Institute Cargo Clauses B:  Compared to the clauses A, clauses B is more restrictive in its coverage.   As a matter of fact, it occupies the middle ground between clauses A and C, being the least and the most restrictive, respectively.

Clauses B offers coverage for:

1)  Fire and Explosion:  Loss or damage suffered by the cargo on account of fire and explosions  are insurable and eligible for claims under this clause.

2)  Sinking etc:  Loss or damage to the cargo resulting from the sinking, grounding, capsizing, etc., of the vessel is covered under this clause.

3)  Collision, etc:  Collision of the ship with another, or other objects, other than water, resultig in loss or damage to the cargo is covered under clauses B policy.

4)  Discharge Loss: The risk of cargo being discharged at a port of distress is eligible for coverage.

5)  Other losses:  Loss or damage to the cargo in transit abroad any land conveyance or transport is eligible to be covered for the risks associated therewith.

6)  Washing Overboard:  Loss or damage on account of cargo getting washed overboard is eligible for coverage.

7)  Water Seepage:  Entry of water into the vessel, etc., thereby causing loss or damage to the cargo, is covered under the clauses B.

8)  Loading/Unloading:  Loss or damage caused in the process of loading and unloading of the cargo is covered under this clauses B.

9)  General Average Sacrifice:  Loss or damage suffered by the insured on account of application of the rule of General Average Sacrifice, in relation to the value of the cargo saved, is also covered under the clauses B policy.

10)  Jettison:  The loss or damage suffered by the assured on account of jettison of his cargo can be covered under the clauses B policy.

In addition to the above coverage, the B clauses policy also affords additional coverage for loss or damage that can be “reasonably attributable to”: Earthquake, Volcanic eruption or lightening.  

Exclusions:  The Institute Cargo Clauses B policies do not include coverage for the loss or damage accruing to the assured on account of theft, shortage, or non delivery of the goods.

Even though the clauses B policies provide greater coverage compared to the clauses C policies, yet it is useful only for certain types of cargo, on account of its restrictions.

Institute Cargo Clauses C:  Clauses C policies offer the least coverage on account of the highly restrictive scope of these policies.

Clauses C policies offer coverage for the following risks, but with the rider of “reasonably attributable to”.  

1) Fire and Explosion.

2)  Sinking of ship etc.

3)  Collision of ship etc.

4)  Cargo discharged.

5)  Transit Losses.

6)  General Average Sacrifice.

7)  Jettison.

  Exclusions:  Clauses C policies do not offer coverage to losses or damages suffered on account of Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or lightening.   Also exluded are risks like cargo being washed overboard, entry of sea water into the ship and resultant loss or damage etc.

Conclusion:  Insurance obtained under any of the above three Institute Cargo Clauses is subject to respective exclusions.   In spite of that, it is necessary to obtain insurance for the cargo, in view of the uncertainties and dangers posed at various stages of the journey of the cargo.

Further, the enormous protection enjoyed by the carriers under various national and international rules and conventions, gives them ample opportunity to bail themselves out of tough situations, leaving the shippers high and dry.   Even where the carriers are liable to compensate the shippers, such liability is limited in scope and quantum.   It is for these reasons that it is important to obtain insurance and play it safe.

Institute Cargo Clauses:  Historically, London has been the center for marine insurance business, and many of the customs and practices, as well as guidelines relating to this trade have originated from here.

Of  such guidelines, one of the most important one  relates to the extent of risk coverage offered by various marine insurance policies, as laid down in the Institute Cargo Clauses, A, B, and C.   These guidelines have been accepted by several marine insurance organizations across the globe.   The risks covered under these clauses, and the exclusions thereof, are discussed below.

Institute Cargo Clauses-A:  This clause provides the maximum coverage against the risk of loss or damage to the insured cargo.   Because of its very wide scope and application, it is also called “all risks” coverage.

