What You Should Know About Life Insurance
Buying life insurance is a major decision. If you die and you have chosen the wrong benefit plan, your loved ones may struggle financially. All the decisions you have to make about different types of coverage and benefit plans may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. This article will provide you with some useful information about life insurance.
When deciding what term to take for your insurance, take a look at what will need to be done with that money. If your children are newborns, a 25 year term policy will make sure that they are cared for if anything happens to you before they are able to financially take care of themselves. If you have a 30 year mortgage on your home, considering making that your term to protect your home while it's being paid off.
Compare prices between numerous companies prior to getting life insurance. The premium amount varies by as much as 50%. That is why it is wise to look at different companies and comparison shop so you can find the best price. Remember to ensure that your medical history is taken into account when obtaining quotes.
Don't ever lie on a life insurance policy application. While it may seem like a tempting idea to say, for example, that you don't smoke when you do, lying on your application is grounds for your insurance coverage to cancel your policy when the deception is eventually uncovered. Tell the truth and shop around for the best price instead.
Before shopping for life insurance, put together a budget to project the amount of financial coverage you might need. Include your mortgage payoff, college costs for the kids, money to pay any other large debt obligations, funds to cover funeral and medical expenses and enough money to supplement your remaining spouse's retirement funds.
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.
Before purchasing life insurance, you should fully grasp the difference between term insurance and permanent insurance because this can help you make a better decision about what kind of policy you need. A term insurance policy should cover most of your debt and financial needs, so therefore, a term insurance policy may be best for you. Do not let a representative tell you that you should purchase permanent insurance because a term insurance policy is only better in certain situations.
Lower the cost of life insurance by quitting smoking. Smoking is one of the biggest health risk factors from an insurance standpoint, but some life insurers will reduce your rates with just one year of being smoke-free. After two to three years of non-smoking status, some insurance companies will put individuals into the standard rate class, reducing premiums substantially.
Life insurance companies often charge cigarette smokers double the usual premium. A way to reduce the monthly cost of your insurance, is to quit smoking if you are a smoker. Another way to bring your premium down is to stay in shape. Physically fit, non-smokers are at far less risk for developing illness and diseases.
Get yourself a policy that has a "conversion to permanent" clause. This refers to the fact that at any time, the policy holder can switch their term insurance into permanent insurance without further medical exams. While this may not save money at first, it will eventually save money if you start suffering from poor from health problems before the policy runs out.
The price you pay for your life insurance will depend upon your age, your health problems and your smoking status . One way to lower this cost is to quit smoking. Smokers will always pay much more for life insurance. Quitting will not only save you money on your premiums, you will also be saving money by not purchasing cigarettes.
When shopping around for a life insurance policy, be aware that certain occupations and hobbies are considered risky and can increase your premium. Some of these occupations include commercial fishing, logging, helicopter or airplane piloting, and roofing. Even a business executive position can be considered risky if it requires you to travel to certain perilous countries. Hobbies that are considered hazardous to your health include hang-gliding, parachuting, skiing, and motorcycling. Make sure to disclose this information to prevent your claim from being denied if the insurance company decides to investigate it.
Choosing a life insurance policy is no laughing matter. There are a million and one ways to mess up. Now that you have read the advice contained in this article, you are much better equipped to make decisions that will help your loved ones prosper even if you should die unexpectedly.