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Increasing Term Insurance Plan

An increasing term insurance plan is a dynamic financial tool where the sum assured grows by a predetermined rate each year. It is designed to grow as your life evolves, counteract the effects of inflation, and automatically adapt to your growing financial responsibilities over time.

  • 14,798 Views
  • Updated on: Sep 19, 2025
Know about Term Plan

What is an Increasing Term Insurance Plan?

An increasing term life insurance plan is a unique life insurance product where the sum assured (the payout to your nominee) increases automatically at a pre-set rate during the policy term. Unlike a standard level term plan, where the coverage remains fixed, this plan is engineered to ensure your financial protection keeps pace with your rising income, growing family responsibilities, and the eroding effect of inflation.

It is a proactive way to secure your family’s future, ensuring the coverage that is adequate today remains adequate a decade from now.

How Does an Increasing Term Insurance Work?

The way this plan works is simple. When you buy the policy, you select a base sum assured. You also select the rate for its annual increase. While your coverage grows each year, your premium typically stays fixed for the entire policy term.

For example:

You buy an increasing term plan with a base sum assured of ₹1 crore and a 5% simple annual increase.

  • Year 1: Your coverage is ₹1 crore.
  • Year 2: Your coverage increases to ₹1.05 crore.
  • Year 3: Your coverage becomes ₹1.10 crore.

This continues for the life of the policy. The enhancement is automatic. You do not need new medical tests or extra paperwork. It is a hassle-free way to boost your financial protection.

Features of Increasing Term Insurance

There are several key features that make increasing term policy a smart choice for long-term planning, such as:

  • Automatic Coverage Enhancement: The sum assured grows automatically at a pre-decided rate. This removes the need to buy new policies just to top up your coverage.
  • Inflation Shield: The plan protects the real value of your sum assured against inflation. Your family receives a payout that reflects the future cost of living.
  • Fixed Premium: In most cases, the premium does not change. It stays constant throughout the policy term, even as the coverage grows. This creates predictability for your budget.
  • Rider Options: You can add optional riders for critical illness, accidental death, and waiver of premium. This builds a truly comprehensive security net.

Advantages of Increasing Term Insurance

Choosing this plan gives you several clear advantages, including:

  • Future-Proofs Your Coverage: The policy automatically adjusts your insurance coverage for life’s big milestones. It requires no manual intervention from you.
  • Cost-Effective in the Long Run: The initial premium might be a bit higher than a level term plan. It is often much cheaper than buying multiple new policies later in life when you are older and premiums are higher.
  • Convenience and Peace of Mind: The automatic increase is a “set it and forget it” feature. You get the peace of mind that your family’s financial security is consistently growing.
  • Counters Lifestyle Changes: As your income grows, your family’s financial dependence increases. This plan makes sure their needs will be met.

Important Aspects of The Increasing Term Plan

Now, to thoroughly understand what is increasing life insurance, you must understand the plan’s core parts before you buy.

Premium

The premium is typically fixed for the whole policy tenure. This happens even as the sum assured increases every year. The premium amount is calculated when you start the policy and is based on your age, health, the policy term, and the base sum assured. The cost is usually slightly higher than a level term plan’s, as it already accounts for the future benefit increases.

Increase Coverage

The sum assured grows in two main ways:

  • A fixed percentage of the base sum assured each year, such as 5% or 10%.
  • At specific life stages, like marriage or the birth of a child.

Most insurers cap the maximum sum assured at double the initial coverage.

Riders

Riders are add-ons that offer extra protection. You can attach them to your increasing term plan to build a stronger safety net. Common options in increasing term insurance rider include:

  • Accidental Death Benefit Rider: Provides an extra payout if death results from an accident.
  • Critical Illness Rider: Pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified critical illness.
  • Waiver of Premium Rider: Waives all future premiums if you become permanently disabled.

Who Should Buy an Increasing Term Plan?

