The person insured pays a sum, the premium, to the insurance provider to insure themselves. This premium or rate varies from person to person depending on a number of factors. The initial approximate amount cited by the insurance provider is called the quote while the final amount arrived at is called the rate or the premium.

Life insurance quotes are dependent on age and gender of the insurance buyer. The ultimate life insurance rates fixed on would also take into consideration the health of the buyer, his family history and whether he smokes or not. The insurance company decides its rate only after it has considered the above factors.

The premium may be paid in two modes – you can pay a fixed sum throughout, or you may pay a sum that gradually increases with your age. The first option is good as it is more economical in the long run but the second option has the advantage of being suitable for young people in the low income group. Select the payment mode depending on your situation.

No matter which option is chosen, make sure you pay your premiums on time. If this is not done, the premium lapses and the policy is invalidated, unless renewed by the buyer by the payment of a fine. This in turn means that in the interim period – which may be a few days long only, you have no insurance coverage. This is against the principle of insurance. Try and see such a situation is not invited.

A necessary factor to be decided before buying the policy is the amount of the insurance. This depends on a number of determinants such as estimated cost of your funeral, retirement fund for your spouse if she is not working, a readjustment fund for your family, baby sitting costs if you have young children, a college going fund if your children are older and several others. Go to the online calculators for help in this matter – they ask you questions and then determine the figure correct for you.

Another factor to be considered as you decide which company to be selected is the financial credibility of that company. The company you choose muse be one that you can expect to be there even if you are not. Why choose an untrustworthy company just to save some money and expose your family to the risk of ruin at the end?

It is cheaper to get a life insurance when you are younger and healthier. However, there is no need for one unless you have dependents to take care of. One exception to this rule would be if you have borrowed. In that case take a term insurance that covers your debt.

One more thing needs to be planned - how would you like your beneficiary to get the insurance money. Would you like it to be a lump sum or should it be an annuity. It depends on what your beneficiary likes so discuss the matter over with him or her.

One more way to lower the premiums is by agreeing to the health check up insurance companies insist on before you take the policy. If the insurance company gets proof that you are not likely to die in the near future, they can lower the rates without qualms. If you are a non-smoker, then too you can get this benefit. But people who opt out of the imperative medical check up will have to pay higher rates.

Again term life insurance is cheaper than an endowment insurance or a whole life insurance. The term life insurance covers the basic needs of an insurance holder. It, however, does not provide toward the insurance corpus of the person insured. This can be a major advantage or disadvantage depending on how you view life insurance.

Whichever option you choose, exercise due care and thought as you cannot change your insurance policy mid way. You need to think ahead and plan for all eventualities when you take a life insurance. You can change your beneficiary or the way in which the sum due will be left to them, but little else in an insurance policy.