Variable Life Insurance
Securing one's financial future and providing security for loved ones are key reasons why life insurance is important. The distinctive benefits and features of variable life insurance plans have gained popularity. In this article, we will discuss everything about variable insurance plan, defining what it actually means, who is the regulatory body, whether it is safe and more. Furthermore, we will delve into explaining how such policies exactly work, variable insurance plan features, benefits associated with taking out coverage under these arrangements along with considerations one must bear in mind prior to committing oneself financially towards doing so.
What is Variable Life Insurance?
Variable life insurance offers individuals both protection and investment components. In case of the policyholder's demise, it grants a death benefit to the beneficiary plus potential cash value growth by investing. Traditional life insurance policies involve the insurer taking on the investment risk, while variable life insurance policyholders have the opportunity to invest in multiple funds. Their risk appetite and financial goals determine which option they can select i.e. equity, debt, or balanced funds.
Regulatory Framework and Customer Protection
In India, regulatory oversight of the insurance sector including variable life insurance policies falls under the purview of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). By enforcing necessary guidelines, the IRDAI ensures that insurance companies provide adequate protection to policyholders. The regulatory aspects and customer protection measures for variable life insurance policies include:
- Licensing & Solvency Criteria - As part of their licensing and solvency criteria, the IRDAI mandates that insurance businesses offering variable life insurance get a licence. This ensures that they meet the criteria for solvency necessary to protect the interest of policyholders.
- Approval For Variable Insurance - The IRDAI mandates that insurance companies obtain prior approval before releasing any variable life insurance policies. This guarantees that the product’s features, benefits, and costs are reasonable and clear.
- Grievance Rеdrеssal Systеms - The IRDAI has put in place grievance rеdrеssal systеms to address thе grievances and concеrns of policyholdеrs. This еnsurеs that policyholders havе a placе to turn to for hеlp with any issuеs thеy havе оvеr thе coursе of thе policy.
- Disclosure and Transparency - Thе fеaturеs, advantagеs, costs, and invеstmеnt choicеs of thе policy should all bе fully disclosеd to policyholdеrs by thе insurance providеrs. Transparеncy is еnsurеd through this mеthod, and policyholders arе ablе to confidently makе еducatеd sеlеctions.
- Free Look Period - Most variable life insurance policies in India provide a free look period. This particular timeframe, usually ranging from 15 to 30 days after obtaining the insurance policy, allows policyholders to carefully examine its terms and conditions. Should they be unhappy with it, they can choose to terminate the policy and receive back the premium paid, minus any charges.
How Does It Work?
The benefits of life insurance protection and investment opportunities are combined in variable life insurance policies. Here's how it commonly operates:
- Regular Premium Payment - The insurance company receives regular premium payments from the policyholder for a variable life insurance policy.
- Death Benefit - In case of the policyholder's death during the policy term, a death benefit is given to the beneficiary. The policy's face value and any accumulated cash value determine the amount of the death benefit.
- Investment For Cash Value - A part of the premium paid is used to accumulate cash value for the policy. The policy owner has the choice to divide this cash value between various investment funds available from the insurance company.
- Selection Of Investment - Among the investment options available with variable life insurance policies are equity funds, debt funds, and balanced funds. Based on their risk tolerance and investment objectives, policyholders can opt for the desired investment mix of their choice.
- Directly Propotional to Cash Value - The investment performance of the chosen funds directly impacts the cash value accumulation. The cash value may increase if the selected funds perform well. Nevertheless, in the event of poor fund performance, the cash value might decline.
- Selection Of Premium Payment Mode - You can enjoy flexibility in terms of premium payments with variable life insurance policies. The available options for policyholders include choosing between a regular premium payment or a single premium payment.
Benefits and Features of Variable Insurance Plan
Several features and benefits make variable life insurance policies in India appealing to policyholders. Certain important attributes and benefits encompass:
- Death Benefit - The beneficiary receives a death benefit when the policyholder of variable life insurance policies dies. The calculation for determining the death benefit takes into account both the face value of the policy and any accumulated cash value.
- Option To Choose Investment - Insurance companies give policyholders the choice to select from different investment options. They are able to align their investments with their risk tolerance and financial goals through this.
- Cash Value Benefit - Some of the premium amount is used to accumulate cash value in the policy. The growth of the cash value can be influenced by how well the chosen funds perform in terms of investment.
- Option To Borrow Money - Policyholders with variable life insurance policies can often borrow money against the cash value they have accumulated. This attribute can provide monetary assistance in periods of financial necessity.
- Flexible Premium Payment Mode - Premium payments for variable life insurance policies can be flexible. Policyholders' financial circumstances determine whether they can choose between regular premium payments or a single premium payment option.
- Tax Benefits - The prevailing income tax laws allow tax benefits with variable life insurance policies. The premiums paid and the maturity/death benefits received qualify for tax deductions or exemptions under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Who Should Buy Variable Life Insurance?
Individuals who want both life insurance protection and potential investment growth may find variable life insurance to be a suitable option. It could be suitable for individuals who:
- Those who want to participate in the financial markets and potentially benefit from investment growth may consider variable life insurance policies.
- Variable life insurance policies are specifically created for long-term financial planning. These policies are beneficial for individuals who have significant financial goals, including education funding or retirement planning.
- Policyholders of variable life insurance face exposure to investment risks. People who are okay with market ups and downs and know that they can either make money or lose money might want to think about these policies.
- Compared to traditional life insurance policies, variable life insurance often entails higher premiums. Those who have a stable income and sufficient financial resources should give thought to these policies.
Factors to Consider
Prior to buying a variable life insurance policy in India, it is crucial to take into account the following factors:
- Risk Tolerance - Market risks affect variable life insurance policies. Prioritize considering your risk tolerance and investment preferences before selecting investment options.
- Long-Term Finacial Goals - Review your long-term financial aspirations and ascertain if a variable life insurance policy matches those goals. Ponder over factors like education funding, retirement planning, or wealth creation.
- Affordability - Make sure to evaluate your financial condition and confirm that the premium payments remain affordable for the entire duration of the policy.
- Flexible Plans - Gain knowledge about the policy's offered flexibility. You have the option of premium payment options, policy loans, and modifying the death benefit or investment allocations.
- Reputable Company - Ensure you choose an insurance company with a solid reputation, known for their dependable variable life insurance offerings and their dedication to providing outstanding customer service.
Closing
Variable lifе insurancе policiеs in India providе a spеcial mix of financial options and lifе insurancе covеr. Policyholdеrs havе thе opportunity to potеntially increase thеir cash worth by invеsting in various funds. Understanding thе rеgulatory framеwork, consumеr protеction mеasurеs, how thе policy opеratеs, thе numеrous typеs offered, as wеll as thеir features and benefits, is crucial whеn thinking about variablе lifе insurancе. It is crucial to takе into account othеr еlеmеnts. Pеoplе can carefully consider their financial objеctivеs, willingnеss to takе risks, and affordability to safеguard thеir financial futurе, and thеn sеlеct thе most appropriatе variablе lifе insurancе policy.
