Providing a secure future for your loved ones is a primary responsibility. In the face of uncertainty, having appropriate life insurance becomes critical. It provides a financial safety net for your family in the event of your unexpected absence. The question is, how much is an acceptable life cover?
Before we go into how to create enough life insurance, it’s important to understand your financial situation. One method to do so is to check your CIBIL score. Wondering how to check your CIBIL score? The CIBIL Score is a three-digit numerical summary of your credit history. It helps you understand your creditworthiness and estimate your financial stability. However, note that your CIBIL score is not related to the life cover you avail.
Here are ways to create an adequate life cover for your family –
Understand your family’s financial needs
Look at your family’s expenses for the current month and estimate the costs of food, utilities, transportation, and entertainment. Think about the future expenses on education for your children and other long-term objectives like purchasing a house. This kind of knowledge will assist you in deciding on the amount of life cover your family would require in the event of your demise.
Calculate your liabilities
Consider your existing liabilities such as home loans, car loans, personal loans, or credit card balances. The life cover should be adequate to cater for these expenses so as not to burden your family after you are gone.
Consider future expenses
Situations like your children’s college education or their marriage can be very expensive. These future expenses should be taken into consideration when making calculations for life cover.
Inflation factor
Due to the inflation that is prevalent in India, the cost of living is likely to go up in the future. Your life cover should be enough to cater for future expenses taking into account the inflation rate.
Income replacement
The life cover should ideally provide for your family’s income needs for the time it takes for the family to become financially independent. It should provide for your family’s basic requirements and activities while you are away.
Consider health expenditures
In case you or any family member has a chronic disease, the costs related to the disease and its treatment are high. While selecting your life cover, do not exclude these healthcare expenses.
Retirement planning
The life cover should be enough to help build the retirement corpus of your spouse in case you are the sole breadwinner.
Insurance premium
Choose a life cover with a premium that you can afford without straining your pocket. Failing to pay your premiums can result in policy cancellation, putting your family at risk.
Term of the policy
It is recommended that the policy term should cover at least up to your retirement age or when the youngest child is financially on his or her own.
Consider your lifestyle
If you are in a risky profession or have a risky lifestyle, you should get a higher life cover. This could mean risky working conditions or practices such as smoking or drinking to excess.
Regularly review your life cover
If your income rises, your liabilities change or you start a family (having a child for instance), then it is important to review and adjust your life cover.
Consider multiple policies
It is possible to have multiple life insurance policies as they offer diverse coverage and can be used to achieve different objectives at different stages of one’s life.
Add riders
Riders such as accidental death, critical illness or disability can complement your life cover. These provide extra value over and above the face amount or sum insured.
Opt for an income payout option
Selecting an income payout option means that the family gets paid regularly rather than in one lump sum which will enable them to properly plan their expenses for the month.
Consider the age factor
Premiums for life insurance rise with the age of the policyholder. Therefore, if you want a lot of coverage at a relatively cheap premium, you should purchase life cover at a young age.
Look for trustworthy insurers
Select an insurer with a higher claim settlement ratio and better customer satisfaction. This way your family will not encounter any difficulties when making a claim.
Consider tax benefits
In India, the premiums paid towards life insurance are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, which helps in decreasing the total taxable income.
Seek professional advice
A financial advisor can advise you on which life cover to take depending on your financial needs and number of dependents.
Educate your family
Your family must be aware of the life insurance, know where the policy documentation is maintained, and understand the claim procedure. This readiness can help the claim process go more smoothly during difficult circumstances.
Ending note
Having appropriate life insurance demonstrates your forethought, prudence, and willingness to safeguard your family from unexpected financial troubles. It serves as a financial shield, guaranteeing that your loved ones may maintain their level of life, pursue their aspirations, and achieve their financial objectives even in your absence.
Remember that life insurance is not a luxury, but a need. It’s a proactive step in protecting your family from the financial consequences of life’s uncertainties. The ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not applicable here because everyone’s financial circumstances, commitments, and life stage are unique. Your life insurance policy should be tailored to your family’s specific requirements and lifestyle.
Regularly monitoring and upgrading your life insurance is also necessary as your income, family requirements, and financial responsibilities change over time. Furthermore, having a strong CIBIL score might allow you to get more coverage for less money.
In essence, appropriate life insurance is a tacit guarantee to your family that their future will be safe, no matter what happens. It gives you peace of mind knowing that your family will always be cared for. As a result, it is critical that you carefully examine your family’s needs and make an informed decision. Nothing is more essential than making sure your loved ones are safe, secure, and happy.
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