Term life insurance is one of the most straightforward and cost-effective ways to provide financial security for your loved ones in the event of your untimely demise. However, basic term insurance might not cover all the risks and needs individuals face. This is where riders in term insurance come into play. Riders are additional provisions you can add to your base term insurance policy to enhance its coverage. They enhance the scope of your plan, allowing you to get more benefits from a single policy. Let’s explore what riders in term insurance are, their role, and the benefits they offer.
What Are Riders in Term Insurance?
They are optional add-ons policyholders can attach to their existing term life insurance policies for an extra premium. Riders in term insurance provide additional benefits and coverage, allowing policyholders to customise their term insurance policies according to their specific needs and circumstances.
Common Types of Riders in Term Insurance
Some of the common riders you may come across in term insurance are:
Accidental Death Benefit Rider:
It provides an additional sum assured if the policyholder dies due to an accident.
Critical Illness Rider:
The critical illness rider in term insurance offers a lump sum payout if the policyholder is diagnosed with a specified critical illness such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
Waiver of Premium Rider:
It waives off future premiums. In case of untimely demise of policyholder or if the policyholder becomes disabled or loses income due to an illness or accident.
Income Benefit Rider:
Provides a regular income to the beneficiary in addition to the sum assured upon the policyholder's death.
Accelerated Death Benefit Rider:
Allows the policyholder to receive a portion of the death benefit upon being diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Permanent Disability Rider:
Offers financial support if the policyholder becomes permanently disabled.
The Role of Riders in Term Insurance
Riders play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality and coverage of a basic term life insurance policy. Here are some of the key roles they play:
Customisation and Flexibility
Riders allow policyholders to tailor their term insurance policies to meet their individual needs. This flexibility ensures the coverage is comprehensive and aligned with the policyholder's life stage, health condition, and financial goals.
By adding riders, policyholders can protect themselves and their families from various unforeseen events such as accidents, critical illnesses, and disabilities. This enhanced protection ensures financial stability during challenging times.
Riders contribute to better financial planning by covering specific risks not included in the basic term insurance policy. For instance, a critical illness rider can help manage the high costs of medical treatment without exhausting savings or investments.
Benefits of Adding Riders to Term Insurance
Including riders in your term life insurance policy offers several benefits, making them a valuable addition.
Here are the primary benefits:
Riders provide comprehensive coverage by addressing specific risks and needs. For example, the term insurance critical illness rider ensures policyholders receive financial support when diagnosed with severe health conditions, thus covering the gaps left by the basic term policy.
Adding riders to a term insurance policy is generally more cost-effective than purchasing separate policies for each risk. Riders offer additional coverage at a relatively low cost, making them an affordable option for enhancing insurance protection.
Having multiple coverages under one policy simplifies the management of your insurance portfolio. Instead of dealing with various policies and premiums, riders allow you to manage everything under a single term insurance plan.
Premiums paid for certain riders, such as critical illness or health-related riders, may qualify for tax deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. This adds an extra layer of financial benefit to the policyholder.
Before adding riders to your term life insurance policy, it's essential to understand how they affect your premium. A term insurance premium calculator is an online tool that helps you estimate the premium amount for your policy, including any additional riders. By entering details such as age, sum assured, policy term, and selected riders, you can get an accurate premium quote.
Riders in term insurance offer a valuable way to customise and enhance your term life insurance policy. They provide additional coverage for specific risks, ensuring comprehensive protection and financial stability. Whether it's a term insurance critical illness rider, accidental death benefit, or waiver of premium, each rider plays a significant role in safeguarding your financial future. Using tools such as a term insurance premium calculator can help you assess the impact of riders on your premium and choose the right combination to meet your needs. By strategically adding term insurance riders, you can maximise the benefits of your term insurance policy and ensure peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones.
Disclaimers:
** Tax exemptions are as per applicable tax laws from time to time.
IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited, IRDAI Regn No.:143, CIN: U66010MH2008PLC183679, Address: 12th & 13th floor, North [C] Wing, Tower 4, Nesco IT Park, Nesco Center, Western Express Highway, Goregaon (East), Mumbai – 400 063. Toll-free No – 18002098700. Email Id:customer.first@indiafirstlife.com, Website: www.indiafirstlife.com, Fax No. +91226570600. For more details on risk factors and terms and conditions, please read the sales brochure carefully before concluding the sale. Trade logo displayed above belongs to our promoter M/s Bank of Baroda and is used by IndiaFirst Life Insurance Co. Ltd. under license.