Choosing the Best Increasing Term Life Insurance Policy

Choosing the right life insurance plan is essential to secure your family's future. An increasing term life insurance policy offers growing coverage over time. This is ideal for individuals whose income and expenses are expected to rise. However, before you decide, it’s important to understand how the plan works and what to compare. Key features such as annual increase rate, premium structure, and rider options can make a big difference. Let's understand how to choose term insurance, what features to prioritise, and how to compare policies using crucial metrics like settlement ratios and exclusions. Whether you’re planning for long-term protection or looking to keep pace with inflation, this article will help you make an informed decision.

Choosing the right life insurance plan is essential to secure your family's future. An increasing term life insurance policy offers growing coverage over time. This is ideal for individuals whose income and expenses are expected to...
Choosing the right life insurance plan is essential to secure your family's future....
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What is Increasing Term Life Insurance?

Increasing term life insurance is a type of term insurance in which the sum assured rises over time. The increase happens either every year or at fixed stages. This type of plan helps protect your family against inflation and growing expenses, like school fees or home loans.

How to Choose the Best Term Insurance Plan in India?

When it comes to how to choose term insurance, especially an increasing term policy, it’s important to evaluate the following factors:

Rate of Increase in Sum Assured

Find out whether the amount of the sum assured goes up on an annual basis. A few policies give a 5–10% annual increment, but others give you the choice to pick the increment. Basically, your plan should reflect your own expectations and needs when it comes to income and expenses.

Premium Structure

Many people ask, “Does term insurance premium increase every year?”
The premium stays fixed in regular term plans. In increasing term plans, it depends on the policy. Most policies have fixed premiums even when coverage increases, while others raise the premium as the coverage grows, but this is relatively uncommon. Thus, it is important to check with the insurer to understand how the premium and coverage will evolve over time.

Policy Term and Entry Age

Do not overlook the policy's maximum term and minimum age requirements. Selecting a longer term is better for younger people, and buying the insurance when you are young ensures you pay a lower premium.

 Riders and Add-ons

Things like critical illness, accidental death benefit, and waiver of premium can be added as optional benefits. Though they require more money, they may be useful if they meet your needs.

Check the Claim Settlement Ratio of the Insurer

The claim settlement ratio (CSR) is one of the most important criteria when choosing the best increasing term life insurance policy. This figure shows how many claims the insurer has settled compared to how many it received in a financial year.

A high CSR (above 95%) is a sign that the insurer is reliable. For your peace of mind, choose a provider with the best settlement ratio in term insurance.

Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing an Increasing Term Plan

Even with good intentions, buyers often make errors that reduce the effectiveness of their policy. Avoid these common pitfalls:

Underestimating future needs

Always factor in inflation and rising expenses when selecting the sum assured.

Ignoring the premium pattern

Understand the premium pattern to avoid confusion. Not knowing this upfront can lead to surprises, especially if you're budgeting for long-term affordability.

Choosing the cheapest option blindly

The cheapest plan isn’t always the best. It’s important to look beyond price and consider the overall benefits and reliability of the plan. Always review the claim process and exclusions before making a decision.

Skipping the fine print

Always read the policy document thoroughly to understand limitations and conditions.

Conclusion

To have the best increasing term life insurance, select a plan that can provide you with enough protection as your life changes. Don’t only look at the cost; check the claim settlement record and exclusions. Compare different term insurance options in India and find a policy that fits your financial goals and life stage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Increasing term life insurance is a form of term life insurance that increases your death benefit (sum assured) by a specified amount yearly without new underwriting. 

If you outlive the term, your coverage will end, and you won't receive any benefits. Term life insurance offers pure protection, which means your policy will not accumulate cash value.

The ideal term insurance duration depends on your age and financial responsibilities. For example, if you're in your 20s, a 40-year term can be ideal as it offers long-term protection at a lower premium.

Term insurance is more affordable compared to permanent life insurance plans. It's ideal if you're looking for pure financial protection at a low cost. On the other hand, life insurance (like whole life or endowment plans) offers a mix of insurance and long-term savings or investment returns, but comes with higher premiums.

Term Insurance plans are valid for a specific “term.” The coverage is valid for a pre-determined period of time called the policy term.

If you fail to meet any criteria, such as your age not falling into the usual bracket of 18-65 years, or you do not clear your medical tests, you may not be eligible for term insurance.

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Written by Neviya Laishram

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Reviewed by Vaibhav Kumar Kaushik Author info Icon

A senior editor with years of expertise, she fine-tunes content that connects, converts, and builds trust. She transforms heavy life insurance concepts into clear, aha-moment reads. Writing is her passion, and thinking ahead is second nature. When not wrangling words, she’s crushing game levels because every challenge is a puzzle waiting to be solved.

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How to Choose the Best Increasing Term Life Insurance Policy