Life insurance is a personal insurance plan designed to pay out a sum of money on the death of the policyholder. Life Insurance is an insurance that is taken out against a persons life. It will pay out either a lump sum or monthly contributions to the “trustee” or next of kin in the event of the policy holder's death.
Life insurance is, as the name implies, an insurance policy taken out on an individual's life. As with any other insurance policy, regular premiums are paid by the policyholder to the insurance company - and should the policyholder die, then the policy will pay out either a lump sum or a regular income.
People think about the future more now than ever before. We want a good standard of living not just now but also as we grow older and this is why the financial services industry has become more important.
The most obvious reason for a life insurance policy is to provide financial protection for family and loved ones, should you die unexpectedly. However, there are a number of different circumstances in which life insurance is an important factor to consider, such as protecting your mortgage, your estate or your business.
Upon the death of the policyholder, a life insurance contract provides a one-off lump sum payment - particularly important if either you or your family take on a big loan, any long-term financial commitment, or purchase a house. For example, if the policyholder does die the payment from a life insurance deal could be used to pay off a mortgage.
Life Insurance is particularly valuable if taken out at a younger age, due to the fact that it will cost much less. It will help you to protect your family against any financial difficulties that may arise from your death. It can replace lost income, provide a lump sum towards funeral costs, pay off an outstanding loan or credit card.
But it is worth remembering that an effective life insurance policy should provide for both your partner's or your family's short-term and long-term financial requirements. Short-term requirements include taxes and funeral costs, while long-term requirements often range from vital expenses, such as school tuition for your children or your partner's needs upon retirement.
Life insurance comes in many different formats to allow people to choose the best type of cover for themselves. The types of life insurance available include:
Mortgage Life Insurance
Designed to pay off your mortgage in the event of your death, or the death of your partner.
Level Term Life Insurance
Designed to cover fixed repayment loans.
Whole of Life Insurance
Policy continues until the policy holder dies when a lump sum is paid out. As long as the payments are kept up to date, the sum assured, which is the level of life insurance cover, will be paid to your estate.
Family Income Benefit Life Insurance
This form of insurance can provide an income for your family or a lump sum if you die during the term of the family income insurance policy.
Your personal circumstances will affect the premiums for life insurance policies, with the most important factors being age and medical history. Which life insurance company you choose can also have an impact on the level of premium required as different life insurance companies treat clients differently.
Life Insurance products have now become very cost effective. Life cover is so cheap to obtain that you have virtually no reason not to obtain a policy.
Getting life insurance can be complicated due to the different types of policies available. If you are unsure about which life insurance to go forScience Articles, then you should seek some financial advice.
You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Life Insurance: Protection After Death
Leaving this life isn't something anyone wants to think about, but it will happen, and you'll want to be financially prepared to help your family out. More and more, life insurance is becoming a life necessity.
No one wants to think about death. No one wants to think about leaving their family and friends behind. No one wants to bother thinking about the details of a funeral, burial or cremation, or about leaving this earth at all. For many, death is just not going to happen to them; they're going to stay here for ever.
Unfortunately, people do die and they leave their families and other loved ones behind. Often, those left behind, are left bills, the need to deal with funerals, and burials or cremation, and wills. Those left behind don't have the ability to just forget about all the funeral expenses; they have to put their lives on hold and their wallets on the line.
Leaving this life isn't something anyone wants to think about, but it will happen, and you'll want to be financially prepared to help your family out.
The Blessing of Life Insurance
Today, the cost of a funeral can be more than the cost of a car. Many people just don't have that kind of money laying around in preparation for the unexpected. There are very few people in this world who actually have the ability to save up money for the emergencies of life. Those that can afford to hide away piles of money should do so. Those who don't should get life insurance .
