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Things to consider before buying a Education Plan
What is Education insurance?

In today's world, the cost of education is constantly rising, and it can be a significant financial burden for families.

That's when Education insurance comes in handy. It is designed to help parents or guardians provide financial security for their child's education.

When you buy an education plan for your children, you make sure that you are protecting their dreams and future.

Education insurance policies typically cover the cost of tuition fees, textbooks, and other related expenses that come with education. They can also provide other benefits such as life insurance, disability insurance, and accidental death insurance.

It is hard to imagine your child having to grow up in your absence. But life is unpredictable, and you have to be ready for its uncertainties.

With an Education policy, you can rest assured that your child's education is secured, even if you are not around to provide for them.

Why do you need Education insurance?

As a parent or guardian, you want the best for your child's future. You want them to have access to the best education possible, but the cost of education can be a real challenge for many families.

Having Education insurance means that you won't have to compromise on the quality of education you want for your child. You'll be prepared for whatever the future holds.

Whether your child wants to attend a prestigious university or a vocational school, education insurance can help you make those dreams a reality.

And that's not all!

It protects your child's dream even during unforeseen situations. For example, what if you are diagnosed with a critical illness? The illness might impact your financial decisions and put a lot of strain on you and your family.

In this case, you do not have to sacrifice your child's education or future. You can still afford to pay for their education even in difficult times.

With an Education policy, you can confidently plan for your child's educational expenses, knowing that you have the means to give them the best start in life.

Who should buy an Education plan?

An Education plan is a smart choice for anyone who values education and wants to make sure that their loved ones have the financial means to pursue it.

If you’re a parent who wants to provide their child with the best education, better manage their finances, and safeguard their child’s future even in their absence, education insurance is for you.

It is an investment in yourself or your loved ones, a way to open doors to new opportunities and to achieve personal growth and fulfillment.

Education insurance allows you to protect that investment, ensuring that the hard work, dedication, and financial resources you put into education will not go to waste.

Whether you're a parent who wants to provide the best possible education for your child, a college student looking for a safety net in case of unexpected expenses, a young professional seeking to advance your career through education, or an established adult considering going back to school, education insurance can be a great investment.

When is the right time to buy an Education policy?

As someone who cares about the future of their loved ones, it's natural to wonder when is the right time to buy an education policy. And the answer is simple: the earlier, the better. Or as soon as your child is born.

The truth is, education costs are only going up with each passing year. And while everyone hopes their children will be able to secure scholarships or loans to finance their education, it's always better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

By purchasing an education policy early on, you can get lower premiums and make sure that your children's education will be taken care of, no matter what happens.

It means you can relax and enjoy the present, knowing you've taken care of the future.

But even if you've missed out on purchasing an education plan early on, it's never too late to start. The right time to buy it is whenever you can afford it.

So it's best to start planning for their education today and give them the gift of a secure future. After all, there's nothing more important than investing in the future of your loved ones.

How to choose the right Education insurance policy?

There are so many factors to consider while choosing the right education plan:

  • Your child’s needs and goals:

Every child is unique, and their education needs may depend on their interests, aptitudes, and goals.

Some children may require special education or extra tuition, while others may want to study abroad. Look for policies that offer coverage for the specific needs of your child.

  • Policy Coverage:

Policies vary according to the insurers. Some policies may only cover tuition fees, while others may offer additional benefits such as medical treatment, accommodation expenses, transportation, and meals.

Check and compare to see which plan provides comprehensive coverage and best suits your child's needs.

  • Budget and monthly savings:

How much you save every month determines the monthly premium you can afford for an education policy. The premium should fit your budget and not put you under financial stress.

  • The number of children:

If you have more than one child, it's essential to consider a policy that can cover all of them.

Some policies offer coverage for multiple children at a reduced cost. But it’s important that you don’t compromise on the plan you choose for your child.

  • Benefits of the plan:

The benefits of each plan are different. The most important benefit to look for is the Premium Waiver Benefit, which secures your child's future even in case of your death or if you are permanently disabled.

In this case, the insurer will waive your premiums, and the policy will remain active.

There are more such add-on benefits like the coverage of travel expenses, medical treatment, critical illness benefit, accidental death benefit, etc.

Check and compare plans to choose which benefits you want when you buy education insurance.

  • Inflation rate:

The money you save today may not be enough to buy the same things in the future. The value of money decreases over time due to inflation.

The premium amount may also increase over time. You should take inflation into account while buying an education policy.

Look for plans that offer inflation-adjusted benefits. These policies consider the inflation rate and adjust the benefits accordingly.

In case of a critical illness or permanent disability, how will an Education plan help you?

The last thing you want is for your child's dreams to be shattered by unexpected circumstances. And we don't really know what life has in store for us.

An education plan will help you be prepared for the future. If you are diagnosed with a critical illness like Cancer or kidney problems, you and your family might undergo a lot of emotional and financial stress.

You wouldn't have to worry about your child's education in this situation! It is secure, and their dreams are protected by education insurance.

