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What is Term Insurance for Self-employed?
Term insurance for self-employed is a type of life insurance policy that provides financial coverage (i.e. the death benefit) to the designated beneficiary upon the death of the policyholder/life assured during the policy term. For self-employed individuals, having a term insurance policy can be essential to provide financial protection for your family in case of unexpected death.
The death benefit can be used by the beneficiaries to cover financial obligations such as outstanding debts, loans, or to replace the lost income of the policyholder/life assured. Term insurance for self-employed individuals can provide financial security to the policyholder's family, ensuring they can maintain their lifestyle and meet their financial needs even in the policyholder's absence.
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Why should Self-employed Individuals Buy Term Insurance?
Self-employed individuals should consider buying term insurance for several reasons:
1. Financial Protection
As a self-employed individual, you are the primary source of income for your family. In the event of your untimely death, your family could face financial hardships. Term insurance can provide a financial safety net for your loved ones and help them pay for expenses such as mortgages, debts, or children's education.
2. Affordable Premiums
Premiums of Term insurance policies are often more affordable than other types of life insurance policies. As a self-employed individual, you may have limited financial resources, and term insurance can be an affordable option to provide financial protection for your family.
3. Business Continuity
If you own a business, term insurance can help ensure that your business continues to operate in the event of your death. The death benefit can be used to cover the expenses needed to keep the business running until a successor is appointed or a buyer is found.
4. Peace of Mind
As a self-employed individual, you may not have access to employer-provided benefits, such as life insurance. Term insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of if something happens to you.
In conclusion, term insurance can be an essential part of a self-employed individual's financial plan. It provides financial protection, business continuity, and peace of mind at an affordable price.
The recent India Protection Quotient 7.0 survey jointly conducted by Axis Max Life and Kantar recorded a marked rise in the awareness and ownership of term insurance among self-employed Indians. With increase in awareness, more than 3 out of 4 self-employed individuals now own term insurance. You can read the full IPQ 7.0 Survey report for more insights about how Indians are protecting themselves and their loved ones against future uncertainties.
5. Tax Benefit
As per current tax rules, the premium paid towards the term insurance for the self-employed individuals is eligible to be claimed as 80C deduction for up to Rs 1.5 lakhs per annum, of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Moreover, current income tax rules also contain a provision that if the policyholder opts for a health-related rider like critical illness cover and pays extra premium for it, they can avail the tax benefits u/s 80D. These benefits are however currently available to individuals who have opted for the old tax regime.
In addition, as per current tax rules, the death benefit received is 100% tax-exempt in the hands of the policy beneficiary. This benefit is applicable irrespective of whether one has opted for the new tax regime or old tax regime.
6. Single Premium Payment Option
For those who wish to pay the entire premium in one go, insurance companies give the option of single premium payment. This is especially beneficial in the case of self-employed individuals who currently have the money to fund the single premium payment, but they might witness a decrease in cash flow during certain periods. So, for business owners with variable income flow, it can be a good option to get all due premiums in one go. Such single premium options may also result in reduction of the overall premium payable for the policy in comparison to regular premium payments for the same policy.
7. Loan Protection
If the self-employed policyholders are currently paying EMIs of long-term loans, like a home loan and they unfortunately pass away leaving the loan unpaid, the life cover payout from the term insurance can be used towards paying off the outstanding loan amount. This can enhance the financial protection of the family and reduce the burden on their finances.
How Term Insurance Works for Self-Employed/Business Owners?
Term insurance policies work for self-employed/business owners work in the same manner as term plans for a salaried individual. The primary benefit is a life cover that is decided at the time of policy purchase along with the period for which the policy will be in effect i.e. the policy term. The self-employed/business owner applicant has to pay applicable premiums in order to keep the policy in effect.
In the case of the life insured individual’s demise during the policy term, the nominee/policy beneficiary will receive the pre-decided life cover amount from the insurance company. If the life insured outlives the policy term of a pure term plan, the insurance policy terminates automatically and no payout needs to be made by the insurer.
Effect of uneven income and debts on the financial future of your family
The salary flow is uneven for a freelancer, business owner or any other type of self-employed individual.While salaried employees are certain about the amount they can expect as income, it might fluctuate for self-employed people. This can also have an impact on their savings and the amount they leave behind for their family.
If a self-employed person meets a tragic death during the policy term, their family receives an assured lump sum. This helps them repay personal loans/debts and fulfill other financial obligations. That’s why it’s just as important for self-employed people to buy a term insurance plan as it is for a regular employee.
If a self-employed person meets a tragic death during the policy term, their family receives an assured lump sum. This helps them repay personal loans/debts and fulfill other financial obligations. That’s why it’s just as important for self-employed people to buy a term insurance plan as it is for a regular employee.
