Buying a life insurance policy can bring you peace of mind. However, during the purchase process and at regular intervals after it, it is important to review whether the coverage you are opting for is enough. If your policy does not fully protect your family in your absence, you may be underinsured. To define underinsured for policyholders, it refers to a situation where your insurance coverage is not sufficient to support your loved ones when you are no longer around. So, how can you tell if you are underinsured with your life insurance? Let’s break it down.
5 Signs You Are Underinsured
Being underinsured may not look the same for everyone. This depends on a range of factors like age, annual income, sum assured for your chosen policy, and more. Here are some signs to check if you are underinsured.
1. Your life situation has changed
If you bought your life insurance policy over a couple of years ago and have not updated it, your coverage may not reflect your current reality. Major life events such as marriage, having children, or career change can increase the financial responsibilities your insurance should cover.
2. Your coverage is based on guesswork
It is not advisable to select a random figure for coverage or go with the minimum sum assured offered by your insurer. Without a proper financial assessment, your sum assured might fall short of what your family needs.
During the assessment, remember to use a life insurance calculator. It can help determine the right amount based on your premium budget.
3. Your policy does not factor in inflation
Over time, the cost of living tends to rise. If your insurance coverage was calculated a decade ago, it may not be enough to match the living expenses today or in the future. It is important to adjust your underinsured coverage for inflation.
4. Your policy does not cover all liabilities
If your life insurance does not account for your home loan, car loan, personal debts, or credit card balances, your family may be left with unpaid dues. Life insurance should clear all liabilities so your family can continue without added financial stress.
5. You are relying on employer insurance
Group life insurance offered by employers may be an added workplace perk, but in numerous cases, it can also be an example of underinsurance. These policies are often not enough on their own. They usually offer lower coverage and may lapse when you move on from that workplace. Hence, supplementing such coverage with a personal, individual plan is important.
Now that you know the meaning of underinsurance and its tell-tale signs, let’s see what risks it can bring along.
The Risks of Being Underinsured
When you do not have enough insurance coverage, you may end up running a lot of risks.
1. Financial pressure on your family
The most serious risk of being underinsured with life insurance coverage is the financial pressure it places on your dependents. If your policy is not able to cover daily expenses, education, or pending debts, your family may struggle to maintain their standard of living.
2. Incomplete security
Being underinsured means your family may be protected only for a limited time. This may force them to make difficult choices about what expenses to take care of and which ones to put aside. In case of emergencies, they may even have to dip into long-term savings or sell assets.
3. Lack of peace of mind
One purpose of life insurance is to have a sense of peace about the future, especially regarding your loved ones. But if your coverage is inadequate, it defeats that purpose. You may end up worrying about your family’s future even though you have taken steps to protect it.
4. Goals and dreams left unfulfilled
Your loved ones having to compromise on their future is a common consequence of underinsurance. Coverage amounts being lower than what is needed to achieve goals can lead to struggles for them which otherwise would have been avoidable.
How to Avoid Underinsurance?
To ensure that you or your loved ones do not have to deal with the risks of being underinsured, you can start with the following steps.
Step 1. Review your coverage regularly
Life keeps on changing and your insurance should stay in step with those changes. Reassess your needs after every major life event and modify your life insurance policy accordingly.
Step 2. Opt for additional protection
Opt for a plan that not only covers death benefits but also includes the critical illness rider, disability riders, premium waiver benefits, etc. This will ensure overall protection beyond just the basic policy benefits.
Step 3. Include liabilities in your calculations
Along with adding the right rider in your life insurance plan, also remember to consider your existing debts and future financial goals like education and retirement when choosing a sum assured. Your life insurance should be able to pay off all liabilities and still leave enough for day-to-day living.
Step 4. Understand the tenure of your policy
Make sure your coverage duration does not end too early. Ideally, your policy should last until your financial obligations are complete, for e.g., until your children are financially independent, or your loans are paid off.
If you find that you are underinsured with your insurance coverage at the moment, do not fret. It can be easily dealt with by regular reviews and the right tools. If possible, start reviewing your life insurance coverage right away, and continue to do so regularly to enjoy optimal benefits of life insurance. It is advisable to not wait for a crisis to realise your insurance coverage is not enough. With adequate coverage, you can rest easy knowing your loved ones are secure, no matter what happens.
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