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Yes, it’s true; nobody really wants to think about a life insurance policy, since it involves thinking far ahead in the future. And of course, it involves thinking about death. Still, it’s important to know what kind of plan you need in order to be better prepared for your future and that of your family. That’s what these tips are for.
When you are planning on purchasing a life insurance policy, select an independent broker. Independent brokers can generally offer more selection in terms of policy and cost than a broker who works exclusively for a specific insurance company. Company brokers are limited to the products their company sells, and may also be pushed by the company to recommend a particular product.
Read all of the fine print of the policy before you sign on the line. Know what discounts, exclusions, inclusions, and any other fine print is included on the agreement. You may find that there is a no payment clause for pre-existing diseases. Careful reading will help you be sure that your spouse will get the money they will need.
Comparing policies is always your best bet. You will find that some companies are offering policies up to 40% cheaper than other companies. Search on the Internet for competitive rates from a number of providers, taking care to find one who will take your personal medical conditions into account.
Familiarizing yourself with some common life insurance terms can help you determine which type is best for you, as well as how much coverage you want to purchase. Cash value refers to the portion of your policy that is available for you to withdraw as loans for various purposes, such as education costs or credit card debt. A premium is simply the periodic payment that you make to keep the policy active. Another term you might see is dividends, which refers to the money you may receive back on your premiums if the insurance company overestimated their expenses and ended up with a surplus. A dividend is not guaranteed.
Life insurance comes in many different variations that can fit just about any budget. Once you know the amount of coverage you need, decide whether you want insurance that provides permanent coverage, or just need term insurance to cover you until large expenses are paid off. Once debts are gone and the kids move out, you may decide to self-insure and won’t need life insurance coverage anymore.
When choosing life insurance policies, make sure you understand the difference between term and permanent life insurance. Term insurance is good for a set period – once it expires – the insured does not receive benefits. Permanent insurance, while more expensive, accumulates cash value and is guaranteed to stay in force, as long as the policy payments continue.
See, it wasn’t nearly as bad as you thought it would be; thinking about a policy in regards to your future. Life can take a lot of unexpected turns and being left without a life insurance policy can leave you unprotected. Do yourself a favor, and follow those tips to get the policy you need as soon as you can.