Term Plan Riders: Enhancing Coverage For Specific Life Situations

Published on: 14 September 2023 Last Updated on: 08 November 2023

Term insurance, a form of life insurance, grants a lump sum to the beneficiary after the policyholder’s demise within the policy’s term. It is one of the most cost-effective and straightforward methods to safeguard your loved one’s financial well-being in your absence. Term plan riders are optional features that you can add to your base term plan by paying a nominal extra premium.

However, term insurance may not cover all the possible risks and contingencies you may face. For example, what if you survive a critical illness or a road mishap that leaves you disabled and unable to work? What if you lose your income due to a temporary disability or unemployment? How will you pay the premiums of your term plan if you are unable to earn?

To address these gaps and enhance the coverage of your term plan, you can opt for additional benefits called term plan riders. Term plan riders provide extra protection against various eventualities.

Different Types Of Term Plan Riders

There are several types of term insurance riders that you can include in your base to improve coverage based on your specific needs. These riders usually have some common categories:

1. Rider of Accidental Death Benefit

The rider dedicated to accidental death benefit offers an extra sum assured to the beneficiary if an insured person passes away as an outcome of an accident. Further, this percentage of the additional sum is determined based on the original sum assured and can differ among insurance companies.

Some policies may impose a maximum limit on the sum assured for this rider, but the premium remains constant throughout the policy’s duration.

For example, suppose a person has taken a Rs 60 lakh term plan and included the accidental death benefit rider for an additional Rs 20 lakhs on accidental death. If the policyholder experiences an unfortunate demise, the insurance will pay Rs 60 lakhs for non-accidental death and Rs 80 lakhs for accidental death (60 + 20).

2. Accidental Total And Permanent Disability Rider

This add-on provides coverage if the policyholder becomes totally and permanently disabled because of his involvement in an accident. The disability could be loss of limbs, eyesight, speech, hearing, etc. In such a scenario, the rider pays the policyholder a certain percentage of the sum assured as regular installments or lump sum.

The benefit of this rider is that it provides economic support to the policyholder in case he cannot work and earn due to a permanent disability. Before buying this rider, it is recommended to use a term plan calculator.

3. Rider Of Critical Illness

The critical illness rider provides coverage when an insured individual gets diagnosed with any of the critical illnesses mentioned in the policy brochure, like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or even cancer. The rider pays a lump sum equal to the rider sum assured to the policyholder upon diagnosis of any covered illnesses. The policyholder can use this amount for treatment expenses, lifestyle changes, debt repayment, or other obligations.

4. Waiver Of Premium Rider

Such a rider waives off all the future premiums of the term plan in case the policyholder becomes disabled or critically ill and is unable to pay them. The term plan continues without interruption and provides the benefit of death to the nominee.

For example, suppose a person has taken a Rs 50 lakh term insurance policy with an annual premium of Rs 10,000 and included the premium rider waiver. If he becomes paralyzed due to an accident, he will not have to pay any more premiums for his term plan.

5. Family Income Benefit Rider

This add-on provides a regular income to the nominee. Especially in case of the death of the policyholder during the policy term. The income could be a fixed percentage of the sum assured or a fixed amount paid monthly, quarterly, or annually for a certain period.

The income benefit rider is usually offered along with the death advantage of the term plan. The rider becomes a must-have if the insured is the sole breadwinner in his family.

Conclusion

Term plan riders are a great way to customize your term insurance plan according to your specific needs and preferences. They provide extra protection and peace of mind to you and your family in case of unforeseen events.

However, you should thoroughly analyze the various types of term plan riders available in India. Further, choose the ones you can afford. You should also read the policy document carefully. Make sure to understand each rider’s terms and conditions, exclusions, and limitations before opting for them.

Term plan riders can assist you in making your term insurance plan more comprehensive and effective. So, don’t wait any longer and add the best term plan riders to your term plan today!

Read Also:

Barsha Bhattacharya

Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.

