Investment + Insurance both should be part of benefits

Ans: Top-up policies play the role of an emergency backup policy, when their main health insurance policy cover reaches the threshold of the sum insured. It offers a higher coverage at relatively lesser premium as compared to a base policy with a higher sum insured.

Ever increasing medical inflation and ongoing deadly infection makes it essential to not only have health insurance but also insurance cover with an adequate sum insured.

The need of a specified sum insured can be optimised by breaking it into two policies. One basic and another top up totalling up to sum insured required by you. This option is recommended rather than having a single policy with higher sum insured.

Ans: Hi Prasanna, life insurance protects your family in case of an unfortunate demise of the policy holder. In case of a premature death, while in case of annuity plans, it protects your income if you live longer than the expected term.

Ans: Mixing insurance with investment may seem convenient, but it’s often not the best approach. It’s crucial to understand the distinction between these two financial needs: protection and growth.

Why You Shouldn't Mix Insurance with Investment
1. High Costs: Insurance-cum-investment policies, such as endowment plans or ULIPs, often come with higher premiums. A significant portion of these premiums goes towards administration charges, commissions, and mortality charges, leaving less for actual investment.

2. Low Returns: The investment component in these policies typically provides lower returns compared to other investment avenues. This is because the funds are often invested in conservative instruments with limited growth potential.

3. Complicated Structure: These policies can be complex, making it difficult to understand the real value of your investment. The returns are not always transparent, and the surrender value is often much lower if you decide to exit early.

The Better Approach: Keep Insurance and Investment Separate
**1. Term Insurance for Protection:

Affordable Coverage: A pure term insurance plan offers a high sum assured at a relatively low premium. This ensures your family is financially protected in case of an untimely event.
No Investment Element: Since there’s no investment component, the entire premium goes towards providing life cover, making it a cost-effective option.
**2. Invest Separately Based on Risk Appetite:

Risk-Averse Investors: If you are cautious and prefer guaranteed returns, investing in Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a safe and tax-efficient option. It offers a stable return with the benefit of EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status.
Comfortable with Risk: For those comfortable with market risks, investing in mutual funds is a better option. Equity mutual funds, in particular, have the potential to generate higher returns over the long term, which can significantly grow your wealth.
Final Insights
Combining insurance with investment usually doesn’t serve either purpose effectively. Instead, opt for a pure term insurance plan for protection and invest separately based on your risk tolerance. This strategy ensures you get the best coverage for your family while maximizing your investment returns, whether through safe instruments like PPF or higher-risk options like mutual funds.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in