BackAsk Mint | Banking entirely on group life cover isn’t wise
Ask Mint | Banking entirely on group life cover isn’t wise
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The insurance business in India isn’t just growing, but also becoming more sophisticated in terms of product offerings. To help readers keep ahead of developments in this business, Mint features a Q&A on insurance every Monday.
What is the difference between an endowment plan and a money-back plan? What are the advantages of a money-back plan?
Under a normal endowment plan, it is on the maturity of the plan that the policyholder gets the sum insured plus the accumulated bonus, if any.
A traditional money-back plan can help a policyholder plan effectively for critical milestones as it can be tailored to give payments at specific periods (intervals as stated in the policy document) according to the needs of the policyholder.
The death benefit remains unchanged for the entire term of the plan despite the periodic payments made to the policyholder. If you outlive the plan, the balance sum assured is paid back to you.
I am a 26-year-old man working in a private firm. If my job provides a group life insurance, do I still need an individual plan?
Group life insurance is a benefit some people receive through their employers. But no matter how good the benefit package is, it comes with the job, with the employer paying the premiums to cover your basic protection needs.
As you are young, you might opt for alternative career opportunities. In such instances, the insurance cover your current employer offers may cease the moment you leave that job.
With an individual life insurance plan, the life insurance cover stays with you no matter where you work.
So, it is always advisable that your own personal plan should be the mainstay of your coverage, with the company’s offerings supplementing as incremental source of protection. A sound balance between these two may be the right choice for you.
Readers are welcome to write in with their queries to askmint@livemint.com. The questions will be answered by senior executives from leading insurance firms.
This week’s expert is Rajesh Relan, managing director, MetLife.
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