The coverage offered by this type of policy includes loss or damage by fire and explosions, that are not so rare on ships.   It covers the risk of the ship being sunk, grounded, stranded, etc.   Also covered here is the risk of collision between two vessels, the discharge of cargo at a port of distress etc.   That apart, it also covers loss or damage on account of jettisoning of the cargo.   As can be seen, the coverage offered under clause A is quite comprehensive.

Exclusions:  The following are the exlusions applicable to Clause A.

1)  Willful Misconduct:  Willful misconduct of the assured in relation to the insured cargo may nullify the policy, thereby releasing the insurer from his liability to the insured.   If the assured acts in a manner that has the effect of causing loss or damage to his own property, then he loses the protection of the insurance coverage for that cargo.

2)  Ordinary Losses:  Often, cargo, depending on its nature and constitution, undergoes changes in its quantity and or quality, thereby reducing its value.  Similarly, leakage is inherent in certain types of cargo like oil.   Further, certain cargo suffers wear and tear in the course of voyage, without any deliberate action towards this end.   Such losses are excluded from the scope of this clause.

3)  Improper Packing and Loading:  Many a time, shippers do not ensure proper packing and loading of the insured goods, resulting in loss or damage, in the course of the voyage.   Such losses care not covered under this clause.

4)  Inherent Weaknesses:   Certain types of cargo suffer certain inherent weaknesses, that may render them vulnerable to loss or damage.  Insurers would not be responsible for such losses.

5)  Delays:  The insurer is not responsible for loss or damage that can be attributable to delays, even though such delays may be a result of risks that are insured.   For example, a ship may stall on account of mechanical problems, resulting in the fresh fruit cargo on board going bad.

6)  Insolvency, etc., of Carrier:  Loss or damage to the insured cargo, on board a vessel, whose owner is insolvent, bankrupt, or otherwise in financial default, cannot make the insuere liable to settle the claim of the shipper in respect of such cargo.   Financial distress of the carrier affecting the well-being of the cargo, does not make the insurer liable to compensate.

7)  Deliberate Action:  Deliberate actions to cause loss or damage to the insured cargo relieves the insurer of his liability toward the insured.   Deliberate destruction or damage of the cargo is a criminal offence, and cannot be allowed to result in a pecuniary gain to the insured.

8)  War, Civil Disturbance, etc.:  Outbreak of war, or civil disturbances resulting in loss or damage to the insured cargo will not be underwritten by the insurer.   However, some insurers do allow coverage for cargo even under such circumstances, on payment of additional premium.   The current unrest in Thailand, is a case in point.

9)  Un-Seaworthy Vessels etc:  Where the deployment of vessels that are not seaworthy, etc., results in loss or damage to the insured, the insurer would not be liable under the policy to compensate for any loss or damage to the cargo.

                                                                                   To be concluded

Types of Marine Insurance Policies:

1)  Specific Voyage Po9licy:  As the name indicates, this marine insurance policy covers a particular voyage only.   The insurance cover becomes effective when the ship starts its voyage, and expires upon the delivery of the consignment at the place of destination.   It is a one off policy covering only one voyage.

This type of policy is suitable only for those who do not engage regularly in international trade, but only ocassionally.  

2)  Time Policy:  This policy is issued for a particular period of time, normally one year at a time.   The cover under this policy commences from the date and time as specified in the policy, and expires at the end of the stated period.

The assets covered under this policy would enjoy the same for the period of insurance, whatever the course of the voyage.   This policy, though issued normally for a period of one year, may be extended beyond this period, through suitable amendment.

3)  Mixed Policy:  Sometimes a mixed policy is obtained which covers the risk to the insured assets during a specific voyage, for a specific period of time.  It may also be insurance to cover two different types of risk, on land as well as by sea.

4)  Valued Policy:  In this policy, the value of the consignment is ascertained before hand and specified in the policy.   The insurance cover is thus restricted to such stated amount.

5)  Un-Valued Policy:  In this policy, the value of the consignment is not specified in the policy.   Rather the insured is favored with a specific amount of insurance within which he may forward the goods for export.   The value of the goods on a particular voyage is ascertained as and when there is a claim.