But, in case of a critical illness or if you were to be permanently disabled, you might not be able to bring in the money that helped you pay the premiums.

And if you're the sole breadwinner of the family, the situation would be worse.

Chances are that you might think of opting out of the insurance plan. But, some insurers offer the Premium Waiver Benefit, which keeps your policy active even if you can't pay the premiums.

The insurer will waive your premiums if you are diagnosed with a critical illness or can't earn due to a permanent disability.

In case of accidental death, how will an Education plan benefit you?

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things anyone can go through, and it can be especially devastating when that person is a parent supporting their child's education.

Education insurance can provide financial support for your child's education in the event of your unexpected passing.

If you have an education insurance plan, your child will receive a lump sum payment that can help cover their tuition, fees, and other educational expenses when you aren't around to take care of it.

It can make a huge difference in their ability to continue their education and achieve their dreams.

Beyond the financial benefits, an education plan can also give you peace of mind. Knowing that your child will be taken care of, even if something happens to you, can be a huge weight off your shoulders.

You'll be able to focus on enjoying time with your family and making memories rather than worrying about what might happen if the worst were to occur.

What is Surrender Value?

Simply put, surrender value is the amount of money you would receive if you cancel or surrender your education insurance policy before it reaches maturity.

You might wonder, "Why would I ever want to surrender my policy?" Life can be unpredictable, and unexpected circumstances may require you to access the funds you've invested in your policy.

For example, you may suddenly lose your job and need to use the money you've saved for your child's education to cover your living expenses. In that case, surrendering your policy may be the only option.

But surrendering your education policy should be a last resort. You've invested in this policy to provide a bright future for your child, and surrendering it could mean compromising their education.

However, it's comforting to know that surrender value exists as an option if the need arises.

What is Risk Premium?

Imagine you're a parent wanting to buy your child's education insurance policy. You've decided to purchase a policy that will pay out N100,000 in the event of your death or disability to help cover the cost of your child's education.

The regular premium for this policy might be N100 per month. However, because of certain risk factors, such as your age, health, and lifestyle, the insurance company determines that you're at a higher risk of disability or premature death.

As a result, they may charge you a risk premium of N20 per month, bringing your total monthly premium to N120.

You might think, "Why do I have to pay more because of my risk factors?" But from the insurer's perspective, it's necessary. They are taking on a greater risk by insuring you, and the risk premium helps to compensate them for that risk.

Think of it like a safety net. If something unexpected happened to you, and you could not work or provide for your child's education, the insurance company would be responsible for paying out the benefit.

The risk premium helps to make sure they have the resources to do so, even if it happens earlier than expected.

So, while paying a risk premium might seem like an extra expense, it's a necessary part of insurance. It helps to protect both you and the insurance company from the financial consequences of unexpected events.

And in the case of education insurance, paying a little extra for a risk premium can help to safeguard your child's future education, no matter what life throws your way.

What is Waiting Period?

A waiting period is the time that must pass before you can claim your policy. During this time, you won't be able to receive any benefits from your insurance provider.

It allows the insurance company to make sure you're not claiming a pre-existing condition or injury that happened before you signed up for the policy.

It's true that nobody likes to wait before they can access the benefits of the policy! But try to think of it as a necessary step in making sure that you and your insurer are on the same page about what's covered under your policy.

However, every insurer has a different waiting period. You should carefully read the policy plan terms and know the waiting period for each plan.

Does inflation affect your policy-buying decision?

Inflation is the increased cost of living over time. It means that the same amount of money you have today will have a lower purchasing power in the future.

As education costs increase over time, your policy should also increase accordingly to ensure that your child's future education costs are covered.

For example, let's say you purchase an education insurance policy today that covers N50,000 in tuition fees. In 10 years, the cost of education may increase by 20% due to inflation.

This means that the same education will cost N60,000, and your policy should cover this amount to make sure your child's education is fully covered.

When purchasing an education policy, it's important to consider the impact of inflation. Choose a policy that provides coverage that keeps up with the rising cost of education.

We all want the best for our children, and securing their education is one of the most important investments you can make.

What are the add-on options in Education insurance plans?

When you're looking to purchase an education insurance plan, it's important to consider all of the add-ons that can enhance the coverage provided by the base policy.

These add-ons can help you customize the policy to fit your needs and provide additional protection for your child's education.

  • Accidental Death Benefit:

This add-on provides extra coverage if you pass away due to an accident. This can be helpful if you're the primary breadwinner and your passing would affect your child's education.

  • Waiver of Premium:

It's natural to worry about what might happen to your child's education if you become permanently disabled or pass away.

The Waiver of the Premium add-on is a great option to consider. With this add-on, you won't have to worry about making any future premium payments. The policy stays in effect, and your premiums are waived.

  • Critical Illness Cover:

With this add-on, if you're diagnosed with a critical illness like cancer or kidney disease, you'll receive a lump sum amount that you can use for medical treatment.

  • Personal Accident Cover:

In the event of an accidental injury that results in temporary or permanent disability, you receive a lump sum amount that can be used to pay for your child's education or medical bills.

