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Eligibility Criteria for Buying Term Insurance in India
Table of Content
The pandemic has taught us how uncertain life can get. Thus, all of us these days are a little more worried about the financial security of our loved ones if something unfortunate happens. Term insurance plans can put a stop to this stress, providing solid support to your family, in case you are not around anymore.
What is Term Insurance?
Term insurance is a protection plan that provides the family with a lump sum payout if the policyholder dies untimely within the policy term. This money can support them to fight this sudden turmoil, help them in paying for their regular expenses as well as liabilities, maintain the preferred living standard and fulfil their life goals.
Who is eligible to purchase a Term Plan?
Anyone who is of legal age and has dependants can buy term insurance in India. If your loved ones depend on you financially, the term insurance payouts will help them. However, even if you don’t have dependants now, but could likely have some in the future (for example, if you marry and have children), it still makes sense to buy term insurance beforehand. It’s better to understand the eligibility criteria clearly.
Age:
One can buy a best term insurance plan in India if they are in the age bracket of 18-65 years.
However, it is possible to buy a term plan at 65 years of age and opt for life cover up to the age of 99.The age of the policyholder is a crucial factor in premium calculation.
Citizenship:
Anyone residing in India can buy term insurance. The term insurance eligibility remains the same if he shifts abroad for academics or work purposes after the purchase.
Medical tests:
To purchase term insurance, one needs to undergo medical tests. It’s important to furnish the medical history and records correctly, which plays a significant role in deciding the premium amount. Medical tests during the policy purchase help both the insurer and the insured as it determines the substance and value of the policy plan. However, it is not a mandatory requirement. There are term insurance policies that do not require any medical tests, but these could often offer a lower sum assured.
Lifestyle habits:
Lifestyle habits like smoking, sleeping patterns and level of stress are determinants of the term insurance premium. Premium will be higher if you are a smoker or live a stressful life. Some of these stressful life factors include adventurous / hazardous sports which pose a risk to life or those who work in a hazardous environment and are subject to high stress levels.
Acceptable Identity Proofs and Residence Proofs:
To purchase term insurance plans in India, you need to submit a set of documents. These are required to cross-check your identity and residential address as well as to protect you from fraud and identity theft. Let us check which of the identity and residence proofs are acceptable by the insurance companies.
Identity proofs:
Any of the following official photo ids can be submitted as identity proof -
1. Passport
2. Voter’s identity card issued by the Election Commission of India
3. Permanent Driving License
4. Aadhaar Card
5. Central KYC Identifier (can be accepted, if the downloaded documents are from the list of Officially Valid Documents (OVD) reflecting across Sr. No. 1 to 4 and there is no change in the address basis the document downloaded from Centralized KYC Registry (CKYCR) database as mentioned on the proposal form)
Residence proofs:
You can provide any of these as the official proof of your permanent address –
1. Passport
2. Voter’s identity card issued by the Election Commission of India
3. Permanent Driving License
4. Aadhaar Card
5. Central KYC Identifier (can be accepted, if the downloaded documents are from the list of Officially Valid Documents (OVD) reflecting across Sr. No. 1 to 4 and there is no change in the address basis the document downloaded from Centralized KYC Registry (CKYCR) database as mentioned on the proposal form)
Who should purchase a term insurance plan?
Anyone can purchase a term insurance policy subject to product's terms and condition. For example, at the age of 65, you can get a term plan with life insurance coverage up to the age of 99. There is no specified income limit either for the same. However, it’s important to know who should purchase a term plan and what can be benefitted maximum. While the list below is not exhaustive, it is indicative of persons who can benefit from a sound term insurance plan.
Individuals with dependents:
If you have a spouse, children and/or dependant parents, buying term plans can be a wise idea. In case the unforeseen happens, your family will receive the sum assured which they can utilise in paying for all the expenses, cost of living, and liabilities and to realise their life goals.
Sole earner of the family:
If you’re the primary or sole bread-earner of the family, it can be really difficult for them to cope with the financial struggles if you are not there anymore. Here the death benefit of term insurance can help them stay afloat.
Individuals with outstanding liabilities:
If you have a mortgage, an outstanding loan, debts or any other financial liability, they can be a burden for your family if you die suddenly. The term insurance can be a saviour here with its death benefit paying for all the financial obligations.
Young adults:
Those who have just started their careers can go for term insurance. This will be a smart choice of investment to protect their family at an affordable rate. Premiums are much lower for young buyers as they have a low risk of life.
Self-employed:
Since the self-employed have an uncertain income profile, it’s always beneficial for them to buy a term insurance plan. This will not only protect their family in case of an unfortunate event but save their business too.
Those looking for a smooth life:
Term insurance is a basic and easy protection plan at a reasonable price. Thus, it is a preferred choice for those eyeing a simple and affordable life.
Why should you get a term insurance plan?
It’s crucial to know the importance of a term insurance plan and why you should get it.
Financial protection for loved ones:
The primary reason to buy a term plan is surely the financial protection it offers to your family if you die an untimely death. The death benefit can help your family pay for the cost of living, and all the outlying financial obligations as well as meet the life goals smoothly.
Affordable coverage:
Term insurance premiums are usually lower than other insurance policies andprovide you with an affordable life cover. This is possible because it typically pays the death benefit only and is hence a popular choice for those with limited budgets.
Flexibility to choose coverage amount and duration:
A term insurance plan lets you choose the life coverage amount and tenure of the policy as per your budget and convenience of premium payment. This makes it easier for most people to opt for the policy.
Peace of mind:
A term insurance plan relieves you from the stress of the financial hardship you might face if something happens to you. It is therefore a peace of mind that your family will stay protected even if you are not around.
Easy to understand:
A term insurance policy is very basic with straight benefits and no hidden costs. Thus, it’s relatively much easier to understand.
Understanding the term insurance plan well can help you take an investment decision correctly. Make sure you have all the clarity before buying one.
ARN - ED/06/23/2550
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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.
Written By:
HDFC Life
Reviewed by Life Insurance Experts
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