6)  Floating Policy:  Also called ‘open policy’, it is popular with merchants and exporters who regularly export goods.   It is convinient for them to obtain a floating policy that offers cover for a specific amount, without reference to the cargo, or the voyage, or the ship.  

Every time a consignment is exported, the details of the same must be conveyed to the insurer, in advance, who takes congnizance of the same, and provides for the necessary cover for the stated cargo on the specific vessel, for the concerned voyage, within the overall limit fixed for the particular customer.

7)  Wagering or Honor Policy:  Normally, only a person with insurable interest is eligible to obtain insurance.   For example, a ship owner for the ship, and the cargo owner for the cargo, and so on and so forth.   Sometimes, an insurer issues a policy to a person without insurable interest, without benefit of salvage to himself (the insurer).

8)  Sellers’ Contingency Policy:  This is policy meant to protect the interests of the seller, who may find it difficult to get payment for the goods supplied to the buyer, on account of a change in the quality etc of the goods, for different reasons.

Where the seller of the goods, affords credit to the buyer in an export transaction, but the goods are exported on  F.O.B basis, a peculiar situation arises,  where the  ownership of the goods remains with the seller, but the responsibility for the goods passes on to the buyer.  In such a case, if the buyer does not accept the goods, citing reasons of damage to the goods, then the seller stands the risk of losing money.   The Sellers’ Contingency Policy is meant to address this risk, and protect the interests of the seller.

                                                                                           To be concluded

Intenational Trade, or for that matter, even domestic trade, involves the movement of merchandise from the place of its origin, and or production, to the place of its delivery and or consumption.  

This movement, or transport of goods involves initiating several steps, or actions, till the goods, or cargo reach their final destination.   Some of these steps include loading the cargo on to trucks or railway carriages, or barges from the point of origin to be taken to the vessel, or ship that actually carries the cargo across the seas,  to its destination.  

At every step of the way, from the time the cargo leaves the origin point, till the time it reaches the final destination, and handed over to the consignee, it is subject to several known and unknown risks, that might cause loss or damage to the cargo.

The quantum or extent of loss or damage that the vessel and the cargo within, may suffer, is measured by a system of ‘averages’.   There are two types of ‘averages’, namely, Particular Average, and the General Average, that are discussed below.

Particular Average:  This average relates to two types of situations.   One, where loss or damage occurs, both to the vessel as well as the cargo.   And the other, where loss or damage is restricted to the cargo.  

In the first type of situation, the loss or damage may involve both the cargo and the ship.   Some of the situations where this might happen, are the sinking of the vessel, resulting in the total loss of the vessel and the cargo.   Another example is a collision between two vessels, causing either sinking of the ship, or considerable damage to the ship, and of course, the cargo.   A third example, is where a ship is grounded on encountering an obstruction in its path, in the sea.   Here, considerable damage may be caused to the ship, and to some extent, the cargo.

In the second type of situation, only the cargo on board the ship may be subject to loss or damage.   Typical examples of such loss and damage may relate to one or more of the following: theft/pilferage of the cargo;   degeneration in the quality and quantity of the goods on account of vibrations of the ship;   episodes of turbulence, acceleration or deceleration experienced by the ship on account of exposure to elements, and inclement weather, etc.  

General Average:  This average refers to the loss or damage suffered by one or more of the shippers  whose cargo had to be jettisoned, or thrown overboard, into the sea, in order to save the rest of the cargo.   Certain situations at sea may demand the ’sacrifice’ of certain cargo to safeguard certain other type of cargo.

Naturally, this would be unfair to the shippers that lost the cargo, as they had also obtained insurance for their cargo, like the others.  

Hence, in order to compensate such shippers, who find themselves at the receiving end,  as above, all the other parties involved in the shipment are obliged to contribute towards the losses suffered by the shippers whose cargo had to be jettisoned.

The quantum of contribution to be made by the other shippers depends on the equation between the value of the cargo jettisoned and the value of the cargo thus saved.   Again the value of the cargo that was jettisoned is fixed according to its  insured value.   This process can be a bit complicated, and requires the services of a specialist called the “average adjuster”.

