Term Insurance/Life Insurance Term Plan hero background

Term Insurance/Life Insurance Term Plan

Term Insurance/Life Insurance Term Plan

A term insurance plan pays your family a fixed amount if you die during the policy period. No maturity benefit, no investment returns, just straightforward protection at a low premium. It is the most affordable way to leave your family a financial safety net. Here is what you should know before buying one.

What is a Life Insurance Term Plan?

A life insurance term plan is a type of life insurance that offers coverage for a specific period, known as the policy term. It provides a death benefit to the beneficiary if the insured passes away during the term of the policy. Unlike permanent term life insurance policies, term insurance does not accumulate cash value.

What are the types of Term Insurance?

There are several types of term insurance plans available in the market. Understanding the differences between them can help you choose the right one for your specific needs.

Term Life Insurance

Among the country's most popular life insurance plans. Provides life insurance coverage for a specific period — 10, 20, 30 or more years. Premium amount increases with the number of years covered. Nominees receive a death benefit if the policyholder passes away unexpectedly.

Term Life Insurance with Return of Premium

A form of term life insurance that provides maturity benefits. Coverage for up to 20 years or more with premium return on surviving the term. Nominees receive death benefits if something happens during the policy period.

Whole Life Insurance

Provides a death benefit for the entire duration of the policyholder's life. Designed to provide entire life coverage for financial security. Acts as a safety net in case of sudden death for dependents.

Endowment Life Insurance

Offers a unique solution combining both insurance and savings. Enables regular savings over time alongside life coverage. Provides a lump sum payment at the time of maturity.

Choosing the Best Term Insurance Plan

  • Picking the right term insurance plan takes a bit of homework. Here are the things you should weigh before signing up:
  • Assessing your needs : Evaluate your financial responsibilities and determine the coverage amount needed to support your family in your absence. Consider factors such as outstanding debts, future expenses, and income replacement.
  • Coverage amount : Select a coverage amount that provides sufficient financial support for your family's needs. It should consider factors like daily expenses, outstanding loans, education expenses, and any other financial obligations you want to cover.
  • Policy duration : Decide on the duration of the term insurance policy based on your financial goals and responsibilities. Consider factors like the age of your dependents, mortgage duration, and the number of years until retirement.
  • Premium payment options : Choose a premium payment option that suits your financial capability. Options include annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly payments. Determine what works best for your budget and ensure timely payments to keep the policy active.
  • Riders and add-ons : Explore additional benefits and riders offered by insurance companies. These may include critical illness riders, accidental death benefit riders, or waiver of premium riders. Assess your needs and consider adding riders that enhance the policy's coverage.

Key Features of the Best Term Insurance Plan

  • Understanding the key features of the best term insurance plan will help you make an informed decision when selecting a policy. Here are some essential features to consider:
  • Death benefit: Term insurance provides a death benefit to the beneficiary if the insured passes away during the policy term. The death benefit is the coverage amount specified in the policy and serves as financial protection for your loved ones..
  • PR Policy term : The policy term is the duration for which the policy provides coverage. It can range from 5 to 40 years or more, depending on the insurance company and the policy selected.
  • Premiums :Term insurance premiums can be level or increasing. Level premiums remain constant throughout the policy term, while increasing premiums may rise over time. Choose a premium structure that aligns with your budget and long-term financial goals.

Advantages of Term Insurance

  • Term insurance offers numerous advantages that make it a popular choice among individuals seeking financial protection for their families. Consider the following benefits of term insurance:
  • Affordability : Term insurance is generally more affordable compared to permanent term life insurance policies. The premiums are lower, allowing you to secure a higher coverage amount within your budget.
  • Financial protection : Term insurance provides a significant death benefit to your beneficiaries, ensuring they have financial stability and can maintain their standard of living even after your demise.
  • Flexibility : Term insurance offers flexibility in terms of policy duration and coverage amount. You can customize the policy to align with your specific needs and adjust it as your circumstances change.
  • Tax benefits : Premiums paid towards term insurance are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, providing additional financial relief.
  • Peace of mind : Premiums paid towards term insurance are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, providing additional financial relief.

