Life Insurance and Its Types: A Financial Protection to Your Loved One

Introduction

Life insurance is a contract between an individual, known as the policyholder (insuree), and an insurance company (insurer). In exchange for regular premium payments, the insurance company agrees to provide a financial benefit to the policyholder's beneficiaries upon the policyholder's death.

Individual may die because of different reasons like sickness, accident, advanced age or others. Sometimes, they might experience the ill effects of old age or advanced age and will be unable to manage the cost of medical treatment. Because of early death of parent or earner, his/her dependent will be seriously affected. They can't survive easily in the society. Thus in order to get the financial security on such circumstance, insurance can be done for his/her life which is known as life insurance. It is one of the well known of insurance in which the insurer promises to compensate a certain sum amount of money to the insuree or his/her dependent in the event of untimely death, sickness or old age and so forth. Under life insurance, the insurance company agrees to compensate a fixed amount of money to the insured or his/her nominees in case of the event i.e. early death or expiry of fixed period. It may be considered as contingent agreement on the grounds that the life cannot be compensated but just a predetermined sum is paid on if the policy holder dies or policy expired whichever is earlier.

Life insurance involves both elements i.e. investment and protection. It is considered as investment because insured gets the policy amount with bonus on the expiry of policy period. It is considered as protection because the nominee will get financial compensation in case of early death of the insured person. It is estimated that life insurance comprises eight percent of the total insurance business in the world. It was commenced from England and other European countries in the sixteenth century. The life insurance in modern kind was developed in the eighteenth century.

The main purpose of life insurance is to provide financial protection to the loved ones or dependents of the policyholder in the event of their untimely demise. The lump sum payment is made to the beneficiaries named in the policy after the death of policyholder which is also known as the death benefit. Such types of payment amount may help to cover various expenses such as funeral costs, mortgage payments, daily living expenses, education expenses, and other financial obligations.

Different types of life insurance policies are available in the market, including term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. If the policyholder dies within the term, the death benefit is paid out to the beneficiaries. If the policy expires without a claim, there is no payout, and the coverage ends.

On the other hand, permanent life insurance is such type of life insurance that provides coverage for the entire lifetime of the policyholder, as long as the premiums are paid. Permanent life insurance policies, such as whole life or universal life insurance, also include a savings or investment component that accumulates cash value over time. This cash value can be used by the policyholder during their lifetime for various purposes, such as borrowing against it or surrendering the policy for a cash payout.

The main purpose of life insurance is commonly to provide financial security for dependents, cover outstanding debts or loans, maintain a certain standard of living, fund educational expenses, or leave a legacy for future generations. In my opinion, it is essential to assess your financial needs and consult with a qualified insurance professional to determine the appropriate type and amount of life insurance coverage for your specific situation.

Types of Life Insurance Policies

There are different types of life insurance policies that you can adopt. Choosing a good life insurance policy depends on your individual needs, financial goals, and personal circumstances. It's important to carefully consider your options and consult with a licensed insurance professional who can provide personalized advice. However, here are a few types of life insurance policies that are commonly considered:

1. Term Life Insurance

As the name is term life insurance, it offers coverage for a specified period of time or term, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. It provides a death benefit to beneficiaries if the policyholder passes away during the term. Term life insurance is generally more affordable compared to permanent life insurance options, making it suitable for individuals with temporary financial obligations or those seeking basic coverage.

2. Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that provides coverage for your entire lifetime. It offers a death benefit to beneficiaries and includes a cash value component that accumulates over time. Generally, premiums on whole life insurance are higher than term life insurance, but the policy builds cash value that can be accessed during your lifetime.

3. Universal Life Insurance

Another form of permanent life insurance that offers greater flexibility is universal life insurance. It provides a death benefit and allows you to adjust your premium payments and death benefit amount as your financial needs change. Universal life insurance also builds cash value, which can be used to cover premiums, withdrawn, or left to accumulate over time.

4. Variable Life Insurance

Variable life insurance combines a death benefit with an investment component. It allows policyholders to allocate a portion of their premiums into various investment options, such as stocks and bonds. The cash value and death benefit can fluctuate based on the performance of the investments. Variable life insurance offers potential for higher returns but also involves investment risks.

Remember that the suitability of a life insurance policy depends on your specific circumstances, including your age, health, financial goals, and budget. It's crucial to assess your needs and work with a reputable insurance professional who can guide you through the selection process and help you choose a policy that aligns with your goals.

5. Endowment Life Insurance

Endowment life insurance is a type of insurance policy which is issued for a fixed period of time. It is generally issued for 15 years, 20 years, 25 years etc. Under this policy, the insured or policy holder has to pay the insurance premium till the endowment period only. Then, the sum assured is payable to the policy holder on the expiry of period along with bonus. But in case of death of the insured or policy holder before expiry of the maturity period, the sum assured is payable to his/her nominee or dependent. Endowment life insurance is done with a view to provide financial security to the family as well as to accumulate funds in old age or disability.

