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Zero cost term insurance

Term life insurance plans provide financial security and peace of mind for your loved ones. Term plans do not provide a return on premiums in any situation. However, a zero-cost term insurance plan provides a return on your premium if you cancel your plan within the policy term. Read on to find out all about zero-cost term insurance in detail.

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Get Term Plan Coverage of 1 Crore Starting From Just ₹16/Day*
Get Term Plan Coverage of 1 Crore Starting From Just ₹16/Day*
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**Tax benefits are subject to changes in Income Tax Act.

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  • LIFE COVER
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    1 Cr
  • CLAIMS SETTLED 99.7%
Starting From 678/Month
Key Features:
  • Right Green Tick Cover Continuance Benefit
  • Right Green Tick Terminal Illness
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  • LIFE COVER
    Tax Free
    1 Cr
  • CLAIMS SETTLED 99.2%
Starting From 730/Month
Claim Settlement 24hr Claim Settlement
Key Features:
  • Right Green Tick Waiver of Premium on Disability
  • Right Green Tick Terminal Illness
  • Right Green Tick Life Stage Benefit
  • Right Green Tick Special Exit Benefit
  • LIFE COVER
    Tax Free
    1 Cr
  • CLAIMS SETTLED 99.4%
Starting From 771/Month
Claim Settlement 24hr Claim Settlement
Key Features:
  • Right Green Tick Terminal illness
  • Right Green Tick Special Exit - Option to get your premiums back
  • Right Green Tick Renewability Option
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Disclaimer :
1. Premium has been calculated for coverage till 60 years
2. Final Plan Eligibility will depend on some other factors including tobacco habits, education, occupation and income of the life assured / proposer

What is zero cost term insurance? 

Zero-cost term plans provide the benefits of regular term insurance along with the return of premium benefit option. In simple terms, if the policyholder discontinues their term life insurance plan within the policy tenure, they can apply to get a return of premiums paid until that particular time period.

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Features of Zero Cost Term Insurance

The features of zero-cost term plans are highlighted below:

  • It provides coverage for specific policy tenure.
  • The policyholders can get life coverage until 99 years of age.
  • It provides the benefits of both the regular term plan and the return of the premium plan.
  • Zero-cost term insurance is more economical in comparison to the return of premium plans.
  • This plan is ideal for individuals who want the return of premiums paid by them. Additionally, this plan is suitable for salaried employees who want to stop paying premiums after a certain period of time.
  • A premium paid against the zero-cost term plan is eligible for tax exemption up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs under the old tax regime.

Process to Buy Zero Cost Term Insurance

In case you haven’t saved enough and don’t have life insurance cover then opting for a zero cost term insurance is a good option. You can also opt for a zero cost term plan if you have a strong financial plan for the future. For instance, if you are in your 60s and have met all your financial obligations then discontinuing the plan by opting for a zero cost term plan would be a great option. On the other hand, it is important to note that under return of premium insurance, you don’t have the option to exit the policy after a few years and have to continue till the end of the term to get the premiums back.

Benefits of Zero Cost Term Insurance

Zero-cost term plans are designed to provide numerous benefits to policyholders. Some of the reasons why you should buy these plans have been explained below:

  • High Coverage: A zero-cost term insurance plan provides high coverage to policyholders. With this high sum assured, you can ensure that your family is protected against financial contingencies that may arise in the future.
  • Tax Benefits: The policyholders of zero-cost term plans can avail of tax benefits on a premium paid under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Additionally, a death benefit paid to the nominee is also tax-deductible under Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • Lifelong Coverage: You can financially secure your retirement by renewing your zero-cost term plans for a lifetime. However, if you want to enjoy lifetime financial protection, you may have to pay a premium for a long-time.
  • Return of Premium Benefit: Generally, term insurance plans do not return premiums paid by the policyholder in case of the termination of the policy. But, zero-cost term insurance plans provide this benefit. In simple terms, if the insured cancels their plan within the policy tenure, he or she can claim the return of premiums paid until that date.

Difference Between Zero Cost Term Insurance & Return of Premium Plans

Listed below are the differences between zero cost term insurance and return of premium plans that you should know about:

Parametres

Zero Cost Term Insurance

Return of Premium Term Insurance

Premium

The premium of zero cost term insurance is more affordable as compared to other types

The premium of Return of Premium Term Insurance plan is higher than Zero-cost Term Insurance

Who Should Buy?