Life insurance is a policy that a person purchases in order to ensure that, once they're dead, their families won't be stuck paying for an expensive funeral. In some cases, a life insurance policy is large enough to, not only pay for the funeral, but also leaves some financial support for the family of the departed. To the children of someone who dies, a life insurance policy can be a "lifesaver". Not having to worry about where their going to get the money for the funeral, for the burial, and for the mortgage on the house is a weight off of their already burdened shoulders. Having someone you love die can be a hard blow, having to deal with their financial mistakes once they're gone, can be even harder. Purchasing life insurance is one way to ensure that not only you, but your family, will be taken care of in the event of your death.
Leave Your Family Something Other Than Debt
If you die in debt, your debt does not die with you. Unfortunately, there are many people who believe that once they are dead, debt collectors have no one to call. Debt collectors are completely within their legal rights in calling your family in order to collect on your debt. Purchasing life insurance is one way to save your family from your financial mistakes. If you have accumulated tons of debt in your lifetime that you have not been able to pay off, do not make your family do it for you once you are dead.More and more, life insurance is becoming a life necessity. Not only is it a way to clear your debt once you are deadScience Articles, but it is also a way to give your family peace and comfort once you are gone.
No one wants to think about death. No one wants to think about leaving their family and friends behind. No one wants to bother thinking about the details of a funeral, burial or cremation, or about leaving this earth at all. For many, death is just not going to happen to them; they're going to stay here for ever.
Unfortunately, people do die and they leave their families and other loved ones behind. Often, those left behind, are left bills, the need to deal with funerals, and burials or cremation, and wills. Those left behind don't have the ability to just forget about all the funeral expenses; they have to put their lives on hold and their wallets on the line.
Leaving this life isn't something anyone wants to think about, but it will happen, and you'll want to be financially prepared to help your family out.
The Blessing of Life Insurance
Today, the cost of a funeral can be more than the cost of a car. Many people just don't have that kind of money laying around in preparation for the unexpected. There are very few people in this world who actually have the ability to save up money for the emergencies of life. Those that can afford to hide away piles of money should do so. Those who don't should get life insurance .
Life insurance is a policy that a person purchases in order to ensure that, once they're dead, their families won't be stuck paying for an expensive funeral. In some cases, a life insurance policy is large enough to, not only pay for the funeral, but also leaves some financial support for the family of the departed. To the children of someone who dies, a life insurance policy can be a "lifesaver". Not having to worry about where their going to get the money for the funeral, for the burial, and for the mortgage on the house is a weight off of their already burdened shoulders. Having someone you love die can be a hard blow, having to deal with their financial mistakes once they're gone, can be even harder. Purchasing life insurance is one way to ensure that not only you, but your family, will be taken care of in the event of your death.
Leave Your Family Something Other Than Debt
If you die in debt, your debt does not die with you. Unfortunately, there are many people who believe that once they are dead, debt collectors have no one to call. Debt collectors are completely within their legal rights in calling your family in order to collect on your debt. Purchasing life insurance is one way to save your family from your financial mistakes. If you have accumulated tons of debt in your lifetime that you have not been able to pay off, do not make your family do it for you once you are dead.More and more, life insurance is becoming a life necessity. Not only is it a way to clear your debt once you are deadScience Articles, but it is also a way to give your family peace and comfort once you are gone.
How to profit from term life insurance
Term life insurance is a type of temporary life insurance. The purpose of term life insurance is to reduce financial risk for a fixed period usually between one to twenty years. One example will make things clear. Sarah buys a life insurance policy to insure her husband John's life.
She pays 20$ premium per month to the life insurance company. The period of life insurance is for 20 years. So if John dies within 20 years, Sarah will get 4800 dollars. However if John doesn't die within 20 years Sarah will get some money after 20 years which will be much less compared to 4800 dollars.
However if she buys a term life insurance of 4800 dollars for 20 years, she may have to pay premium of less than 20 $, say 10 $ a month. If John dies within 20 years Sarah will get the death benefit of 4800 dollars, however if John doesn't die within 20 years, Sarah will get no cash value at the end of 20 years. However since she has paid only 2400 $ as premiums, her 2400$ are saved as compared to the permanent life insurance policy which she can invest and make profit. In the US market the 2400$ if invested wisely would have yielded much more than 4800$ to Sarah in 20 years.