Reasons to Buy Term Insurance in 2025

  • With rising costs and financial uncertainty, 2025 is the right time to secure your family with term insurance. Here is why:
  • Rising Cost of Living: Inflation keeps pushing up the cost of groceries, education, rent, and healthcare. Your family's financial needs will only grow with time. A term plan with adequate coverage ensures they can maintain their standard of living.
  • Increasing Loan Burdens: More Indians are taking home loans, car loans, and personal loans than ever before. If something happens to you, these EMIs become your family's burden. Term insurance can cover outstanding loan amounts.
  • Healthcare Expenses: Medical treatment costs in India are climbing at 10-14% per year. While health insurance covers hospitalisation, term insurance provides a lump sum that can cover income loss during illness and long-term care expenses.
  • Affordable Premiums Online: In 2025, buying term insurance online gives you access to premiums that are 30-40% lower than offline plans. A healthy 30-year-old can get Rs. 1 crore cover for under Rs. 1,000 per month.

Top Term Insurance Companies in India (2025)

  • Choosing a trusted insurer with a high claim settlement ratio is just as important as choosing the right plan. Here are the leading term insurance providers in India:
  • LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India): India's largest and most trusted insurer with a claim settlement ratio consistently above 98%. LIC Tech Term and Jeevan Amar are popular choices.
  • HDFC Life Insurance: Known for HDFC Life Click 2 Protect, one of the most popular online term plans with flexible payout options and a claim settlement ratio above 97%.
  • ICICI Prudential Life Insurance: ICICI Pru iProtect Smart offers comprehensive coverage with affordable premiums and add-ons like critical illness and accidental death benefit.
  • Max Life Insurance: Max Life Smart Secure Plus is well-regarded for its extensive coverage options and one of the highest claim settlement ratios among private insurers at 99%+.
  • SBI Life Insurance: SBI Life eShield Next offers affordable term coverage backed by the trusted SBI brand, with a claim settlement ratio above 95%.
  • Tata AIA Life Insurance: Tata AIA Sampoorna Raksha Supreme offers extensive riders and one of the best premium rates for non-smokers with a claim settlement ratio above 98%.
  • Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance: Bajaj Allianz Smart Protect Goal provides flexible term insurance with return of premium and monthly income options for nominees.
  • Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance: Kotak e-Term plan is popular for its competitive pricing and optional riders for accidental death and critical illness.
  • At Policywings, we help you compare these plans side-by-side so you can find the one that gives you the best coverage at the most affordable premium.

Documents Required for Term Insurance

  • Having your documents ready makes the term insurance application process smooth and fast. Most insurers in India require:
  • Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or driving licence.
  • Address Proof: Utility bill, bank statement, passport, or Aadhaar card.
  • Income Proof: Last 3-6 months salary slips, Form 16, or IT returns for self-employed individuals. Required for coverage above Rs. 50 lakh.
  • Age Proof: Birth certificate, 10th mark sheet, passport, or PAN card.
  • Medical Reports: For sum assured above Rs. 50 lakh or applicants above 35-40 years, insurers may ask for blood tests, urine tests, ECG, and chest X-ray. Many online plans for young applicants under Rs. 1 crore waive medical tests.
  • Bank Details: Cancelled cheque for premium payment setup (ECS/auto-debit) and claim settlement.
  • Photographs: 2-3 recent passport-sized photographs.

Most Important Advice for Term Insurance Buyers

Never lie or hide information on your term insurance application. If you smoke, have a health condition, or do high-risk activities, declare it honestly. Hiding facts can lead to claim rejection when your family needs the money most. Insurers investigate claims and can deny payouts if they find non-disclosure. The extra premium for honest declaration is always worth the guaranteed payout.

Term Insurance Companies - Claim Settlement Comparison

InsurerPopular PlanClaim Settlement RatioMin. Monthly Premium (Rs. 1 Cr, Age 30)
LICJeevan Amar / Tech Term98.62%Rs. 900 - Rs. 1,100
Max LifeSmart Secure Plus99.51%Rs. 800 - Rs. 1,000
HDFC LifeClick 2 Protect Life97.83%Rs. 850 - Rs. 1,050
ICICI PrudentialiProtect Smart97.90%Rs. 800 - Rs. 950
Tata AIASampoorna Raksha Supreme98.55%Rs. 750 - Rs. 950
SBI LifeeShield Next95.17%Rs. 900 - Rs. 1,100

Term insurance is a pure life insurance plan that provides a death benefit to your nominee if you pass away during the policy term. It offers high coverage at affordable premiums with no maturity benefit unless you choose a return of premium option.

