Everyone wants to protect their family. Most of us put in a lot of hours at work, save diligently, and prepare for the future. Yet, life is unpredictable. Some surprises are delightful, but there are also some that can be challenging. This is the reason we bring up term insurance. It’s basically a small, simple tool that ensures a safety net for your family.
These days, there is a very valid question raised by many people: “Will 1.5 crore term insurance be sufficient for my family?” Just a few years back, 1 crore was considered to be a big amount. But today, the world is changing rapidly. Prices are soaring, and so are our requirements. We shall discuss the reasons why you should not decide on this figure casually.
Why your “Big Figure” may not be really “Big”
India is witnessing an increase in prices every year. We call this inflation. Items such as milk, petrol, and school fees have become way more expensive than they were 5 years ago.
Having a 1.5 crore term insurance plan is a good thing, no doubt. However, if your family decides to claim the amount after ten or twenty years, that money may not be sufficient.
Now, imagine these four large expenditures:
- Day to Day: Your family will need ongoing funds for monthly groceries, electricity, and clothing purchases.
- Child’s Education: The cost of going to secondary school and college is increasing at a very rapid pace. Today, getting a high-quality degree can be quite expensive.
- Mega Loans: Do you have a home loan or a car loan? Even if something happens to you, the bank will still be looking for its money.
- Medical Expenses: Maintaining one’s health is becoming more costly. Simple operations or extended hospitalizations can deplete one’s savings in no time.
Is 1.5 Crore Right for You?
Different families have different needs. What suits your neighbor may not be suitable for you. To determine if 1.5 crore in term insurance will suffice, you may refer to a straightforward “Rule of Thumb.”
According to most experts, the minimum term insurance you should have is about 15 to 20 times your annual income.
| If your yearly income is | You might need |
| ₹5 Lakh | ₹75 Lakh to ₹1 Crore |
| ₹8 Lakh | ₹1.2 Crore to ₹1.6 Crore |
| ₹10 Lakh | ₹1.5 Crore to ₹2 Crore |
| ₹15 Lakh | ₹2.2 Crore to ₹3 Crore |
If you make about ₹8 to ₹10 lakh per annum, then opting for a 1.5 crore term insurance plan would be almost ideal. It will not only safeguard your present way of life but also provide some money for the future.
The Hidden Costs We Forget
We tend to overlook the “extras” when we buy a policy. Just a few things to remember:
- Marriage Expenses: Weddings in India are grand celebrations. Also, they come with a hefty price tag. If you’re planning to save for your child’s wedding, your insurance should account for that as well.
- Parents’ Support: Our parents are getting older day by day. They might require additional assistance or medical care. A good term plan guarantees they never become a burden to anyone.
- The “Lifestyle” Gap: Do you love dining out? Do you take pleasure in traveling? Your family will probably want to continue these things. So, the insurance money should enable them to maintain the same lifestyle as they do now.
Making Your 1.5 Crore Plan More Powerful
Just picking a figure and ending there is not your only option. You can attach “riders” to your term insurance too. You can think of riders as “extras” for your pizza. They add the extra kick to your plan.
- Critical Illness Rider: If you fall seriously ill, the insurer will pay you a partial amount immediately. This would be very instrumental in covering the costly medical bills.
- Accidental Death Benefit: In the unfortunate event of an accident, the family will receive an additional sum over and above the 1.5 crore.
- Waiver of Premium: Should you become disabled and unable to work, you would not be required to pay any more premiums; however, your plan will remain active.
Simple To-Do List
If buying 1.5 crore term insurance is on your mind, just do these few things:
- Calculate your loan burden: Write down all your loans.
- Think about your children: What are their ages? How many more years of schooling will they have?
- Assess what you have put aside: Maybe you already have some gold, land, or stocks?
- Have a chat with your partner: Make sure they understand how the insurance policy works.
Conclusion
Then, what do you think of 1.5 crore term insurance? For an average family living in a city like Pune, Delhi, or Bangalore, it really is a very good base to start with. It offers a nice balance of a high cover amount and a reasonable monthly premium that you can pay without much difficulty.
Nonetheless, should you happen to have a really big home loan to cater to or wish to have your children go to study abroad, then you may consider 2 crore or more. The key thing really is to begin early. When you are young and in good health, term insurance costs very little. You can secure a low rate at present and protect your family for the next thirty years.
Never wait for the “perfect” moment. The right time to safeguard your family’s happiness is now. With a 1.5 crore term insurance policy, you are offering your family peace of mind. You are telling them, “Whatever happens, you still will be fine.”
