Life insurance can be a scary topic for even the most responsible people. For some people it reminds them of their own mortality while others are worried about the loved one they may leave behind. Despite this, it is very important to face this hard subject head on and here are some of the top tips for dealing with this.
Term life might be the cheapest insurance, but keep in mind that it does expire. In fact, one of the only advantages of term policies is that they are much more affordable than other types. Whole life policies are permanent assets, though, and you can even borrow against them. Term life insurance, on the other hand, is only good for the amount of time you pay for.
Try to lead a healthy lifestyle. The healthier you are the cheaper your life insurance will be as insurance providers assume that you will live longer. Remember, you will be expected to pay a high premium on a life insurance policy for anything that shortens your life expectancy, for example being overweight, smoking, taking certain medication, etc.
When consulting an advisor about a life insurance policy, do not be afraid to ask tough questions. You should completely know all the different policies before purchasing one. For example, you should know if your policy is renewable, and how long the premiums will last. In addition, you should know if there are exclusions. These are important things you must consider before purchasing life insurance.
To save money on a life insurance policy you should stay away from “guaranteed issue” policies. The reason is because these policies are given to most people who apply, and a medical exam is not needed. Therefore, companies that issue these types of policies have no way of knowing whether you are in good or bad health. Because of these high risks, the premiums you will have to pay will be high.
Even if you have some savings to pass on, you shouldn’t think that this is enough to cover your expenses and help your family out when you’re gone. Because of the death tax and various other factors, your money might take years to change hands. Purchasing a life insurance policy will ensure that your family gets the money quickly.
What amount of life insurance should you buy? This will be different for everyone depending on their particular situation. If you aren’t married and have no children, you probably don’t need life insurance. Many financial advisers encourage you to take out a policy that pays between five and ten times your average annual salary.
If you want to save money throughout the life of your life insurance policy, you should select decreasing term life insurance. The reason is because this policy is used to supplement your investments in case these investments diminish before they reach a certain amount. Your monthly premiums will decrease as your investments grow larger.
Think through how you want to purchase life insurance. There are a lot of options available, so you will save yourself time and frustration by deciding how you want to buy your policy. Some of the choices include buying the insurance right from the company, purchasing it through an insurance agent or going through a financial planner.
Check your life insurance policy contract very carefully. When you receive the policy, you normally have 10 days to cancel for a full refund if you find it to be unsatisfactory. Make sure that all the benefits you applied for are included, and the premiums are what you agreed to pay. If there is anything you don’t understand in the policy, you should call the company for clarification. If you are still not satisfied, remember to return it within 10 days.
How do you determine how much life insurance coverage you might need? This is the hardest component in determining insurance coverage because everyone is different. The most common advice given is to multiply your annual salary by six to eight times and this figure should be the amount of coverage you need. However, this does not apply to everyone. In fact, you may not need this much coverage. Considerations to think about are the amount of debt left behind and other income resources the family may have at their disposal after your death.
After you have chosen the insurance representative that you want to work with, be honest with them when filling out your application for life insurance. Give your medical history as accurately as possible. If you omit certain information, like smoking, the policy may be cancelled, or future claims may be denied. Medical records are an important component in getting accepted for a life insurance policy, so honesty is best when applying.
By following the tips in this article the difficult topic of life insurance will be slightly easier. It will never be a pleasant subject but by handling it correctly you can remove some pressure from both yourself and the people you could leave behind. These tips should have helped you to feel more prepared.
