Tokio Marine’s TM Term Assure (II) is a non-participating, regular premium term life insurance. It provides you coverage from death, and terminal illness. This policy is made available in 4 currencies: SGD, USD, AUD, and GBP.
Here’s our review of the TM Term Assure (II).
My Review of the Tokio Marine TM Term Assure (II)
The Tokio Marine TM Term Assure (II) is one of the most value for money term plans in Singapore, blending affordability, value, and features in one policy.
But since term life policies are deemed the most affordable form of life insurance and offer similar coverage (i.e. Death, TI, and TPD Benefits) across the market, price competitiveness becomes key when it comes to selecting a term plan.
With reference to the following table, the TM Term Assure (II) is one of the more affordable term plans among the insurers. It is hence suitable if you have just entered the working world and are looking for budget-friendly insurance coverage.
| Tokio Marine Term Assure (II) | Singlife Elite Term | PRUActive Term | China Taiping i-Protect | Manulife ManuProtect Term (II) | NTUC TermLife Solitaire | AIA Secure Flexi Term^ | |
| Annual Premium (SGD$) | 545 | 535 | 685 | 498 | 637 | 733 | 536 |
| Total Premium (SGD$) | 21,800 | 21,400 | 27,400 | 19,920 | 25,480 | 29,320 | 21,440 |
Upon comparing the renewable term plans among various insurers below, we see that TM Term Assure (II) comes in second, with Singlife Elite Term being the most affordable term plan in the market.
| Tokio Marine Term Assure (II)* | Singlife Elite Term* | Manulife ManuProtect Term (II) | HSBC Life Term Protector | |
| Annual Premium (SGD$) | 545 | 535 | 637 | 610 |
| Total Premium (SGD$) | 21,800 | 21,400 | 25,480 | 24,400 |
^Premiums are based on a 30 ANB male, non-smoker with a Sum Assured of S$500K for a 40 year period
*Renewable and convertible options are both available
Despite the TM Term Assure (II) being more expensive than Singlife Elite Term, its KidAssure GIO Rider is ideal if you are looking to insure your child against death and medical conditions. It is also a good option if you are looking to protect your business against risk by insuring your key business partners and staff via the Third-Party Policy.
The TM Term Assure (II) also offers flexibility through convertible and renewable options (Conversion Privilege, Guaranteed Renewable Privilege and GIAI Option) to cater to the different needs at various life stages. It allows you to obtain more extensive coverage through its ECI, CI, and Protect 1 Lite Riders.
And because of that, we’ve named Tokio Marine’s TM Term Assure (II) as one of the best term plans in Singapore.
However, if you don’t need these features, there are other term plans that might suit you better.
For instance, if you’re looking for the cheapest term plan and you’re okay with forgoing features, then the China Taiping i-Protect is straight up your alley.
Or are you looking for ECI/CI coverage on a term plan and not sure which is most comprehensive or the best value? Well, the Singlife Elite Term with it’s ECI/CI riders meet both comprehensiveness and affordability criteria for us.
If you’re a smoker, then Manulife’s ManuProtect Term (II) might be the best option for you due to it’s potentially lower premiums.
All in all, there are so many considerations to take note of and so many options available.
We recommend starting your research for alternatives by reading our post on the best term plans.
This way, you understand what your available choices are and whether there might be other policies that suit you better.
Once you know your options, we recommend getting a second opinion from an unbiased financial advisor to whether the Tokio Marine TM Term Assure (II) is for you.
This is especially crucial as insurance requires a commitment of 20 to 30 years, and you don’t want to be stuck paying premiums for something that you might regret purchasing in the future; something that happens way more often than you think.
If you need someone to assist, we partner with MAS-licensed financial advisors who are more than happy to help you explore your options.
Click here for a free non-obligatory chat.
Let’s now explore the Tokio Marine TM Term Assure (II) in more detail.
Criteria
- Minimum sum assured of $100k
Product Features
Policy Terms
The policy is available in the following coverage periods:
- 5 years or 10 years (with Guaranteed Renewal Privilege)
- 11 years till 85 Age Next Birthday (ANB)
Premium Payment Terms & Options
The TM Term Assure (II) can be bought as a Single and Third-Party Policy. You may purchase the Single Policy for your personal coverage and the Third Party Policy to cover another individual.
For a Single Party Policy of a 35 ANB non-smoking male who has a Basic Sum Assured of S$500K with a coverage period of 40 years, he would incur a premium payable of S$2.20 daily.
