Thursday, 21 January 2016

Introduction to Investment Insurance Option

Insurance is the claimed to be the best option for investment. It is a form of investment that is stable as long as the premiums are paid. In case of life insurance, for example, your beneficiary will obtain a death benefit upon an event of your untimely demise. This benefit is called "face value" and the premiums that need to be paid should surpass its value. The additional funds go into an account and are invested by the insurance corporation on your behalf, which means that if the insurance investment is profitable, the cash account will augment over the years. There are different types of insurances; it is essential to familiarize with them prior to opting. As with any kind of investment insurance investment option also has its benefits and detriments.





Advantages of Insurance as an Investment Option
Income guaranteed through annuities: Life indemnity is one of the ideal tools for retirement preparation. Funds that are earned and hoarded during the lifetime are utilized to supply a firm source of returns during the retirement period.
Dividends enable growth: Customary policies enable prospect to share in the monetary increase without taking the risk of investment. The investment revenue is shared out among the policyholders through yearly announcement of bonus and/or dividends.

Risk guard: Because life is filled with uncertainties, life insurance guarantees that your dear ones continue to have monetary back up in case of any unexpected incident that may lead to your detriment or demise.

Tax benefits: Insurance plans offer tax-benefits that are appealing for both at the entry and exit period under the majority of the plan.

Mortgage recovery: In case of demise of the policyholder who has unpaid loans and mortgages, the insurance acts as an efficient instrument to cover up these charges, removing the burden of repayment of the family.




Disadvantages of Insurance as an Investment Option
Inconsistent premiums: Most policies contain mandatory premiums that increase in due course. For an insured on a budget, who desires to buy coverage adequate to profit his relations upon his decease, this policy can be quite costly. The unstable inflation guarantees a steep climb.

Deduction of funds: While policies include conditions in which shares from cash accounts can be used to disburse premiums, such a request practically always results in deducting funds from the cash value / investment account.

Insufficient funds: There is a lack of assurance that ample finance will be accessible to cover unpaid premiums when the policyholder holds inadequate funds.

Expiration of term insurance: This kind of insurance in not permanent; it is either for a fixed number of years or until a certain age. On completion of the term or when the insured reaches a certain age the policy expires compelling them to qualify for another insurance program, which may require higher premium depending on the age and other factors.


Tuesday, 5 January 2016

Insurance Sales Poised For Big Changes In 2016

Insurance sales might undergo big changes in 2016. These initiatives are expected to be a win-win proposition for policyholders.
To boost insurance penetration, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IrdaI) is mulling to allow simple Over the Counter (OTC) products, which could be sold in rural as well as urban areas.
These products would have a standard structure of features with standard pricing. These products are expected to be low ticket basic insurance coverage in the areas of life insurance, health insurance, motor insurance and cattle insurance.
Similarly, a universal health insurance scheme is set to be launched in 2016. This might have Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (Rsby) merged with it. Family covers for four members would be available with option of including a senior citizen in it. This, however, could alter the pricing.
IrdaI is also exploring making insurance popular online via e-commerce. It has formed two groups – comprising life insurance and general insurance, respectively – to look into the opportunities in insurance e-commerce.
Insurance e-commerce would lower the costs and bring in higher efficiencies and ensure greater reach. This Investment In India would also leverage the government’s Digital India initiative, aimed at creating a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
On after sales servicing and premium benefits, telematics is expected to gain more traction. While only a handful vehicles fitted these devices that are designed to capture data including number of kilometers clocked every day, average speed, vehicle location and engine run time, many more devices are hitting the marketing causing prices to come down.
Although the real intent is to use the data to incentivise or disincentivise customers based on driving behavior, insurers are currently focused on collecting data. When adequate data is collected, this will be used to give premium benefits to policyholders.
Similarly, mobile phones could be used for not only purchasing products but also for claims intimation and settlement. Electronic policies will also be accessible from the mobile phone.

Source: https://www.policymantra.com/blog/insurance-sales-poised-for-big-changes-in-2016/