Skip to main content

Online term Insurance plans appear too good to be true

Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Current open Infra Bond Application form

 

Despite scepticism on their financial prudence, they are not a threat to costumers

IRDA is fastidious about companies adhering to the mandated liquidity and solvency ratios. So, new businesses can't be garnered indiscriminately

The slew of online term insurance plans launched by various industry players is certainly evoking awareness among prospects and interest among the financial planning community.

While term plans were already touted as the best solution for ones insurance requirements, online term plans are that much more preferable, considering the (nearly unbelievably) low premium they charge. However, for every five enthusiasts, there is one Doubting Thomas who believes that if something looks too good to be true, it probably isn't.

According to them, the main reasons for such scepticism are: In their quest for market share, companies are sacrificing financial prudence. This race to the bottom may help them increase the number of customers but the nominees of these customers will encounter problems while making a claim, as companies will pull every trick out of the book to deny claims.

The problem will be compounded by the fact that no agent will be present to guide the nominees. Hence, they will have to run from pillar to post to get a hearing.

Companies will be diluting underwriting requirements to gain customers. This would backfire at a later stage, as evidenced by an outsized increase in the Adverse Claim Experience. This may even jeopardise the financial solvency of these companies.

While I will not profess to know all the answers, here is my view: Companies are not indulging in any hara-kiri by launching such policies, as none of them is charging a premium below the mortality charges incurred. Also, these charges themselves are trending downward (as the new mortality tables depict).

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority is fastidious about companies adhering to the mandated liquidity and solvency ratios. Hence, new businesses cannot be garnered indiscriminately by throwing caution to the winds. This mode of distribution is extremely cost-efficient for companies and they are merely passing on the savings to the customer. Another article on this subject deals with this aspect.

While a customer satisfaction survey is possible in a term insurance policy, (owing to the customer not being there to answer it), only a foolhardy company would sacrifice goodwill by denying genuine claims. Also, if there is suspicion of fraud, the claim would be withheld anyway until the investigation is complete. In such a case, no agent can hasten the process.

I have opted for online term insurance policies from two different companies and I must say the medical underwriting standards are not lax by any yardstick. Also, the onus is on us to be as truthful as possible in the application form. If we are not, the threat of discovery at a later stage will always hang over our head like the Sword of Damocles. In such instances, it is we and not the insurance company who is doing our nominees the greatest disservice.

Finally, if it is of any comfort, the Life Insurance Corporation of India is set to launch its own online term policy. That, I guess, should set all doubts to rest

---------------------------------------------

Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds ( ELSS Mutual Funds ) to upto Rs 1 lakh and Save tax under Section 80C.

Invest Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

These links can be used to Purchase Mutual Funds Online that are regular also (Investment, non-tax saving)

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms from all AMCs

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Applications

These Application Forms can be used for buying regular mutual funds also

Some of the best Tax Saving Mutual Funds available ( ELSS Mutual Funds )

  1. HDFC TaxSaver
  2. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan
  3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund
  4. Birla Sun Life Tax Relief '96
  5. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund
  6. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund
  7. SBI Magnum Tax Gain Scheme 1993
  8. Sundaram Tax Saver

---------------------------------------------

Application form for Tax Saving Infrastructure Bond and more information

Current open Infra Bond Application form

Submit filled up application Collection canter near you

Popular posts from this blog

National Savings Certificate

National Savings Certificate Here's everything you need to know about the 5-year savings scheme offered by the Government This is a 5-year small savings scheme of the government. From 1 July 2016, a National Savings Certificate (NSC) can be held in the electronic mode too. Physical pre-printed NSC certificates have been discontinued and replaced with Public Provident Fund-like passbooks. What's on offer The minimum amount you can invest in them is Rs100 and there is no upper limit. Under this scheme, all deposits up to Rs1.5 lakh qualify for deduction under section 80C of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The interest earned is taxable. You can invest in multiples of Rs 100. These certificates can be owned individually, jointly and also on behalf of minors. The interest rates for all small savings schemes are released on a quarterly basis. The effective rate for NSC from 1 October to 31 December is 8%. The interest is calculated on an annual compounding basis and is given along w...
Read more

Am you Required to E-file Tax Return?

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online Buy Gold Mutual Funds Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300   Am I Required to 'E-file' My Return? Yes, under the law you are required to e-file your return if your income for the year is Rs. 500,000 or more. Even if you are not required to e-file your return, it is advisable to do so for the following benefits: i) E-filing is environment friendly. ii) E-filing ensures certain validations before the return is filed. Therefore, e-returns are more accurate than the paper returns. iii) E-returns are processed faster than the paper returns. iv) E-filing can be done from the comfort of home/office and you do not have to stand in queue to e-file. v) E-returns can be accessed anytime from the tax department's e-filing portal. For further information contact Prajna Capit...
Read more

Mutual Fund Review: HDFC Index Sensex Plus

  In terms of size, HDFC Index Sensex Plus may be one of the smallest offerings from the HDFC stable. But that has not dampened its show, which has beaten the Sensex by a mile in overall returns   HDFC Index Sensex Plus is a passively managed diversified equity scheme with Sensex as its benchmark index. The fund also invests a small proportion of its equity portfolio in non-Sensex scrips. The scheme cannot boast of an impressive size and is one of the smallest in the HDFC basket with assets under management (AUM) of less than 60 crore. PERFORMANCE: Being passively managed and portfolio aligned to that of the benchmark, the performance of the index fund is expected to follow that of the benchmark and in this respect, it has not disappointed investors. Since its launch in July 2002, the fund has outperformed Sensex in overall returns by good margins.    While every 1,000 invested in HDFC Index Sensex Plus in July 2002 is worth 6,130 now, a similar amount invested in Sensex then wo...
Read more

Different types of Mutual Funds

You may not be comfortable investing in the stock market. It might not seem like your cup of tea. But you can start by investing in Mutual Funds. Many first-time investors invest in Mutual Funds. This is because they do not know how to invest in individual securities. Basic information on Mutual Funds People invest their money in stocks, bonds, and other securities through Mutual Funds. Each Fund has different schemes with specific objectives. Professional Fund Managers look after these schemes. Your Fund Manager could help you invest in a scheme that suits your financial goal. Functioning of Mutual Funds You could make money through Mutual Funds in different ways. A single Mutual Fund could hold many different stocks, bonds, and debentures. This minimizes the risk by spreading out your investment. You could earn dividends from stocks and interest from bonds. You could also earn capital by selling securities when their price increases. Usually, you could choose to sell your share any t...
Read more

IDFC - Long term infrastructure bonds - Tranche 2

IDFC - Long term infrastructure bonds What are infrastructure bonds? In 2010, the government introduced a new section 80CCF under the Income Tax Act, 1961 (" Income Tax Act ") to provide for income tax deductions for subscription to long-term infrastructure bonds and pursuant to that the Central Board of Direct Taxes passed Notification No. 48/2010/F.No.149/84/2010-SO(TPL) dated July 9, 2010. These long term infrastructure bonds offer an additional window of tax deduction of investments up to Rs. 20,000 for the financial year 2010-11. This deduction is over and above the Rs 1 lakh deduction available under sections 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD read with section 80CCE of the Income Tax Act. Infrastructure bonds help in intermediating the retail investor's savings into infrastructure sector directly. Long term infrastructure Bonds by IDFC IDFC issued an earlier tranche of these long term infrastructure bonds on November 12, 2010. This is the second public issue of long-te...
Read more
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds Download Any Applications
Transact Mutual Funds Online Invest Online
Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Now