|
||
Life insurance should be a part of your overall financial planning. While some life insurance policies can be used to help you achieve your financial goals, others just provide protection. But whichever type you choose, it is important you understand your needs and the options available so you get the best value for your life insurance coverage.
How Much Life Insurance?
First, determine how much coverage you'll need and how much you can afford. Now these 2 items may not match. However, if you have a young family, you need to get the most coverage for the lowest price. That means term life insurance which indeed, meets the needs of most everyone.
What Type Of Life Insurance Do I Need?
Next choose a term or permanent life insurance policy. Term life insurance provides protection for a specific period of time, normally 10, 20 or to age 100 in Canada.
Permanent life insurance policies are whole life and universal life. These policies offer death benefits and a savings account (cash surrender value) so that you can get money back either by cashing in the policy or by borrowing against it. However it is my firm belief that you should only buy whole life insurance if the premium is about the same as the term life insurance. And that will only happen in your sixties or beyond. Otherwise you are paying a higher premium for the same coverage And then, if you want to borrow your own money out of the policy, the insurance company charges you interest! And if you don't pay it back, the coverage is reduced by the amount of the borrowing. And you still continue to pay the far higher premiums, though now for less life insurance coverage. Why would you do this?
Is Universal Life Insurance Same As Whole Life Insurance?
No. In whole life insurance the savings, so called, are in the premium itself. In universal life, the investment is added on if you so choose. But if you do not add any investment to a universal life insurance plan all you have is an expensive term to 100 life insurance policy.
Lesson: Be aware of what life insurance you buy.
Check the financial strength of the companies who will have to stand behind the policies you're considering.
Every year check your finances to make sure your money is invested properly and that you have adequate life insurance. We've all read the articles and brochures but, with the changing nature of the product and an individual's changing needs, it is always worthwhile to make sure your life insurance is working for you. Life insurance plays a big part in a person's financial picture. The same thinking applies to your investments.
Do You Have Life Insurance At Work?
A common work benefit is group life insurance, which includes mostly, health and disability life insurance. It's a great benefit compared to the cost ratio as many persons are involved. One consideration however is that the policy is not portable. If you change jobs the policy doesn't go with you and if your health condition changes, it may prove difficult to get the same coverage.
Personal Life Insurance Policies
As mentioned, one of the significant advantages to a life insurance policy which you own, is the portability. You are paying premiums for something you own. You can select the policy type, its term and the beneficiaries to suit your own needs.
Life Insurance Policy Options
Life insurance is for anyone whose death will leave behind financial obligations that their savings are insufficient to cover. Since this is essential and not everyone is in the same situation, there are different life insurance policies to choose from. Term life, whole life or term to 100 policies are available, depending on your needs with the premiums remaining steady through those periods.
Life Insurance - How Much Do You Need?
Another financial consideration for you in 2007 to calculate, is how much life insurance you need? This would depend on your current debt load, any anticipated earnings gap if a spouse should die and day to day expenses. Factor in inflation, as you will need more money to enjoy the same level of comfort you have today.
Once a year check your finances to make sure you are paying for the correct life insurance policy for you and your family. Consult an independent broker to make sure you keep up to date with the proper life insurance.