The idea behind term life insurance is to buy a life insurance policy for a period usually one year. The premium (the amount you pay to the life insurance company) is much less compared to a permanent life insurance premium. The insurance can be renewed after the expiry of the life insurance term, but the premium keeps increasing as the insured ages. The higher the age of the insured
, the higher is the premium.
Term life insurance is the cheapest life insurance available on coverage to premium dollar basis. The death benefit is non-taxable in the United States and the premium is also deductible from the income to save income tax.
Life Insurance Explained
Life insurance is a type of insurance wherein the insured pays a premium for a period (often lifetime) and the life insurance company provides insurance coverage against the risk of death.
Life insurance is a type of insurance wherein the insured pays a premium for a period (often lifetime) and the life insurance company provides insurance coverage against the risk of death. There are many types of life insurances or assurance (in the UK) available today.
Basics: There are 4 parties in any life insurance policy. The policyholder is the one who is buying the policy, the insured is the one against whose death the policy is made, the insurer that is the insurance company and finally the beneficiary is the person who will get the proceedings of the life insurance policy. It is mandatory that the policyholder should have a legitimate reason for insuring a person’s life.
Types of Life Insurances:
1. Temporary Life insurance. This policy is also called term life insurance that has coverage for a fixed period of time. The policyholder needs to pay a premium for a fixed period of time for which the insurance company provides insurance coverage. This type of policy does not accumulate cash value.
2. Permanent Life Insurance. This type of policy provides coverage till the policy matures. A policy is said to mature when the person reaches a fixed age or dies. The policyholder needs to pay premium for the entire period. This type of policy accumulates a cash value. The policyholder can withdraw or borrow the money or surrender the policy to receive surrender value. There are 3 types of permanent life insurances.
2.1 Whole life insurance. This has a level premium and corresponding cash value. Upon death of the insured, the beneficiary receives the death benefit only and not the cash value. The policy owner can borrow loans on the cash value.
2.2 Universal life insurance. This has a flexible premium and gives higher internal rate of return. The policy has a cash account depending upon the premium. The surrender value equals the cash account balance.
2.3 Variable Universal life insurance. This is similar to universal life insurance with cash account. However the money is invested by the insurance company in mutual funds for a greater return. Hence there is higher probability of increase of cash account but the risk of reduction in cash account is also present.
More Than Just Life Insurances
Insurance, as we all know is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of potential financial loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a potential loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for a premium and duty of care.
When we think of taking insurance what immediately strikes our mind are the life insurances. Families often consider life insurance as necessary as a sound roof when it comes to protecting them from the harsh winds of fate, especially when children are small. Primary bread earners want assurance that even if worst things happen, the house will be paid for and the youngsters can continue to go to college. But there are many worst things which can happen within once life period like a disability that could knock the family provider out of the workplace. While industry studies show that workers are three to five times more likely to be disabled than die early, disability insurance is often neglected. What is the point of having a life insurance if you are disabled? While premature death tends to have a bigger emotional impact, disability can be equally, if not more, devastating to a family financial stability. Disability can be long term or short term and can be broken down into a number of broad sub categories.
Physical impairments affecting movement.
Lack of amputation of limbs or other body parts.
Sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments
Neurological impairments.
Cognitive impairments.
Psychiatric conditions
The often heard "It won't happen to me" has become a joke as daily someone or the other living in this world is diagnosed with some kind of a disease or other.For example Diabetics is one such kind of a disease that is common among youngsters today.Shocking to hear!!! But true facts are sometimes difficult to accept.With such a situation in hand, there is a high demand not only for life insurances but also disability insurances.
Disability insurances are of two types;
Long Term Disability
Short Term Disability
Based on the type of disability, there are various different policies to suit you need and requirement.
Short-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of 0 to 14 days with a maximum benefit period of no longer than two years
Long-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of several weeks to several months with a maximum benefit period ranging from a few years to the rest of your life.
Disability policies have two different protection features that are important to understand.