Which documents must you keep ready to buy an Education plan?

We understand that buying an Education policy can seem overwhelming, but we're here to guide you through the process and make it as easy as possible.

One of the key things you'll need to provide to the insurer is documentation to verify your identity, address, income, and age.

  • Proof of identity: You need to submit any one of the following documents as identity proof:
    • Passport
    • NIN
    • Driving Licence
  • Proof of address: For proof of address, we'll be happy to provide guidance on which documents are accepted by the insurers, but generally, the following are acceptable:
    • Bank statement with last six month’s transactions
    • Passport
    • Electricity bills
    • Voter Id card
    • Driving licence with address
  • Proof of income: To show that you're an earning person and qualify for an education insurance policy, you may need to submit one of the following documents for proof of income:
    • Salary slips for the last three months
    • Income returns of last three years
    • CA certification if you’re self-employed or run a business
  • Proof of age: Mentioning the correct age is mandatory, and you may have to give them one of the following documents as proof:
    • Voter’s Id card
    • Birth certificate
    • School leaving certificate
    • Passport
    • PAN card
    • Ration card
  • Duly filled Application form: You must submit a correctly filled application form. It’s important to be careful while filling up the form so that there are no errors and no information that should be disclosed is left out.
When does the insurer waive your premium?

In certain situations, your insurer may waive your premium payments, which means you won't have to worry about keeping up with your payments while you're dealing with a tough time.

When your insurer waives your premium, you get to keep all the benefits of your Education plan without having to pay any more premiums.

In most cases, this can happen when you face unexpected financial hardships that make it difficult or impossible to keep up with your premium payments.

If you become disabled or are diagnosed with a critical illness and can no longer work, the insurer may waive your premium payments.

The insurer may waive the premium payments for the remaining term of the policy in case of your death. The policy benefits are paid out to the guardian or child without any further financial burden of premiums.

When can you withdraw money from the education plan?

In most cases, you can withdraw money from an education plan when your child is ready to attend college or any other eligible institution. However, there are some important things to keep in mind.

First, you need to check the terms and conditions of your policy to see when you can withdraw money. Some plans may require you to wait until your child has completed high school, while others may allow withdrawals even before that.

Second, you should also be aware of any penalties or fees associated with early withdrawals.

It's always a good idea to plan and make sure you don't need to withdraw the money before the designated time.

Finally, when you decide to withdraw the money, it's important to use it for eligible education expenses, such as tuition fees, books, and other required materials.

It will help your child get the most out of their education, and your investment goes towards its intended purpose.

How to file for an education insurance claim?

If you need to file a claim for your education insurance, don't worry – it's a simple process.

Step 1: Contact the insurance company as soon as possible to inform them about the policyholder's passing. With Ombrella, you can do this easily online.

We recommend keeping all necessary documents nearby for a smooth claims process. We also suggest taking time while filling in the details to avoid mistakes.

Step 2: You must provide certain documents to proceed with the claims process. These may include the death certificate, original policy documents, identity proof documents, medical records, and more.

Step 3: Once you've submitted your claim and necessary documentation, the insurer will review it and determine whether it is covered under your policy.

With Ombrella, filing your claims online takes just a few minutes!

What if you lose your education policy?

Losing your education policy can be frustrating! But it's easy to handle the situation with Ombrella!

At Ombrella, we offer a user-friendly app that makes recovering your policy documents a breeze. With just a few taps, you can access your policy, and you don't need to worry about losing a physical copy ever again.

You can even save your policy on your device or the cloud for secure storage.

Or, you can contact your insurer and request a new copy of the policy. They'll have all the necessary information and can easily send you a replacement.

Our friendly team is always here to help you with any questions, and we'll guide you through the process of requesting a replacement policy.

What are the possible reasons your Education insurance claim could be rejected?

There are certain situations where your claim might be rejected. Here are some possible reasons why:

  • Non-Disclosure of Information: It is essential to be transparent and honest when filling out the education insurance application form. If you provide incomplete or false information, your claim could be rejected.
  • Not Meeting the Eligibility Criteria: Education insurance policies usually have specific criteria for eligibility, such as age, health status, or enrollment in a particular course. If you don't meet these criteria, your claim could be rejected.
  • Exclusions: Education policies may have exclusions, meaning they won't cover specific situations, such as pre-existing medical conditions or if you are injured while participating in high-risk activities. Your claim may be rejected if it falls under one of these exclusions.
  • Late Filing: You must file your claim within the time frame specified in your policy. If you miss this deadline, your claim may be rejected.
  • Insufficient Documentation: You need to provide the necessary documentation to support your claim. If you fail to do so or provide incomplete or inaccurate information, your claim may be rejected.
  • Lapsed policy due to unpaid premiums: It's important to keep your policy active by paying your premiums on time. If your policy lapses due to unpaid premiums, you may not be able to claim the insurance benefit.

There may be other reasons that could lead to a claim rejection, which may vary from one insurer to another. It's best to read the terms and conditions carefully before buying the Education plan!