Savings plans come in a wide variety of products and many savings plans can be bought online. First, you need to assess your financial requirements, and sort out your long term and short term goals. You should also determine your investment horizon and evaluate your risk appetite.

Factors such as the savings plan’s unique features, the flexibility it offers and additional benefits such as add-on riders should also be considered before buying online savings plans.

Financial goals

Goals change with each life stage and hence it is important to understand your short-term and long-term goals and the time that you estimate it would take to achieve them. Set an amount against each goal and then reverse plan to decide how much you need to put into a savings plan that will get you those funds in the future.

Riders, features and flexibility

Assess the benefits and features of the savings plan you choose to understand if it fits your requirements and risk taking appetite. Know the rider options that come with different plans to be able to choose the one that is right for you. Read the fine print in order to understand the eligibility criteria, various inclusions and exclusions and the documents you will need to buy the plan, so that you can make an informed choice.

Investment horizon

Decide your investment horizon in accordance with your long-term goals and financial needs. It will also help to decide whether the cover you have opted for is available to you need it.

Savings plans are life insurance products designed to help you make disciplined and periodic savings and cover your family financially in case of your untimely demise.

Today, you can buy a savings plan online without the need for visiting the office of an insurer or agent. All the information about savings plans is available online. You can research for the plans best suited to your requirements, check your eligibility for the same, upload the documents needed and make the payments online. Policies are usually despatched over e-mail and you can get notifications on your mobile phone as well.

Here are some simple steps you need to buy savings plans online

Step 1: Assess your financial goals and requirements. Knowing the approximate amount of funds you could need for a big expenditure in future or the funds required to sustain your dependents after you are not around will help you fix an amount that needs to be assured.

Step 2: Do your research thoroughly. Most insurers detail out their different savings plans on their websites, complete with inclusions and exclusions. Read the fine print about claim settlements and other terms and conditions before you decide on the savings plan you want to buy.

Step 3: Do a due diligence on the insurer you have shortlisted to evaluate the insurer's financial strength, reputation, service quality, reviews and discounts offered.

Step 4: Check the eligibility criteria, including the minimum and maximum ages at which you can opt for the policy, income brackets and the various proofs needed to buy a savings plan online.

Step 5: Submit the online forms, relevant proofs - including that of address, identity, income, and age.

Step 6: Receive the policy documents over email and relevant notifications over your mobile phone. Keep a record of all your investments in a folder so that you can refer to them easily whenever needed in an emergency.

Each individual has different financial needs and risk appetites. You have to consider the following factors before you choose the Savings Plan that is right for you.

Evaluate financial goals

Goals change for every person at different stages in life. Assess your short term and long goals, the time you need to achieve them and the funds required to fulfil them. This will enable you to work out how much you need to start putting away in a Savings Plan to accumulate the funds you desire. The goals can range from funding your children's education to building a house, to building a corpus for the retirement years.

Check features,riders and flexibility

Select features that are affordable for you and can meet your future needs. Make sure your plan can give you the flexibility to access your funds in case of an emergency, and whether you can get a loan against the funds. Check for various riders like accident, disability and illness that help you get additional coverage. With the right coverage and flexible options, one can enjoy protection as well as growth through Savings Plans.

Determine investment horizon

Choosing an investment horizon helps to ensure that the cover you have opted for is available when you need it. It also helps you map your long term goals and financial requirements which helps you choose the right plan accordingly.

Assess risk appetite

Savings Plans offer a variety of choices that cater to all risk appetites. Age and personal factors determine the amount of risk people can take while investing in Savings Plans. People who have a higher risk appetite can choose plans that offer lucrative returns and can choose more aggressive plans, while those who are risk averse can opt for conservative Savings Plans that offer more security but give relatively lower returns.

Review and compare

Do not go for the first savings plan that appeals to you. It is better to review and compare different plans, their features and benefits and then choose one that aligns with your future needs. Ideally, use a savings and income calculator to determine the ideal coverage and premium payable towards the savings plan.

A number of crucial factors can impact the premium you pay on the plan you choose.

Age

This is the primary factor that decides the premium you pay, although some savings plans are age agnostic as well. At a younger age, a person is less likely to suffer from an age-related disease and pass away prematurely, hence the premiums are lower. You can lock in a good savings plan at lower premium rates when you opt for a savings plan at a younger age. The insurer increases the premium rates as your age goes up, as the chances of a claim (due to death) also increase.

Policy period and sum assured

There's usually a higher premium if you opt for a longer policy period, since the probability of claims is higher.Choosing a term that terminates with your retirement and a policy amount that is enough to protect your family's financial needs is the wise option.

Medical history

A history of diseases that have tendency to run in the family and your own medical records as well as parameters like height and weight can raise flags about potential illness or obesity, and can impact the amount of premium you pay.

Smoking and drinking habits

Since research indicates that people who smoke are likely to contract more illnesses than those who do not and also have a higher mortality rate, insurance premiums for smokers tend to be higher than for non-smokers. The same goes for excessive drinking habits. It is prudent to disclose your smoking and drinking habits to the insurer before purchasing a plan.

Occupation

Some professions or lines of work carry more risk and hence, insurers might charge a higher premium. It is important to make proper disclosures about your work and income to the insurer before finalising the policy.

Riders

Additional riders like critical illness or accidental death cover can attract an additional premium since you are opting for extra benefits by opting for such riders.

Savings plans can help you save tax while giving you insurance cover as well as growing your wealth. This helps build up your insurance portfolio while giving you tax benefits. Life insurance premiums are deductible, and come with life insurance tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Premiums you pay towards life insurance in a savings plan are deductible up to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh. Also, proceeds received upon the death of the policy holder or upon maturity are tax free under Section 10 10(D). 

Persons who have a regular income and who know they would require a lump sum amount after some years should invest in a savings plan. Savings plans are also good for working professionals, self-employed persons as well as business persons so that their long-term financial obligations can be fulfilled easily. For individuals who do not want to risk much and would like to grow their wealth through relatively safer mediums, savings plans are a good choice.

Long-term investments give superior returns whenever they mature. This kind of investment is good if you are planning financially for the future of your child - education, marriage, and lifestyle. There are several long term investment options available and you must choose one carefully depending on your financial goals. You can choose one that gives you premiums that you can afford easily, and one in which you can stay invested for a certain number of years. Reading up on information about the various savings plans available with HDFC Life can help you get started on your journey.