Why Term Insurance Premium Increases with Age?

2025-05-02

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Get your family some peace of mind, they said, get a term life insurance, they said, but the real question is- “Why should you purchase it at an early age?” and “Why does the premium increase with age?” If you are one of those curious financial enthusiasts who would like to know the answer to these queries. Here is a perfect guidebook for you. Let us unravel the true nature of term life insurance plans and why your age plays a crucial role in the procedure. Scroll further to know more!

Key Takeaways

Premiums increase with age since insurers consider higher health risks and lower life expectancy.
Purchasing young secures low premiums for the entire policy duration, saving you a lot in the long run.
The term insurance plan calculator allows you to view how age influences your premium immediately.
Postponing purchase restricts your choices in policy duration, riders, and affordability.
Early planning is equal to peace of mind, financially and emotionally, for you and your loved ones.

Understanding Term Life Insurance Plans

Before beginning, let us first wrap our heads around what a term life insurance policy actually is. So, it is a contract where you pay a set premium for a specific period of time, say 10, 20, or 30 years. If death occurs within that timeframe, your loved ones get paid the death benefit. It's that easy, and that important.

These policies are designed to give you high coverage at a low cost, particularly when you buy them at a young age. That's where age comes in handy.

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The Direct Relationship Between Age and Risk

Term life insurance plans are one of the easiest, most cost-effective means of ensuring the future. But if you've ever observed that the premium on a term policy seems to increase as you age, you're not alone in wondering why.

Ageing Means Higher Risk: Insurance, fundamentally, is all about risk. As we age, our health risks increase naturally. We are more susceptible to lifestyle diseases like diabetes, high BP, and heart disease. Consequently, insurance firms account for that enhanced risk while charging your premium.
Think of it like this: buying a term plan in your 20s is like booking a train ticket well in advance. It’s cheaper, there's more availability, and you’re at lower risk of missing the train. But as the journey approaches, last-minute bookings are costlier and come with fewer perks.
Mortality Rate is a Deciding Factor: One of the most important factors insurance firms evaluate is the mortality rate, in effect, the probability of dying at a certain age. The rate grows higher with age, and so does your premium. It's not about you; it's about statistics.

Reasons Why Premiums Rise with Age?

As we walk through various stages of life, our needs, responsibilities, and risk factors change, and so does the cost of financial cover. When we are talking about a term insurance plan, age is not a mere number; it's a flag to insurance companies about your lifestyle, health, and general risk profile. The following are the main reasons why your premium rises as you get older:

Health Declines Over Time: Even when you are feeling healthy today, ageing involves creeping changes in your health. Some ailments, such as high blood cholesterol or subtle heart disease, cannot be detected but will elevate the risk. Your medical history is reviewed by the insurance underwriters, and the older you are, the more extensive and longer your history will be.
Limited Term Choices at Higher Ages: As you age, your term choices are reduced. A 25-year-old can receive a 40-year cover, but a 45-year-old will only receive 20 years. Shorter terms with the same payout result in greater annual risk for the insurer, which translates to higher yearly premiums.
Delayed Financial Planning: Waiting to purchase a policy not only costs more, but it also restricts your options. Most people put off making financial decisions because they have other things to do right now. But term life insurance plans get more expensive the longer you wait.
Lifestyle Factors Catch Up: Years of routines, such as smoking, improper sleep, or even work stress, may catch up eventually. While a fit 25-year-old may be given a clean chit, the same individual at the age of 40 may require medical tests that expose risk factors.
The Early Bird Advantage: Getting insured early is like purchasing peace of mind at a discount rate. With a long-term policy and low premiums, you get to secure your family no matter what situation befalls you. And if you’re not sure what coverage or term length is right for you, the term insurance plan calculator on Canara HSBC Life Insurance can guide you. Just enter a few basic details, and you’ll get a tailored suggestion based on your life stage.

Did You Know?

Term insurance purchases among self-employed Indians spiked 50% in FY 2024.

Source: Business Standard

When Should You Buy a Term Life Insurance Plan?

The best time is today, regardless of your age. But if you're in your 30s or 20s, think of yourself as in your prime. You'll probably be healthier, and your financial obligations are just starting out.

Even if you're older, don't get discouraged. Sound term life insurance plans can still be of use and give you peace of mind. You just have to balance your priorities, coverage requirements, and budget.

How does the Term Insurance Plan Calculator help?

Even before you commit to a policy, a term insurance plan calculator can demonstrate how your age affects the premium. This tool provides you with an open window into various possibilities, so you can see for yourself how paying early can guarantee a lower rate.

For instance, if you’re 25 and buy a term plan, your premium might be as low as ₹500 a month for a ₹1 crore cover. But wait till you’re 35, and it might rise to ₹1,200 for the same cover. Here is an illustration to help you understand.

Age at Entry	Monthly Premium (₹)	Sum Assured	Term Length
25	500	1 Crore	30 Years
35	1,200	1 Crore	30 Years
45	2,800	1 Crore	30 Years

Calculate Term Insurance Premium

A term insurance calculator is a useful online tool that helps you determine how much coverage you need based on your income, lifestyle, and family’s needs.

My Income

My current Cover

Additional Details

Our Recommendation

My Income

My current Cover

Additional Details

Our Recommendation

I am {age} years old,

My Monthly income is {amount}

Additionally, I hold existing Insurance Cover of Rs {insurenceamount}

and loan amounting to Rs{amount}

My name is {name}

my mobile number is {contact}

50 Lakh

12.5 Lakh

75 Lakh

Zero

1 Crore

Where do you stand

Additional Life Cover

Hi {name}

To secure your family’s financial future and protect their dreams, you’ll need an additional cover of

rs 10,000

Note: This is a very brief calculation of HLV

Secure Now

Recalculate

Desclaimer-

The above calculation and illustration of figures are indicative only and not on actual basis.

Lock in Low Premiums: A Smart Move

One of the best financial planning decisions is to tie your premium up early. Once tied, it stays the same for the term, even if your health fluctuates. It's like reserving your future at today's rates.

Here's why starting early works:

Decades of fixed premiums: Your premium won't increase with age or health issues once tied up, saving you money in the long run.
More policy options: Purchasing early provides you with more options regarding coverage, policy term, and add-ons.
Improved add-on benefits such as critical illness cover: You are likely to be eligible for full-fledged riders at lower premiums when you are younger.
Peace of mind without financial hassle later: Get your loved ones covered early and avoid premium increases or eligibility issues in subsequent years.

Conclusion

Age is merely a number, until it appears in your insurance premium. The sooner you act, the better you save. Secure your family's future today by finding out what you can do and securing a policy that suits your aspirations.

Promise2Protect by Canara HSBC Life Insurance can be your ideal plan. With it, you get two plan options, increasing cover options, and a feature to add your spouse to the policy. The flexible payout option makes it even more exciting. Start building your financial security today because while the future is uncertain, your preparation doesn't have to be.

Glossary

Policy Term: The duration for which the life cover is active, chosen at the time of purchase.
Mortality Rate: The statistical probability of death at a specific age, used to set premiums.
Riders/Add-ons: Extra benefits like critical illness cover can be added to your plan.
Underwriters: Professionals in the insurance industry who evaluate your risk and determine your premium.
Sum Assured: The fixed amount your nominee receives if something happens to you during the policy term.

FAQs

Yes, term life insurance premiums go up when you age. As you age, your health risks will increase, which means a higher premium. Insurance companies look at mortality rates, and given that the chances of dying increase with age, they hike your premiums.

Premiums increase with age because the risk to the insurer becomes greater as one ages. As one ages, the likelihood of contracting health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes also increases. This puts insurers at higher risk, hence the increased premiums.

The optimum time to purchase a term life insurance policy is in your 20s or 30s. You will typically be healthier at this age and can get lower rates for a long-term policy. Delaying till a late age may mean paying much higher premiums.

To determine your term life insurance premium, use a term insurance plan calculator. This calculator takes into account your age, health, coverage, and policy term to determine the true estimate of your premium. The sooner you purchase, the less your premium will be.

While term life insurance is available to most individuals, those with some medical conditions, risky occupations, or lifestyles with very high risks (e.g., heavy smoking or high-risk sports) might not be able to obtain a policy or might have to pay more for premiums.

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.