If you have a spouse and children and are the main income earner of the family, you do not want to leave them in a position of hardship should anything happen to you. Yet without considering the purchase of a life insurance policy, this is a situation that could become a reality. Here are some things you need to know.
Before purchasing a life insurance policy, be sure to look into the quality of the company you’re buying it from. If you purchase a life insurance policy from a low-quality company, they may not be around to pay out when it becomes necessary. Worse, there are many people out there trying to scam you out of your money by impersonating a life insurance salesman. Always check up on the reputation of the company and the salesperson before you sign anything.
When getting life insurance, make sure to get a policy that offers mortgage protection. What this does is help pay off your mortgage or any other debts when you pass away. This is important because it helps relieve your loved ones of your financial debts when you are no longer alive.
Prior to looking for life insurance on your own, check with your employer to see if there is available coverage through them. In many cases, employers can negotiate a rate for their employees and their family members. This can save you a lot of money and give you a great policy as well.
Avoid paying high commissions when you are purchasing life insurance. Although insurance brokers and agents can be helpful, they charge a fee for their services. Look for a “no load” policy, as these policies won’t include annual fees. No load policies are usually bought directly from a life insurance company.
If you plan on buying a life insurance policy, make sure you purchase sufficient coverage to provide for your family. Financial professionals propose that you calculate this amount by multiplying your yearly income by seven. If you have children, it is suggested that you increase this number to 10.
Prior to purchasing an insurance policy, you should learn all you can about the available cancellation options. If you find yourself unhappy with your current insurance company, remember that you always have the option to cancel the policy you have with them. You want to look over your policy because there are companies that will go ahead and charge you if you decide to cancel a policy. Knowing about possible penalties or fees ahead of time will help you assess whether to cancel or not.
When you are looking into life insurance, you will want to determine how much coverage you will need. While there are online calculators that will help you find a more exact figure, the easiest way to determine the amount of coverage you need is to take your annual salary and then multiply that number by eight.
Using the advice above, you should now be a little wiser as to whether buying a life insurance policy would be beneficial to you and your family. While it may have a monthly cost that seems like an extra burden, is the financial burden your family would face without you not just as much, if not more?