An Intro To Life Insurance


There are many options available for life insurance, and for most people these options can be somewhat confusing. Below is a brief review of each type and some advantages and disadvantages of each. When choosing a policy it is important to look at the larger picture so that you make a wise choice in terms of cost, coverage and benefits.

Term life insurance

These plans provide monetary benefits only if death occurs within the time period that the insurance is set for. Term insurance is generally most affordable and offers additional savings for younger policy holders.

Permanent life insurance

This policy is a more long lasting option for insurance. The premiums are higher, but there is not a term on the length of time that the policy will pay out. Another benefit to these types of policies is that some companies take the profit and reinvest it and pay dividends to the policy holders. There are no taxes on these dividends unless the holder accesses the cash value.

Whole life insurance

Another type of policy with a cash value is the whole life insurance policy. These types of policies have a set premium for the length of the policy. At policy inception and in the early life of the policy rates are rather high compared to the risk of death, but over time as the risk for death increases the policy remains low and can be more affordable than other types of policies. Universal life insurance A universal life policy combines the benefits of a term and whole life policy. The policy provides for accumulation of cash reserves, which can be borrowed against at a later time. Premium payments and coverage amounts can be varied year to year

Variable life insurance

Variable life insurance is a policy that has some similarities to an investment plan. The profits that the company makes are reinvested into stocks and bonds, and these investments affect the cash value that the policy carries. This can provide a greater cash return on your policy, but it can also offer less as the money is tied to market performance. Single premium policy

The single premium policy is a unique type of insurance. This policy has one premium up front for the amount of the life insurance coverage. This amount, while large, does have some security behind it. It allows someone to give the policy as a gift, or add it to an estate plan. There is no risk that the policy will be canceled due to non payment, and this allows security if it is bought for someone as a gift or as protection for the family for the future.

Survivorship policy

A new type of policy that has been offered recently is a survivorship policy. This is a policy that covers two separate people under one policy. After the first person dies, the remaining person receives no benefits. There is no payout until both parties covered under the policy have passed away. This type of policy might not make much sense to people, until they consider that this policy is a great thing for estate planning for children and other family members.

Now, how to decide what you need and want out of a policy? The best thing is to take a look at your goals. For example, Do you want a policy that remains unchanged, or one that can be adjusted from time to time depending on your current life situation? Do you view insurance as something that you get leave alone, or something that can help you now as well as your survivors in the future?

Talking with a reputable insurance agent can be helpful in terms of narrowing options and addressing the complex array of needs a potential plan might fill. Many times, an agent can do a profile on you and give you exactly what you need without the unnecessary and often expensive extras.

Nicole Soltau is the President and Founder of http://CreditUnionRate.com The Leading Credit Union Directory Search, Find, Join.







Related News



S&P cuts Triad Guaranty Insurance to junk status - CNNMoney.com

S&P cuts Triad Guaranty Insurance to junk status
CNNMoney.com -21 hours ago
Additionally, a higher-than-expected spike in the unemployment rate could lead to more claims for mortgage insurance than S&P anticipates. ...
S&P Cuts Triad Rating to JunkWall Street Journal
Stocks In Focus For MondayFOXBusiness
all 10 news articles

EMC Insurance lowers 2008 annual earnings estimate - Chicago Tribune

EMC Insurance lowers 2008 annual earnings estimate
Chicago Tribune, United States -20 hours ago
AP DES MOINES, Iowa - EMC Insurance Group Inc. says Midwest storm losses will reduce its profit for the year. The Des Moines-based property and casualty ...
EMC Insurance Group slashes 2008 outlookCNNMoney.com
EMC Insurance Group Inc. cuts forecastPittsburgh Tribune-Review
EMC Insurance Group Inc. Revises Guidance as a Result of Record ...Business Wire (press release)
RTT News - StreetInsider.com (subscription)
all 30 news articles

