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What Is Policy Term? Meaning, Working & How To Choose Policy Term

Even at the best of times, life can be unpredictable and emergencies can strike without a moment’s notice. Therefore, in order to never find yourself in a situation that is financially burdensome, it is recommended to avail a suitable term insurance plan to ensure a safety net.

Investment plans also act as tax-planning tools, as many avenues help reduce tax liability. There are different types of investment plans, and by choosing the right one, you can invest according to your needs and grow your savings.Read Less

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Written ByPalak Bagadia
AboutPalak Bagadia
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Palak Bagadia, Associate – Digital Marketing at Bajaj Allianz Life, with experience spanning content and performance marketing, recruitment, employee engagement in the BFSI industry.
Reviewed ByRituraj Singh
AboutRituraj Singh
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Rituraj Singh,With over 6.5 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rituraj Singh, Manager- Product & Brand Marketing at Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance overlooks new product launches, compliance, and brand projects, leveraging artificial intelligence and technology to enhance outcomes.
Written on: 7th July 2024
Modified on: 7th July 2024
Reading Time: 15 Mins
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However, there are various common queries that insurance seekers can have regarding how term insurance works, what is policy term and how to determine a term that is suitable for your needs. To put such doubts to rest, let us take a deeper look at these topics and help you find the suitable term insurance plan.

 

How Term Insurance Works

 

Before availing a term plan, it is essential to know exactly how term insurance works so that its benefits can be better understood. When you avail term insurance, it essentially provides you with life insurance coverage for a specific period or ‘term’. In the event of your unfortunate demise during this term, death benefit will be paid out to your nominee(s).

As term insurance generally does not have maturity benefits, the premiums paid towards term plans are lower and more affordable than other forms of insurance. Based on your priorities, you can also select your type of term insurance plan. For example, you can choose an increasing term insurance to increase your life cover during specific events in life or you can opt for a return of premium term plan that offers your premiums amounts back at maturity.

 

What is Policy Term?

 

Before buying a term plan, it is important to know more about the topic of "policy term". If you find yourself wondering- "What is policy term?" it is simply means the lifetime of the term insurance policy. It is essentially the period for which a term insurance policy remains active and in case the insured passes away during this term, his or her nominee(s) will be eligible to receive the predetermined death benefit.

 

Difference Between Policy Term and Premium Paying Term

 

While the meaning of "policy term" is quite straightforward, it is often gets confused with another related term " premium paying term". Both of these terms refer to time periods and are closely associated but there is a marked difference between them and thus, should not be used interchangeably.

Policy term refers to the period for which your term insurance policy will remain active. This term is determined at the time of purchasing the insurance plan. It is used to refer to the period during which the life insured is provided coverage by the insurer.

However, premium-paying term refers to an altogether different concept. It refers to the period during which the policyholder is required to pay the premiums for the term insurance plan. In most cases, the premium paying term is equal to the policy term, which is why the two terms are often confused. However, some insurers allow the premium paying term for a term plan to be shorter than the policy term.

For example, if you purchase a term insurance plan to provide coverage for 40 years, the policy term will be 40 years. However, your insurer might allow you to pay off the premiums for your term plan over a period of 20 years. Hence, in such case your premium paying term will be just 20 years.

 

How to Determine the suitable Policy Term for Yourself

Term insurance plans are flexible products and can be suited to meet the needs of a number of individuals. That is why when you compare policy term, it is ideal to first determine the period for which you would want to avail term insurance. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Age

If you are young and just entering the professional world, it might be a preferred time to avail term insurance. Even though you may not have any liabilities or dependents right now, you are at an age where you can easily choose a policy term to provide you with term insurance coverage until retirement.

• Liabilities and Dependents

As you grow older, it is expected to have more liabilities, dependents and other financial responsibilities in your life. You might even be the sole earner in your family and have the future needs of your spouse and children to consider. Therefore, it is advisable to avail a policy term that can at least cover a period in the near future or until your responsibilities effectively reduce over time.

• Life Goals

You can also opt for a policy term that aligns with the major, long-term goals in your life. For instance, if you are looking to ensure that your children are educated and married in the next 10-15 years, you can make sure that you have coverage until that time. The main objective of term insurance is to make sure that your family achieves their life goals without any financial burden or hurdles along the way.

 

Conclusion

 

While it is essential to find the right insurer and the suitable term insurance plan, it is just as important to have a clear idea of the appropriate policy term for you and your nominee(s). In order to make the most of your term insurance plan, make sure that your policy term is well aligned with your age, liabilities and life goals.

 

FAQs

 

1. How to Choose Your Policy Term?

The choice of a policy term usually depends on your financial goals and their horizon. It is better to first decide a goal for which you want to buy the life insurance policy. Then, depending on when you would need the funds for fulfilling the goal, you can choose the policy term.

For instance, if you have a child aged 5 years and you want to plan for your child’s higher education, you can choose a term of 10 to 12 years. On the other hand, if your child is just one, you can choose a term of 15 to 20 years.

2. What is Policy Term?

Policy term is the duration over which coverage is allowed under the life insurance policy.

3. What is a suitable policy term?

There is no fixed number for a suitable policy term. The choice depends on your financial goals. The suitable term should be such that it creates a financial corpus for your life goal and gives the corpus when you need it. However, in the case of protection-oriented plans, like term insurance plans, you can opt for a tenure depending upon the duration for which you need a financial backup for your dependents, in your absence.

BJAZ-WEB-EC-03490/23

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Disclaimers:
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~Tax benefits as per prevailing Income tax laws shall apply. Please check with your tax consultant for eligibility.

The above information is for general understanding and is meant to educate the general public at large. The reader will have to verify the facts, law and content with the prevailing tax statutes and seek appropriate professional advice before acting on the basis of the above information. 

