How Does Life Insurance Work

Learn the basics of how life insurance works and the benefits it provides.
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. It offers financial protection to the insured's dependents and ensures their financial needs are met in the event of the insured's demise.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Note – While we have made all efforts and taken utmost care in gathering precise information about the products, features, benefits, etc. However, BFL cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage/loss. We request our customers to conduct their research about these products and refer to the respective product’s sales brochures before concluding their sale.