                                                                                      To be concluded

For Whom?:  Marine insurance is necessary for all those engaged in international trade, in different capacities, like exporters, importers, Bankers and Financiers etc.   All these parties have a stake in the successful completion of the transaction, from the beginning to the end.

The rules regarding marine insurance revolve around the concept of  “insurable interest”.   A person is said to have insurable interest in any asset, if he is likely to suffer some kind of loss in case of loss or damange to such asset.   That is, the well being of the asset is important to that person, to the extent that anything that affects the value of the asset, would also cause a loss to that person.  

Under laws governing marine insurance, the following parties are deemed to have an insurable interest.   That makes them eligible to obtain insurance for the  assets under consideration.    As they have a stake in the underlying transaction, these parties are considered to be interested parties, and therefore, the law takes cognizance of their “insurable interest”.

1)  Ship Owner:  Logically, and by common sense, the owner of the ship has an insurable interest in the ship.   For the simple reason that he owns the ship.

2)  Cargo Owner:  The person that owns the cargo that is the subject of the voyage on board the ship, also has an insurable interest in the cargo.   Just like the ship owner, who, by virtue of his ownership of the ship, has an insurable interest in the ship, so also, the same holds good for the cargo owner, vis a vis, the cargo.

3)  The Financeir:  The Bank or other Financier, who has lent money to either the ship owner or the cargo owner, against the security of the respective asset, has an insurable interest in the ship, as well as the cargo, to the extent of his loan amount.

The above three parties, having an insurable interest is obvious, from the circumstances etc.   However, apart from the above, there may be others also who have an insurable interest.   For example, the Master of the ship and the crew is also deemed to have an insurable interest, as they depend on the ship for their livelihood, and receive remuneration for the work done on the ship.

Types of Marine Insurance:   Four types of marine insurance are widely recognized in the industry.   They are:

1)  Hull Insurance:  Literally, the hull of a ship is the basic structure of the ship.   This type of insurance covers the insurance of the ship or the vessel, and all the machinery and equipment that goes with it, i.e., necessary for running the ship.   It also includes, furniture and fittings, fuel, spares, etc.   Practically every part of the ship is covered under the Hull Insurance, offering protection against loss and damage to the ship.    This insurance cover is arranged by the ship owner.

2)  Cargo Insurance:  This insurance covers all types of cargo carried on board the ship.   It also extends to the personal effects of the crew of the ship, provided they are declared, and accounted for.   This insurance would be arranged by the cargo owner.

3)  Freight Insurance:  Freight is the consideration that the ship owner receives for carrying the goods or the cargo abroad his ship.   It may be either pre-paid, or payable at destination at the time of  delivery of the consignment.   Where freight is payable at destination, it involves an element of risk.   Because, if the cargo is lost or stolen, or otherwise damaged in the course of the voyage, the carrier would not be entitled to the freight.   Hence the carrier may obtain freight insurance to cover this risk.

4)  Liability Insurance:  This type of insurance is obtained to take care of the third party liabilities, that may arise on account of major hazards like collision of ship, etc.

                                                                                    To be continued

Marine Insurance:  Marine Insurance is that branch of insurance that deals with the coverage of losses or damanges that might befall sea and ocean going vessels, the cargo loaded on board, and also the related infrastructure involved in trade by sea.

As a matter of fact, marine insurance is acknowledged to be the oldest type of insurance.   And for several centuries, London was the center for the marine insurance business, for historical reasons, as Great Britain was the undisputed superpower of the world, in those days.   As such, many of the customs and practices followed in this business originated in London.   For instance, the universally accepted ‘Institute Clauses”, that lays down the rules regarding coverage, and still in vogue.

Rationale for Marine Insurance:  Why marine insurance?   For that matter, why insurance at all?   There must have been a time in history, when insurance was unknown.

Insurance, like several other theories, concepts, mechanisms, systems, and practices,  developed over a period of time, as part of man’s evolution through the ages, to meet his needs, either genuine or contrived.

