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The following is a guest post from Lauren Cohen on Life Insurance. Previously we posted on why we need of insurance and Ways to reduce insurance cost.Hope you enjoy this article as well.
When preparing your monthly budget you often factor in necessities, cost of living expenses, car insurance, health insurance, and clothing, however many younger families skip over life insurance. Unlike other lines of insurance, life insurance is not required by law. However, it may be just as important, or even more so, than the insurance policies you currently hold.
You will not hesitate to insure your car, so why do many people hesitate to insure their lives. If you are the main breadwinner for your family who will provide for them in the event of your passing? How much debt are you leaving behind that they will also inherit?
Many consumers are aware of the importance of life insurance, but it can be difficult to choose one type of policy with so many available options. Each has different features, making a careful analysis important before settling on a policy.
With this in mind, here’s a look at the most common forms of term life insurance.
Guaranteed Level Term Life Insurance
The death benefit in this type of policy is guaranteed to never fall throughout the life of its contract. Most guaranteed level term life insurance policy contracts are divided into five-year increments, with the shortest lasting five years and the longest at 30. Most of the time, medical exams are not required to renew guaranteed level term life insurance policies, but there may be increases in annual premiums.
This popular form of life insurance is cheaper than permanent life insurance, but it still carries the same financial protection to policy beneficiaries.
Annual Renewal Life Insurance
Annually renewable term life insurance involves one-year contracts, with premiums calculated according to the age and health of policyholders. An annually renewable term life insurance policy can be renewed at the end of each year, but its price will increase, and people diagnosed with terminal illness during the year are not usually allowed to renew.
Some companies, however, guarantee policyholders’ ability to renew regardless of health status.
This type of premium is popular with younger individuals and those particularly concerned with how their life insurance policies will play into their long-term budgets. Older individuals often pay far more for these policies than younger policyholders.
Because annually renewable premiums do not increase beyond predetermined figures, financial planning can be significantly easier with these policies. Businesses commonly offer this type of insurance to their workers due to its easy compatibility with employment of indefinite length.
Return of Premium Term Life Insurance
Similar to guaranteed level policies, return of premium term life insurance policies offer the same death benefit throughout the life of the policy. Premiums are usually paid monthly, quarterly or annually and the policies frequently last for 15, 20 year term or 30 years.The defining feature of this form of term life insurance is that the premiums paid over the life of the policy are paid back to policyholders at the end of their contracts if they are still alive.
Premiums may cost as much as 50 percent more for this benefit, but individuals and families who want the money back later often value this benefit. Although these premiums do not accumulate value or allow for loans, they are untaxed upon payout because they were paid after taxes in the first place.
Return of premium is commonly offered as a feature on other long-term life insurance policies. For policyholders of return of premium policies, constant payment is essential for the first five to six years to avoid loss of premium or declined term rates in the meantime. As long as payments are made continuously, this form of life insurance is often very reliable.
Savvy consumers, however, may want to look up the ratings of prospective insurers before signing a contract.
Convertible Term Life Insurance
A convertible term life insurance policy is for individuals who want guaranteed level term life insurance with the ability to switch to permanent life insurance later. It’s popular with people who opt for guaranteed level insurance early in life and want to maintain an equal level of coverage later without renewing their policies.
Some policyholders choose to convert their policies gradually as their salaries grow, but many convert their life insurance when their premiums escalate or when they begin suffering from health problems.
Since no medical exam is required for conversion, even policyholders with terminal illnesses can easily switch over if they need to. Most do this before growing very old, however. To reduce financial risk, many insurance companies maintain a cap on how old policyholders can be when they convert to permanent insurance.
Decreasing Term Life Insurance
Is a form of term life insurance that is cheaper than other types, decreasing in cost over the life of the policy. It’s commonly purchased by individuals who need greater coverage in the short-term but less coverage later, such as while raising small children. Many homeowners also purchase this type of policy to cover a mortgage or another loan.
Needs for policy features vary, but the importance of carrying life insurance stays consistent. Life insurance of some type is a worthwhile investment to prevent debt and burial problems from becoming a burden and to help ensure the welfare of loved ones after we pass on.
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Even though I have life insurance, I really just thought there were two kinds: term and whole-life. This was interesting to hear all the variations on those themes!
Life insurance is something that many people have, but few understand completely. Contrary to popular belief, life insurance is not always a necessity, but in cases where it is needed, it is generally extremely important.
It doesn’t only cover expensive funeral expenses and clear unpaid debts but also, the beneficiaries will also be paid by the insurance company depending on the lifeinsurance policy that was in agreement between the insured and the company itself. over 50s life insurance
Get Now Rather than Later, I know the importance of insurance and i regret for having one lately.
It may be a hard thing to think about but, with loss of income and added bills, those you love will have to find ways to deal with the financial troubles, as well as the sorrow from losing a family member. With life insurance, though, families are capable of paying for the funeral and, depending on the amount, having a little left over to deal with the normal bills afterwards
I like the way you write in a simplified way – makes it easier for a lot of us!
I think before taking Insurance to the senior citizens, one should always look after the Inpatient care in the plan as no one knows when the senior people need to stay in the hospital as its the age where people fall sick often !