This policy not only makes provisions for the family of the Life Assured in event of his early death but also assures a lump sum at a desired age. The lump sum can be reinvested to provide an annuity during the remainder of his life or in any other way considered suitable at that time.
Endowment policy is a life insurance contract designed to pay a lump sum after a specified term (on its 'maturity') or on death. Typical maturities are ten, fifteen or twenty years up to a certain age limit. Some policies also pay out in the case of critical illness.
Premiums are usually payable for the selected term of years or until death if it occurs during the term period.
Endowments can be cashed in early (or surrendered) and the holder then receives the surrender value which is determined by the insurance company depending on how long the policy has been running and how much has been paid in to it.
There is an amount guaranteed to be paid out called the sum assured and this can be increased on the basis of investment performance through the addition of periodic (for example annual) bonuses. Regular bonuses (sometimes referred to as reversionary bonuses) are guaranteed at maturity and a further non-guarantee bonus may be paid at the end known as a terminal bonus.
Unit-linked endowments are investments where the premium is invested in units of a unitised insurance fund. Units are encashed to cover the cost of the life assurance. Policyholders can often choose which funds their premiums are invested in and in what proportion. Unit prices are published on a regular basis and the encashment value of the policy is the current value of the units. This is the simplest definition.
A low cost endowment is a combination of: an endowment where an estimated future growth rate will meet a target amount and a decreasing life insurance element to ensure that the target amount will be paid out as a minimum if death occurs (or a critical illness is diagnosed if included).
The main purpose of a low cost endowment has been for endowment mortgages to pay off interest only mortgage at maturity or earlier death in favour of full endowment with the required premium would be much higher
A full endowment is a with-profits endowment where the basic sum assured is equal to the death benefit at start of policy and, assuming growth, the final payout would be much higher than the sum assured
Being an endowment assurance policy, this plan is apt for people of all ages and social groups who wish to protect their families from a financial setback that may occur owing to their demise. The amount assured if not paid by reason of his death earlier will payable at the end of the endowment term where it can be invested in an annuity provision for the rest of the policyholder's life or in any other way he may think most suitable at that time.
In case policy holder becomes totally and permanently disabled due to an accident before reaching the age of 70 and the policy is in full force, he will not be required to pay further premiums, and the policy will continue to be in force.
By paying a small extra premium of Rs.1 per Rs.1000/- sum assured per year he or his family are entitled to the following benefits on death or permanent disability caused by accident. Even students above the age of 18 years can avail of this benefit.
If payment of premiums ceases after at least THREE years' premiums have been paid , a free paid-up policy for a reduced sum assured will be automatically secured provided the reduced sum assured, exclusive of any attached bonus, is not less than Rs. 250/-. The reduced sum assured will become payable on the event as stipulated in the policy.
