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Term Life Insurance Definition

October 1, 2010 at 1:23 pm

Term Life insurance has been with us for a long time. It is the least expensive of all the life insurance policies. Term life insurance is life insurance that provides protection for the named insured over a stated period of time. That is what differentiates it from other forms of life insurance. Term insurance has no equity or cash value accumulation and so it is primarily purchased for the security provided by the death benefit. There are three basic forms of term life insurance.

life_insurance1.Decreasing Term This policy is most commonly associated with mortgage protection insurance. The face amount decreases over a stated period of time. A thirty year mortgage for a homeowner is appropriately insured by a thirty year decreasing term policy for the same mortgage amount. The mortgage balance and the term policy decrease at about the same rate and so the homeowner can be assured that his home will be paid for whether he or she lives or dies.

2.Level Term Level term insurance also provides protection for a specific time period. The face amount remains level throughout the stated period. This policy is often purchased for short term debt or intermediate term debt. You can purchase 5, 10, 15 and 20 year term policies from most insurance companies.

3.Annual Renewable This form of term insurance is the least recognized of all term policies. It provides a level amount of insurance but the premium increases each year at the policy renewal date. The premiums can be very low at first but can escalate into very high premiums as the insured gets older.

All of these term life insurance policies have there advantages but the common denominators that give term life insurance its definition remains the same. The policy is always for a stated period of time and there is no equity or cash value accumulations. Those two features define term life insurance.


Term Life Insurance Defined

September 24, 2010 at 1:23 pm

Term life insurance is by far the simplest form of life insurance. Term life insurance is simply that, insurance for a term or specific period of time. It pays a benefit only if you die in the designated period of time. On the downside, it pays nothing if the policy expires before you die. It is often referred to as temporary life insurance.

life_insurancePolicies generally last for 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. Many policies are convertible, which means that you have option of switching to a permanent life policy. The main advantage of a term life policy is that they generally have lower premiums. They are good for covering needs that may disappear in time, such as car or mortgage loans.

They also have some distinct drawbacks. Premiums generally increase with time. This means that you will be paying considerably more in your later years, when your need for protection is generally lower. Another factor to consider is that your coverage may expire at the end of your term, leaving you with nothing to show for your investment. You are essentially back at square one.

Insurance agents often recommend that customers switch term companies every couple years, in order to take advantage of promotional pricing. One should be mindful of doing this, as you will be subject to a new contestability period. A contestability period is normally two years. If you die during this period, the insurance company will likely review the statements you made on your application. If you have made any inaccurate or incomplete statements, the insurance company will likely refuse payment.

Life insurance is no laughing matter. When you are considering purchasing life insurance, please do some research first. Spend some time considering questions, and pose them to a trusted insurance broker. Be especially wary of purchasing insurance from a door to door salesman, as they are likely trying to sell term life insurance which may or may not suit your needs. After all, it is your hard earned money that is being spent. And it is the well being of your family that will be impacted by your decision.


Term life insurance: Money-saving tips (they do exist)!

September 10, 2010 at 1:23 pm

Term life insurance is the most affordable way to protect your familys future. As inexpensive as term life insurance is, there are money-saving tips that will ensure you are paying only what you need. Get the most value for your pound by checking out the following helpful tips that will save you money while still getting great protection.

life_insurance1.Get coverage early the sooner you buy life insurance the less your annual premiums:
Some people are gamblers by nature and choose to take their chances by skipping out on life insurance. Although it is unlikely you’ll die during your working years, you’re not insuring for what’s likely to happen but instead, for the worst-case scenario. That’s why term life insurance costs less the younger you are. It is also why you should buy it sooner rather than laterbecause you’ll be providing financial security without spending a lot of money for it.

For example, if we look at the cost to purchase a 250,000 Term 10 life insurance policy youll see how delaying purchasing a policy by just a few years could cost you more in annual premiums.

For male non-smokers*:
A 35 year-old may get quotes for as little as 195 per year for a 10-year total cost of 1,950.
A 40 year-old may get quotes for as little as 263 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,630.
A 45 year-old may get quotes for as little as 373 per year for a 10-year total cost of 3,730.