Term Insurance Benefits for Self-Employed Individuals
Just like regular income individuals, self-employed people also want their families to be financially secure and protected when they are not around to take care of them. This security becomes even more important if their family members are financially dependent on them. That is precisely what term insurance helps self-employed individual with.
Here are some benefits you will receive as a self-employed person if you buy a term insurance policy:
- Upon the demise of the policyholder, the nominee gets the sum assured either in lump sum or in monthly payments to manage bills and lifestyle.
- In case the policyholder passes away with a lot of liabilities like home loan, car loan, business loan, etc the family can pay off that financial liability.
- The money can be used to fund your children’s education or fulfill other monetary needs of your family. Even your partner can utilise it for their retirement plans.
- It gives a peace of mind to those building their business. You don’t have to stress about your family’s financial well-being and security as they will receive the sum assured in the case of any unfortunate event.
How to Choose Best Term Insurance for Self-Employed Individuals?
In order to choose the best term insurance for self-employed individuals and/or the business owners, the following steps should be considered:
1. Learn about the basics
The first step towards finding the best term insurance for the self-employed individuals is learning the basics of the term insurance. It is always best to know what a product is and how it works, before buying it. The same principle applies to term insurance purchases as well. Be it for the self-employed or the salaried ones, knowing about the working of term insurance lays the foundation of a robust future planning.
2. Assess Your Needs, Liabilities and Income
Proper planning is the key to achieving a secure financial future for your family. And to do that, it is important to know what you want and how much. Therefore, in the hunt of finding the best term insurance plan for self-employed, it is necessary to evaluate your own needs, your income and liabilities. This is the key to determining what the adequate life cover amount will be and the premium amount that will be affordable for the policyholder.
3. Compare Insurance Providers
Once you know what is a term insurance and have identified your protection needs, it is time to analyze and compare the different insurance providers. Check for the additional riders, whether they are offering any discount on the premium rates, and compare the claim settlement ratio (the higher, the better) etc. Once you have thoroughly compared the different options offered by insurers, you will be better placed to choose a term plan for self-employed that is suited to your unique needs.
4. Check Premium Rates for Affordability
When you are self-employed, you might be faced with the possibility of irregular or unstable income. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the premium rates that the insurance company is offering you are competitive. Affordability is a major concern to be factored in when choosing the best term insurance for self-employed individuals.
5. Determine the Coverage Amount
The first step is to determine the amount of coverage you need. Consider your financial obligations, such as outstanding debts, mortgages, and future expenses such as children's education.
6. Choose the Policy Term
Choose a policy term that aligns with your financial obligations. For example, if you have a home loan with a term of 20 years, consider a term insurance policy with a term of 20 years.
7. Read the Policy Document Carefully
Read the policy document carefully and understand the terms and conditions of the policy. Make sure you understand what is covered, what is not covered, and any exclusions or limitations.
8. Add Riders if Needed
Consider adding riders to your policy to enhance your coverage. Riders such as accidental death benefit or waiver of premium can provide additional protection.
9. Consult a Financial Advisor
You must consult a financial advisor or insurance agent who can help you choose the best policy that meets your financial goals and objectives.
Overall, choosing the best term insurance policy for self-employed individuals requires careful consideration of your financial obligations and understanding the policy terms and conditions. Consulting a financial advisor can help you make an informed decision.
Top 6 Features of Term Insurance for Self-employed Individuals
Term insurance policies for self-employed individuals may offer several features that can vary depending on the insurance provider. Here are some common features of term insurance for self-employed individuals:
1. Death Benefit
The death benefit is the primary feature of term insurance. If the policyholder passes away during the policy term, the beneficiaries will receive a lump-sum payout as per the policy's terms and conditions.
2. Flexibility
Term insurance policies may offer flexibility in terms of choosing the policy term and the amount of coverage. This can allow self-employed individuals to customize their coverage to meet their financial obligations.
3. Convertibility
Some term insurance policies offer the option to convert to a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole life insurance. This can be beneficial if the policyholder's financial situation changes, and they want to continue their coverage.
4. Accelerated Death Benefit
This feature allows policyholders to receive a portion of the death benefit if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness. The accelerated death benefit can help cover medical expenses and provide financial support during the policyholder's final days.
5. Waiver of Premium
This feature allows the policyholder to waive premium payments if they become disabled and are unable to work.
6. Renewability
Some term insurance policies offer the option to renew the policy at the end of the term without having to undergo medical underwriting.
Term insurance policies for self-employed individuals may offer several features such as flexibility, convertibility, accelerated death benefit, waiver of premium, and renewability. Therefore, it is essential to review the policy document carefully and understand the terms and conditions before purchasing a term insurance policy.
List of Term Insurance Plans for Self-Employed Individuals
The following are the different types of term insurance plans for the self-employed individuals available in the market:
1. Level Term Insurance
Level term insurance is when the premiums and the life cover amount stays the same throughout the term of the insurance policy. Currently level term insurance is the most common type of term plan and rightly so, because the premiums stay fixed and when taken at an early stage, the policyholder can get the benefits of the plan at a lower cost as compared to a similar policy purchased later in life.
