Understanding the difference between home loan insurance and term insurance is crucial if you plan to secure your family’s financial future in the UAE while also taking on a sizeable liability like a mortgage. Both types of insurance offer protection, but they serve different purposes.
Term insurance provides a lump sum payout to your beneficiaries in case of your death. This sum can be used to cover various financial needs, including loan repayments. On the other hand, home loan insurance is specifically designed to repay your outstanding mortgage if something happens to you, ensuring your family doesn’t lose their home due to unpaid debts.
Knowing the key differences helps you choose the right plan based on your needs, whether you want comprehensive financial security or targeted protection for your home loan. Making an informed decision can save your loved ones from financial stress and ensure peace of mind.
Before digging into the comparative overview of home loan insurance vs term insurance, let’s quickly understand the meaning of the two terms.
A term plan is an affordable protection plan that provides financial security. If the policyholder passes away during the policy period, a lump sum amount is given to their nominees.
The plan remains active for a set period. If the policyholder outlives this period, no payout is made.
Home loan insurance plans are designed to help repay a home loan in case of unexpected events. These plans cover the house and benefit the insurance company.
Mortgage loan insurance is useful in situations such as —
These plans also protect the lender from the risk of loan repayment failure.
Understand the difference between term insurance and mortgage life insurance –
Basis | Term Insurance | Home Loan Insurance |
---|---|---|
Premium | Lower and depends on age, gender, and medical history | Usually higher and depends on the loan amount, interest rate, loan period, and borrower’s medical history |
Option to Modify the Plan | Yes — you can modify the plan by adding riders | Usually cannot be modified |
Coverage Period | For a tenure set by the policyholder | For the loan repayment period — ends once the loan is fully paid |
Sum Assured | Fixed or variable — as per the policyholder’s decision | Decreases as the loan keeps getting repaid |
Purpose | If the policyholder dies in the policy tenure, the nominees receive a lump sum payout This amount can be used to pay off the mortgage loan or any other outstanding debt, cover daily expenses, children’s education, and so on | In case the borrower passes away during the tenure, the insurance amount is used only to pay off the outstanding loan balance |
Both term insurance and home loan insurance help families repay home loans, but they have key differences.
Term plans are a basic form of life insurance. If the policyholder passes away, the nominee receives a lump sum payout directly. This money can be used for any purpose, such as loan repayment, daily expenses, or future financial needs. Once the claim is settled, the insurance company does not interfere in how the funds are used.
Insurance for home loans specifically protects the borrower’s family and the lender. In case of the policyholder's death, the lender contacts the insurer to process the claim. The payout is used solely to settle the outstanding home loan. Unlike term plans, the funds from these policies cannot be used for personal expenses.
So if you want a plan that covers not only debts but your family’s daily expenses, children’s education and marriage, and more, you should get term or life insurance