In fact, marine insurance traces its history back to the origin of international trade.   The export of commodities from one country to another over seas and oceans, and the consequent risks posed to both the vessels and the cargo on board, led to the realization for the need to ‘cover’ these risks.   The ‘idea’ was to ensure that the ship, as well as the cargo reached their destination safe and sound.  

This ‘idea’, over a period of time, developed into a formal insurance policy, subject to legal terms and conditions;  and today, no ships sets sail with cargo, without the comfort of a insurance policy to take care of the various risks it faces in its journeys across the seas and oceans.

Hence, given the uncertainties associated with international trade, and the consequent adverse affects that can derail businesses engaged in international trade, it has become compulsory, as it were, to play it safe, and obtain suitable marine insurance for the merchandise involved.

Another important rationale for obtaining marine insurance is the fact that, invariably, the carriers wriggle out of a good part of their liability to the insured, by virtue of the protection afforded to them under various international conventions, like the Warsaw Pact, the Hague Rules etc.   Under these conventions, the liability of the carriers is limited, and may be even lower than the value of goods insured.

Risks faced in international Trade:  The various risks faced by the exporters and importers, as well, that are sought to be neutralized, or managed with the help of insurance, that is, marine insurance, are discussed below.   They may be divided into two classes of risks, namely, Standard Risks, and Exceptional Risks.

Standard Risks:  Standard risks are those that are encountered in the normal course of the voyage.   These include the risks of sinking, grounding, etc., of the vessel.   Also included are fire accidents, explosions, and the like.

Exceptional Risks:  These risks are those that do not occur normally, but on account of exceptional circumstances.   Like a war, civil war and disturbances, strikes, etc.  

A current example of a civil disturbance is Thailand, where anti Government protesters have taken over streets and Government buildings, forcing the Thai Government to declare emergency in parts of the country, and cancel the prestigious ASEAN conference.

These type of situations, which can crop up without notice, have to be taken into account, when engaging in international trade, and suitable insurance be obtained to counter such risks to one’s commercial and financial interests.

                                                                                        To be concluded

Risk is a fact of life.   Risk is inherent in all human activities.   Risk is a natural phenomenon, that has its uses.   All Risk is not bad.   Risk is also related to reward.   If one were to take a philosophical view of risk, it is difficult to imagine life without risk, and risk can also be invigorating to the mind, extracting the best out of it.

However, in the context of Risk Management in a business, we are concerned with the negative impact of risk, and how it can be eliminated or at least minimized.

A business may face risk from various quarters.   Basically there are two categories or classes of risk.   One, that is by chance, and the other by design.   Let us assume that  a Company is faced with a certain situation that occurs once in a bluemoon.   Being unprepared for this situation, the Company loses, say, USD:10,000.00.   However, in order to be prepared for this risk the Company might have had to spend USD:100,000.00.   This risk was purely by chance.   On the other hand, many American Banks have gone under the burden of their poor housing mortgages.   This is a risk by design.   These Banks got themselves into trouble with their eyes open.  

Dealing with Risk:

Whatever the category or class of risk, the first step that businesses need to take  to deal with it, is to set up a mechanism to foresee and forestall risk.   The second step would be to minimize the risk that cannot be altogether eliminated.   The third step would be to transfer or divert the risk.   And the fourth step would be to accept the remaining part of the risk and try to go with the tide, that is, to endure the risk, and the pain associated with it, and then to bounce back into action.

The following sequence of steps may be taken to deal with Risk in order to get the best results possible.   It needs to be borne in mind that there is no single, perfect way of dealing with risk.   Much depends on the nature of the risk, the surrounding circumstances, and the resources available at a paricular time to deal with risk.   But the wisdom of being prepared for risk cannot be disputed.

1)  Identification of Risk:  Look and you shall find!   Risk is everywhere.   Every activity or even inactivity has certain inherent risks.   The idea is to break down every activity into independent components, and identify the risk associated with each and also as a whole.