1. No-cancelable means the policy cannot be canceled by the insurance company, except for nonpayment of premiums. This gives you the right to renew the policy every year without an increase in the premium or a reduction in benefits.
2. Guaranteed renewable gives you the right to renew the policy with the same benefits and not have the policy canceled by the company. However, your insurer has the right to increase your premiums as long as it does so for all other policyholders in the same rating class as you.
In addition to the traditional disability policies, there are several options you should consider when purchasing a policy:
Additional purchase options
Your insurance company gives you the right to buy additional insurance at a later time.
Coordination of benefits
The amount of benefits you receive from your insurance company is dependent on other benefits you receive because of your disability. Your policy specifies a target amount you will receive from all the policies combined, so this policy will make up the difference not paid by other policies.
Cost of living adjustment(COLA)
The COLA increases your disability benefits over time based on the increased cost of living measured by the Consumer Price Index. You will pay a higher premium if you select the COLA.
Residual or partial disability rider
This provision allows you to return to work part-time, collect part of your salary and receive a partial disability payment if you are still partially disabled.
Return of premium
This provision requires the insurance company to refund part of your premium if no claims are made for a specific period of time declared in the policy.
Waiver of premium provision
This clause means that you do not have to pay premiums on the policy after you're disabled for 90 days.
If you decide to buy a private disability insurance policy, remember that policies are legal contracts.
Read and compare the policies and understand the provisions before you sign.
In comparing policies, you might want to consider:
Is disability defined as your inability to perform your own job or any job?
Does the policy cover accidents and illness?
Are benefits paid for partial or recurring disabilities?
Are full benefits paid after loss of sight, speech, hearing or use of limbs?
Is the policy no cancelable, guaranteed renewable or conditionally renewable?
How long must the worker be disabled before premiums are waived?
Is there an option to buy additional coverage, without evidence of medical insurability, at a later date?
Does the policy offer an inflation adjustment?
There are many disability insurance companies and agents all around the world to offer their services.
Based on once necessities, he or she can choose the best disability insurance to suit their needs.
When we think of taking insurance what immediately strikes our mind are the life insurances. Families often consider life insurance as necessary as a sound roof when it comes to protecting them from the harsh winds of fate, especially when children are small. Primary bread earners want assurance that even if worst things happen, the house will be paid for and the youngsters can continue to go to college. But there are many worst things which can happen within once life period like a disability that could knock the family provider out of the workplace. While industry studies show that workers are three to five times more likely to be disabled than die early, disability insurance is often neglected. What is the point of having a life insurance if you are disabled? While premature death tends to have a bigger emotional impact, disability can be equally, if not more, devastating to a family financial stability. Disability can be long term or short term and can be broken down into a number of broad sub categories.
Physical impairments affecting movement.
Lack of amputation of limbs or other body parts.
Sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments
Neurological impairments.
Cognitive impairments.
Psychiatric conditions
The often heard "It won't happen to me" has become a joke as daily someone or the other living in this world is diagnosed with some kind of a disease or other.For example Diabetics is one such kind of a disease that is common among youngsters today.Shocking to hear!!! But true facts are sometimes difficult to accept.With such a situation in hand, there is a high demand not only for life insurances but also disability insurances.
Disability insurances are of two types;
Long Term Disability
Short Term Disability
Based on the type of disability, there are various different policies to suit you need and requirement.
Short-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of 0 to 14 days with a maximum benefit period of no longer than two years
Long-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of several weeks to several months with a maximum benefit period ranging from a few years to the rest of your life.
Disability policies have two different protection features that are important to understand.
1. No-cancelable means the policy cannot be canceled by the insurance company, except for nonpayment of premiums. This gives you the right to renew the policy every year without an increase in the premium or a reduction in benefits.
2. Guaranteed renewable gives you the right to renew the policy with the same benefits and not have the policy canceled by the company. However, your insurer has the right to increase your premiums as long as it does so for all other policyholders in the same rating class as you.
In addition to the traditional disability policies, there are several options you should consider when purchasing a policy:
Additional purchase options
Your insurance company gives you the right to buy additional insurance at a later time.
