With a Term Life Insurance (TLI) policy, you're covered for the duration of the policy, which could be around 10 to 30 years. It gives your beneficiaries a payout if you pass away during the term of your policy. Here, premium payments are low because the coverage your policy offers is for a short time. One of the disadvantages of a term policy is that it doesn't give you your money back if you outlive your term. However, a Return of Premium (ROP) Rider is a good idea if you want your money back from the premiums paid for a Term insurance policy. In this article, we explore what a Return of Premium Rider is and how it works.

Return of Premium (ROP) Rider

A Return of Premium Rider ensures you get your money back on life insurance premiums. With a Term Life Insurance (TLI) policy, you're covered for a specific duration, which could be 10, 20 or even 30 years. A term policy gives your beneficiaries a payout if you pass away during the term of your policy. 

Here, premium payments are low because your policy offers a short period of coverage. One of the disadvantages of this policy is that it doesn't give you your money back if you outlive your policy term. However, a Return of Premium (ROP) Rider is a good idea if you want your money back from the premiums paid for a Term insurance policy. 

This article explores a Return of Premium Rider and how it works with a term life insurance policy. 

What is a Return of Premium Rider?

A Return of Premium Rider is a unique add-on that can be added to Term Life Insurance (TLI) policies. If you outlive your term policy, this rider gives you the amount of your paid premiums. With an ROP rider, you get life coverage for the term of your policy, along with guaranteed money back (in the form of paid premium) at the time of maturity. 

Remember, an ROP Rider offers you an extra benefit as part of your Term Life Insurance policy; the premiums you need to pay will increase.

Let's understand this rider with an example: 

Mr Verma wants to buy a Term Life Insurance policy with a Return of Premium Rider. He is a healthy 30-year-old male with no smoking or health issues. He opts for a term plan with a return of premium rider, selecting a life cover of Rs 1 crore. The annual premium for the 30-year policy term amounts to Rs 17,447. 

First Scenario: In the unfortunate event of Mr Verma's demise during the policy term, the appointed nominee will receive the assured sum of Rs 1 crore. 

Second Scenario: Mr Verma survives the policy duration (30-year policy term) and gets a maturity benefit of Rs 5,23,410 (an amount equal to annual premiums paid) upon policy maturity.

How Does a Return of Premium Rider Work?

Return of Premium Rider in a term life insurance policy operates as follows:

1. Policy purchase: When you purchase term life insurance, you can add a Return of Premium (ROP) Rider to your policy. This means it usually costs more.

2. Paying premiums: During the policy period, you continue to pay your life insurance premiums. Depending on your preference, this term might last 10, 20, or 30 years.

3. End of term: If you still live after the term, the insurance provider will refund all premiums. The premium is returned to the policyholder, not the nominees. 

4. Death during term: If you die within the policy's term, your beneficiaries will receive the death benefit specified in the policy. However, they would not earn a premium return. It's crucial to remember that the details of a life insurance policy's death benefit and riders might differ based on the insurance provider and the policy terms and conditions. 

5 Key Benefits of a Return of Premium Rider

A Return of Premium Rider offers you all the features of TLI plus added benefits. You must pay an additional amount for the rider but are assured of getting your money back. Here are a few essential benefits of a Return of Premium Rider.

• Maturity or Survival Benefit

Unlike a regular TLI policy, a Return of Premium Rider rewards you with maturity or survival. Here, if you survive the entirety of your Term Life Insurance (known as maturity), you will get the full amount you paid in premiums back.

• Sum assured

The amount you want your beneficiaries to get after you pass away is the life insurance death benefit or sum assured. This sum assured is the only amount your family will receive from a regular TLI policy. A Return of Premium Rider may offer your beneficiaries a lower amount than they would receive in a regular Term Life Insurance policy. The lower sum assured amount is because you will get your premium amounts refunded if you survive the policy term.

• Surrender value

If you end your term plan while it's active, your insurance company will give you a cash value called the surrender value. If you pay your Term Life Insurance policy premium as a lump sum, your surrender value will be higher compared to paying in smaller increments.

• Death Benefit

If you pass away during your Term Life Insurance policy with a Return of Premium Rider, your death benefit is the sum assured and will be given to your beneficiaries. The sum guaranteed is calculated according to your coverage and premium payments.

• Tax Benefit

Your premium payments are tax-free if you pay them up to a value of one and a half lakh rupees by Sections 80C and 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act.

ACKO Life Flexi Term Plan

Talking about term plans, the ACKO Life Flexi Term Plan distinguishes itself through its remarkable flexibility, affordability, and simplicity. It provides comprehensive protection at reasonable rates and guarantees peace of mind for policyholders. This unique term plan facilitates effortless coverage adjustment to suit different life stages and financial situations. Some of the key benefits:

Furthermore, through a steadfast dedication to digitalisation, the policy enhances management, purchasing, and claims processes, simplifying them and significantly saving time and effort. ACKO's focus on customer-centric solutions establishes the ACKO Life Flexi Term Plan as a reliable choice for those searching for flexible and all-inclusive life coverage and a financial safety net for their loved ones.

How to Buy Return of Premium Rider?