This plan is a particularly good fit for certain people:

  • Young Professionals: If you are at the start of your career, your income and responsibilities will grow. This plan prepares for that growth from day one.
  • Newly Married Couples: As you plan for children, home loans, and other debts, this plan ensures your protection grows right alongside your family.
  • Parents with Young Children: The cost of raising and educating children goes up every year. This plan secures their future needs.
  • Individuals with Financial Liabilities: A long-term home or business loan needs adequate coverage. This plan ensures the coverage amount can handle the debt.

When Should You Increase Your Term Insurance Coverage?

This plan increases your coverage automatically. Still, you should review your total coverage during major life events. These events are signals that you might need more:

  • Marriage: You now have a spouse who depends on your income.
  • Childbirth: Financial responsibilities multiply with a new child.
  • Taking a Large Loan: A major loan adds a significant liability that must be covered.
  • Significant Salary Increase: A major promotion means your family’s lifestyle has improved. Your insurance should reflect that new standard.

How To Buy An Increasing Term Insurance Policy?

The purchasing process is straightforward. Here is how you can buy an increasing term insurance policy:

1. Assess Your Needs: Calculate your current and future liabilities, income, and goals. Use this to determine the right base sum assured.

2. Compare Insurers: Research plans from different companies. Check their claim settlement ratio, premium rates, and the increased rates they offer.

3. Choose the Rate of Increase: Select the percentage that best matches your expected financial growth.

4. Undergo Medical Examination: Complete any medical tests required by the insurer.

5. Pay the Premium: Pay the first premium to activate the policy once your application is approved.

Conclusion

An increasing term insurance plan is more than a policy. It is a dynamic financial strategy. In a world of constant change, it provides a flexible and smart solution. The plan automatically scales your coverage to match your life. Understanding the increasing term insurance meaning helps you ensure the financial security you leave for your loved ones is never overtaken by inflation or new responsibilities and emerges as an intelligent choice for anyone building a truly resilient financial safety net.

FAQs on Increasing Term Insurance


1

Is the premium fixed or does it rise with the coverage?

For most of these plans, the premium is fixed for the entire term. The initial premium is calculated to account for all the scheduled increases in the sum assured.



2

Can I customize the percentage of increase in the sum assured?

Yes, insurers usually offer a few options. You can often choose a preset percentage, such as 5%, 8%, or 10% per year, when you purchase the policy.



3

What happens if I stop paying premiums in an increasing term plan?

If you stop paying premiums, the policy enters a grace period, usually 15-30 days. If you do not pay within that time, the policy will lapse, and all coverage benefits will stop


4

Is increasing term insurance more expensive than level term insurance?

Yes, the initial premium is typically higher than a level term plan for the same base coverage. The higher premium reflects the guaranteed increase in the death benefit over the policy’s lifetime.


5

Can I convert my existing term insurance into an increasing term plan?

Generally, no. You cannot convert a level term plan into an increasing one. They are structured as different products. You would need to purchase a new increasing term insurance policy.

Amit Raje
Written By :
Amit Raje

Amit Raje is an experienced marketer who has worked in various Fintechs and leading Financial companies in India. With focused experience in Digital, Amit has pioneered multiple digital commerce in India. Now, close to two decades later, he is the vice president and head of the D2C business department. He masters the skill of strategic management, also being certified in it from IIMA. He has challenged his challenges and contributed his efforts in this journey of digital transformation.

Amit Raje
Reviewed By :
Prasad Pimple

Prasad Pimple has a decade-long experience in the Life insurance sector and as EVP, Kotak Life heads Digital Business. He is responsible for developing user friendly product journeys, creating consumer awareness and helping consumers in identifying need for life insurance solutions. He has 20+ years of experience in creating and building business verticals across Insurance, Telecom and Banking sectors

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The information herein is meant only for general reading purposes and the views being expressed only constitute opinions and therefore cannot be considered as guidelines, recommendations or as a professional guide for the readers. The content has been prepared on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other sources believed to be reliable. Recipients of this information are advised to rely on their own analysis, interpretations & investigations. Readers are also advised to seek independent professional advice in order to arrive at an informed investment decision. Further customer is the advised to go through the sales brochure before conducting any sale. Above illustrations are only for understanding, it is not directly or indirectly related to the performance of any product or plans of Kotak Life.

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