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Are You Really Protected? The One Insurance Move You Can’t Ignore

August 21, 2025

 

We all plan our money life carefully. Many people choose investment tools based on their goals. Some want wealth creation. But one question often gets missed. What happens if you are not around to see any of it? The answer is not in savings or returns. It lies in protection. And the one product that offers thisis a term plan.

Term plan is pure protection

There are many types of insurance in the market. Some help you build wealth. Some offer returns. Some link your premiums to market growth. A term plan protects your loved ones. It gives your family a fixed payout if you pass away during the policy term. There are no surprises attached to a ter plan. This makes it one of the most honest and powerful financial tools you can buy.

It costs less than you think

Most people think insurance is expensive. But term insurance is not. If you are 30 years old, healthy, and a non-smoker, you can get ₹1 crore cover for ₹800 a month. That’s actually less than what many people spend on one dinner out. And for that amount, your family gets the safety net they need if life takes an unexpected turn.

When you think about it, you may feel that a term plan is not an exciting product in your portfolio. After all, you do not see any financial return if you survive through the policy term. There is no bonus, or cash value usually. But that is exactly why it works. It is built for one thing only. Protection. You are buying peace of mind for your family.

Your portfolio needs it

Imagine this. You have built a corpus of ₹20 lakhs. You have a home loan of ₹45 lakh. Now,in case of an early demise, what will your family do? This situation can create a lot of pressure on them. But with a ₹1 crore term plan in place, your family gets the room to breathe. They can repay the home loan. They can pay bills for years. They can take time to recover.

Protection first, always.

Financial literacy is not just about growing money. It is about protecting what you already have. All your investments need time to grow. Term insurance buys that time for your family. It gives your loved ones the space to use your other plans wisely. That is what a smart financial plan should do. People often think term plans are only for older people or parents. That is not true reading of the situation. If you are working and someone depends on your income, you need it. That could be your parents. Your sibling. Your partner. Even a co-signed education loan counts.

Waiting can cost you more

Premiums increase with age. Health issues can come anytime. If they do, insurance may become costly or impossible. Buy it early. Lock in a low premium. Stay covered for years. And yes, the employer insurance cover is not enough. Your company may offer a group life insurance policy. But that is usually limited. It may cover just two or three times your annual salary. It may not continue if you quit. That is not enough to depend on. A personal term plan stays with you. You control it. You can increase the cover, add riders, and update your nominee. It virtually travels with you across jobs and cities.

It protects dreams, not just incomes

Think beyond bills and loans. A term plan also protects future dreams. Your child’s education. A sibling’s wedding. A parent’s health care. These are not just expenses. They are deeply personal goals. If your income suddenly stops, these dreams could be delayed or lost. But with the right cover, they stay on track. Your family does not have to make tough choices between school and rent or treatment and survival. A term plan makes sure their life goes on with dignity. That is the true value of protection. Not numbers, but the ability to keep living without fear.

How much cover do you need

There is no fixed number. But here is a simple way to estimate. Take your yearly income. Multiply it by 20 to 25. That number is a good starting point. Add your loans to that. If you earn ₹10 lakh a year and have a ₹40 lakh loan, a cover of ₹2-2.5 crore is reasonable. This should support your family for 10 years or more and help them stay debt-free. Term plans also offer extra benefits at a small cost. You can add critical illness cover. You can add accidental death benefit. You can choose to get monthly income instead of one large sum. Pick what suits your life stage. These term plan riders can be helpful when life throws a curveball.

Conclusion

You may never use this plan yourself. That’s the point. Your family will. When people talk of legacy, they think of wealth. But stability is a better legacy. A term plan gives that. It will quietly protect your loved ones when they need it most. You do not need a lot of money to start a term plan. What's required is just commitment. 

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ARN: ED/08/25/25712

Francis Rodrigues Francis Rodrigues

Francis Rodrigues has a decade long experience in the insurance sector, and as SVP, E-Commerce and Digital Marketing, HDFC Life, manages the online sales channel, as well as digital and performance marketing. He has had hands-on experience in setting up sales channels and functional teams from scratch over a career spanning 2 decades.

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