It’s not unusual for people to amass considerable assets heading into their 50s and 60s, and that means you simply need to account for such moneys in the event of your untimely passing.
The good news is that the insurance industry has devised several ways to cover the bases with a reasonable policy, giving you many options to choose from.
Types Of Life Insurance
Term life insurance is one of the most common, and with good reason. Unlike the broad suite of permanent life insurance types, term insurance allows you to maintain far more flexibility in your finances. If you have ever wondered what the difference is, the name says it all: term life insurance is designed to last for only a set period of time. There are a number of advantages associated with this approach, principal among them that it tends to be cheaper than its longer-lasting counterpart. You may also believe your worth or debts will change after a given period of time - again, term life insurance allows you to cap that financial relationship wherever you see fit.
Permanent life insurance comes in a variety of types, from whole and universal to so-called survivorship insurance. The most pressing question when determining which type to get may be how you want your money to be invested and used over the length of that policy. Whole life is generally considered the more conservative type, as it maintains a fixed premium rate and involves considerable investments that may or may not be returned to the policy holder in the form of a dividend. All the expenses are fixed, of course, but you may say larger dividends than expected depending on the markets.
Universal life insurance works somewhat differently. Instead of flat premiums, you get to choose how much money you put into the investment arm of that policy. Although the carrier still determines when and how to invest the moneys, you can expect higher yield options to pay more in a bull market. Many such policies also include a provision that lets you apply your accumulated cash account against your annual premiums - a boon if you want your money to start working for you.
Finding Affordable Life Insurance
Cheap life insurance is out there, if you know what you’re looking for. That’s why it’s important to do your research. You’ve got to educate yourself on the various types of life insurance policies that are available, including additional benefits that may or may not be offered. Plus, you should make an effort to research your options as they relate to the various life insurance companies. It’ll be to your advantage to know what you want and need in terms of cheap life insurance before you start getting quotes.
The first big determinant of cheap life insurance is the type you select. Term life insurance will almost always cost you less than whole life insurance. Term insurance is purchased for a specific period of time, for a specific face value. Whole life, as the name implies, provides life insurance benefits for the rest of your life, whether that ends up being 10 years or 50. Whole life insurance policies generally have a cash value aspect meaning you’ll pay more in monthly premiums. The amount over and above that which is necessary to cover the premium is used for investment purposes.
Also when looking for a cheap life insurance policy, you won’t find it in a “guaranteed issue” type of policy. These policies are guaranteed to cover anyone, regardless health. No medical exam is required but that convenience comes with a big price tag. Because the life insurance company is taking a substantial risk by insuring individuals without knowing their state of health, premiums will be high. If you’re healthy, opt instead for a traditional term policy.
If you’re not healthy, taking steps to improve your health may help you find cheaper life insurance. Lowering weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels are beneficial steps. Kicking the nicotine habit is also advisable. The better your health at the time of application, the cheaper your life insurance premium should be.
