There lived a wise teacher named Rohini and her eager student, Aram. Rohini had always believed in the importance of financial security, and she was passionate about teaching her students about the intricacies of life insurance as a powerful investment tool.
One sunny afternoon, Rohini decided to impart a valuable lesson to Aram. She began by explaining the significance of life insurance in India, a country where financial planning is often overlooked.
“Life insurance, Aram,” she began, “is like a safety net for your loved ones. It is a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay premiums, and in return, they promise to provide a lump sum or periodic payments to your beneficiaries upon your demise. Now, let me tell you why investing in life insurance is a smart move.”
Rohini went on to list some benefits of investing in life insurance –
Financial security
Life insurance ensures that your family’s financial needs are met even if you’re not around.
Wealth creation
Some life insurance policies, like Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), allow you to invest in the market, potentially growing your wealth.
Loan facility
You can take loans against the cash value of certain policies, providing you with financial flexibility.
Retirement planning
Certain policies offer savings components that can be used to supplement your retirement income.
Mental peace
Knowing your loved ones are financially secure brings peace of mind.
Protection against liabilities
Life insurance can help cover outstanding loans and debts, preventing your family from being burdened.
Inheritance planning
It facilitates the smooth transfer of assets to your heirs.
Wealth transfer
Life insurance is a tax-efficient way to pass on your wealth to the next generation.
Riders for enhanced coverage
You can customise your policy with riders to suit your specific needs.
Aram listened attentively, absorbing the wisdom Rohini was imparting. Intrigued by the idea of riders, he asked, “But what are these riders, Rohini, and why should we add them to our life insurance policies?”
Rohini smiled and continued, “Great question, Aram. Life insurance riders are additional provisions or options that you can attach to your base policy to enhance its coverage. Now, let me tell you why adding riders is a wise choice.”
She went on to explain the top benefits of adding riders for investment enhancement in a simple –
Waiver of premium rider
If the policyholder becomes disabled due to an accident or illness, this rider waives the future premium payments while keeping the insurance policy active. It ensures that the policy remains in force, and the coverage continues even when the policyholder is unable to pay premiums due to disability. This is an essential addition to investment enhancement.
Critical illness rider
The critical illness rider offers a lump-sum payout if the policyholder is diagnosed with a specified critical illness such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. This amount can be used to cover medical expenses, seek specialised treatment, or even replace lost income during the recovery period, easing the financial burden.
Accidental death benefit rider
This rider provides an additional sum assured if the policyholder dies due to an accident. In addition to the base policy’s death benefit, this extra amount helps provide greater financial support to the family in the event of an unforeseen accident, ensuring their financial stability.
Income benefit rider
This rider provides a regular income stream to the policyholder’s family in the event of the policyholder’s demise. It helps maintain the family’s standard of living and covers daily expenses, ensuring they don’t face financial hardship after the loss of the primary breadwinner.
Child education rider
With this rider, funds are set aside specifically for the education of the policyholder’s child or children. Even if the policyholder is not there to provide for their education, this rider ensures that the necessary funds are available to support their academic pursuits.
Term rider
The term rider adds extra coverage for a specified term, typically aligning with the base policy’s term. It offers an additional safety net during the term of the policy, enhancing the overall protection provided by the life insurance plan.
Hospital cash rider
In the unfortunate event of hospitalisation due to illness or an accident, the hospital cash rider provides a daily allowance. This extra financial support can be used to cover hospital bills, transportation, or any other expenses incurred during hospitalisation.
Return of premium rider
This rider guarantees the return of the total premium paid at the end of the policy term if the policyholder survives the term. It acts as a savings component within the policy, making it a financially prudent choice for those looking to recover their premiums.
Accidental disability rider
If the policyholder becomes disabled as a result of an accident, this rider offers a payout to help cope with the financial consequences of disability. It can cover medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs, and provide additional financial support during the disability period.
Family income benefit rider
In the unfortunate event of the policyholder’s demise, the family income benefit rider ensures that the family continues to receive periodic payouts. This can replace the lost income of the policyholder, offering ongoing financial support to the surviving family members.
Guaranteed insurability rider
This rider allows the policyholder to increase their coverage at predefined life events, such as marriage or the birth of a child, without the need for additional medical underwriting. It ensures that the policy adapts to changing life circumstances.
Increasing sum assured rider
Over time, inflation erodes the real value of money. This rider addresses this concern by gradually increasing the sum assured over the policy’s term. It helps the policy’s coverage keep pace with rising living costs.
Joint life rider
The joint-life rider covers two lives under a single policy, often used for spouses. In the event of the death of either policyholder, the rider pays out the death benefit, providing financial support to the surviving spouse or beneficiaries.
Premium funding rider
In the unfortunate event of the policyholder’s demise, the premium funding rider covers the future premium payments, keeping the policy in force for the benefit of the family. It ensures that the family doesn’t have to worry about paying premiums after the policyholder’s passing.
As Aram soaked in this wealth of information, he realised the immense potential of life insurance and its riders for investment enhancement. He understood that these tools were not just about securing the future but also about creating wealth and mental peace in the present.
With gratitude in his heart, Aram thanked Rohini for the valuable lesson. He knew that with this knowledge, he would make sound financial decisions that would benefit not only him but also his loved ones.