For female non-smokers*:
A 35 year-old may get quotes for as little as 165 per year for a 10-year total cost of 1,650.
A 40 year-old may get quotes for as little as 210 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,100.
A 45 year-old may get quotes for as little as 270 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,700.

* Lowest quote online from February 2006 for a Term 10 policy, one of the most popular life insurance products in Canada. Premiums shown are the rates if paid annually.

2.When your age isnt really your age:
Your next birthday may be 6 months away but in the eyes of most life insurers youve already hit that next magical number. When you get a life insurance quote, the rate you are given is based on the age you are closest to which, 50 per cent of the time is your age at your next birthday. Its a term called Age Nearest, and that half-year price increase could really add up. See the difference yourself.

For male non-smokers*:

A 39 year-old may get quotes for as little as 248 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,480
A 40 year-old may get quotes for as little as 263 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,630.

A savings of 150

A 44 year-old may get quotes for as little as 345 per year for a 10-year total cost of 3,450.
A 45 year-old may get quotes for as little as 373 per year for a 10-year total cost of 3,730.

A savings of 280

For a female non-smoker*:

A 39 year-old may get quotes for as little as 200 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,000
A 40 year-old may get quotes for as little as 210 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,100.

A savings of 100

A 44 year-old may get quotes for as little as 255 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,550.
A 45 year-old may get quotes for as little as 270 per year for a 10-year total cost of 2,700.

A savings of 150

* Lowest quote online in January 2006 for a Term 10 policy. Premiums shown are the rates if paid annually.

3.If youre a smoker ask about incentive programs aimed at helping you quit:
While not all life insurance companies offer incentive programs to help you quit, some do and could save you money if you are thinking about buying life insurance and quitting smoking. For example, one such company will refund you an amount equal to the difference between the premiums you already paid as a smoker and those you would have paid had you not smoked. Whats more, once you quit smoking, this same company will adjust your premiums to non-smoker rates based on the age you were when you purchased the policy, not the age you are at the time you quit!

4. Check out your paymentbilling options:
Many life insurance life insurance companies offer discounts to consumers who pay their annual premiums up front. If you have the money handy, you could save up to 10 per cent of your policys premium each year. For example:

A 35 year-old male with 250,000 in coverage can pay 195 up front per year for life insurance coverage. If paid in monthly installments, however, the annual premium jumps to about 215. Paying up front can save this person 20 per year!

A 40 year-old male with 250,000 in coverage can pay 263 up front per year for life insurance coverage. If paid in monthly installments, however, the annual premium jumps to about 288. Paying up front can save this person 25 per year!

A 45 year-old male with 250,000 in coverage can pay 373 up front per year for life insurance coverage. If paid in monthly installments, however, the annual premium jumps to about 407. Paying up front can save this person 34 per year!

Life insurance made even more affordable:
With these money-saving tips in hand, Term Life insurance is more affordable than ever. There is no better time than now to get the coverage you and your family need.


Term Life And Whole Life Insurance

August 27, 2010 at 1:23 pm

life insuranceWhich type of policy is best for you, term or whole life? The answer depends on several factors, including:

Your Needs. If you need coverage only until your children graduate from college, for example, you might be better off with a term life policy.

Cash-value insurance is better suited for long term needs, such as planning estate taxes and providing lifetime security for your spouse. Some term policies cannot be renewed past age 70 or 80 and can become costly to renew as you approach that age.

The Cost. If term life insurance is more suited to your budget and you want life time coverage, consider a term life policy which can be converted into a whole life policy. Then you can convert the policy whenever your cash flow or needs dictate. You can also purchase a combination of term life and whole life insurance and gradually shift into whole life insurance over time.

Your Savings and Investment Goals. Whole life insurance can be a good long term investment vehicle, especially because the cash value has the potential to grow tax-deferred. Should you no longer need the insurance but want some extra cash, you may surrender the policy and collect the accumulated cash value. Be sure to discuss the tax consequences with your tax advisor first.

As an alternative, you could purchase term life insurance and invest what you save on premiums on your own. Compare the returns you can expect, and remember to take taxes into consideration if you plan to select taxable investments.

