National Insurance Awareness Day | Life Insurance: Protecting dreams, securing the future

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General manager LICI Fiji, Shridhar Pathare. Picture: SUPPLIED

I am not just paper, numbers, or name,

I am your safeguard, your lasting flame.

So, cherish me well, for I exist to be,

Your shield, your strength

I am your Life Insurance policy.

A beautiful line written by somebody clearly depicts the true picture of life and life insurance.

Life Insurance so important, yet the least bothered financial instrument.

Life insurance is one of the most important financial instruments available today. It provides protection, security, and peace of mind by ensuring that the financial needs of a family or business are met even in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Life insurance is considered a must-have because it directly protects families, businesses, and financial goals against uncertainty.

At its core, life insurance is a contract that guarantees financial support to beneficiaries upon the death of the policyholder.

This makes it a vital tool for income replacement, helping dependents maintain their standard of living.

It also safeguards against liabilities such as loans, mortgages, and other debts, ensuring that loved ones are not burdened financially.

Beyond protection, life insurance policies are also considered assets.

Endowment, money-back, and whole-life plans combine insurance with savings, offering maturity benefits and wealth creation opportunities.

These policies can be pledged as collateral, withdrawn for emergencies, or used to supplement retirement income. Thus, life insurance serves both as a shield and a financial resource.

For businesses, specialized policies such as Keyman Insurance and Group Insurance provide continuity and stability.

They protect companies against the loss of critical employees and strengthen employer-employee benefit structures.

Life insurance policies provide various optional add on benefits like Accident Benefit,

Disability Benefit, Critical Illness Benefit, Funeral Benefit and Waiver of Premium Benefits under different plans.

In case of need, life insurance companies give loan to the customers under their policies.

Life Insurance Policies can be assigned (mortgaged) to raise loan from other financial institutions.

Life insurance policies are available for all ages, for different terms and all kinds of needs of the prospective customers.

There are children’s policies which help in providing for their future expenses like funding their tertiary education or starting a business.

There are policies known as “Money Back” or “Anticipated Endowment” which provide for a payment of a part of the target Sum Assured (say, 10/15/20/25%) at regular intervals of 3/4/5 years during the policy term.

The risk cover on the life of the policy holder continues for the full sum assured throughout the term.

Policies that cover the risk on the life of the policy holder “as long as he/she is alive” are available which are known as “Whole Life” policies.

To invest a lumpsum amount, “Single Premium” plans are available. Under these policies, the premium is to be paid only once.

This is a very good investment option delivering far better returns than other comparable options.

Needless to add, all the usual benefits of life insurance policies mentioned above are very much available.

In fact, every person must invest in a life insurance policy of appropriate sum assured and premium to address the hazards of living mentioned above. As we say, “Life Insurance is all about Loving and Caring”!