Premium rates are determined by the prevailing rates at the time of renewal, but stay levelled and guaranteed during the coverage term.
You may purchase the Third-Party Policy for your key business personnel to protect your business against potential financial losses in the event of death.
The following table is a sample of a 45 ANB male insured under the Third-Party Policy. Your business will receive a S$2m payout should the life insured encounter death.
| Plan | Coverage Period | Sum Assured | Monthly Premium |
| TM Term Assure (II) | 5 years | S$2Mil | S$119.55 |
Protection
Death Benefit
The Death Benefit dispenses a payout of the Sum Assured minus any payables in the event of death.
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Benefit
The TPD Benefit is a compulsory part of the TPD Rider (see Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Rider)
The insured will receive a payout amounting to the TPD Rider sum assured, deducting all outstanding payables. TPD Benefit payouts are capped at S$4.5m across all Tokio Marine policies under the same insurer.
The Basic Sum Assured will be decreased by the TPD Benefit payout value. In the event where the Basic Sum Assured is deducted to zero, the term plan benefits are deemed to be fully reimbursed, terminating the policy.
Total and permanent disability varies at different life stages:
| Life Stage | Definition of Total and Permanent Disability |
| 0 to 18 ANB | Disability arising from illness or accident or sickness, to the extent which the insured
|
| 18 to 65 ANB | Disability arising from illness or accident or sickness, to the extent which the insured
|
| 65 to 70 ANB | Disability arising from illness or accident or sickness, to the extent which the insured
|
| 70 to 85 ANB | Due to illness or accident or sickness, the insured suffers severance or complete and irreversible loss in ability of either of the following
|
^“Activities of Daily Living” are defined as being able to:
- Transfer oneself from and to the wheelchair
- Move across rooms on level ground
- Use the toilet or control bladder and bowel functions
- Dress oneself and adorn any disability aids wherever necessary
- Wash oneself in the shower or clean oneself sufficiently via other methods
- Consume food prepared independently
Terminal Illness (TI) Benefit
Should terminal illness befall, the TI Benefit will be reimbursed at Death Benefit value, capped at S$4.5m across all Tokio Marine policies under the same insurer. The remaining amount would be paid in other case(s) where insurance coverage is needed.
The Basic Sum Assured will be decreased by the TI Benefit payout value. In the event where the Basic Sum Assured is deducted to zero, the term plan benefits are deemed to be fully reimbursed, terminating the policy.
Terminal illness is defined as a diagnosed illness that leads to death in 12 months, excluding HIV infection. The illness must be certified by a medical specialist and verified by Tokio Marine’s appointed medical professional.
Additional Features & Benefits
Conversion Privilege
Under the Conversion Privilege, your basic plan can be converted into a premium whole life insurance or endowment policy without the need to provide additional medical proof.
The following conditions must be fulfilled for Conversion Privilege to be successful:
- You are below 60 ANB.
- You have paid all premiums payable under your basic plan in full.
- You have made premium payment for your new policy plan.
- The coverage of your new plan is less than the Basic Sum Assured. Where the amount exceeds, underwriting will take place.
- Your new policy has similar coverage as your original policy. Tokio Marine holds the right to assess the comparability of your new and original policy.
Guaranteed Renewal Privilege
The Guaranteed Renewal Privilege automatically renews your plan for the same policy terms and Basic Sum Assured, without the need to provide additional medical proof. Only those insured under the 5 years or 10 years coverage plan are eligible for this option.
The following conditions must be met for Guaranteed Renewal Privilege to be successful:
- Your basic plan’s renewal premium has been paid before the coverage term expires
- You are below:
- 80 ANB (for 5 years coverage period)
- 75 ANB (for 10 years coverage period)*
*Note that policyholders aged 66 to 70 years old are not eligible for the Guaranteed Renewal Privilege, as the renewal age for the 10 years coverage period is capped at 75 ANB
For every renewal, the premium payable will be based on the prevailing rates at the insured’s attained ANB. The premium stays level and guaranteed across the term of coverage.
Guaranteed Insurability for Additional Insurance Option (“GIAI Option”)
The GIAI Option allows you to buy a new policy without additional medical proof where you reach the following life milestones:
- Change in marital status
- Entrance into parenthood by having a newborn or through adoption
- Graduation from tertiary institutions
- Purchase of property
The following conditions must be met for GIAI Option to be successfully exercised:
- You are less than 50 ANB
- You have not made any claims under your current plan.
