We human beings are social beings who share our lives with others like us – our loved ones. We possess an immensely valuable asset - our human capital – which is the source of our productive earning capacity. However, there is an uncertainty about life and human well-being. Events like death and disease can destroy our productive capabilities and thus cut down or erode the value of our human capital.
Life insurance products offer protection against the loss of economic value of an individual’s productive abilities, which is available to his dependents or to the self. The very word ‘insurance’ in ‘life insurance’ signifies the need to protect both oneself and one’s loved ones against financial loss upon death or permanent disability. There are other functions, such as savings and investment, but death or dread disease coverage is the most common reason for taking out life insurance.