Life Insurance: Why Theres No Need to be a Desperate Housewife


Life insurance looks set to make a comeback in the UK, after a period of neglect by consumers who were simply occupied with affording a home. The stabilising of the UK house market has made many consumers take a broader view to their personal finances.

LifeSearch (a life insurance broker), in the September issue of Money Observer, highlighted a few common mistakes people make when buying life insurance:

* Believing life insurance is relevant to everyone

Life insurance is only relevant to people who have financial dependents. If you have no financial dependents, it might be more appropriate to consider income protection or critical illness insurance.

* Paying too much for life insurance

According to Money Observer, research for Sainsbury's Bank Life Insurance revealed that many people take life insurance policies from their mortgage providers and as a result could be paying too much.

* Opting to buy joint life insurance policies instead of single life insurance policies

The advice to married couples is to avoid taking out joint life insurance policies which pay out when the first spouse dies over the term of the policy, but not on the second. Single policies could provide additional cover by paying just an extra £3-4 a month.

* Missing out on a trust

The Tax Man can claim up to 40% of your life insurance payout as inheritance tax. According to Money Observer, those with assets totalling £275,000 or more (including a house) are especially prone to tax inspection. Writing your policy in trust is a way to avoid this and as a trust does not have to go through probate, beneficiaries of the policy will receive the payment without delay.

* Only insuring the main earner

Whilst it is important to cover the main breadwinner, by neglecting to additionally insure the housewife or househusband may result in extra child care costs. Family income benefit (FIB) may be an appropriate policy to put in place.

* Opting for a lump sum over income

If your dependents are likely to require an income, then buying a policy that pays out a lump sum is a mistake. Many people invest lump sums for an income, but when they invest it, they have to pay tax. Family income benefit provides a larger payout - tax free, though the majority of banks and building societies do not offer FIB, so ask an Independent Financial Advisor for recommendations.

* Not proving full medical records or detailing comprehensive medical history

Failure to disclose a complete picture of your health, no matter how trivial, could invalidate a claim later on.

There's no excuse for not conducting your own homework, as there is an abundance of information available online. Sites such as moneynet, provide not only price comparison research on difference life insurance products, they also offer downloadable consumer product guides. Lowermybills.com proffers a similar service stateside.

Resources:

Life insurance products and research

LowerMyBills

About Rachel:

Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla.

Cashzilla - personalfinanosaurus



RELATED LINKS

Accept Credit Card Payment Online

Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

 

Advanta Credit Cards

Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

 

American Express Credit Card Application

Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

 

Best Airline Miles Credit Card

Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

 

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

 

Best Reward Credit Card

Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

 

Business Credit Card Online Application

Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

 

Chase Credit Card Application

Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

 

Citi Credit Card Application

Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

 

Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

 

Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

 

Debit Cards

Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

 

Discover Credit Card Offer

Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

 

Gas Credit Card Application

Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

Fast Easy Payday Loan

Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

 

Hotel Rewards Credit Card

Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

 

HSBC Credit Card Application

Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

 

Low Interest Credit Card List

Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

 

Master Card Application

Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

 

No Annual Fee Credit Card

0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

 

Online Car Loan Application

Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

 

Online Debt Consolidation Services

Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

 

Online Foreign Currency Trading

FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

 

Online Mortgage Application

Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

 

Online Visa Credit Card Application

Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

 

Prepaid Credit Card

Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

 

Shopping Reward Credit Card

Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

 

Student Credit Card Application

Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

 

Travel Rewards Credit Card

Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Lawmaker questions title insurance PAC money
Las Cruces Sun-News, NM - 5 hours ago
An overhaul of the title insurance rate-setting system is expected to be a high-profile topic during next year's Legislature and proposed changes could ...


Employers Use Federal Law To Deny Benefits
KWTX, TX - 3 hours ago
(July 5, 2008)--Thomas Amschwand was dying of cancer, so he did everything he was told to make sure his wife would collect on the life insurance policy he ...


New York Times

Anchorage drivers crashing more often, insurer says
Anchorage Daily News (subscription), AK - 12 hours ago
By JAMES HALPIN Residents are crashing more often than in years past, according to a report released this week by Allstate Insurance Co. ...
Chattanooga area road safety rank in good hands Chattanooga Times Free Press
Tucson ranks high in driving safety Arizona Daily Star
Come to DC and wreck your car Seattle Post Intelligencer
Sun Gazette - ToTheCenter.com
all 290 news articles


Term life insurance is the low-cost best bet for most people
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 1 hour ago
By CHRIS FARRELL Q I'm a married homeowner in my late 20s, contemplating life insurance. We want to make sure that if something happens to one of us the ...


New foundation helps people secure health insurance
The Casper Star Tribune, WY - 14 hours ago
About 6000 children in Wyoming are eligible for the state children's health insurance program but aren't enrolled, said Patti Guzman, manager of Kid Care ...


Higher exit load in mutual fund with insurance
Business Standard, India - 4 hours ago
Nowadays, some companies are offering insurance on SIP schemes. I want to how beneficial is such an offer. -Yogesh, Mumbai There are some fund houses that ...
Combining gainfully Business Line
all 2 news articles


American Chronicle

Fire Insurance to Cover Your Home
American Chronicle, CA - 8 hours ago
The first thing you must do is make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Could you rebuild your home, or buy one of equal quality with your insurance ...


Daily Nation

How smugglers and insurance crooks are stealing millions from ...
Daily Nation, Kenya - 1 hour ago
As a result KRA is said to be pursuing clearing and forwarding firms, insurance firms and banks that owe it millions of shillings in outstanding security ...


Q&A: NJ's top insurer weighs change
Newsday, NY - 10 hours ago
Critics say Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey's possible move could mean higher insurance rates and less services. Proponents say it could bring ...


Research and Markets: Mexico Insurance Report Q2 2008 Expects That ...
Insurance News Net (press release), PA - 18 hours ago
The Mexico Insurance Report provides independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on Mexicos insurance industry. As was the case in Q108, ...
Research and Markets: The Romania Insurance Report Provides ... Insurance News Net (press release)
all 2 news articles

Insurance - Google News

home page | article index | site map
Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

 

© Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved