How Does Life Insurance Work

Life insurance covers your family’s future—debts, income, education, and more. Check plans and secure your future today!
Check Life Insurance Policies
3 min
02-September-2024

Life insurance serves as a financial safety net, providing protection and peace of mind to individuals and their families. Understanding how life insurance works is essential for making informed decisions about securing your financial future. Let's delve into the intricacies of life insurance and uncover everything you need to know.

What is a life insurance?

Life insurance is a contract between the policyholder and the insurance company, where the insurer agrees to pay a sum of money (known as the death benefit) to the designated beneficiary upon the death of the insured person. Term insurance plans are most common types of life insurance, offering financial protection to the insured's dependents and ensures their financial needs are met in the event of the insured's demise.

Secure your future with life insurance! Get financial protection, tax benefits, and peace of mind for your loved ones. Check plans!

How does a life insurance work?

Life insurance works on the principle of risk pooling and risk transfer. Policyholders pay premiums to the insurance company, which pools these funds to provide coverage to all policyholders. In the event of the insured's death during the policy term, the insurer pays out the death benefit to the beneficiary named in the policy. If the policyholder survives through the policy term, they receive a guaranteed sum assured at the time of maturity. Some life insurance policies also offer return of premium benefit along with the sum assured at the end of the policy tenure.

Why should I buy a life insurance plan?

Here are some of the compelling reasons why you must consider buying life insurance:

  • Financial protection: Life insurance provides a safety net for your loved ones, ensuring they are financially secure in the event of your demise.
  • Debt repayment: It helps settle outstanding debts such as mortgages, loans, or credit card balances, preventing the burden from falling on your family.
  • Income replacement: Life insurance replaces lost income, ensuring your family can maintain their standard of living and meet ongoing expenses.
  • Education fund: It assists in funding your children's education and future expenses, ensuring they have access to quality education regardless of your absence.
  • Estate planning: Life insurance facilitates the smooth transfer of assets and minimises financial burdens for your heirs, ensuring your legacy is preserved.

From young professionals to retirees—life insurance options for all. Find the right plan today! Explore now!

Key benefits of life insurance

Apart from the above-mentioned benefits, following are the some of other key benefits of life insurance:

  • Peace of mind: Knowing that your loved ones are financially protected in your absence brings peace of mind, allowing you to focus on other aspects of life.
  • Tax benefits: Premiums paid towards life insurance may be tax-deductible, and the death cover is typically tax-free for beneficiaries, providing tax advantages.
  • Flexibility: Life insurance policies often offer flexibility in terms of coverage amount, premium payment options, and additional features like riders for critical illness or disability coverage, catering to individual needs and preferences.
  • Cash value: Some life insurance policies accumulate cash value over time, which can be accessed through policy loans or withdrawals.

Types of life insurance plans

When it comes to protecting your family's future, different life insurance plans offer different benefits. Let’s explore the most common types so you can pick what suits your needs best.

  • Term insurance plan: A term insurance plan offers pure life cover for a fixed period, like 10, 20, or 30 years. If the policyholder passes away during this term, the nominee gets a lump sum payout. It’s affordable and ideal if you want high coverage at a low premium.

  • Whole life insurance plan: A Whole Life Insurance Plan provides lifelong protection—usually up to 99 or 100 years. Along with a death benefit, some plans also build cash value over time. It’s perfect if you want to leave a legacy or cover estate taxes.

  • ULIP plan: A ULIP Plan (Unit Linked Insurance Plan) is a dual-benefit option—it offers life cover plus investment in market-linked funds. It’s suitable for people who want insurance along with wealth creation over the long term.

  • Retirement plan: A retirement plan helps you build a financial cushion for your post-retirement years. These plans ensure a regular income after retirement while offering life cover. Choose this if you want peace of mind and income security during old age.

  • Savings plan: A savings plan combines life insurance with disciplined savings. It allows you to build a corpus over time while ensuring your family is financially protected. It’s great if you're saving for future milestones like education, marriage, or home purchase.

