Term life insurance is a specific type of policy that ensures coverage for a sustained duration ranging from 10-30 years. The coverage is comparatively higher for a lower premium amount compared to several other plans. You can use a free online term insurance premium calculator to work out the amount that is payable for your desired coverage amount. This online tool allows individuals to determine how much life insurance coverage they need and how much it would cost. It typically requires the user to provide information such as age, gender, income, debt, and dependents. The calculator uses this information to estimate the amount of life insurance coverage needed to provide financial support to the policyholder’s family in case of their death. It also calculates the policy’s premium based on the coverage amount and term length selected by the user.
By now, you know the importance of choosing the best coverage for your family in your absence. But what if you could get add-ons to the basic policy for the enhanced financial security of your family? It is possible only if you choose suitable riders, which we will further discuss in the article.
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What do we mean by riders?
An excellent way to enhance the coverage provided by term life insurance is through riders. A rider is an add-on or an amendment to any life insurance policy that provides additional benefits or protection in addition to the coverage of the base policy. Riders are typically offered for an additional premium and can be customized to meet the policyholder’s specific needs. Some common examples of riders include accidental death, waiver of premium, critical illness, and more.
It is worth noting that not all riders are suitable for everyone, and the availability of a rider and the benefits provided may vary across regions and insurance companies. Therefore, weighing the costs and benefits of adding a rider to a policy is vital before deciding.
Types Of Riders And Their Benefits
Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the most common term insurance riders and how they can maximize the coverage provided by a term insurance policy.
Accidental Death and Disability: There are riders for accidental death (death arising from an accident) and accidental disability (partial or permanent disability resulting from an accident), which are usually combined. The insurance company pays out an additional amount on the sum assured to the nominee of the policyholder in the first case while offering financial coverage or income replacement for a certain period in the second scenario.
Waiver of Premium: If the policyholder cannot pay premiums due to the loss of income or a disability, among other factors, the insurance company waives off all future premiums that are left while keeping the life coverage and policy active.
Critical Illness Rider: This rider provides coverage for critical illnesses like cancer or heart attacks. It can provide a lump-sum payment to the policyholder if they are diagnosed with any illness listed in the policy document to support their medical treatment.
Return of Premium Rider: This rider provides a refund of all the premiums paid (after applicable deductions) on a term life insurance policy to the policyholder if they outlive the term of their life insurance policy. It can provide policyholders with a financial benefit if they do not need to use their life insurance policy. It can be useful for younger policyholders who may not need coverage for as long as some older policyholders.
Income Benefit Rider: This rider ensures family income after the demise of the policyholder for a certain period (usually 5 to 10 years) over and above the basic sum assured of the term insurance policy.
Wrapping It Up
In conclusion, you should examine all these riders carefully and evaluate whether they are worth adding to your term life insurance policy or not. Then, consult an expert if you need more guidance on the riders which are suitable for your specific needs. Several kinds of riders are available today, and they help immensely in maximizing your overall coverage by protecting you and your family against unforeseen situations.
