scorecardresearchHow much life insurance cover do I need?

How much life insurance cover do I need?

Updated: 24 Mar 2022, 04:09 PM IST
TL;DR.

To determine your insurance coverage needs, you can consider factors such as your debts and financial objectives. We decode this for you here

To determine your insurance coverage needs, you can consider factors such as your debts and financial objectives.

To determine your insurance coverage needs, you can consider factors such as your debts and financial objectives.

Death, like taxes, is unavoidable, but most people prefer not to think about it. If you have loved ones who rely on your income, making sure you have the proper financial resources in place, especially life insurance, is critical.

Enrolling in a life insurance plan serves the primary aim of ensuring that your family is financially secure in the event of your untimely death. It can assist your loved ones manage their day-to-day living expenditures by covering funeral and burial costs, paying off outstanding debts, and other essential needs.

However, what constitutes appropriate coverage is a relevant topic to pose here 1 crore is a typical term life insurance cover amount. To be honest, an eight-figure figure is plenty big. However, the majority of us buy it without doing any simple math. Let us understand the factors to be kept in mind while assessing your coverage needs to make sure that your policy is adequate for you.

Factors to be considered while deciding the amount of life insurance cover

Your current annual earnings

Your current annual earning is the first important element to consider when determining your life insurance policy. While people mostly tend to get life insurance that is approximately 10 times of their yearly income, severe inflation and growing living costs now need you to choose a policy that is equal to at least 20 times your annual income.

If your annual income is Rs. 10 lakhs, it would be wise to purchase a life insurance policy with a cover of Rs. 2 crore. This sum will assist your family in meeting their annual costs and maintaining their level of living while you are away.

Your future and current debts or liabilities

Another important aspect to consider while picking the sum assured of your life insurance plan is our financial responsibilities, such as existing loans and debts. Your family may struggle to manage EMIs and home expenditures if you die young, especially if you were the sole breadwinner. As a result, be sure the coverage is adequate to cover all of your current responsibilities.

Your financial goals

Your financial objectives, of course, play a significant influence in determining your insurance coverage. The purpose of insurance is to assist your family in maintaining the lifestyle you planned for them in the event of your untimely death. This involves achieving financial objectives such as your children's schooling and marriage, both of which need a significant sum of money. As a result, your life insurance policy must account for these potential liabilities in the future while also taking inflation into account.

Your present age

The age at which you purchase your coverage is also significant, as various life phases have distinct needs. Your age and health will influence not only how much insurance you should get, but also how long you should keep it. As you become older, you'll probably need less insurance since you'll have less debt and fewer dependents to maintain.

Duration you wish to remain insured

It is critical to pick the policy duration carefully while deciding on the coverage. It's possible that the life insurance coverage that ends when you turn 50 isn't all that good. Preferably, you should purchase when you are young and for the longest possible period of time.

To be precise you can add up your financial commitments and deduct your liquid assets, such as savings accounts, to figure out how much life insurance you need.

Most people can get by with renewable term insurance, but you should assess your specific position. If you opt to get insurance through an agent, make a list of what you'll need ahead of time to prevent being caught with insufficient coverage or overpaying for coverage you don't require. To make the best decision, you must educate yourself, just like you do when investing.

Estimating how often life insurance you require is critical to preserving your dear ones' long-term financial wellbeing. You could be certain that your loved ones will be taken care of if you are no longer able to sustain them by acquiring enough coverage and the proper policy term length.

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First Published: 14 Feb 2022, 04:16 PM IST