Types of insurance

Gaurav Suri
16 September 2005

All policies are not the same. Some give coverage for your lifetime and others cover you for a specific number of years. Here is a snapshot of the types of policies and what they offer.

Term Insurance
Term insurance covers you for a term of one or more years. It pays a death benefit only if the policy holder dies during the period the insurance is in force. Term insurance generally offers the cheapest form of life insurance. You can renew most term insurance policies for one or more terms even if your health condition has changed.

However, each time you renew the policy for a new term, premiums may climb higher, just like a rent agreement every time you renew the lease. This policy is particularly useful to cover any outstanding debt in the form of a mortgage, home loan, etc.

For example if you have taken a loan of Rs10 lakh, you will have an option of taking an insurance to protect the loan in case of passing away before the debt is repaid.

Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance covers you for as long as you live if your premiums are paid. You generally pay the same premium amount throughout your lifetime.