View all posts

Insure Your Health, Ensure Your Wealth: How To Dodge Common Insurance Blunders

Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and this era is also witness to relentless medical inflation contributing to increasing concern. Concern regarding what? You may ask. The concerns regarding the finances and ourselves are taking the wheel. Each year, people and their families struggle to navigate the complex health insurance structure. They are often face-to-face with pitfalls that drain their finances. This, in turn, compromises their health and well-being. The only fitting way to combat this is through proper knowledge and foresight, which can help avoid common insurance mistakes. Financial and health stability should also be kept in check. The following article will explore practical ways to avoid these pitfalls and secure a healthier, brighter future. Common Mistakes When Buying A Health Insurance Plan When you think of buying health insurance, there are high stakes you may miss. Overlooking key details or inadequate coverage can cause significant financial strain compromising healthcare. Unfortunately, several individuals often find themselves in traps, which may be due to an oversight or a misunderstanding. The following section will dissect some of the most prevalent health insurance mistakes. It also provides insight into each of these mistakes, guiding ways to avoid them: Insufficient Coverage One of the biggest mistakes you can make is choosing health insurance with insufficient coverage. It is common for the desire to save on premiums to drive our decisions; however, as an individual, you may choose plans that provide limited protection. There have also been cases where individuals have unexpected medical expenses, leaving them vulnerable. Thus, it is important to carefully assess the healthcare needs, including future scenarios, before selecting a plan that provides adequate coverage. These should include surgeries, hospitalization, specialist consultations, and medications. Avoiding A Comprehensive Cover This is another common mistake that has been seen in recent times. Not choosing a comprehensive health insurance plan can make you miss out on coverage of potential medical emergencies. Some health insurance plans with basic coverage will not even consider chronic conditions that can have significant effects. Comprehensive plans, if the name did not suggest so, offer broad coverage such as preventive care, maternity benefits, and mental health services, among others. Choosing a broad coverage plan gives us peace of mind that we’ll be protected against unforeseen health circumstances. Not Disclosing All Medical Conditions. Failing to disclose or hide pre-existing medical conditions during the application process can lead to serious consequences. The insurers depend on specific information that allows them to evaluate the risks, thus determining premiums. Some of the dire consequences of obscuring medical information include: Denial of claim Policy cancellation So, being transparent while applying for health insurance will only help you reap the benefits in the long run. This is helpful when you want to ensure complete coverage while also avoiding any complications when the time comes to claim the policy. Overlooking Terms And Conditions Shockingly, a significant number of policyholders make the mistake of ignoring the fine print on their health insurance policy. The fine print contains terms and conditions that lead to misunderstandings about crucial information such as the coverage limit. This can also include waiting periods, exclusions, and claim procedures. Thus, it is very important to review the policy document, seeking clarity on any ambiguous terms and understanding the coverage scope and limitations. You will also learn about your obligations as a policyholder. Not Comparing Plans One of the most critical errors you can make while purchasing a health insurance plan is choosing the first one you see. When buying anything, it is best to compare before you finalize your decision. Why should something as important as a health insurance plan be neglected? An insurer offers different coverage options, deductibles, and premiums, along with network providers. Missing out on comparing different health insurance plans can cause you to lose benefits that would suit you better. You must take appropriate time to research and compare the different policies available. This way, you will be able to compare important factors such as coverage limits, cost, network size, and customer reviews. Lastly, comparing plans can prevent you from overpaying for coverage. Insufficient Research This continues on the point of missing benefits as one of the results you want to avoid. If you rush to buy a health insurance plan without sufficient research, you can have serious FOMO later. You must research different insurance providers and learn more about their reputations through reviews and financial stability. You should also look into their customer service track record. Research also helps you learn about the types of plans available, such as PPOs, HMOs, and high-deductible plans. This way, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and preferences. Missing Cashless Hospital Networks The availability of cashless hospitals should be missed as it will be a huge oversight on your part. Missing this during a health insurance plan purchase can seem like a huge loss later. Choosing a policy without verifying the network of hospitals with cashless treatment as an option can prove to be inconvenient for you. This can put pressure on you during an emergency as it will push out-of-pocket expenses. Thus, you must check for the availability of cashless hospitals in its network. Having reputed hospitals in or near your area will be a bonus. This allows you smooth access to quality healthcare that does not pose the problem of upfront payment. Additionally, reimbursement claims too. Therefore, you must check if your insurer has a network that also boasts of cashless hospitals. This will help you avoid strain on your finances, reducing your worries. Purchasing Only In Old Age Despite being a common practice, health insurance purchases should not be postponed to old age. Aging is a natural process that brings about many changes in the human body. Several health issues pose a challenge in acquiring good health insurance. Waiting until health problems arise will result in higher premiums because of pre-existing conditions, and it may also introduce exclusions. Thus, you are advised to invest in a health insurance plan as early as possible to enjoy lower premiums and more accessible coverage. This further ensures comprehensive protection for life. Conclusion Health insurance plans can be complex, and you must make informed decisions to find peace of mind and financial security. This article highlights all the key areas you must take care of, prioritizing comprehensive coverage, thorough research, and transparency. Buying a health insurance plan? Remember that the right choice will help you live a wealthier and healthier tomorrow. Read Also: Why You Need Commercial Property Insurance The Comprehensive Guide To Property Insurance Toronto How To Choose The Right Insurance Plan For Business Owners