Identification of risk is part of the ground work in risk management, and the more thorough and efficient the ground work, the better the end result.   Every business activity must be studied end to end, and all potential problems,  and risks associated with them,  must be mapped and dealt with.

2)  Elimination of Risk:  Once the risks are identified, the next step is to naturally eliminate them.   Of course, not all risks can be eliminated.   Nor all of them need to be endured.

To the extent possible, and viable, risks must be eliminated through a combination of strategies, depending upon the context, the nature and the extent of the probable risks faced.

3)  Mitigation of Risk:  Risks that cannot be eliminated must be reduced.   The quantum of loss to a business from risk depends upon the severity of the risk.   By reducing the severity of such risks, a business can reduce the potential loss on account of it.

4)  Acceptance of Risk:  “What cannot be cured must be endured”.   But one can make one’s life safer and more comfortable by accepting the inevitable in a planned way, and channelling the risk within the ecosystem of the organization in such a way as to make the impact of it bearable.

5) Diversion or Transfer of Risk:  Another way of dealing with risk is to imaginatively divert or tansfer risk to another entity.   In other words, one’s risks may be outsourced to others, an example being  insurance.

All said and done, risk can be dealt with in many ways, and there is no perfect way of dealing with it, except that being prepared for it can give us a better chance of tackling it.   However, the methods employed to deal with risk must not amount to the cure being worse than the disease.

What is Bancassurance?   Bancassurance is the marketing of insurance products by Banks.   Banks, apart from their regular products of deposits, advances, investments etc., are also engaged in selling insurance products, both life and non life, in order to increase their fee based income, and to leverage their inherent advantages as well established financial supermarkets.

  The Benefits of Bancassurance:

Banks enjoy several advantages compared to insurance companies that make them ideal vehicles to carry the message of insurance to the masses, across a wide cross section of society, and in the process increase their business and improve their bottomline.   By marketing a whole range of insurance products in the life and non life sectors, Banks, not only spread awareness of these products and facilities among the people, but also make a handsome amount of money by extending this service.

It is felt that Banks have a more personal relationship with the public and a better understanding of their financial needs.   Hence people are more responsive to their Banker’s advice.

Bank personnel are familiar and comfortable with financial language and terminology, and so can easily learn the subject of insurance, in order to sell these products.   Further they are good at number crunching and making a sales pitch that gives them a distinct advantage.

Banking and Insurance products can often be combined to offer a better product mix to the consumer, in order to leverage the benefits of both the products and services.

The provision of insurance products through the banking channel enables the insurance companies to depend less upon the agents to sell their products.   It costs the insurance companies a lot to select, train, motivate, and remunerate the insurance agents to push their products.

It is mutually beneficial for the Banks and the Insurance companies, when Banks cross-sell insurance products, as both of them can leverage each others’ products and services.

Banks get an additional source of income from commissions and fees from their insurance business.   Especially the excessive competition for interest based products has affected the bottomline of the Banks who are trying to build up alternative sources of income, through provision of non banking products and services.

Banks cater to both categories of customers- the classes and the masses.   Insurers can take advantage of this by pushing relevant products through these distribution channels.   Simple products for the masses, and more sophisticated ones for the classes.

The Flip side of Bancassurance:

Bancassurance is not rosy all the way for both Bankers as well as insurers.   There are several issues that both of them are concerned about.

One of the most important issues and indeed the fear of Bankers is losing business to the Insurers, in relation to similar products.   For instance, a basic banking product like a fixed deposit may be placed at a disadvantage compared to a money market related insurance product that offers both growth as well as insurance cover.

Insurers have their own perceptions of Bankers as their marketers and feel that often Bankers do not do enough to push their products.

Banks feel that insurers gain more from Bancassurance, as they do not incur expenditure on infrastructure, manpower, etc., whereas, the returns accruing to Banks from this business are not worth the trouble taken by them.

When Banks are trying to cut costs by providing more and more services offsite, it is felt that servicing insurance clients onsite (by Banks), may not be practicable, as it only adds to their costs.

