QUOTE(michaelt79 @ Nov 24 2016, 03:56 PM)
Insurance plans is not the best way to save money. If you want guaranteed returns, put into FD is much better.
I'm very disappointed with all the insurance agent by how they are "selling" these product. They are not being honest and always paint a false picture of the real situation. I know - the argument is that Insurance Agent is also human and need to make money to live, and bring up their own children, blah blah blah. But I can never think of a good reason to "cheat" others.
Dividend is not guaranteed. If good time, give a little. If bad time, don't give at all. You're stuck and eventually you will realize FD given better return.
Remember this - something which not many people are aware of. Insurance Companies themselves rely heavily on Fixed Deposit to earn a BIG percentage of the returns to pay you back. While a small percentage is in equity, those are more for those Equity-Linked type of plans. Insurance Companies themselves cannot guarantee you a "minimum" return from the equity portion of the portfolio.
SO - if Insurance companies get 4.5% p.a. on their FD, how much do you think you will get on your insurance plan? Maybe 4.00% because the need to pay their own staff salary, bosses bonus + mercedes + etc. All those "heartwarming" advertisement is paid by the profit them skimmed from you.
FD is such a good deal for consumer - you don't need "agents" to sell to you and take a cut of the profit.
If anyone still think Insurance Plans is good because it has the "protection" in it - well, the truth is, BUY PA instead. It's cheaper and you get the same amount of protection. Why do you think "Agents" don't ever peddle buying PA?
Insurance may not be the Best way to safe money, as it is best for those who cant control their spending behaviour, it's a force savings by monthly.
For an individual who can't save money, this is an alternative way since you still need a lumpsum for FD. It may not be an easy road for a spindrift to save a sum n put into FD.
One more thing is that yes, PA is cheap and that is because PA is only one small part of 'protection' + life insurance.Meaning, only if this person got himself into an accident or passed away due to an accident, then it is claimable. If this individual passed away due to other than accident, having PA insurance has nth to do with this person anymore.
The 'protection' part that comes together with savings plan are usually only Life coverage,which means only if the person passed away then the nominee can get the money. It's two different types of protection.