When you are in your 20s, you might not think a lot about insurance. You have job aims, trip plans, and are just learning how to be an adult. It might seem too soon to buy term insurance online, right? But here’s the point— just as vehicle insurance saves your car from bad things, term insurance can save your future peace. It’s cheaper when you’re young, easy to get, and gives a lot of value for a long time. So, is getting a policy now a smart move or just a big pain? Let’s look into it and see why your older self might be glad you planned ahead.
1. The Young Bonus: Why Being Young Helps You:
Let’s look at plain math: insurers favor young, fit people. At 25, you’re at your best health—no smoking, stable BP, and no long-term health issues. This means:
- Low-cost premiums: Insurance in your 20s can be up to 60% less than at 35.
- More cover for less money: You can get more cover without using more money.
- Easy checks: Fewer health tests, fewer questions, and quick yeses.
When will you next get to “invest” so cheap? See it as getting a low-cost pass to keep your money safe for life— before costs (and… life) make it more.
Pro-Tip: Look on websites that compare prices— but once you spot a good deal on, for example, a ₹1 crore cover, get it right then. Prices go up every year, so waiting can make you lose lots.
2. Forced Savings vs. Financial Freedom:
Not like ULIPs or saving plans that mix cover with growing cash—and take out big fees—just-term deals do one thing: they give cash to your folks if you say “new plan” and leave early. No component for saving means:
- Pure safety: More cover for each rupee you pay.
- No extra costs: None for managing funds, none for setting up.
- Flexible: You pick where to put your spare cash—in shared funds, PPF, or the beach trip you want.
Pro-Tip: Want to put money into stocks? Use the cash you save from choosing a term over ULIP plans. Put it into a monthly SIP. Mix in compound interest and price averaging, and you’ve got a much bigger pot in 30 years.
3. The Factor of Responsibility: Upgrading, Adulting:
Life when you’re in your 20s is a wild ride—work, love, maybe even a home loan or a business debt. Yet, most of us feel that the “what if” case is too far off to fret about. Think about:
- House loans: Left-over EMIs will fall on your family’s lap if you can’t pay them.
- Dependants: You may not have kids yet, but your old parents might count on what you make.
- Business duties: If you’ve signed loans with others or started a firm, term cover keeps your mates safe.
Pro-Tip: Write down all your debts and future costs—like loans, school fees, wedding costs—and set your cover amount to handle 100–150% of that total. It’s better to be safe than to look for loans in a rush.
4. Health Benefits Locked In:
Most insurance groups ask for a health check, but when you’re in your 20s, it’s just a simple set: BP test, blood sugar, a chest X-ray. The big deal?
- Set premiums: Once they say yes, your rate won’t jump up if you get health issues later.
- Free look period: They give you 15 days to back out with no cost if you decide it’s not for you—no need for a racing heart.
Buy soon, future health woes like a bad back or sugar problems won’t push you into a costlier group or even deny you cover.
Pro-Tip: Keep an easy health log for your insurer—note regular checks, test outcomes, and even workout changes. This could help if there’s a fight about old issues later.
5. Tenure Strategies: Selecting the Ideal Length of Policy:
How long do you need insurance? Think about:
- Debt time: Keep the cover going at least until your largest debt, like your home loan, is paid off. This often takes 20-30 years when you start in your 20s.
- Planning for kids: If you plan to have kids around 30, make sure your cover lasts until they can pay their own way (about 25-28 years old).
- Plan for retirement: Some smart planners keep their term policies until they are 60 to cover any needs before their pension starts.
If it’s too short, your cover ends while you’re still making payments; if it’s too long, those small payments are too much once you stop working.
Pro-Tip: Pick even times like 25 or 30 years. Firms tend to offer better deals on these than on the unusual-length plans.
6. Offline vs. Online Dilemma:
Getting term insurance online is like getting a cab with an app instead of waving one down outside. Here’s why you should choose online:
- Get instant quotes: Look at different plans, extras, and prices in a few minutes.
- Paper Free: Sign online, get your documents online, and sometimes even have tests come to you without cash needed.
- Transparent: No pushy agents; you have all the power, and stay away from extra stuff they push that you don’t want.
That said, if you want help, a good offline agent can guide you—just make sure to compare their suggestions with online prices first.
Pro-Tip: Even when you buy online, set up your health tests through the insurer’s chosen network. It’s free, fast, and helps keep your policy starting on time.
FAQs:
1. If I need to change my needs, can I cancel my term insurance online?
Yes—many insurers give a 15-day free look time after it starts. After that, you can give up the plan, but you might lose cash paid unless it fits under certain give-up value rules.
2. What goes on with my term insurance if I change jobs or quit work?
Term cover does not tie to your job. If you keep paying, your cover stays on—no need to stop or start again if your income changes.
3. Is it best to get one big term plan or many small ones?
One big plan is easy to handle and often less costly per lakh. Many small plans could work if you aim to fund various needs (Like home loan vs. kids’ school), but they make claims more complex.