  • Health insurance plan: A health insurance plan provides financial cover for medical expenses and hospitalisation. Some life insurers offer it as an add-on or standalone cover. It ensures your family’s health needs don’t become a financial burden.

What are the key inclusions of life insurance plans?

Understanding life insurance how it works also means knowing what it includes. Here are the typical features most plans offer:

  • Death cover: A lump sum is paid to the nominee if the insured passes away during the policy term.

  • Maturity benefit: Some plans offer a payout if you survive the term (not available in term plans).

  • Riders/Add-ons: Options like critical illness cover, accidental death cover, or waiver of premium.

  • Tax benefits: Premiums paid and benefits received are eligible for tax deductions under Sections 80C and 10(10D).

  • Loan facility: Some plans offer loan options against the policy value after a certain period.

  • Surrender value: If you cancel the policy after the lock-in period, you may get some payout.

  • Flexible premium options: Monthly, quarterly, or yearly payments to suit your budget.

What are key exclusions of life insurance plans?

Key exclusions in life insurance plans are specific circumstances under which the insurer may deny the death benefit payout. Common key exclusions include:

  • Suicide: Insurers may not pay out the death benefit if the insured dies by suicide within a specified period after policy inception.
  • Fraudulent claims: If the insured's death is a result of fraudulent activities or misrepresentation, the insurer may reject the claim.
  • Engaging in hazardous activities: Death resulting from participation in hazardous activities like extreme sports may be excluded from coverage.

What is the ideal life insurance coverage to opt for?

The ideal life insurance coverage depends on various factors such as your age, income, financial obligations, and future needs. A general guideline is to opt for coverage that is sufficient to replace your income, repay debts, and cover future expenses such as education and healthcare costs.

Tips to choose the right life insurance policy

Consider the following tips to choose the suitable life insurance policy for yourself:

  • Assess your needs: Determine the amount of coverage required based on your financial obligations and future goals.
  • Research: Compare policies from multiple insurers to find the best coverage options and premiums.
  • Understand policy terms: Read and understand the terms and conditions of the policy, including exclusions and limitations.
  • Consider riders: Explore optional riders such as critical illness cover or accidental death cover to enhance your coverage.
  • Review financial stability: Choose an insurer with a strong financial rating and reputation for timely claim settlements.

How to get a life insurance plan online?

Getting a life insurance plan online is a simple and convenient process:

  • Research and compare policies from different insurers.
  • Visit the insurer's website or online aggregator platforms.
  • Fill out the online application form with required details.
  • Upload necessary documents such as identity proof, address proof, and income proof.
  • Review the policy terms and premium quotes.
  • Make the premium payment online using secure payment options.

Steps to buy life insurance through Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall

To buy life insurance plan through Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall, you simply need to provide a few information by following the below steps:

  • Step 1: Click on ‘Get Quote’ to open our online application form.
  • Step 2: Enter the required details – name, mobile number, email ID, DOB, and gender. Click on ‘Proceed’ button.
  • Step 3: Share a few more details related to your lifestyle, occupation, education, income and PIN code. Click on ‘View Plans’ button.
  • Step 4: You will see the plans available. Click on ‘Buy Now’ on the plan and our representative will call you back and explain the products available for you to take an informed decision.

Pro Tip

Secure your future with ULIP – a smart dual-benefit plan offering investment growth and life cover at affordable premiums

What is the claim settlement process of life insurance plan?

In case of death claim settlement, the process of a life insurance plan involves the following steps:

  • Notification: Inform the insurer about the insured's demise.
  • Submission of documents: Submit necessary documents such as death certificate, policy documents, and claim form.
  • Claim verification: The insurer verifies the documents and assesses the validity of the claim.
  • Claim settlement: Upon approval, the insurer disburses the death cover to the designated beneficiary.

In the case of survival, the claim settlement process of a life insurance plan typically involves the following steps:

  • Policy maturity: When the policy reaches its maturity date and the insured survives the policy term, the insurer pays out the maturity benefit to the policyholder.
  • Notification: The policyholder notifies the insurer of the policy's maturity and submits any required documents as per the insurer's instructions.
  • Verification: The insurer verifies the policy details and ensures that all policy conditions, including premium payments, have been met.
  • Processing: Once verification is complete, the insurer processes the maturity benefit payout and disburses it to the policyholder through the chosen mode of payment, such as cheque, bank transfer, or direct deposit.
  • Confirmation: The insurer issues a confirmation of the maturity benefit payout to the policyholder, along with any relevant documents.