Banks also stand the risk of facing the wrath of the customers for poor follow up service, like claim settlement, etc., on part of the insurers.

Bankers may not appreciate certain finer points of insurance products they sell, and consequently face administrative and legal hassles from the customers.

These are some of the issues related to Bancassurance from the angle of both the Bankers and the Insurers.   The success of this service depends upon how well the concerned parties, i.e. Bankers and Insurers sort out their problems mutually, and get ahead with the business of making money, without cutting into each others’ cake.

What is Life Insurance?   Life Insurance is a kind of security created or contrived to meet life’s various challenges, primarily untimely death, disability, loss of livelihood, old age, etc.

Life Insurance is a sort of shield meant to help us face up to the uncertainties of life.   An uncertain future, that is may bring in its wake problems, most of which could be resolved with the aid of money!   That, in fact, is the primary purpose of Life Insurance-to provide money either in lumpsum, or in instalments, in times of our need.

Of course, there was a time when life or any other type of insurance was non existent, and still people live their lives, and enjoyed it!   However, in the context of the modern industrialized world that we live in today, insurance is perceived as a must have, like, perhaps, medicines.   (There was a time when humans consumed much lesser quanities of medicines, yet lived healthy lives!)

Let us take the case of the Adams family.   John Adams is a copywriter with a Advertising firm and his wife Mary is a Home Maker.   The Adams have two school going children, Jacob, and Julie.   It is,  by all accounts a happy, contended family.   However, the peace of this family could be jeopardized by scores of reasons, some of them beyond the comprehension of the family.   Let us study a hypothetical situation faced by the Adams family, on account of the untimely death of John, the sole earner of the family.

Untimely death,  not an uncommon phenomenon,  can leave the surviving members shattered for the rest of their lives.   For one, they have to go through the trauma of losing a loved one, that shall never come back.   And for another, the family has to worry about providing for their own necessities of life, that were earlier the concern of the earning parent.

The full impact of and import of a regular income becomes apparent to the surviving members of the family, when they have to actualy pick up the tab for their daily groceries, the house mortgage, school fees, transportation expenses, and such others there were earlier taken for granted.

This situation can be further compounded by the debts availed of by the deceased parent, most of which, in fact, might have been taken for the welfare of the family.   Regardless of the reason and rationale for the debts, the fact is that the surviving members of the family would find it burdensome to clear them off.

Any person could be overwhelmed by the above situation, now faced by the Adams family, that is truly devastated by their loss.   Adams’ wife, Mary, is now left to fend for herself and her family.   She has to find some work to send the children to school, to pay for the house mortgage, the utilities, and also small luxuries like a chocolate for the children.   Mary’s situation is enough to leave anyone disturbed and thoughtful.  No one would wish to face such a situation.

Enter Life Insurance.   In the example above, let us assume, that John, who was the sole earner in the family had obtained sufficient life insurance against this kind of nasty surprise for his family, that is, his untimely death.   What would the future be like for the family?

Of course, the trauma of the family would be no less for their permanent loss.   However, in practical terms, the insurance of the deceased parent would help reduce the impact of the financial blow to the family on account of his untimely death.   The proceeds of the insurance policy would literally take the sting out of the financial problems that the family is likely to face now.   In fact, the maximum benefit of the insurance money would be in the imediate aftermath of John’s death, when it would be most difficult for the survivors to gather their wits and start planning and working towards an alternate source of income for the family.   Thus, life insurance, at least in this case, has lived up to the promise of a “friend in need”.

Not only untimely death, but also disability of a permanent nature and old age, though a natural phenomenon, can cause trauma and anguish to a family that is not prepared to face up to the financial challenges thrown up by the uncertainties of life.

Now take another scenario of the Adams’ family having to survive without insurance, after John’s death, and one can imagine the agony of the family, especially the widow,  left without a regular income, and two school going children to take care of.   The trials and tribulations that the widow and her children would have to undergo provide a fair picture of the importance of life insurance.