Things To Consider When Buying A Term Insurance Plan

All of us understand how important having a life insurance plan is and appreciate its role in securing the financial future of our loved ones from the various uncertainties of life. However, when it comes to taking the final step and purchasing a term insurance plan online, we do face some difficulty. We often end up a bit confused on aspects such as the amount of life insurance we should buy, what are the various requirements that should be looked at, which company to buy from, etc. Here are a few quick tips that should be of help when you are buying an online term plan.

Determining the coverage you need

There are multiple elements that influence the amount of life insurance coverage that you would need. Right from the life-stage that you are in to the responsibilities that you have to shoulder to the liabilities that you carry, everything matters.

Life-stage and family members:

We buy life insurance not for ourselves but for our loved ones so that they have a secure financial future in our absence. Therefore, we need to consider who all are there in the family that we would like to secure. The financial responsibilities of a married person would vary from that of someone who is single. A person having kids would have more financial responsibility and so would a person whose parents live with him or her.

The income factor:

Whether the family has a sole earning member or there are other members and sources to contribute to the collective income also has a bearing on the amount of life insurance one should purchase.

Liabilities:

Individuals often have a range of liabilities which could be in the form of outstanding loans home loan, car loan, etc.) to higher education of children, their marriage plans, etc. The higher this amount the greater the coverage that would be needed.

Determining your needs and requirements

Having assessed the coverage requirements is one part of the story. The other crucial part is looking at the different needs and requirements that you have and finding ways to address those.

Capability of family members to handle finances:

Term plans often give a lump sum amount of money on the unfortunate demise of the life insured. However, it's quite possible that the family members who receive such a lump sum might not be adept at handling finances and may face difficulty in managing huge funds. Hence, one should look at alternatives that negate or reduce such a risk.

Steady income support:

Another factor that one should consider while buying an online term insurance is to try and provide the cushion of a regular income to take care of their everyday needs. In addition to a lump sum amount, try and provide for a fixed monthly income for your family.

Maintaining lifestyle:

Rising costs are now an everyday affair. Hence, providing a shield against inflation becomes imperative. So, while you are evaluating your options, do try and make sure that your loved ones' needs and aspirations are taken care of despite increasing costs and expenses.

Choosing the right Insurer

With multiple companies offering online life insurance plans, deciding upon which one to opt for can be difficult. Here are a few things that you should look for when you are zeroing in on an insurer

Claims Settlement Ratio

Life insurance is, in the ultimate analysis, a business of paying claims and providing support to the customer's family when they need it the most. To be true to this their promise to policyholders, life insurers must have an effective claims settlement process, making it simple, quick and hassle-free. This is especially important because claimants, who are dealing with an unplanned incidence such as loss of some loved one, need reassurance and support, not the pressures of complicated follow-ups.

Strong Financial Track-Record

It is always a good decision to opt for a firm with a strong financial track-record. A company with solid financial track record gives you a sense of stability and security. After all, when choosing a company to secure your financial future you want to make sure its future is secure as well. You want it to be rock solid!

Service Standards

Customer service is critical in a business that depends so much on trust and credibility. Providing service excellence to its customers should be a key priority for any organization. The life insurer must strive to be customer centric and establish well laid out processes for customer service. The life insurer must try and provide a positive experience to the customers at every touch point and have constant focus on nurturing long-term relationships with customers.

Market Reputation

The reputation of the Life Insurance Company is an important factor to consider while taking a decision on which life insurer to go for. The company that you finally choose must have a good standing in the market and people should mention it in a positive light. Much of this reputation is created through products, distribution and customer service and one must research about these before making a decision. These days, one can also check online forums and social networks to get an idea of a life insurer's reputation. If a brand has built its equity over time through positive customer experiences at all touch points, there will be people who will be saying positive things about that brand.

Corporate Governance

Corporate governance refers to the structures and processes for the direction and control of companies. Corporate governance concerns the relationships among the management, Board of Directors, controlling shareholders, minority shareholders and other stakeholders. Good corporate governance helps companies operate more efficiently, improve access to capital, mitigate risk and safeguard against mismanagement. It makes companies more accountable and transparent to investors and gives them the tools to respond to legitimate stakeholder concerns such as sustainable, environmental and social development.