Are Debt Consolidation Loans Recommended for Credit Card Consolidation

Debt consolidation has become a very common practice in the modern world. Financial advisers encourage people to take this approach especially if you want to become debt-free. Always go for a credit card loan during emergencies and look for means and ways of clearing it fast. Credit cards loans only assist you because you get them very fast. However, they come with more disadvantages the benefits to the borrower. At this point, consolidating all your credit card loans into one big but cheaper loan becomes a necessity. Importance of Debt Consolidation: Debt consolidation loan refers to taking out a personal loan that is equivalent to the sum you owe on your high-interest credit cards. After you use the loan to pay off the credit card, you must now pay back the lender that extend the loan to you. If you can find a personal loan with a low-interest rate, you will be saving money in repaying your credit card debt. Lower interest rate means that you can pay off your credit card debt and become debt-free faster. How Debt Consolidation Works: Many online personal loan lenders offer a loan amount of up to $35,000 to more than $100,000. The loan amount that you get approved will depend on whether you have the income to pay back. Once you are approved of the loan, they may send you a check or direct deposit the amount into your bank. You can then use the funds to pay back the credit card debt yourself. Some lenders can help you to submit the payment to your preferred credit card companies. In this case, you have to tell them what lenders to submit the payment and the amount to submit for each lender. Read More: Top 5 Types Of Startup Business Loans Other benefits of Debt Consolidation: Now that you can afford to pay back the loan, you must be diligent in making the repayment every month. In this way, your credit score will be build-up by the time you finish repaying the loan. You should check your credit report prior to applying for a personal loan use for the purpose of debt consolidation. The debt consolidation loan could also help to extend your loan term and reduce the monthly payment. Making a minimum payment on the loan means that you are only paying the interest rate. The actual amount you owe will remain the same in this case. This option is ideal for people who have limited income and need help in repaying the loan. The lender will review your credit profile and financial documents when deciding whether to approve the loan. It is easy to get a low-interest debt consolidation loan when you have a good/excellent credit score. In addition, you also must have a low outstanding debt to qualify for a low-interest rate. The length of repayment will also affect the interest rate. Longer repayment term causes you to pay a higher interest rate. A debt consolidation loan can consolidate your credit card debts into a single monthly payment. Before that, you have to remember different due dates from different credit cards to make sure you promptly submit the payment to the credit card company. It is easy to miss a payment when you have multiple due dates to remember. Now, you just have one repayment date to remember. This ensures that you will always remember to make the repayment on time. Read More: How To Get An Auto Loan At A Low-Interest Rate Conclusion: It’s a nice move to consolidate all your credit cards debts into a single but less expensive loan. You will have a peace of mind from the single installment and reduced interest rates. You will also rebuild your credit history as you continue repaying the loan as long as you make timely monthly installments. Read More: Best Home Buying Tips For First Time Buyers Oh, Crop! Killer E-Commerce Mistakes You Need To Conquer Questions To Ask When Working With A Web Developer