Come to DC and wreck your car - Seattle Post Intelligencer

New York Times

Come to DC and wreck your car
Seattle Post Intelligencer -13 hours ago
A study by Allstate Insurance shows that Washington's drivers are the worst, averaging an accident every 5.4 years. Maybe it has something to do with ...
Safest Place to DriveToTheCenter.com
The Safest Places to DriveNew York Times
4 Michigan cities among 10 safest to driveDetroit Free Press
Bizjournals.com - The Associated Press
all 280 news articles

Insurance fraud soars as credit crunch bites - Telegraph.co.uk

MSN Money UK

Insurance fraud soars as credit crunch bites
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -21 hours ago
By David Millward, Transport Editor The credit crisis has led to a surge in motor insurance fraud with the police and the industry reporting a 70 per cent ...
Fraud motor insurance claims soarThe Press Association
Car insurance fraud runs at £5m a week as owners try to clear debtsTimes Online
Car insurance fraud '£5m a week'BBC News
Motor Trader - Finance Markets
all 28 news articles


China's Ping An Insurance says no need to make provisions for ... - Forbes

China's Ping An Insurance says no need to make provisions for ...
Forbes, NY -12 hours ago
BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Ping An Insurance (Group) Co of China Ltd (SHA 601318; HK 2318), China's second largest insurer, said there is no need to make ...
China's Ping An Insurance denies tax evasion rumorXinhua
Ping An Plunges on Tax-Probe WorriesWall Street Journal
Ping An Insurance Denies Talk of Tax Audit SnagsCNBC
Bloomberg - Shanghai Daily
all 30 news articles

Pa. Senate confirms insurance commissioner - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. Senate confirms insurance commissioner
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA -7 hours ago
Rendell had nominated Ario in June 2007, but the Senate's Banking and Insurance Committee held up the nomination as it wrestled to gain some control over ...
Capital BlueCross eyes Pittsburgh marketPittsburgh Business Times
Highmark CEO foresees merger benefits out of statePhiladelphia Inquirer
all 8 news articles

Fiserv sells majority stake in insurance business - Trading Markets (press release)

Fiserv sells majority stake in insurance business
Trading Markets (press release), CA -4 hours ago
Fiserv will retain a 49% stake as well as its management team and employee base in Fiserv Insurance Solutions. Jeffery Yabuki, president and chief executive ...
UPDATE 2-Fiserv to sell stake in insurance business for $205 mlnReuters
Fiserv to sell majority of insurance unit, sets share repurchaseBizjournals.com
Fiserv sells majority stake in insurance businessCNNMoney.com
Greater Milwaukee Today - Reuters India
all 56 news articles

Florida to buy Berkshire Hathaway backup - Bizjournals.com

CNBC

Florida to buy Berkshire Hathaway backup
Bizjournals.com, NC -20 hours ago
But, if it can't, because of the tumult in the credit markets, all policyholders will get hit with assessments, insurance experts say. ...
CFO Sink criticizes hurricane bond dealWMNF
Buffett's Berkshire Paid to Buy Bonds If Storm Hits (Update1)Bloomberg
Florida to pay $224 mln for Berkshire bond-buy dealReuters
CNBC - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
all 63 news articles

ING China insurance jv boosts its capital to 600 mln yuan from 500 mln - Forbes

ING China insurance jv boosts its capital to 600 mln yuan from 500 mln
Forbes, NY -3 hours ago
BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - ING Capital Life Insurance Co has increased its capital to 600 mln yuan from 500 mln, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) ...
China shares turn lower in late trade; Ping AnHemscott
China A-shares end morning higher; Ping An Insurance extends ...Forbes
China shares lower in early trade; Ping An Insurance down 8.71 pctForbes
Forbes - Forbes
all 155 news articles

UniCredit mulling sale of insurance brokerage - source - Forbes

UniCredit mulling sale of insurance brokerage - source
Forbes, NY -4 hours ago
MILAN (Thomson Financial) - UniCredit SpA is considering the sale of its insurance brokerage unit UniCredit Broker, a financial source said, ...