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Disclaimer

*Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy.

~Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio for FY 2023-2024

1Premium Holiday has to be selected at inception to avail this benefit and also depends on other policy terms & conditions


Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | IRDAI Reg. No. 116

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I hereby authorize Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. to call me on the contact number made available by me on the website with a specific request to call back. I further declare that, irrespective of my contact number being registered on National Customer Preference Register (NCPR) or on National Do Not Call Registry (NDNC), any call made, SMS or WhatsApp sent in response to my request shall not be construed as an Unsolicited Commercial Communication even though the content of the call may be for the purposes of explaining various insurance products and services or solicitation and procurement of insurance business

 

Please refer to BALIC Privacy Policy

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Disclaimer

%%Above illustration is for Bajaj Allianz Life eTouch- A Non Linked, Non-Participating, Individual Life Insurance Term Plan (UIN: 116N172V03) considering Male aged 25 years | Non-Smoker | Policy Term (PT)– 30 years | Premium Payment Term (PPT) – 30 years | Sum Assured opted is Rs. 1,00,00,000 | Online Channel | Standard Life | 1st Year Premium is Rs. 6,238. 2nd Year onwards premium is Rs. 6,659. Total Premium Paid is Rs. 1,99,349 | Medical Rates | Yearly Premium Payment Mode | Death benefit opted is lumpsum payout and monthly installments (Lumpsum Payout Percentage : 45, Income Payout Percentage : 55) | Premium shown above is exclusive of Goods & Service Tax/any other applicable tax levied, subject to changes in tax laws, and any extra premium and is for illustrative purpose only. This is inclusive of all the discounts mentioned above.

##Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy.Above Tax benefit is calculated considering deduction of Rs. 150,000 and applicable tax rate of 31.20%.

@Term Insurance plan bought online directly from Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has no commissions involved.

^^The Return of Premium amount is total of all the premiums received, exclusive of extra premium, rider premium and GST & /any other applicable tax levied, subject to changes in tax laws
Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | IRDAI Reg. No. 116

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Disclaimer

Bajaj Allianz Life eTouch- A Non Linked, Non-Participating, Individual Life Insurance Term Plan (UIN: 116N172V04)

*Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy.Above Tax benefit is calculated considering deduction of Rs. 150,000 and applicable tax rate of 31.20%.

~Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio for FY 2023-2024

1Premium Holiday has to be selected at inception to avail this benefit and also depends on other policy terms & conditions


Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | IRDAI Reg. No. 116


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Life Cover + 16% Discount** +Save Tax*!
Under Section 80C & 10(10D) of Income Tax Act, 1961*
Get Life Cover + Save tax up to Rs 46,800*
₹2 Cr Term Plan
@ 21/Day²
Free Health Management Services
upto ₹ 31,000 p.a.^^

Disclaimer:

2Above illustration is for Bajaj Allianz Life eTouch II- A Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Individual Life Insurance Term Plan (UIN: 116N198V01) considering Male aged 23 years | Non-Smoker Preferred | Annual Income =>Rs. 15,00,000 per annum | Indian Resident | Policy Term (PT)– 30 years | Premium Payment Term (PPT) – 30 years | Sum Assured opted is Rs. 2,00,00,000 | Online Channel | Standard Life | 1st Year Premium is Rs. 7,159. 2nd Year onwards premium is Rs. 7,760. Total Premium is Rs. 2,32,199 | Medical Rates | Yearly Premium Payment Mode | Death benefit opted is lumpsum payout and monthly instalments (Lumpsum Payout Percentage : 40, Income Payout Percentage : 60). Income payout instalment opted for 40 years | Premium shown above is inclusive of Online Discount only, no other discounts have been considered and exclusive of Goods & Service Tax/ any other applicable tax levied, subject to changes in tax laws, and any extra premium and is for illustrative purpose only. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions please read sales brochure & policy document (available on www.bajajallianzlife.com) carefully before concluding a sale.

**5% Discount applicable for customer's first individual life insurance policy, applicable only on first year’s premium. 5% Discount for salaried customers, applicable only on first year’s premium. 6% Discount on online purchase is available for regular premium payment and limited premium payment frequency, applicable only on first year’s premium.

*Tax benefits as per prevailing Section 10(10D) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act shall apply. You are requested to consult your tax consultant and obtain independent advice for eligibility before claiming any benefit under the policy. Above Tax benefit is calculated considering deduction of Rs. 150,000 and applicable tax rate of 31.20%.

^^Get Free Health Management Services upto Rs. 31,000 per year

Health Management Services Frequency Cost (₹)
Doctor Insta-Consultations 3 consultations per month = 36 consultations per year Average cost per session = ₹500
Total cost per year = ₹500 * 36 = ₹18,000
Health Coach
(Diet & nutrition consultations)
1 consultation per month =
12 consultations per year
Average cost per session = ₹500
Total cost per year = ₹500 * 12 = ₹6,000
Emotional Wellness
(Psychologists consultations)
1 consultation per month =
12 consultations per year
Average cost per session = ₹500
Total cost per year = ₹500 * 12 = ₹6,000
Network discounts: Throughout the year Assumption – Total expense on these services throughout the year
Medicines (M) = ₹5,000
Lab-test booking (L) = ₹5,000
Total discounts that can be availed:
M - 10% = ₹500
L - 10% = ₹500
Total per year as per assumption ₹31,000

Note: The above mentioned costs are based on estimated average market price for respective services. T&C apply.

Doctor Insta-Consultations and Health Coach Services are unlimited and the above numbers are assumed only for the purpose of calculation of the yearly benefit.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | IRDAI Reg. No. 116

 

BJAZ-OT-EC-10260/24

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