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Life Insurance in India: Types, Benefits and Why You Need ItLife Insurance

Life Insurance in India: Types, Benefits and Why You Need It

Introduction You can’t predict life but it’s always possible to secure the financial future of your family with life insurance. It is a very reliable financial protection that supports your loved ones in case something unexpected happens to you. Many people delay buying it when it should be a priority. They mistake it for being complicated, expensive or unnecessary (when young). From a practical standpoint, the right life insurance term plan should ideally be chosen early. This will be one of the most sensible financial decisions you make. Also, now, you can have all the convenience to buy insurance online. Here, we will discuss all the important details around it so that you know why it matters and what you must do. What Is Life Insurance? In simple terms, it is a deal between you and an insurance company. You will pay a regular premium for which the insurer pays a fixed amount to your nominee in case of your unfortunate death during the term of the policy. In fact, some policies even offer benefits to you if you survive the policy period. But basically, the purpose of life insurance is to protect your dependents from facing financial hardship after you. It will be correct to say that not just money, life insurance also protects people. Why Buy Life Insurance? If you take a look at the financial structure in India, you will notice that there are heavy responsibilities on individuals. In most of the households, everything depends on one or two earning members. In case there is a sudden loss of income, it can be such a challenge to handle everything whether it’s daily expenses or long-term goals. This is how life insurance helps: It replaces lost income for the family Settles loans like home or personal loans Funds education and marriage of children Dependents don’t have to exhaust their savings Provides peace of mind during uncertainties Types of Life Insurance in India We have life insurance available in different forms so that people can pick the most suitable as per their stage of life, goals and responsibilities. While each one serves a different purpose, ultimately, they all are designed to offer financial protection. Let’s learn about the types of life insurance plans: Term Life Insurance A life insurance term plan offers complete protection for a specific period like 20 or maybe 30 years. Usually, this is the first and vital life insurance policy that people buy. Nominee gets a lump sum if the policyholder passes away during the policy term Policyholders won’t get any maturity benefit if they survive This is the most affordable way to obtain a high life cover Term Insurance with Return of Premium (TROP) This is for those who want protection along with a way to create savings. Provides life cover throughout your policy term Returns all the premiums you have paid if you survive the term Because you get it all back, premiums are higher than regular term plans Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) This plan combines life insurance with market-linked investments for greater benefits. Great for long-term financial goals and investors that have a moderate risk taking capacity. A portion of the premium goes for life cover The rest of the amount is invested in equity or debt funds The returns you get depend on market performance Endowment Plan It offers both insurance and savings and is are preferred by those who want guaranteed benefits The plan pays the sum assured on death or maturity Disciplined savings are encouraged Returns are stable but generally lower Money Back Policy These plans provide regular payments during the term and are ideal for those who need funds at different stages of life. You get regular survival benefits at fixed intervals You keep getting life cover throughout the term Helps in meeting planned expenses Whole Life Insurance This offers coverage for almost the entire lifetime and is best for people who want lifelong financial protection. Usually provides coverage up to 99 or 100 years of age Nominees get guaranteed payout The premiums are higher compared to term plans Child Insurance Plan This helps you secure your child’s future. It makes sure that their goals stay protected even in difficult times. Helps in supporting education and important milestones Premium is waived off if the parent passes away The structure is mostly as that of an endowment or ULIP Retirement or Pension Plans They focus on offering financial stability after retirement and help maintain monetary independence in the golden years. Helps in building a nice retirement fund You receive regular income after retirement There may also be annuity or deferred payout options Group Life Insurance Plan These plans are usually offered by employers and are very useful. However, they should not be a replacement for individual life insurance. Covers all the employees under a single policy Basic life cover is provided at low cost Coverage usually ends with the employment Key Benefits of Having Life Insurance Besides providing financial support after death, life insurance offers many other major benefits like: Dependents get financial security Tax benefits under existing laws Policyholders get peace of mind for the Support is provided during essential life milestones Adequate coverage provides protection against inflation With a well-chosen policy, you can make sure that the lifestyle of your family remains stable even in when you are no longer there. How Much Life Insurance Coverage Do You Need? Coverage is not a random estimate. It has to be according to your financial responsibilities. Here’s a simple approach: Yearly income × 10 to 15 Also add in outstanding loans Future goals like education and marriage Subtract your existing savings This will give you a good a realistic and effective cover amount that you must consider. Why Buying Life Insurance Early is a Good Idea Many people assume that it’s too early to buy life insurance and often delay it. However, postponing it often leads to higher premiums and you have just limited choices

Written bySagar NarangPublished onDecember 18, 2025

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How Much Term Insurance Cover Do I Really Need?Life Insurance

How Much Term Insurance Cover Do I Really Need?

