Cash Flow Plans

Cash flow plans are when an insurance company assesses its incomes and expenses for maintaining and keeping its cash flows above its expenses. It also refers to a plan of an individual to ensure cash liquidity in such a way that they manage their expenses and maintain a minimum balance.

A cash flow plan works on the availability of cash funds with the individual or companies. It is, in general terms, the planning for effective use of cash/funds to the benefit of the business and individual by utilizing those funds to their best use. These plans help policyholders and insurance companies financially as they can utilize the cash available in other alternatives and invest. In addition, insurance companies can use the premium amount paid by the policyholder for the regular operating expenses of the business. Therefore, a company and policyholders must maintain its cash flow and plan according to the cash available for its expenses and spending.

There are three major activities involved in this plan, which both the company and the individual need to concentrate on: 1. Cash Flow from Operating activities; 2. Cash Flow from Investing Activities; and 3. Cash Flow from Financing Activities. Planning of all the above three is equally important information. Cash flow only positively works when there is proper planning for the utilization of the funds available, funds to be raised, and investments to be made.

Let’s have a real plan to discuss: the Reliance cash flow plan. It is a money-back plan from the Reliance Life Insurance Company. In addition, the survivor would receive returns on his premiums at a pre-accepted percentage at the end of every third year from the year the policy came into effect until its maturity. However, if the life insured dies within the policy tenure, then the nominee would receive the sum insured in full and the regular bonus calculated on the sum insured, and the policy terminates.

The above discussed is one policy of Reliance Life Insurance Company. It not only helps the policyholder but also helps the insurance companies. The policyholder can regulate its cash flow through this policy as through this plan. The policyholder can get regular cash flows from its policy at regular intervals and use those per his needs. Also, from the regular premium, the company can cover its operating expenses and manage the available income cash flows in other investing opportunities.

There are hard and fast guidelines. But there are some standard guidelines, which, when followed, will help to get the best outcomes of a cash flow plan.

There needs to be a clear knowledge of the funds to be utilized while planning cash flows. In addition, there should be a proper understanding of the expenses incurred in the business. Finally, there should also be knowledge of future investment opportunities the business would require to grow. There are these three activities that businesses and individuals should be aware of, which are Operating Activities, investing activities, and financing activities.

Cash flow plans are important for everyone to check their cash outflows on various expenses and to keep track of the cash inflows in the form of incomes generated during a period. Moreover, there is high importance in planning for future cash outflows and inflows. It is because any future investment decisions depend upon the funds available. If there is an opportunity, but funds are not available, then from where to borrow or raise funds, their cost, and every other thing involving cash transactions.

Plans and budgets are two different things. The plan involves tracking the progress on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annual basis. In contrast, the budgets involve records of the income and expenses on the same parameter on monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annually. Budgets are according to the plan. Therefore, plans are a wider term than budgets. Both plans and budgets can be short or long-term, but one will prepare the budgets to keep the business's plans in mind.

There are many benefits which are listed below:

1. It helps to keep track of Business Expenses.
2. Second, it helps to keep track of both cash inflows and outflows.
3. Third, it helps to utilize the cash/funds optimally.
4. Finally, they benefit both the companies and the customers as both benefits from this planning.

Even though there are many benefits, there are many limitations also, which are below:

• First, it only provides information related to cash inflow and outflow.
• It does not give a clear picture of the business's financial position.
• There are no substitutes for business plans.
• There can only be an estimation of cash requirements in this type of planning.

Cash flows are the plans for utilizing the available cash best for both the companies and the customers. Through these plans, the planner can identify their incomes and expenses, i.e., both inflows and outflows of cash, and implement the changes accordingly.

This article has been a guide to what Cash Flow Plans are. Here, we discuss an example, guidelines, and how a cash flow plan works, along with benefits and limitations. You can learn more about financing from the following articles: -

• Calculate Terminal Cash Flow
• Business Plan Excel Template
• Insurance Agent vs Broker
• Reinsurance Purpose