2. Decreasing Term Insurance
A decreasing term insurance is when the death benefit of the term insurance gradually decreases along with the premium payable as the policy term progresses. This is particularly beneficial for those who have an outstanding loan and are sure that after a certain period, this loan shall be paid off. Also, if the policyholder is sure that their dependents will gain financial independence after a specific time-period, they can opt for a decreasing term insurance as the need of the insurance shall lessen over time. This type of term policy for self-employed is typically less common in India.
3. Convertible Term Insurance
This is a type of term plan where the policyholder can convert it to a whole life plan at a later date. This saves the policyholder from the hassles of additional medical underwriting that can become extensive at a later age. The convertible feature makes the fixed term insurance turn into a whole life permanent life insurance with no need for repetitive health screening process in the future. This also costs lower than a regular whole life insurance. Currently few self-employed term plans in India offer this benefit.
4. Term Plan with Increasing Life Cover
In the case of this type of term insurance policy for self-employed, the life cover amount increases periodically, usually at the end of every policy anniversary, by a fixed percentage. This feature is typically provided as an add-on with pure term plans and requires the payment of an additional premium. The primary benefit of these plans is that the increase in life cover reduces the impact of inflation to some extend ensuring that the policy beneficiary gets the maximum monetary benefit from the plan. Do check the term plan brochure to see if your insurer provides this benefit with term plans for self-employed.
5. Term Plan with Return of Premium (TROP)
A term plan with return of premium or TROP is a good option for the self-employed individuals and business owners seeking to minimize their cost of purchasing a term policy. Under this type of term insurance, policyholder is allowed to exit from the term plan after a pre-determined portion of the policy tenure is completed. On surrendering the policy during the allotted time interval, the policyholder will receive back all the premiums paid for the policy previously. If you’re self-employed and are sure that your liabilities will be dealt with after a certain period, you can opt for this type of term insurance. However, keep in mind that the premium of such term plans is usually higher than a vanilla term plan.
6. Group Term Insurance
Self-employed individuals who are part of a group, such as a professional association or trade organization, may be able to obtain group term life insurance coverage at a lower premium.
As self-employed individuals can choose from several types of term insurance plans based on their financial goals and objectives, they must review the policy document carefully and understand the terms and conditions beforehand.
Documents Required to Buy Term Insurance for Self-Employed/Business Owner
The documents required to buy a term insurance for self-employed individuals or business owners is the same as that of a regular term plan. However, there is one difference that does take place and it is with the furnishing of the income proof.
In addition to the above-listed documents, applicant will also be required to submit the filled out application form, passport size colour photos and undergo a medical test/video medical test as part of the application process. The exact KYC process and documents in the case of a term plan for self-employed may vary to some extent on a case by case basis as well as from one life insurance company to another.
| Document Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Income Proof |
|
| ID and Address Proof |
|
| Photograph | Passport-size |
| Medical Records (if applicable) | Clinical reports showing past and current health conditions |
| Business Proof | GST Certificate or Business Registration Certificate |
| Age Proof |
|
Conclusion
Self-employed individuals should consider buying a term insurance plan to support their family’s expenses. It gives their spouses and children the finances they need for stability. They can use the money to fulfill their long-term goals and improve their livelihood. Hence, even in the absence of the earner, the surviving members can continue living smooth life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is term insurance for self-employed individuals?
Term insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specified period of time, usually between 10 and 30 years. Term insurance for self-employed individuals is designed to provide financial protection to business owners who do not have the benefits of employer-sponsored life insurance policies.
What are the benefits of term insurance for self-employed individuals?
The benefits of term insurance for self-employed individuals include:
- Provides financial protection for your loved ones in the event of your death
- Can help cover business debts and expenses
- Offers peace of mind that your family will be taken care of if something happens to you
- Premiums are generally lower than other types of life insurance policies
How much term insurance coverage do I need as a self-employed individual?
The amount of term insurance coverage you need as a self-employed individual will depend on a variety of factors, including your business expenses, debts, and the financial needs of your family. It is important to work with an insurance professional to determine the appropriate coverage amount for your specific situation.
How do I apply for term insurance as a self-employed individual?
To apply for term insurance as a self-employed individual, you will need to provide information about your health, lifestyle, and business. This may include completing a medical exam and providing financial documentation related to your business. You can work with an insurance agent or broker to complete the application process.
How much will term insurance cost me as a self-employed individual?
The cost of term insurance for self-employed individuals will depend on a variety of factors, including your age, health, lifestyle, and the amount of coverage you need. For example, the premium for a term plan for a smoker individual is generally higher than that for a non-smoker individual.
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