Ideal for salaried employees

Best-suited for self-employed individuals

Premium Pay-back

In zero cost term insurance, you can get the premium paid back even before the end of the policy term

The coverage lasts till the policy term and once the term ends, the premium is paid back

How Does Zero Cost Term Insurance Work?

Zero-cost term insurance is a unique financial tool that provides a cost-effective solution for individuals seeking life insurance coverage. Unlike traditional insurance policies, where premiums are paid regularly, zero-cost term insurance operates on a different principle. In this model, policyholders can pay the premium for a specific period of time and then exit the plan to get back the premium that is paid. However, it's crucial for policyholders to carefully assess the terms and conditions of zero-cost term insurance to understand the potential risks and benefits.

Example of Zero Cost Term Insurance

Let’s understand zero cost term insurance in a better way with the following example:

Suppose Aakash, aged 40, lives with his wife and 11-year-old son. Recently, he lent a housing loan of Rs. 50 lakhs and simultaneously, bought a zero-cost term insurance plan with a policy tenure of 30 years. This is to ensure that his family is financially protected in case he dies. The sum assured for his 30 years term insurance plans was Rs. 70 lakh. If Aakash dies during the policy tenure, his nominees will receive Rs. 70 lakh to repay the loan amount and meet other financial needs. The nominee can either choose to get a death benefit in a lump sum or in regular monthly installments.

After 15 years, the son of Aakash started earning and paid the housing loan. Once he became financially independent, he realized that he did not require term insurance coverage anymore. As he was covered under a zero-cost term insurance plan, he received a return of all the premiums he had paid.

Factors to Consider While Purchasing Zero-Cost Term Insurance

It is crucial to compare different zero-term insurance plans at the time of purchase. Here’s a list of some factors that you need to consider while purchasing zero-cost term plans.

  • Insurance Provider: Many term insurance companies in India provide zero-term insurance coverage for the policyholders. Therefore, compare different insurance companies on the basis of claim settlement ratio and select the one that has the highest ratio.
  • Riders: Riders are additional benefits provided by a term insurance company. The policyholders can buy riders like the premium of waiver rider, critical illness benefit rider, and others to enhance the coverage of their term insurance plan. However, the policyholder may have to pay an additional premium to include riders in their base term life insurance policy.
  • Sum Assured: Zero-cost term insurance plans may limit the sum assured amount. Therefore, it is important to determine the required sum assured based on your financial liabilities and other day-to-day expenses. Select the sum assured that provides enough coverage that can suffice the future financial needs of your loved ones.
  • Premium: The policyholders of the zero-cost term plan may have to pay service tax, education cess, and other charges in addition to a premium. Therefore, it is substantially important to read the policy document and check all the terms and conditions carefully. Additionally, check the premium payment options provided by a term insurance company.
  • Policy Tenure: It is a period for which an insurance company is entitled to provide life coverage to the policyholder. Therefore, it is important to select the policy tenure that aligns with your financial needs. Additionally, it is recommended that you purchase a term plan that provides a lifetime renewal option.

Companies offering zero cost term insurance plans

Zero cost term plan

Entry age

Maturity age

Policy Term

Max Life Smart Secure Plus

18 years-60 years

85 years

10 years-67 years

Bajaj Allianz eTouch Insurance

18 years-45 years

85 years

10 years-67 years

HDFC Click 2 Protect Plus

18 years-65 years

85 years

5 years-85 minus entry age

Canara HSBC iSelect Smart 360

18 years-65 years

99 years

5 years- 99 minus entry age

In conclusion, zero-cost term insurance plans are term plans that provide a return of premium benefits to the policyholders. A premium paid for zero-cost term plans is similar to a premium paid for regular term insurance plans.

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FAQs

  • Can I exit zero cost term insurance at any time?

    No, you cannot exit zero cost term insurance at any time. You can exit the plan only after the specific number of years mentioned in the policy

  • Which companies offer zero cost term plans?

    HDFC Life insurance, Max Life, Bajaj Allianz life are few insurance companies that offer zero cost term plans

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