Why Financial Advisors Recommend Term Insurance Over Traditional Plans

Written by Upstox Desk

5 min read | Updated on July 15, 2025, 14:20 IST

Table of Contentsarrow close icon
  1. SUMMARY

  2. Comparison: Term Insurance vs. Traditional Life Insurance (Endowment)

  3. Why Do Financial Advisors Prefer Term Insurance?

  4. Summing up

  5. FAQs

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SUMMARY

Saurabh, a 26-year-old self-employed business owner, sought financial security and met Ankit, a financial advisor. He preferred an endowment plan over term insurance, believing term plans had no maturity value. Ankit recommended term insurance for its cost efficiency. When Saurabh requested a ₹1 crore cover quote, he was shocked—a term plan cost ₹11,273 annually, while an endowment plan required ₹5 lakhs, highlighting the high opportunity cost despite maturity benefits.

Term insurance is a pure protection plan offering high coverage at low premiums, ensuring financial stability for dependents. In contrast, traditional plans, such as endowment and whole-life policies, combine insurance with savings.

Just like Ankit (in the initial example), financial advisors often recommend term insurance due to its affordability, transparency, and ability to provide substantial coverage without investment complexities.

Comparison: Term Insurance vs. Traditional Life Insurance (Endowment)

Here is a table carrying out a comparison between term insurance and traditional life insurance:

FeatureTerm Life InsuranceTraditional Life Insurance
PurposeDesigned purely for life coverage, offering financial protection to the insured’s family in case of death.Combines life coverage with a savings or investment component, providing both financial protection and maturity benefits.
PremiumMuch lower as it covers only life protection, making it cost-effective for all income groups.Higher premiums as they include both life coverage and savings/investment components.
Coverage AmountHigh sum assured at a low cost; ideal for securing dependents’ financial future.A relatively lower sum assured for the same premium amount due to the investment component.
Maturity BenefitsNo maturity benefits; if the insured survives the term, no payout is made (except in return-of-premium plans).Offers a lump sum maturity payout if the policyholder survives the policy term.
Death BenefitsThe full sum assured is paid to beneficiaries in case of death during the policy term.Beneficiaries receive the sum assured plus accrued bonuses (if applicable) in case of death.
FlexibilityHighly flexible with multiple customization options, such as riders like critical illness, accidental death cover, and waiver of premium.Limited flexibility as the premium and structure are fixed.
Investment ComponentNo investment component; purely designed for financial protection.Includes a savings/investment feature where a portion of the premium is used for wealth accumulation.
Who Should Buy It?People looking for maximum coverage with minimum cost.People who are comfortable with lower returns but guaranteed maturity benefits.

Why Do Financial Advisors Prefer Term Insurance?

Financial advisors take account of your long-term financial needs, family’s financial security, and estate planning. Based on all the factors combined, it becomes easy to advocate for term insurance over any other form of traditional insurance. Here are some of the most common reasons:

  1. No other form of insurance is more cost-effective than term insurance. You often get coverage up to 1000x of the premium, unheard of in any other form of insurance. You save a massive amount while planning for the future. The money saved on premiums can be strategically invested in high-yield financial instruments like mutual funds, stocks, or fixed deposits, ensuring better wealth accumulation.

  2. Term insurance is quite simple and a pure protection plan. There are no hidden charges, complex bonuses, or fluctuating returns—just a pure life cover that ensures financial security for dependents.

  3. The focus is on adequate coverage while considering critical aspects such as your annual income, current and potential liabilities, and any other future obligations. Term plans allow individuals to secure a large sum assured, ensuring their family’s financial planning remains stable in case of an unfortunate event.

Summing up

When your insurance agent or financial advisor suggests you go for a term insurance plan over a conventional one, you should ask why. As someone aligned with your life goals and family’s financial security, your advisor will provide you with reasons including cost-effectiveness, adequate coverage, and a better investment approach.

Consulting a financial advisor can provide personalized insights based on income, liabilities, and long-term objectives. Advisors often recommend term insurance for maximum coverage at minimal cost, allowing surplus funds to be invested in high-yield assets. You can ensure long-term security by considering your unique financial needs and prioritizing financial protection over complex savings-linked plans.

FAQs

Why do financial advisors recommend term insurance over traditional plans?

Financial advisors often recommend term insurance because it offers higher coverage at lower premiums, providing pure protection without the investment component found in traditional plans.

What is the main difference between term insurance and traditional life insurance?

Term insurance provides coverage for a specific period with no maturity benefits, while traditional life insurance combines coverage with savings or investment components, offering maturity benefits.

Is term insurance more cost-effective than traditional life insurance plans?

Yes, term insurance is generally more affordable due to its focus solely on life coverage, resulting in lower premiums compared to traditional plans that include savings or investment elements.

Can I invest the savings from lower term insurance premiums elsewhere?

Absolutely, the money saved from lower term insurance premiums can be invested in other financial instruments like mutual funds or fixed deposits for potential wealth accumulation.

About Author

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Upstox Desk

Upstox Desk

Team of expert writers dedicated to providing insightful and comprehensive coverage on stock markets, economic trends, commodities, business developments, and personal finance. With a passion for delivering valuable information, the team strives to keep readers informed about the latest trends and developments in the financial world.

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