Credit Card Terms Everyone Should Know

Whether you are a new credit card holder or have been using it for a while, you must have come across some credit card jargon that is hard to decipher. For instance, if you decide to apply for a credit card online, you might need to understand the annual fee, interest rate, and other charges applicable to that card. Even though all credit cards work in the same way, they differ a lot in terms of the benefits and rewards they offer. So, to make it easier for you to understand the basic credit card terminology and choose the best one, here is a quick guide for you. Annual Fee Card companies may charge annual fees on credit cards. This might range from a few hundred to a few thousand depending on the benefits you can avail yourself of on the card. However, certain providers may waive the fee for the first year, while others, may offer credit cards that are free for a lifetime. So, depending upon the kind of benefits you seek, you may choose a lifetime free credit card or a card that has an annual fee but may waive it off on spending a certain amount. Credit Limit This is the overall spending limit or credit line provided by the card issuer. There are several criteria such as your credit score, income, repayment history, as well as the length of your relationship with the bank that determines your credit card limit. Banks may sometimes offer you higher limits if you already have high limits on your existing cards along with a strong repayment history. Additionally, when checking your credit card limit, there are further three terms that you must be aware of Total Credit Limit and Available Credit Limit. Total Credit Limit: This is the credit limit granted by the bank when the card is issued. The total limit can also be increased when you request for the same or if you accept a limit increase offered by the provider. Available Credit Limit: This is the credit limit that is available on one's credit card at any one moment. In other terms, the available credit limit is the difference between the entire credit limit and the card's current outstanding balance. Cash Limit: Card issuers also offer a certain portion of your total credit limit as cash limit. This defines the amount of cash you can withdraw using your credit card. However, cash withdrawal from credit cards should be the last resort as cash withdrawal is not eligible for the interest-free period and even a small amount can escalate to a huge debt. Billing Cycle The billing cycle refers to the period between the closing of the previous statement and the new statement date. Your credit card provider compiles your statement at the end of your billing cycle, and you have until the due date to make the payment. Due Date This is the specified monthly date by which all outstanding payments must be made. To avoid late payment penalties and high-interest charges on unpaid dues, you must make the payment on or before the due date. Total Amount Due And Minimum Amount Due At the end of each billing cycle, a new statement is generated and it shows the dues that you owe on your card. Total amount due, as the name suggests, is the total sum that you owe to the issuer, and on making full payment, no charges will be applicable. However, if you cannot afford to pay the total due, card providers give you the option to pay the minimum amount due to keep your card active and avoid late payment charges. It is usually 5% of the total due and also includes any active EMIs, additional fees, charges, etc. An important thing to note is that on making only the minimum payment, the rest of the outstanding balance starts attracting finance charges and new transactions become ineligible for the interest-free period as well. This is why you should always pay the total due and not just the minimum amount. Finance Charges And APR Interest rates on credit card balances are known as finance charges and APR is the annual percentage of interest. It is the rate of interest on all transactions from the date of the transaction until the cardholder's balance is paid back in full. Note that interest on credit cards is compounded on a daily basis. Being acquainted with these terms will ensure judicious use of the card and help you stay out of debt. Additionals: Ultimate Guide On Green Card Renewal How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report Revolving Debt Vs Installment Debt – Which Impacts your Credit Score

Term Plan Riders: Enhancing Coverage For Specific Life Situations