- Your GIAI Insurance coverage is the lower of 50% Basic Sum Assured and S$500k.
- Your GIAI Insurance has similar coverage as your basic policy. Tokio Marine holds the right to assess the comparability of your new and original policy.
- You submitted your application in writing and supporting documents within 90 days the life milestone occurred.
The GIAI Option can be activated twice at maximum across all your Tokio Marine policies, capped at S$500k.
Free Look Period
Should you change your mind about getting the TM Term Assure (II), you may submit your policy cancellation in writing within 14 days upon receiving the policy document.
You will be refunded the premiums you have paid, deducting medical and other expenses incurred for the policy’s risk assessment. Policy documents posted by mail are assumed to have been sent and received within 7 days after the post date.
Add-on Riders
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Rider
This TPD Rider is a mandatory add-on to your basic plan, with zero surrender value. Its premium rates are guaranteed, with payment terms following your basic policy.
Early Critical Illness (ECI) Accelerator Rider
The ECI Accelerator Rider covers medical treatment claims for early stage, intermediate stage and major stage critical illness. It also protects the insured against critical illnesses in special and juvenile conditions.
Critical Illness (CI) Accelerator Rider
Under the CI Accelerator Rider, the insured diagnosed with critical illness of a major stage, will be entitled to an advance payment of the death benefit, capped at the Rider Sum Assured.
Protect 1 Lite Rider
The Protect 1 Lite Rider is a disability benefit reimbursed in monthly payouts when the insured becomes unable to execute one out of the six “Activities of Daily Living”. Monthly payouts start 90 days after the insured is certified by a Tokio Marine’s appointed medical practitioner.
Payouts will be made consecutively for a maximum of 72 months.
The following table consists of yearly premium rates for a 20 ANB individual with a disability benefit of S$1k over an 11-year coverage period.
| Yearly Premium for a Disability Benefit of S$1k per month (in S$) | ||||
| Coverage Period | 20 ANB | 30 ANB | 40 ANB | 50 ANB |
| 11 | 12.70 | 14.70 | 31.20 | 103.70 |
| 20 | 13.10 | 18.60 | 52.70 | 173.90 |
| 30 | 15.10 | 31.30 | 95.70 | – |
| 40 | 21.60 | 55.30 | – | – |
| 50 | 35.10 | – | – | – |
Premiums paid by cash are non-guaranteed and level. Rates will be calculated based on coverage period and entry age.
KidAssure GIO Rider
The KidAssure GIO Rider dispenses hospitalisation benefits and provides coverage against death and juvenile medical conditions. When your child reaches 19 ANB, you will enjoy an 80% refund of the premiums paid regardless of any prior claims on Child Illness Benefit and Child Hospitalisation Benefit.
While a health declaration is needed, supplementary medical documents are not required for application. Premiums are payable for only 5 years
Pay for only 5 years and cover your child all the way till age 19.
Child Illness Benefit
The Child Illness Benefit dispenses 20% of the Rider Sum Assured for will be payable for each medical condition. This benefit does not cover prevailing medical conditions that the child has been diagnosed with.
- Autism of Specific Severity
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Generalised Tetanus
- Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
- Kawasaki Disease
- Leukaemia
- Loss of Use of Limbs
- Major Head Trauma
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Glomerulonephritis with Nephrotic Syndrome
- Severe Asthma
- Severe Epilepsy
- Severe Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Type 1 Juvenile Spinal Amyotrophy
- Viral Encephalitis
- Wilson’s Disease
Child Hospitalisation Benefit
The Child Hospitalisation Benefit dispenses 1% of the Rider Sum Assured for the following conditions that result in hospital admission. A maximum of 5 claims can be made without deducting the Rider Sum Assured.
- Burns
- Choking
- Dengue Fever
- Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease
- Measles
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis
- Rabier
- Zika
Death Benefit
Regardless of whether any previous claims have been filed, the entire amount of Rider Sum Assured will be dispensed should death occur. If the child dies because of a pre-existing medical condition, the payout will consist of all the annual premiums, less interest and payables.
Waiver of Premium Rider & (Enhanced) Payer Benefit Rider
Where the insured experiences death, total and permanent disability, and/or is diagnosed with any critical illness under policy coverage, his subsequent premiums payable will be waived.
References
https://www.tokiomarine.com/sg/en/personal/protect/protect-your-life/tm-term-assure-II.html
