There are dozens of stories about families who lost one of their primary earners and found themselves in a horrible financial situation. Many people are scared to even think about life insurance, but you can insure that your family will not be lost without you if you just follow these tips.
A person should not wait until they are sick to consider life insurance. Many preexisting conditions can make you ineligible for a life insurance policy. If you are eligible, premiums will likely be higher than they would be for a healthy individual. Taking out a policy while you’re healthy is the best way to protect yourself, and your family.
Premiums can vary up to 40 percent between companies. Take advantages of online resources for the purpose of comparing price quotes from a range of carriers, and make certain to use tools that are able to take your specific medical situation into consideration, when preparing estimates.
You should review your life insurance coverage needs at least once a year. As your family changes, so do their financial needs. If you have another child, your coverage needs will increase, while you might be over-insured as an empty nester. Check periodically on what you need to avoid paying too much or leaving your family in the lurch.
Some life insurance companies may suggest that you purchase a mortgage insurance policy, which pays off your mortgage should you die. However, it is wiser to take the amount of your mortgage into account when purchasing coverage for a term life insurance or whole life insurance policy. This makes more sense because your mortgage steadily declines over time, although your mortgage insurance premium does not. In the long run, it is more cost effective to include the amount of your mortgage in with your life insurance policy.
Choose permanent life insurance if you want to build cash value. Building cash value in a life insurance policy helps you have additional cash for the future. The insured can borrow the cash value at a low interest rate. They can also use it to pay the premiums. The cash grows tax-free, and some financial planners recommend it as a way to cover estate taxes as part of a comprehensive financial plan.
Do not bother with policies that are termed as guaranteed issue unless there are no other viable options. These policies are tailored to people with pre-existing health conditions. Although you will not need to worry about having a medical exam to get this insurance, you will be bothered by limited choices in face value and high premiums.
Work on improving your health before applying for a life insurance policy. Poor health equates to higher health risks and higher life insurance premiums. To get the lowest premiums, stop smoking, reduce your weight, work more exercise into your lifestyle and eat healthier meals. Your body and your wallet will thank you.
Some smaller life insurance policies out there, like those that are less than $10,000, might not require you to have a physical, but these are also usually costly for their size. The companies offering these policies are assuming that unhealthy people are opting for this option so they can be insured, so the prices are steeper per month.
If you have a medical exam scheduled for life insurance purposes, you might instinctively decide that it is a good idea to exercise immediately before the exam in order to improve your results. Your blood pressure may actually rise, and this can provide false readings to the doctor.
Decide which of the four main life insurance types is right for you. You have a whole life policy, a term life policy, variable universal life, or universal life policies to chose from. Each has their own potential strengths and weaknesses. Know which one best suits your needs before going to make a purchase.
If you have a property settlement agreement with a former spouse, setting forth an expectation that the other partner pays all or part of your children’s expenses or alimony, factor this into your life insurance decisions. Should your former spouse die, unless it is clearly in the estate documentation, there is no requirement that the estate will continue to pay those expenses. Instead, it may make sense to insure your ex spouse and list yourself as beneficiary, in order to protect yourself and your children.
To save money on your life insurance policy, figure out your specific needs. Use an online calculator to get a sense of the amount of money it will take to cover your spouse until retirement and your children until they graduate college. You can find such calculators at MSN and The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education website.
If you are able to find the right life insurance, it can give you an incredible peace of mind for your loved ones. By adhering to these tips, you can stop worrying about the possible future and start focusing on the time you do have with your loved ones.
