Overview of Term Plan Premium Payment Options

Term Plan Premium Payment Options: What You Need to Know

Understand term plan premium payment options and choose what fits your budget and life stage for a secure future.

 

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2025-12-25

1248 Views

10 minutes read

Term insurance policies offer a protective financial cover for a specific term and have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their affordability. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best term plan online in India is the range of premium paying options available.

While no one likes to think about uncertainties of life, having a term insurance plan in place can provide your loved ones with crucial financial stability and peace of mind. Without such a safety net, your financial responsibilities could become a heavy burden on your family. Even if you manage your finances carefully and have no outstanding debts, life insurance ensures that your dependants can continue to lead a secure and comfortable life.

Choosing the right premium payment option is key, as paying premiums consistently can sometimes be challenging. Fortunately, term insurance policies offer various payment modes to suit different financial situations.

In the next section, we’ll look at these options in detail to help you make an informed choice.

Key Takeaways

  • A term insurance plan provides an affordable and effective way to protect your family’s financial well-being in your absence.
  • Understanding the different premium payment options helps you choose a plan that fits comfortably within your income and lifestyle.
  • Regular, limited, and single-premium payment options each offer unique advantages depending on your financial situation and future goals.
  • It is important to assess your income stability, life stage, cash flow, and tax-saving benefits before deciding on a premium payment method.
  • Comprehensive plans like the iSelect Smart360 Term Plan by Canara HSBC Life Insurance offer flexibility, discounts, and customisation to suit individual needs.

Premium Payment Options Available in a Term Life Insurance Plan

Different term insurance plans offer distinct premium payout options. Some plans, like iSelect Smart360 Term Plan by Canara HSBC Life Insurance, allow you to pay premiums over a short duration of 5 or 10 years. You can also choose to pay during your working years, i.e., till you are 60 years old.

These policies generally provide multiple payment choices such as making a lump-sum payment for the entire term or paying premiums for a limited period of 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years. Below are 3 common premium payment options available with a term insurance plan.

Regular Payment Option:

This is the most commonly chosen method for paying a premiums under a term insurance plan.

Many people prefer it because it offers flexible options to pay monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly. In simpler terms the regular payment option allows you to make periodic payments rather than paying a lump sum.

Everyone has various financial commitments, and paying for term insurance can affect your monthly budget, especially if you are salaried. Therefore, it is important to plan carefully when choosing your premium payment frequency.

Since the cost of the premium is spread over a long period, there is a higher risk of missed payments, which could lead to a policy lapse. To avoid this, always choose a premium duration and frequency that you are confident you can maintain throughout the policy term. 

Limited Payment Option:

Gone are the days when a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to worked for term insurance plans. Term plans are now tailor-made and curated according to the evolving needs of a growing population. In the present times, clients expect products and services that are personalised to their needs.

The limited payment option allows the policyholder to choose a specific period,  for example, 5 years, 10 years, or more,to pay their premiums. Because the liability period is shorter, the risk of a policy lapse is generally lower.

Single-Premium Payment Option:

If you are not willing to go for a long-term financial commitment, you can choose this single premium term insurance option. The Single-Premium Payment Option is a one-time payment solution for those who want to avoid the hassle of making recurring payments.

By making the payment in a single instalment, you become the policyholder immediately without worrying about future premium deadlines. This option is suitable if you have a large sum of money available that can be put to good use. Since the premium is paid upfront, there is no risk of the policy lapsing due to missed payments.

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How to Choose the Right Payment Option?

Choosing the right premium payment option for your term insurance plan is crucial to ensure that the policy stays active and does not become a financial burden over time. The ideal option depends on your income, life stage, spending habits and long-term goals. Here are some important points to keep in mind:

  • Assess Your Income Stability: Choose a payment option that matches how predictable your income is. If you have a steady monthly salary, a regular payment plan with monthly or yearly premiums might be comfortable. If your income is irregular, a single or limited payment option may be more practical.
  • Consider Your Life Stage: Your age and responsibilities matter. Young professionals may prefer spreading payments over time, while those nearing retirement may want to finish paying premiums early with a limited or single premium option.
  • Evaluate Your Cash Flow: Check if you have enough surplus income to manage regular payments alongside daily expenses, EMIs, or other commitments. A plan that strains your budget may lead to missed payments and policy lapse.
  • Look for Additional Benefits: Sometimes insurers offer discounts for annual payments or single premium plans. Compare the total premium cost and benefits to see what saves you money in the long run.
  • Consider Your Long-Term Commitments: If you have other big goals like children’s education, home loans or retirement savings, choose a payment option that does not clash with those priorities.

For example, a young salaried professional in their late 20s with steady income might find a regular yearly premium option easy to manage while claiming yearly tax deductions. Meanwhile, someone in their late 50s who wants to retire soon might choose a limited payment plan to clear all premium dues before retirement and avoid payments during non-earning years.

iSelect Smart360 Term Plan by Canara HSBC Life Insurance

The iSelect Smart360 Term Plan by Canara HSBC Life Insurance is one of the most comprehensive term plans available today. It offers flexibility to increase your life cover  in line with your changing life stages.

Apart from being affordable, this plan allows you to add your spouse to the same policy and offers a discount on the premium for the spouse's cover.  If you are an existing customer of the company, you are also entitled to a loyalty discount.

In addition, you can customise this plan to suit your requirements and benefit from the multiple premium payment options. Invest in this extensive -term plan today, put all these worries to rest and enjoy a financially protected and secured future.

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

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