If you have a spouse and children and are the main income earner of the family, you do not want to leave them in a position of hardship should anything happen to you. Yet without considering the purchase of a life insurance policy, this is a situation that could become a reality. Here are some things you need to know.
When choosing life insurance, you may also wish to look into purchasing burial insurance. This is fairly cheap insurance and will cover things such as your casket, funeral home costs, transportation and other such things. This is well worth it as the costs for these items can be extraordinary, if they come from out of pocket.
To save some money consider switching to annual life insurance premiums instead of monthly life insurance premiums. Some life insurance providers will charge you extra fees if you pay for your premiums monthly, so, if possible, pay your annual premiums in one lump sum at the beginning of each year.
It is crucial that you ask if a potential life insurance policy covers accidental death, as some insurance companies will not cover this. Anything can happen to you and want you to be assured that your family will be able to pay for your final expenses. If you are unsure, ask your insurance company.
When you’re browsing around for life insurance policies, it helps if you look at a few different quotes. You’ll find that every company uses different factors to set premiums, weighing each item differently. If you are a smoker, you may have many different rate variations from one company of insurance to the next company, so devote a good deal of your time into calling different places and reviewing many quotes before you buy.
Many life insurance brokers and agents get paid through commission. It is therefore to their benefit to sell you the most expensive package they can with as many riders as possible. Because of this, before agreeing to a specific life insurance policy, you should get a second opinion. Make sure everything included is something that you actually need!
You need to know what your debts are before getting life insurance. In order to find out home much life insurance coverage you need you first have to know the amount of your debts and how much your funeral will cost. Your life insurance policy needs to be higher than that amount.
Buy your life insurance policy from a reliable company that is still likely to be around to pay your death benefit should you pass away 10, 20 or 50 years from the time you purchase it. Avoid unfamiliar insurance companies that don’t have a proven track record. You’re much safer going with one of the well-known companies that have been in business for decades.
Understand the terms of your life insurance policy before purchasing, and make sure you are getting the coverage you need. A financial planner can help with this, but you can also educate yourself easily. Understanding the terminology used helps you make better life insurance choices and ensures your policy provides the coverage you are expecting.
Do not forget to adjust your life insurance whenever big changes happen in your life. Marriage, disability, divorce, deaths of family members, having children, or providing care for an elder can all impact your life insurance needs. Talk to your insurance agent or company as soon as these changes arise to find out how to adjust your policy or create a new one.
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.
If you are buying a life insurance policy for the first time, remember that insurance is for protection, not for investment. Term insurance provides only protection without a savings component, and is therefore much less expensive than whole or universal life insurance policies. It is almost always better to purchase term insurance.
When seeking a life insurance policy, age is not the only important factor. It is important to understand that there is a profound connection between the state of your health and the annual premium that you pay. There is a lot you can do to improve your overall risk levels and ultimately your health. If you smoke ” stop. If you are overweight,then lose weight and achieve a healthy body mass index. If you need meds to control blood pressure levels then take them regularly. These are actions that make you a healthier person in general, but also make you a less risky candidate for life insurance. Less risk means lower insurance premiums. You could be putting thousands of dollars back into your pocket while adding high quality years to your life.
Using the advice above, you should now be a little wiser as to whether buying a life insurance policy would be beneficial to you and your family. While it may have a monthly cost that seems like an extra burden, is the financial burden your family would face without you not just as much, if not more?