6. Anticipated Endowment Life Insurance

Anticipated endowment life insurance is a policy which is issued for a fixed period providing a withdrawal facility of certain amount at certain intervals during endowment period. Under this policy, a part of sum assured is paid at intervals during endowment period and balance of the assured amount is paid at the maturity. If the policy holder dies before maturity of policy period, the whole assured amount is payable to the nominee with bonus at once.

This policy is also issued for certain duration like in endowment life insurance. For payment of partial amount at certain intervals, it makes the certain provision. For example, if policy is taken for 15 years, 25% is paid after 5 years, next 25% is paid after 10 years and the balance is paid with bonus after 15 years or expiry of the policy period.

7. Endowment Life Insurance with Double Accident Benefit

This insurance policy is similar to an endowment life insurance. It is different in the case that some additional premium is received by the insurer form the insured to provide accident insurance facility. Under this policy, if the insured dies before maturity of the period due to accident, his/her nominee will get the double of assured amount. However in case of survival of the insured till the policy period, the insured will be paid only the sum assured amount with bonus. It is beneficial when one desired to transfer the risk that may happen due to accident.

8. Children's Education and Marriage Endowment Life Insurance

Under this type of life insurance, the concerned parents have to take a policy for a certain period like in endowment life insurance. The parents should pay the amount of premium regularly for the fixed period of time. A child becomes the nominee or representative of the policyholder. After the maturity of the policy, the insurer pays the sum assured to the policyholder that facilitates to manage for higher education and perform marriage function of the nominee. In case of death of the policyholder before maturity of the policy period, the sum assured will be paid to the nominee.

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• The Importance of Insurance: Safeguarding and Protecting Individuals and Businesses

The Importance of Insurance: Safeguarding and Protecting Individuals and Businesses

Introduction

Insurance plays a crucial role in modern society, providing individuals, businesses, and communities with financial protection and peace of mind. This piece of writing explores the significance of insurance and its various types, highlighting the benefits it offers to policyholders and the broader economy. From mitigating risks to promoting stability and resilience, insurance is an essential tool that enables individuals and businesses to navigate uncertainties and protect their assets.

Human beings have to face different kinds of risks and uncertainties in life or they are exposed to different kinds of risks, such as loss of property by fire, theft, accident, untimely death of persons etc. The risk refers to the state of uncertainty like loss of life or damage and loss of other physical properties causing huge financial loss in future. Such types of loss may blocks or halt the progress of a firm or company. It may happen due to unexpected and uncertain events such as setting of fire, theft, accident, earthquake, robbery etc. All these unexpected events cannot be controlled and eliminated. However, a person can reduce such kind of financial loss resulting from such uncertainties and risks with the help of a kind of cooperative scheme, which is termed as insurance. Insurance is such a cooperative which protects the persons and firms from such a great financial loss.

Insurance is the way of reducing the financial losses arising from a number of unexpected risks and uncertainties. It is the way that provides security to the human and his/ her property against the risks. It only provides the financial compensation against the death of a person or loss and damage of the physical properties. Thus, insurance is a cooperative means of transferring risk to the insurer in consideration of payment of certain periodical amount called premium.

Insurance can be studied from two perspectives i.e. functional view point and legal view point. According to the functional view point, insurance is a cooperative tool to spread the risks over a number of people who are exposed to them and who agree to insure themselves against that risk. However, from a legal perspective, insurance is a contract between two parties where one party promises to pay a certain amount as a premium in exchange for the right to receive financial protection in the event that a person's life is lost or their property is lost or damaged. In conclusion, insurance is a cooperative plan or contract that transfers risks from the insured to the insurer and guarantees the insured's financial security in the event of a covered event, such as a covered person's death or a covered property's loss or damage.

I. The Concept and Purpose of Insurance:

Definition of Insurance

Insurance is a contract between an individual or an entity (the policyholder) and an insurance company, where the insurer agrees to compensate the policyholder for specified risks or losses in exchange for premium payments.

Risk Management

Insurance serves as a fundamental tool for managing risks by transferring the potential financial burdens associated with unforeseen events to the insurance provider.

Peace of Mind

Insurance provides individuals and businesses with a sense of security, knowing that they are financially protected against a wide range of risks and liabilities.

Some of the popular definitions of insurance are given below:

"Insurance is a contract by which a party for a compensation called the premium assumes particular risks of the other party and promises to pay to him or nominee a certain or ascertainable sum of money on a specified contingency." – Edwin W. Peterson

"Insurance is a cooperative device to spend loss caused by a particular risk over a number person who are exposed to it and agree to insure themselves against that risk." – Prof. R. S. Sharma

"Insurance business means life insurance business and non-life insurance business which also refers to the reinsurance." – Insurance Act 2049

Insurance is a contract between two parties in which insurer promises to pay financial compensation to the insured in case of loss of human life or physical properties and insured agrees to pay the premium to the insurer.

II. Types of Insurance

A. Life Insurance

Life insurance policies offer financial protection to the policyholder's beneficiaries in the event of their death, ensuring their loved ones are supported and their outstanding obligations are met.

B. Health Insurance

Health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, ensuring that individuals can access quality healthcare without significant financial strain.

C. Property Insurance

Property insurance policies protect individuals and businesses against losses or damages to their physical assets, such as homes, buildings, or inventory, due to perils like fire, theft, or natural disasters.

D. Auto Insurance

Auto insurance offers protection against losses and liabilities arising from accidents involving vehicles, providing coverage for damage repairs, medical expenses, and legal costs.

E. Liability Insurance

Liability insurance safeguards individuals and businesses against legal claims and financial obligations resulting from third-party injuries, property damage, or negligence.

F. Business Insurance

Business insurance policies cater to the unique risks faced by businesses, including property damage, liability claims, business interruption, and professional errors or omissions.

III. Functions of Insurance

Insurance performs functions of insurance related to the act of evaluating the risk, minimizing financial risk and using remedial measures to protect from possible losses. Some of the primary functions of insurance are described as follows:

a) Providing certainty

There are a large number of risks and uncertainties. The date of occurring risk and its exact amount of loss be predicted. Insurance provides certainty against such uncertainties that may cause huge loss of the property and even life. It promises to compensate the loss of insured property against the amount paid in the form of premium. Thus, to provide certainty against risk and uncertainty is one of the primary functions of insurance.

b) Distributing risk

Insurance is a cooperative device of distributing risk among a large number of persons who are exposed to it. It works under the cooperative concept and collects the small amount of premium for distribution of such risk.

c) Providing protection

Individuals and their properties are surrounded by greater risk and uncertainties. They may be suffered from losses due to such risks and uncertainties. Insurance cannot eliminate the risk but can reduce by way of cooperative device. It only provides protection against such risk and uncertainties. It promises to pay a certain amount in case of happening of event i.e. death of a person or loss of property. Thus, it takes the responsibility of providing protection against the death of insured or loss of properties.

Secondary Functions

Insurance performs the following secondary functions:

a) Formation of capital

Insurance company collects the huge amount as premium from the large number of insured persons and forms huge capital. The whole amount collected as premium may not be compensated at a time. The remaining amount in fund can be mobilized in the productive and profitable sectors. Thus, the insurance company invests the unused capital as short-term, mid-term and long-term investment in various industrial and commercial sectors. As a result, it supports for the economic development of the country.

b) Promoting trade

Insurance plays an important role in promotion of internal and external trade. While carrying goods from one place to another, there are a large number of risks like accident, theft, robbery etc. If the trader has to bear huge loss due to such unexpected events, he/she will be discouraged to carry out the trading activities. The insurance helps to minimize all risks of financial losses assuring the trader to provide financial compensation in consideration of insurance premium. Thus, the insurance facilitates the trader to perform the trading activities conveniently.

c) Maintaining financial stability

Insurance helps to create favorable environment in financial and business world ensuring to compensate the financial losses that may arise due to unexpected events. It avails capital, provides assurance and financial protection to the entrepreneurs. It also provides financial compensation to the insured person or enterprise in case of financial loss due to any unexpected event. All these things help to maintain financial stability in the country.

d) Increasing business efficiency

Insurance provides security against the financial losses due to risks and uncertainties. The people who have insured their life and properties feel secured, active and become free from mental tension. The feeling of security and activeness makes the people more devoted towards their job, profession and business. As a result, they can freely work and get an achievement from the job. Thus, the insurance increases the business efficiency and makes them more enthusiastic.

e) Creating awareness to prevent losses

The insurance cannot avoid whole losses. But, it helps to minimize such losses. It makes the people involved in various research and investigation program. It helps to forecast the future and find out the scientific method for maintaining the risk. Thus, due to insurance, people learn to be secured and protect their physical properties.

f) Providing employment opportunities

Insurance is a kind of business. It requires the different types of human resources to conduct business activities. It provides various employment opportunities to the educated people. Furthermore, it provides a certain amount as financial compensation in case of the event. It helps to perform some productive works in the society. Thus, the insurance helps to create employment opportunities directly and indirectly.

IV. Benefits of Insurance

• Financial Protection: Insurance safeguards individuals and businesses from catastrophic financial losses, ensuring that they can recover and rebuild in the face of adversity.
• Risk Mitigation: Insurance enables individuals and businesses to transfer risks to insurance providers, reducing the impact of unforeseen events on their financial stability.
• Economic Stability: Insurance fosters economic stability by enabling businesses to take calculated risks, secure loans, and attract investments, knowing they have protection against potential losses.
• Promoting Resilience: Insurance plays a crucial role in helping individuals and communities bounce back from disasters, such as natural calamities or accidents, by providing the necessary financial resources for recovery and reconstruction.
• Peace of Mind and Well-being: Insurance alleviates anxiety and stress by offering individuals and businesses the confidence to pursue their goals and aspirations without the fear of devastating financial setbacks.

Conclusion:

Insurance serves as a critical component of a well-functioning society, offering financial protection, stability, and resilience to individuals, businesses, and communities. Whether it is safeguarding lives, assets, or livelihoods, insurance plays a vital role in mitigating risks, promoting peace of mind, and ensuring economic well-being. Recognizing the significance of insurance and making informed decisions about coverage can empower individuals and businesses to navigate uncertainties and build a secure future.