Life Insurance, the Universe, and Everything


You may have noticed that life insurance is coming back into fashion. It's true that it may not be the financial term on everybody's lips, but sales of life insurance have been going up, according to the Association of British Insurers. Whilst we may not be saving the volume of funds that the financial institutes would like, we are at least flirting with the idea of becoming a little more protective with our finances.

If you have yet to consider taking out any life insurance, don't worry -there's plenty of information out there including consumer organisations such as which? and moneynet. Start with some simple, easy questions such as:

* Would my dependents need a lump sum, such as to pay off the mortgage?

* Will they need a replacement income?

* Should my partner and I both take out life insurance?

You need to ensure whatever life insurance cover you take out accommodates funeral expenses, an emergency fund to encompass household expenses in the short term, repayment of the mortgage, repayment of any other loans, inheritance tax, bequests in your will to people - in addition to your dependents, any other possible lump-sum expenses.

Life insurance broadly falls into two categories: term life insurance (protection only) and investment type. Term insurance is the cheapest type of life insurance and provides a pay-out if the person / policy holder dies within a selected period of years. If you survive beyond the given period of years, then no pay-out is given.

Investment insurance advises that you should choose a whole-of-life option which is a form of investment type policy. Whole-of-life insurance provides cover for as long as the policy holder lives. The policy must eventually pay out and therefore builds up an investment value which can be cashed in by surrendering the policy. However, it often takes many years for a surrender value to build up and in general, whole-of-life policies are expensive if your main requirement is protection, the same is true endowment policies. Endowment policies are investment insurance products which pay out upon the death of the policy holder and also if they survive.

If you're considering term life insurance, bear in mind there are multiple variations encompassing increasing term insurance, increasable term insurance, decreasing term insurance, renewable term insurance, convertible term insurance, family income benefit insurance and pension linked term insurance.

Increasing term insurance

Increasing term insurance is just like basic term insurance, except that, as the name suggests, the level of cover increases - typically alongside the premiums. This policy is suitable for long-term insurance as increasing prices reduce the value of a fixed level of cover over policy period.

Increasable term insurance

Increasable term insurance provides the option of increasing the level of cover either at specific intervals (such as anniversary of policy start date) or specific events (such as marriage or birth of a child). Premiums increase for additional cover, but they are based on your health at the start of the policy, even if it has since deteriorated.

Decreasing term insurance

Decreasing term insurance reduces cover year on year, with the policy holder usually requiring the cover for loan repayments such as a mortgage or to cover a potential inheritance tax bill.

Renewable term insurance

Renewable term insurance gives the policy holder the option to extend the insurance term when it comes to an end; the premium paid is the same at the start of the term, in spite of any deterioration in the policy holder's health.

This may be beneficial to parents whose children stay in full-time education longer than originally intended. Alternatively if someone cannot afford the cover for the period they want, they could take out cover for a short period and extend it later with slightly high premiums.

It might be a financial jungle out there, but it's not impossible to navigate your way through to financial security.

Resources:

http://www.moneynet.co.uk/insurance/life-assurance/index.shtml

http://www.which.co.uk/

About Rachel:

Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla.

http://www.cashzilla.co.uk

Rachel eats a lot of Green and Black's chocolate, particularly Maya Gold -it's delicious and fair-trade too.



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:

Calgary Herald

Time to worry about your bank deposits? Yes, and no
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
But for bank customers, it's another story: As long as your assets are covered with FDIC insurance, you should be sitting pretty, even if your own bank ...
Video: IndyMac Hysteria Continues CBS
US eyes higher premiums to replenish bank fund Forbes
A Run on Your Money? Newsweek
Slate - Reuters
all 3,613 news articles


AM Best Assigns Ratings to Cardif Property and Casualty Insurance ...
FOXBusiness - 2 hours ago
BNP Paribas Assurance is the insurance holding company of the ultimate parent, BNP Paribas. These strengths are somewhat offset by the execution risk ...
BestWeek: Wildfire Losses Set to Increase Industry's Catastrophe ... MarketWatch
AM Best Withdraws Ratings of Risk Assurance Company of Saint ... MarketWatch
all 20 news articles


Farmer charged with false crop insurance claims
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 2 hours ago
A San Joaquin County farmer has been indicted for allegedly filing false claims for crop insurance benefits. Federal investigators say 47-year-old Gregory ...


American Veterinary Medical Association - Group Health & Life ...
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
Pet owners enjoy the financial peace of mind that pet insurance provides and veterinarians are able to maintain their client relationships while performing ...


Safeco Insurance Foundation Announces Signature Grants Supporting ...
FOXBusiness - 2 hours ago
Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company based in Seattle. The Safeco Insurance Foundation, ...


CRM Holdings, Ltd. Announces Affirmation of Majestic Insurance Co ...
FOXBusiness - 2 hours ago
Both ratings will retain their negative outlook until such time as AM Best believes the capital available through CRM's insurance subsidiaries is adequate ...
AM Best Removes Ratings of CRM Holdings, Ltd. and Its Subsidiaries ... MarketWatch
all 18 news articles


on Long-Term Care Insurance
New York Times, United States - 1 hour ago
By The New York Times Q. I have heard general advice that for couples with net worth of over $1.5 million, long-term care insurance is not necessary from a ...


US Birthrates Are Highest in August: Farmers(R) Insurance Warns ...
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
"Since Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the world today, Farmers insurance has developed comprehensive identity theft coverage. ...


Blue Cross insurance rate increase approved
MLive.com, MI - 1 hour ago
(AP) — State regulators say they will allow Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to increase rates for some individual market health insurance policies by ...


North Carolina Insurance Agency Owner Charged in Employee's Murder ...
FOXNews - 6 hours ago
CHARLOTTE, NC — An insurance agency owner charged with killing a state Department of Insurance employee investigating his business won't face the death ...

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