What is a Joint Life Insurance Policy?
Joint life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that covers two individuals, typically both the husband and the wife, under a single policy. This combined term insurance plan, like a joint life plan, will ensure the financial security of the home in case one of the policyholders passes away. The premium amount for the joint life plan should be paid regularly, like a standard term policy. In case of the death of one of the members within the policy term, the other member can file a claim to get the cover amount.
Joint life insurance plans are ideal for married couples because there are no restrictions on who can buy the plan. Any two individuals can buy a joint-term plan to secure their future together like a parent, and their child can buy a joint life plan. Upon the parent's unforeseen death, the plan's payout can cover the family's financial security and other large expenses, such as education fees.
How Does a Joint Life Insurance Policy Work?
A joint life insurance policy provides coverage for spouses under a single plan, offering financial security for the surviving partner. Here’s how it works:
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Coverage for Spouse: Many joint life policies offer coverage for the spouse, typically up to 50% of the primary insured's sum assured.
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Monthly Payout to Surviving Spouse: The surviving spouse receives a fixed monthly payout if the primary insured dies. This payout frequency is predetermined at the time of policy purchase.
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Policy Continuation: If one policyholder passes away, the policy remains active. The surviving spouse will receive the insured sum based on the policy's terms.
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Premium Waiver: Some joint life policies waive future premiums in case of one spouse's death, reducing the financial burden on the surviving partner.
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Both Partners' Demise: If both policyholders pass away, the total sum assured is distributed to their beneficiaries or legal heirs.
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Sum Assured Limit: If one spouse is unemployed, the total sum assured for the joint life insurance policy cannot exceed the primary insured’s maximum sum assured.
What are the Types of Joint Life Insurance Plans Available in India?
Suppose you are looking to buy a joint life insurance plan to get complete financial protection. In that case, two types of joint life insurance plans are available: endowment or regular term plans. You can take a look at both of them to decide which one suits your needs the best:
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Joint Term Plan: With term insurance plans that offer cover for spouses under the same plan. With this plan, in case of the unfortunate death of one of the covered life assured, the entire sum assured is paid to the surviving person, and the policy will terminate.
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Joint Endowment Plan: The joint endowment plan offers insurance and investing benefits. It is applicable for a specific amount of time, generally before the start of your retirement. The insurer will pay you money when your coverage expires, which is called an endowment. This plan works the same as a regular endowment plan, with the exception that the endowment policy will pay the couple at the expiration of the insurance.
Note: It is suggested to calculate the term plan premium on the term insurance calculator online tool by Policybazaar before buying the plan.
Why Should Married Couples Consider Joint Life Insurance?
Joint life insurance offers several benefits for married couples:
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Cost-Effective: Joint life insurance policies are usually more affordable than buying two separate individual policies. This can be a great way for couples to save on premiums.
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Financial Security: Provides financial protection for the surviving spouse if one partner passes away, ensuring they don’t face financial hardships during a difficult time.
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Replaces income: In case of the death of the life assured, the beneficiary can benefit from the monthly instalments towards the plan, which will help fit within the budget and offer a regular income flow.
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Simplified Management: Since there’s only one policy, managing and paying premiums is easier than handling two different policies.
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Peace of Mind: A joint life insurance provides you with the peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be financially secure in the event of your unfortunate demise.
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Tax Benefits: The premium paid for the join policy is deductible under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Also, the death benefit received is free of taxes under section 19(10D).
Key Features of Joint Life Insurance Plans
Here is a list of key features of a joint life insurance plan:
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Dual Coverage: Both partners are covered under a single life insurance plan and thus don’t have to maintain two separate policies.
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Affordability: Joint life insurance policies are much more affordable than buying two individual policies.
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Payout Options: You can choose from the joint term insurance plan or the joint endowment plans as per your needs.
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Simplified Premium Payment: Instead of paying two premiums for different individual plans every month, you only need to pay the premiums for one policy at your preferred premium pay mode.
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Customizable: Some policies allow adding riders for extra protection, such as accidental death or critical illness coverage.
Who Should Buy a Joint Life Insurance Policy?
Joint life insurance can be a good option for married couples in the following situations:
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Married Couples: Married couples often find joint life insurance policies to be a cost-effective option in the long term. In the unfortunate event of one partner's death, the surviving spouse receives the full coverage amount. Also, they are exempt from paying future premiums, ensuring the plan remains active without additional financial stress.
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Business Partners: Joint life insurance plans are not limited to personal relationships; they are also a smart choice for business partners. These plans help safeguard mutual business interests and provide financial stability, ensuring the business can operate smoothly if one partner passes away unexpectedly.
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Parents and Children: Parents can opt for a joint life policy with their child as a co-owner. This plan provides financial security to the child in case of the untimely death of a parent. The payout can help manage the rising education costs, medical treatments, and household expenses, ensuring the child’s future remains protected.
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Individuals with Shared Financial Goals
Joint life insurance policies are well-suited for individuals with significant financial responsibilities, such as mortgages or loans. This ensures that the shared financial burden is not solely placed on one individual in the case of an unexpected loss.
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Financially Aware Individuals
With increasing awareness of life insurance products, more individuals in India are choosing joint life policies. According to the India Protection Quotient 6.0 (IPQ 6.0) survey, life insurance ownership has risen to 75%, up from 73% in the IPQ 5.0 survey. This indicates a growing understanding of the benefits of such policies in securing financial futures.
Joint life insurance policies offer flexibility and security, making them a valuable option for individuals with diverse financial goals and responsibilities.
What are the Tax Benefits of Joint Life Insurance in India?
Joint life insurance policies come with similar tax benefits to individual life insurance and term insurance policies. Here’s how you can save on taxes:
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Premium Deductions: Under term insurance Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, you can claim deductions on the premiums paid, up to ₹1.5 lakh per year.
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Tax-Free Death Benefit: The death benefit received by the surviving spouse or beneficiaries is tax-free under Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, ensuring that the payout remains fully available to support your family’s needs.
Final Thoughts
Joint Life Insurance for Married Couples is ideal for couples who want to ensure financial security for each other in case of an unfortunate event. Instead of purchasing separate life insurance policies, a joint life insurance policy provides coverage for both partners under one plan. This makes it not only cost-effective, but also a convenient way to protect the financial future of the surviving spouse. Whether planning for the future or securing your family’s well-being, understanding how joint life insurance works can help you make informed decisions and protect your loved ones.