It seems like everywhere you go, someone is trying to sell you an insurance product and many try to tempt you with apparently free gifts if you sign on the dotted line for one of their policies. From DVD players and digital cameras to bonus Nectar points, these plans and policies may, at first, seem like good value. But, in most cases, when you add it all up it can turn out to be one very expensive free gift.

The fact is that life insurance is far too important a decision to make on the basis of who will give you the coolest gadget for signing with them. While YOUR life may not be affected by the quality of policy and cover that you choose, your family's future financial well-being very well might. There is one primary reason why you should sit down with a professional to discuss your life insurance needs before you make a final decision on where to place your trust and hard earned money.

Professional Knowledge is Worth It's Weight in Gold

One of the biggest reasons to buy your life insurance through a traditional insurer with professional advice is that an independent adviser is obliged by law to find the most suitable policy for your specific needs. While you'll need to keep in mind that most also have their eye on the profit margin, you'll get far more accurate answers to important questions when you're dealing with an adviser who knows and understands the product being sold.

And there are important questions to consider. According to research done by Sainsbury's Bank, few people have enough savings to carry them through even three months if something should happen to the head of household. In fact, more than 50% of UK households could not manage on their savings financially for three months. In fact, research done by Combined Insurance estimates that 52% of us could survive exactly 17 days on the amount of savings that many of us have.

The right life insurance will ensure that if you should die before your debts are paid and your family can manage without your income, they will be able to survive financially. With the right amount of life cover, you can secure the family home and ensure that there is money to provide expenses for your loved ones if you should suffer an untimely and unexpected death.

Here's Where Professional Advice Comes In

Life insurance is one of the most important financial products you will ever buy. While any life cover is better than none, you'll pay less and get a better deal if you sit down with a broker or independent adviser and work out what you and your family actually need. You won't get that sort of advice from a checkout cashier at the local supermarket or off a simple direct mail advert.

Important Questions to Ask

We all know that the question foremost in the minds of most insurance buyers is "How much will my premium be?" There are, however, a number of other questions that you'll need to have answered first. Here's a list of questions you should discuss with your insurance broker or adviser to help the two of you plan for your financial future.

- How much insurance should I buy?

If your adviser doesn't start asking YOU questions when you ask that one, find another adviser. Everyone's circumstances are different, and your adviser can't possibly give you an accurate answer to that without knowing how much you owe and how much you're worth.

- Should I be looking at term life or whole life?

An adviser should be able to explain the difference between the two to you in words that you can understand. If you don't understand the difference, find someone who CAN make it clear.

- Should I consider critical illness and income protection cover?

Your death isn't necessarily the worst financial disaster your family could face. Critical illnesses and disabilities that leave you unable to work may be far more debilitating to your family finances. Discuss policies that include coverage for critical illness and disability.

- How much should I insure for in order to maintain our current lifestyle?

Inflation is a real factor, especially if you're looking at whole life or terms of 20 and more years.