Before buying term insurance, most people ask how much cover do they really need. You can’t buy a plan just because someone suggested a number like ₹50 lakh or ₹1 crore. But it’s not the same for all. The right answer depends on your income, responsibilities and future plans. A life insurance term plan is meant to replace income and protect the financial future of your family. But it can effectively do as expected only if the coverage amount is properly calculated and not guessed. This blog will make it easy for you to understand. What Term Insurance Cover Is Actually Supposed to Do Before we jump to calculating numbers, we’ll begin with understanding the purpose of term insurance. It’s a trusted life insurance plan that is NOT designed to grow wealth or generate returns for you. Its sole purpose is to provide protection. In case something happens to you, the insurance payout should be enough to help your family in: Covering regular daily living expenses Repaying loans and liabilities Funding long-term goals like education, marriage or retirement Maintaining financial stability for many years All this makes it so important to choose the right coverage amount. Practical Way to Calculate Term Insurance Coverage All families don’t need the same coverage amount. Smart financial planners use a structured approach in which they consider these key components: Requirement for Income Replacement Take your annual income and multiply it by the number of years you think family would depend on those earnings. A common benchmark is 10-15x of your annual income (depending on age and financial dependents). For example: If annual income is ₹8 lakh, the coverage range would be ₹80 lakh to ₹1.2 crore This will make sure that your family has enough funds to manage daily expenses while they are adjusting to a new reality. Outstanding Loans and Liabilities Next, add all your existing liabilities like loans (car, home or personal), credit card balances and any other long-term liabilities. If your insurance payout cannot clear these dues then your family will face the burden. For instance, if your cover requirement as per income is ₹1.2 crore and you have a ₹46 lakh home loan, your total requirement is now ₹1.66 crore. A well-calculated life insurance term plan ensures your family is not burdened with EMIs in your absence. Future Financial Goals Think about your family’s future goals when calculating. Include: Education of children Marriage expenses Retirement planning for spouse These goals can be 10-20 years apart and require significant funds. If you ignore them today, you will be underinsured. This defeats the whole purpose of having life insurance. Existing Savings and Investments At last, subtract the financial assets that your dependents can rely on: Fixed deposits Mutual funds Provident fund balance Employer-provided life cover Personal savings Once you know this amount, you can prevent getting over-insurance and your premium will stay reasonable. What you get after this adjustment is your ideal coverage amount. Why Coverage Calculation Needs Expert Guidance Online formulas can only provide you with estimates. The assistance for insurance on Policywings simplifies the process for you. You don’t have to refer to what friends, colleagues or relatives have bought when we offer personalized guidance that considers: The pattern of your income The structure of your family Your future responsibilities With us, you don’t get a random plan but coverage that actually works in real situations. Choosing the Right Policy After Calculating the Cover Once the coverage amount is clear, it becomes a lot easier to select the right plan. So, when you buy insurance online, it’s suggested to look for: Fixed premiums you will pay for the entire policy term Flexible payout options Reliable claim settlement record of the insurer Strong, optional riders for more protection With online insurance, you can achieve higher transparency and reduced costs. This is why it is ideal for modern working individuals. Coverage Needs Change Over Time Your term insurance coverage should ideally be a sign of your current life stage. If you are an unmarried professional, you may need less cover than someone who has people dependent on them. With an increase in your income and responsibilities, coverage requirements may also change. Consultation matters a lot because you get explanations instead of just numbers. It tells why you need a certain coverage amount and how to align it with your financial goals. While a one-time calculation helps, you still need periodic review to keep your life insurance term plan relevant and effective Conclusion The right answer for the coverage needs comes from careful calculation and not guesswork. Consider all the possibilities and responsibilities. After all, a properly calculated life insurance term plan will work to protect your dignity, lifestyle and future plans of your loved ones. It’s ok if you’re unsure about the number but don’t rely on assumptions. Today, there is ease to buy insurance online and the availability of expert that will get you satisfactory coverage. For accurate calculation and personalized guidance, trust insurance on Policywings. You will be guided all the way, whether buying your first policy or reassessing your existing cover.

Written bySagar NarangPublished onJanuary 22, 2026