Knowing Your Life Insurance Options

While there’s not necessarily an age at which you’re too old to get life insurance, some people are not candidates for life insurance, despite what insurance sales representatives would have you think. Many consumers have not been given adequate information about the differences between whole and term life insurance, amongst other differences in the types of insurance policies. We want to make that information clearer, so you can understand and make informed decisions about life insurance. Lots of people don’t know whether life insurance is necessary for them. While many avoid the issue by saying that they will not be able to take money with them when they die, they should consider whether the loved ones they leave behind will need money. It is for the good of your spouse and/or dependents that you should investigate your life insurance options.

The different types of life insurance include whole life insurance, term life insurance, universal or variable universal life insurance, no-load life insurance, and mortgage life insurance. Mortgage life insurance lets you have your mortgage immediately paid off upon your death, so that your family can live without a mortgage as long they own the house. We will explain these different types of insurance, so that the choices won’t seem so overwhelming.

• Term Life Insurance: With term life insurance, you pay a fixed premium over a determined period. If you die within that time, the insurance company pays the specified amount but, if you outlive your term life insurance policy, you lose what you pay in and have nothing. Another problem term life insurance poses is the possibility of the premium increasing after a certain interval. In many cases, you may purchase another insurance policy after the term expires, but usually at a significantly higher rate.

-Whole Life Insurance: This type of insurance differs from term life in that it covers you for your entire life, and you still pay a monthly premium. In addition, you can decide to cash in your policy for a lump sum if it no longer needed. Whole life insurance has two values. Its face value is when the policy matures, or in other terms when you die. The cash value is the amount you will receive if you cash it in, or if your policy matures.

-Universal life insurance: This kind of life insurance differs greatly from the two above. In this insurance type, your premiums go into investments such as bonds, mortgages, and money market funds. Your investment funds pay for your death benefits, which you agreed to in life. What if the investment fund I have created does not prosper? Do not worry your guaranteed minimum will be paid. This life insurance policy tends to be more flexible and allows you to change the benefits and premiums. This makes universal life insurance ideal for younger couples and families.

-Variable Universal Life: This insurance type depends heavily on the outcome of your investments. If your investments are doing well, then your death benefit will be greater.

• No-Load Life Insurance: Low-load or no-load life insurance generally includes less expenses than most conventional life insurance policies. More of the money you pay in is put toward earning more money for you, instead of going toward other expenses like commissions. Financial advisors will usually sell no-load or low-load life insurance policies for flat fees rather than commission. One of the first questions you need to ask yourself when making decisions about life insurance is how much of it you will need. We urge you to discuss these matters with your financial advisor and your accountant. They will be able to help you determine the right amount according to your budget, you’re your family’s unique needs and standards.