Choose a plan that offers simple, seamless, and swift life insurance claims! Secure your family’s future with ease. Check plans and get a quote today!

Conclusion

Life insurance is a crucial tool for securing your financial future and providing peace of mind to your loved ones. By understanding how life insurance works and considering your individual needs and circumstances, you can make informed decisions about selecting the right policy. So, take the first step towards financial security today by getting a life insurance plan tailored to your requirements.

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Frequently asked questions

How does a life insurance work?
Life insurance operates on the principle of providing financial protection to the insured's beneficiaries in the event of the insured's death. Policyholders pay premiums to the insurer, and in return, the insurer promises to payout a sum assured, known as the death cover, to the designated beneficiaries upon the insured's demise. In case of survival, the policyholder receives the sum assured at the time of maturity.
Are the returns on life insurance profitable?
The profitability of life insurance depends on various factors such as the type of policy, premium payments, investment performance, and policy duration. While traditional life insurance policies offer guaranteed returns, other types like whole life or universal life policies may include a cash value component that accumulates over time, potentially providing additional returns.
How much does life insurance payout?
The payout amount, also known as the death cover and the sum assured at the maturity, varies depending on the coverage amount selected by the policyholder at the time of policy purchase. It is typically a lump sum payment disbursed to the designated beneficiaries upon the insured's death.
Do you really get money from life insurance?

Yes, beneficiaries designated in the life insurance policy receive the death cover payout from the insurer upon the insured's demise, provided that the policy is in force and all policy conditions are met. This money can be used by the beneficiaries to cover funeral expenses, repay debts, replace lost income, or meet other financial needs.

What factors determine the cost of life insurance premiums?

Life insurance premiums are calculated based on factors like your age, health, lifestyle habits, coverage amount, policy term, and whether you opt for additional riders. Younger and healthier individuals generally pay lower premiums.

When is the life insurance payout given after a claim is made?

Once all required documents are submitted and verified, most insurers release the life insurance payout within 7 to 30 days. The process may take longer if there are discrepancies or pending clarifications.

Who gets the life insurance payout after the policyholder passes away?

The payout is given to the nominee mentioned in the policy. If no nominee is listed, the legal heir or next of kin may need to submit proof to claim the benefits.

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Disclaimer

*T&C Apply - Bajaj Finance Limited (‘BFL’) is a registered corporate agent of third party insurance products of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Future Generali Life Insurance Company Limited, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited, SBI General Insurance Company Limited, ACKO General Insurance Limited, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited, The New India Assurance Company Limited, Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited , Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited, Manipal Cigna Health Insurance Company Limited and Care Health Insurance Company Limited under the IRDAI composite CA registration number CA0101. Please note that, BFL does not underwrite the risk or act as an insurer. Your purchase of an insurance product is purely on a voluntary basis after your exercise of an independent due diligence on the suitability, viability of any insurance product. Any decision to purchase insurance product is solely at your own risk and responsibility and BFL shall not be liable for any loss or damage that any person may suffer, whether directly or indirectly. Please refer insurer's website for Policy Wordings. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions and exclusions please read the product sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale. Tax benefits applicable if any, will be as per the prevailing tax laws. Tax laws are subject to change. Tax laws are subject to change. BFL does NOT provide Tax/Investment advisory services. Please consult your advisors before proceeding to purchase an insurance product. Visitors are hereby informed that their information submitted on the website may also be shared with insurers. BFL is also a distributor of other third-party products from Assistance Services providers such as CPP Assistance Services Pvt. Ltd., Bajaj Finserv Health Ltd. etc. All product information such as premium, benefits, exclusions, sum insured, value added services, etc. are authentic and solely based on the information received from the respective insurance company or the respective Assistance service provider company.

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