Coordination of benefits
The amount of benefits you receive from your insurance company is dependent on other benefits you receive because of your disability. Your policy specifies a target amount you will receive from all the policies combined, so this policy will make up the difference not paid by other policies.
Cost of living adjustment(COLA)
The COLA increases your disability benefits over time based on the increased cost of living measured by the Consumer Price Index. You will pay a higher premium if you select the COLA.
Residual or partial disability rider
This provision allows you to return to work part-time, collect part of your salary and receive a partial disability payment if you are still partially disabled.
Return of premium
This provision requires the insurance company to refund part of your premium if no claims are made for a specific period of time declared in the policy.
Waiver of premium provision
This clause means that you do not have to pay premiums on the policy after you're disabled for 90 days.
If you decide to buy a private disability insurance policy, remember that policies are legal contracts.
Read and compare the policies and understand the provisions before you sign.
In comparing policies, you might want to consider:
Is disability defined as your inability to perform your own job or any job?
Does the policy cover accidents and illness?
Are benefits paid for partial or recurring disabilities?
Are full benefits paid after loss of sight, speech, hearing or use of limbs?
Is the policy no cancelable, guaranteed renewable or conditionally renewable?
How long must the worker be disabled before premiums are waived?
Is there an option to buy additional coverage, without evidence of medical insurability, at a later date?
Does the policy offer an inflation adjustment?
There are many disability insurance companies and agents all around the world to offer their services.
Based on once necessities, he or she can choose the best disability insurance to suit their needs.
Advantages of whole life insurance
Whole life insurance also known as “permanent” or “straight” life insurance is one of the most applied forms of insurance. This life insurance policy covers one’s entire life. This is much in demand because of its ability to provide financial protection and accrue cash value and pay dividends to the insured. In other terms, you can say it as an investment, that you make to secure your future build up finance that helps you in your indigence.
Taking a whole life insurance policy leads to a number of benefits and advantages. Few of them are listed below.
1. The first advantage is The Death Benefit.
The whole life insurance policy guarantees you the death benefit that never decreases. Moreover no federal income taxes are charged upon death. And if you desire, death benefit can be taken as a monthly income instead of a lump sum.
2. Consistency of premium level.
Unlike term life insurance’s premiums, which increase at the time of renewal, the premium you pay in whole life insurance remains consistent. There’s no increase. However, use of dividends can minimize the premiums that you pay and contracted for.
3. “Cash value” is another beneficial feature of whole life insurance.
Unlike other life insurance policies, whole life insurance policy accumulates the useable cash reserves. This increase as one pays premiums and also accumulates tax deferred. And if you decide to surrender the policy, you receive your cash values.
4. Participation in whole life insurance policy earns you the dividends.
You are eligible to earn dividends if you own a participating whole life insurance policy. You receive this dividends in cash, which you can further use to either purchase a paid up additionsFree Web Content, to minimize premiums or you can keep it within the policy to generate interest.
These advantages of whole life insurance policy are really worthwhile. If you are not confident you should consult an expert before taking up any policy.
Taking a whole life insurance policy leads to a number of benefits and advantages. Few of them are listed below.
1. The first advantage is The Death Benefit.
The whole life insurance policy guarantees you the death benefit that never decreases. Moreover no federal income taxes are charged upon death. And if you desire, death benefit can be taken as a monthly income instead of a lump sum.
2. Consistency of premium level.
Unlike term life insurance’s premiums, which increase at the time of renewal, the premium you pay in whole life insurance remains consistent. There’s no increase. However, use of dividends can minimize the premiums that you pay and contracted for.
3. “Cash value” is another beneficial feature of whole life insurance.
Unlike other life insurance policies, whole life insurance policy accumulates the useable cash reserves. This increase as one pays premiums and also accumulates tax deferred. And if you decide to surrender the policy, you receive your cash values.
4. Participation in whole life insurance policy earns you the dividends.
You are eligible to earn dividends if you own a participating whole life insurance policy. You receive this dividends in cash, which you can further use to either purchase a paid up additionsFree Web Content, to minimize premiums or you can keep it within the policy to generate interest.
