How Does a Life Insurance Policy Work?
When you buy a life insurance policy, the insuring company becomes obliged to provide a certain pre-decided amount (life insurance payout). This payout is directed to the pre-selected individual/s (nominee/s), upon the insured individual’s demise. For a life insurance policy to be active, certain payments (premiums) need to be paid to the insurance company by the policyholder.
To put it simply, a policy-buyer pays a certain sum of money in the present for the nominee to receive a more significant sum of money in the future. Since there are different types of policies, the value and manner of premium payment will vary accordingly.
For example, if it’s a term policy, the premiums will be charged mainly for the pre-selected amount (death benefit) to the nominee upon the insured individual’s demise. If it’s an endowment policy or a guaranteed return plan, the insured individual may receive a payout at the end of the policy, upon survival. Each type of policy comes with certain inclusions and exclusions, which determine what benefits the nominee can avail.