 year rule for term insurance?
Life insurance companies can reject a term insurance within 3 years basis misrepresentation or suppression of facts. The company has three years to investigate a term life insurance. After three years no claim can be rejected basis misrepresentation of facts. Terms and conditions apply.
Key takeaways for Term Insurance
Term Insurance Plan offers you:
1. A low entry age of just 18
2. Premium payment and benefit payout flexibility
3. Long-term protection for life
4. High life cover with affordable premiums
5. Enhanced coverage with accidental disability and critical illness add-ons
6. Tax savings
7. Maturity benefits
8. Opportunity to secure your family’s financial future
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We at HDFC Life are committed to offer innovative products and services that enable individuals live a ‘Life of Pride’. For over two decades we have been providing life insurance plans - protection, pension, savings, investment, annuity and health.
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***Online Premium for Life Option for HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Super (UIN: 101N145V06), Male Life Assured, Non-Smoker, 20 years of age, Policy term of 25 years, Regular pay, Annual frequency, exclusive of taxes and levies as applicable. (Monthly Premium of 622/30=20.7).
**7% online discount available on 1st year premium only
~Tax benefits of ₹ 54,600 (₹ 46,800 u/s 80C & ₹ 7,800 u/s 80D) is calculated at highest tax slab rate of 30% on life insurance premium u/s 80C of ₹ 1,50,000 and health premium (Critical illness rider) u/s 80D of ₹ 25,000. Tax benefits are subject to conditions under section 80C, 80D, 10(10D) as per Income Tax Act, 1961. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.
^ Available under Life & Life Plus plan options
#Provided we have received all the relevant and required documents and no further investigation is required. Claim settlement process would be completed within stipulated timelines once the claim request is approved
##Individual claim settlement ratio by number of policies as per audited annual statistics for FY 23-24
@As per integrated annual report FY23-24, available on www.hdfclife.com. As of May 2024
2. For all details on Rider, kindly refer to the Rider Brochure available on our website.
6. Subject to conditions specified u/s 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
7. Subject to conditions specified u/s 10 (10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Therefore stated views are based on the current Income-tax law. Tax benefits are subject to change in tax laws. Also, the customer is requested to seek advice from his Chartered Accountant or personal tax advisor with respect to his personal tax liabilities under the Income-tax law
8. The premium price is subject to change based on variations in customer profile, policy term, premium payment term, and selected death benefits.
9. The premium amount is exclusive of taxes & levies.
10. HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Super (UIN: 101N145V06) is a Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Individual, Pure Risk Premium/ Savings Life Insurance Plan. Life Insurance Coverage is available in this product
11. HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Elite (UIN:101N176V02) A Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Individual, Pure Risk Premium Life Insurance Plan
12. HDFC Life Sanchay Legacy (UIN:101N177V04) is a Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Individual, Pure Risk Premium/ Savings Life Insurance Plan. Life Insurance Coverage is available in this product.
*Online Premium for Life Option, Male Life Assured, Non-Smoker, 20 years of age, Policy term of 40 years, Regular pay, Monthly frequency, exclusive of taxes and levies as applicable.
ARN- DM/12/24/19327