1. The Return of Premium Rider is an optional rider that may be included with a life insurance policy, either existing or new term insurance, whole life insurance, etc.

2. Request the Return of Premium Rider when applying for or revising your life insurance policy.

3. Review the Return of Premium Rider's terms and conditions, including insurance duration, premium rates, and limits or exclusions. 

4. The Return of Premium Rider adds extra to your standard life insurance policy premium. The cost will vary based on age, insurance duration, and coverage level.

5. Sign the relevant paperwork to add the rider to your policy and follow the insurance company's application process. 

6. Once accepted, you will receive revised policy documents, including the Return of Premium Rider and its contents. 

Additional Riders Available

While the Return of Premium Rider is a solo rider, these 8 popular riders can be paired with a life insurance policy. 

ACKO Life Accidental Death Benefit Rider

This rider provides financial assistance in the event of the insured's unexpected death. The guaranteed rider amount is paid as a lump payment to the policyholder's family if the policyholder dies due to an accident or tragedy during the rider's term. The benefit handed out exceeds the sum provided by the basic plan.

ACKO Life Accidental Total Permanent Disability Benefit Rider

In an accident resulting in permanent partial or total disability, the accidental disability rider provides a payout. This amount aids in covering treatment expenses and daily living costs. The payout is determined following the insurer's regulations concerning the severity of the injury or disability. 

ACKO Life Critical Illness Benefit Rider

This critical illness rider safeguards the policyholder from financial issues by providing coverage for a predefined set of critical illnesses or conditions. This exclusive plan covers 21 critical illnesses, including life-threatening common diseases among women, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, fallopian cancer and ovarian cancer.

Check out the list of critical Illnesses covered. 

Choosing the Right Return of Premium Rider in India 

A Return of Premium (ROP) rider is typically accessible to individuals eligible for a term life insurance policy. However, specific eligibility criteria may vary based on several factors, including the insurer's underwriting guidelines, policy type, duration, and local laws and regulations. Here are some common factors that insurers may take into account:

1. Age: The applicant's age at the time of application can impact eligibility. Many insurers impose a maximum age limit for issuing new policies with an ROP rider, typically between 45 and 60, although this can vary.

2. Health: Health status is crucial, as with any life insurance policy. Individuals with severe or chronic health conditions may face higher premiums or not be eligible.

3. Lifestyle: Factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, occupation, and hobbies can influence eligibility and the cost of life insurance, including policies with an ROP rider.

4. Policy Terms: The availability of an ROP rider may hinge on the policy's term length and coverage amount. Some insurers may only offer the ROP rider on policies with specific term lengths or coverage amounts.

Factors Affecting Return of Premium Life Insurance

Several factors impact the Return of Premium (ROP) life insurance contracts, including premiums, terms, and benefits. These factors include:

1. Age and Health: The insured's age and health considerably influence ROP insurance rates. Younger and healthier people often pay lower rates because they offer insurers fewer mortality risks.

2. Coverage Amount: The level of coverage chosen for the ROP insurance influences rates. Higher coverage amounts result in higher rates because insurers assume more financial obligations.

3. Policy Term:  The length of the insurance term affects premiums. Longer periods often result in higher rates since they increase the period during which the insurer is required to refund premiums.

4. Gender: Statistical figures illustrate that life expectancies vary by gender, resulting in different premium rates.

5. Occupation and Lifestyle: Certain occupations and high-risk lifestyles may result in higher premiums due to greater mortality risk.

What should you know before you get a Return of a Premium Rider? 

If you're considering getting a Return of Premium Rider for your Term Life Insurance policy, you'll need to identify your needs and goals. We've listed a few key pointers to remember when you plan to purchase an ROP rider. 

1. Budget Because a Return on Premium Rider is an add-on which guarantees you your money back, it will cost more. 

2. Return on investment If you plan to use your Return of Premium Rider as a savings or investment plan, there might be better (higher returns) ways to do so. You could invest in a mutual fund, bonds, stocks, or another life insurance policy with a savings and investment benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the frequently asked questions on Return of Premium (ROP) Rider

Does a regular Term Life Insurance policy offer my money back if I outlive my policy? 

No, a regular Term Life Insurance policy only covers you for the duration of the policy. If you pass away during this time, then your beneficiaries will get your sum assured. If you outlive the policy, then neither you nor your beneficiaries get any amount. 

What benefits does a Return of Premium Rider have? 

A Return of Premium Rider for a TLI policy offers you your money back in premium payments once your policy term is over and you survive it. If you pass away during the term, then your beneficiaries get the sum assured. 

Will the Return of Premium Rider increase the purchase value of the policy?

As the Return of Premium Rider is an extra cover, it will cost more and increase the purchase value of the policy.

Are riders necessary for my life insurance policy?

Yes. Adding one or more essential riders to your life insurance policy can benefit you and your family. These riders provide supplementary coverage against risks and events typically not covered by standard life insurance plans. You can protect yourself, your family, and your financial well-being from potential threats by paying an additional but reasonable premium.

What benefits does a Return of Premium Rider have? 

A Return of Premium Rider for TLI insurance returns your money in premium payments after your policy term expires and you survive it. If you die within the period, your beneficiaries receive the sum promised.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.

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