These advantages of whole life insurance policy are really worthwhile. If you are not confident you should consult an expert before taking up any policy.
Life Insurance - Who Should Have Life Insurance And What Kind Of Policy?
Life insurance doesn't benefit the person that dies; it benefits those who are the beneficiaries. There are many types and many reasons to buy life insurance but you need to consider the needs of your family and how long they will need protection.
Life Insurance For The Living
The best life insurance policy is one that pays the biggest benefit. If there are young children you should have a term life insurance policy and if both parents work, there should be disability insurance as well. And anyone with dependents or liabilities, should move to protect themselves at the lowest possible cost.
Do I Pay Forever?
The reality is that the policy should benefit the surviving spouse after the children have left home if you do not have a lot of assets.
Term Life Insurance
The two most common types of life insurance are term life insurance and whole life insurance. Term life insurance offers coverage for a specific number of years with a set premium. If you choose a policy to age 100, you are buying a policy, similar to whole life but without the cost.
The biggest drawback is that you can keep on paying and have no value if you decide to cancel. But that is what life insurance or any type of insurance is about; risk.
You insure your car and house but you don't secretly hope to have an accident or your home burn down. And whenever you sell either, you cancel the policy but don't receive a refund of the premiums.
And so it is with term life insurance. It is just that; insurance against an event that may happen prematurely. And if you decide to keep it, your purpose has changed from protection against death to the provision of the proceeds to your family and loved ones.
Whole Life Insurance
Term life insurance is up to five times cheaper than whole life and for that reason, provides up to five times greater coverage. This type of policy will provide a cash value at a later date, but remember that you have paid a fair amount more in premium.
And this cost of term life insurance compared to other types, holds true until the older ages. Then both types must be compared to see which offers the greatest advantage.
Both policies offer protection but a very different cost.
When you are younger, the two best reasons to buy term life insurance are that it is cheaper and gives you greater coverage.
When you are older, your needs have changed. If you have become wealthy, perhaps you need to continue with the coverage to pay income taxes. If not, perhaps you will need to keep the coverage so that your spouse can buy a life annuity to provide just thatScience Articles, an income for life.
Life Insurance For The Living
The best life insurance policy is one that pays the biggest benefit. If there are young children you should have a term life insurance policy and if both parents work, there should be disability insurance as well. And anyone with dependents or liabilities, should move to protect themselves at the lowest possible cost.
Do I Pay Forever?
The reality is that the policy should benefit the surviving spouse after the children have left home if you do not have a lot of assets.
Term Life Insurance
The two most common types of life insurance are term life insurance and whole life insurance. Term life insurance offers coverage for a specific number of years with a set premium. If you choose a policy to age 100, you are buying a policy, similar to whole life but without the cost.
The biggest drawback is that you can keep on paying and have no value if you decide to cancel. But that is what life insurance or any type of insurance is about; risk.
You insure your car and house but you don't secretly hope to have an accident or your home burn down. And whenever you sell either, you cancel the policy but don't receive a refund of the premiums.
And so it is with term life insurance. It is just that; insurance against an event that may happen prematurely. And if you decide to keep it, your purpose has changed from protection against death to the provision of the proceeds to your family and loved ones.
Whole Life Insurance
Term life insurance is up to five times cheaper than whole life and for that reason, provides up to five times greater coverage. This type of policy will provide a cash value at a later date, but remember that you have paid a fair amount more in premium.
And this cost of term life insurance compared to other types, holds true until the older ages. Then both types must be compared to see which offers the greatest advantage.
Both policies offer protection but a very different cost.
When you are younger, the two best reasons to buy term life insurance are that it is cheaper and gives you greater coverage.
When you are older, your needs have changed. If you have become wealthy, perhaps you need to continue with the coverage to pay income taxes. If not, perhaps you will need to keep the coverage so that your spouse can buy a life annuity to provide just thatScience Articles, an income for life.
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