What Happens If You Outlive Your Term Life Insurance Policy?

 

A term insurance plan provides coverage for a limited time. Once the tenure expires, you lose the coverage. Since term plans are pure insurance products, they do not offer any maturity or other benefits. So, if you outlive the term policy, you will not receive any returns or benefits.

Let’s look at how you can make your term insurance policy work for you:

1. Opting for Return of Premiums

When you purchase a term plan, you can choose a policy that offers a return of premiums in case of survival. For example, a person may purchase a 20-year term plan with INR 20,00,000 as the sum insured. Every year, they pay INR 2,000 as the policy premium. If something happens to them during the policy tenure, their family receives the sum insured amount. If they survive the policy, they receive a payout equal to the premiums paid. In this case, they will receive INR 40,000 when the policy expires.

2. Extending Your Coverage

You can opt to purchase a term plan that offers guaranteed renewability. You can renew your term insurance plan at the end of the policy term. In such situations, the insurance company guarantees to extend your coverage, but they will likely revise your premium. Since you will be older and might have health concerns, you might have to pay a significantly higher premium than before.

3. Converting to a Permanent Policy

Many companies offer term plans that you can convert into permanent life insurance policies. Each insurance provider lays down its rules and conditions regarding the switch from a term policy to a permanent one. If you can afford the required premiums in the future, a permanent policy could be ideal for you.

4. Purchase a New Plan

You can opt to purchase a new insurance policy once your existing term plan expires. Healthy and active individuals can get a new policy since they might still enjoy affordable premiums. Additionally, a new plan means the policyholder can customise the terms and conditions based on their family’s requirements and financial needs.

5. Move Ahead Without Insurance

Although not wise, you can choose to move ahead without life coverage. Of course, we do not recommend this as it could impact your family’s finances in the future.

Why Should I Get a Term Policy?

A term insurance plan provides your family with financial support when they need it most. Here’s a look at some of the benefits these insurance policies offer:

• Easy to Understand

  Term policies are straightforward life insurance plans, making them easy to understand. You pick a sum insured and pay regular premiums to enjoy the coverage.

• Customised Cover

  You can customise your term insurance coverage based on your specific needs and requirements. Apart from the sum insured amount, you can select add-ons or riders to enhance your coverage.

• Financial Stability

  Life is unpredictable, and a term policy helps you deal with uncertainties. If anything happens to you, the plan provides your family with the payout benefit, providing them with financial stability at a difficult time.

• Affordable Premiums

  Term plans offer high coverage at pocket-friendly premiums. Since they do not have any additional benefits, the entire premium goes towards your life coverage.

• Pick Your Payout

  When you buy a term plan, you can choose how your loved ones will receive the payout. You can opt to have the money provided as a single, lump-sum payout. Or, you can ask your insurer to provide your family with monthly or annual payouts. Make your decision based on your family’s financial needs.

Many people do not purchase a term plan since these policies have expiry dates. However, if you select your insurance coverage, riders and tenure wisely, they can offer significant benefits to your nominees and loved ones.

Related Articles :

• What Will Happen When a Term Life Insurance Policy Matures?
• Should I Surrender My Term Policy?
• How to Choose the Right Term Policy Period
• What is Term Insurance? Definition & Meaning

ARN - ED/08/22/28530