So, Should I Buy Term Life or Whole Life Insurance? Term life and whole life insurance both have advantages including immediate family protection. Deciding which type of policy and which features are right for you takes careful consideration and, most times, a comprehensible look at your financial plan. To discuss your life insurance needs and financial requirements, contact your financial professional.


Senior Term Life Insurance

July 30, 2010 at 1:23 pm

life insuranceWe all know that purchasing life insurance at an older age is more expensive than purchasing it while very young. In an attempt to provide affordable insurance to meet the life insurance needs of older insureds, some companies are now offering Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance.

Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance policy rates are less expensive than the traditional term insurance policies. As the name implies, you are guaranteed to be accepted for this life insurance. There are no health questionnaires to complete and no physical exams to take. As long as you pay the premiums, the policies cannot be cancelled. Additionally, you may lock your premium rate for the policy amount you want. Your rates will not change for as long as you keep your insurance.

Where’s the catch you may be asking. Well, the policies are written for a limited period of time. For example, Colonial Penn’s policies are for a two-year limited benefit period. They are available for people between the ages of 50 and 85 (This age range varies depending on insurance company and state regulation).

Generally, if death occurs during the first few years, a reduced benefit is paid or the company may return the premiums paid plus interest. For instance, with a Gerber Life policy, if death occurs by natural causes within the first two years (during the limited benefits time), the beneficiary will receive all of the premiums paid plus 10%. However, if death was a result of an accident, or if death due to natural causes occurs after the two years, your beneficiary will receive the full benefit amount. In the event of suicide (with certain state exclusions), the beneficiary will receive the amount of premiums paid only.

Most life insurance companies offer a Guaranteed Acceptance Life policy for seniors. There may be variations from state to state, but the basic premise is the same. They all offer an affordable insurance option for seniors.

Please see our list of recommended insurance quote providers below to get free insurance quotes from many providers. These sites also offer pages and pages of free insurance information.


Selling Your Life Insurance (Viaticals and Life Settlements)

July 23, 2010 at 1:23 pm

Selling your life insurance is an option you might consider if you’re in a difficult financial situation for which you don’t see a close end. A terminal illness or old age could cause you to think twice about paying those hefty premiums at this stage of your life. Selling your life insurance carries with it complex implications and substantial risks, so it is important that you educate yourself regarding the big picture. If you’re interested in selling your life insurance, this is a good starting point to obtain some basic information.

Basics: Vocabulary

If you’ve already done any research on selling your life insurance, chances are good that you’ve come across two main terms: viaticals and life settlements. Both refer to the selling of your life insurance to a third party. So what’s the difference? “Viatical” is typically used to refer to the transaction involving a chronically or terminally ill insured, while a “life settlement” is a transaction involving a senior (generally over the age of 65) who is not terminally ill.

Even though you now know the difference, it does not mean that your state does. These terms might be used interchangeably, or your state might use one of them to refer to both transactions. For example, your state could use “Viatical Settlement” to refer to any type of transaction regarding selling your insurance. Be aware that this kind of ambiguity may exist in relation to the vocabulary used in the sale of your life insurance.

How it Works

The owner of the life insurance policy will sell it for a percentage of the death benefit a lump sum to a third party and, in exchange, receives an often substantial lump sum payment. The third party then becomes the new owner andor beneficiary of the policy and pays all of the future premiums and eventually collects the death benefit when the insured passes away.

Those considering selling their life insurance may either directly approach a viatical company or settlement firm, or they may choose to work with a broker. The broker will act as an intermediary and present the information to several different companiesfirms in an effort to find the highest price for the sale.

The settlement firms buy the insurance on behalf of investors. In this situation, the investors become the owners and beneficiaries, and the settlement firm pays the premium until the insured dies. The firm then collects the death benefit and either pays its investors a percentage of the annual return or repackages the policy for sale to another party.

Take comfort in know that the process of selling one’s life insurance is typically very confidential. Most viatical companies and settlement firms understand the discretion necessary to make the process run smoothly and easily. However, a company may act disrespectfully and become borderline intrusive by trying to keep track of the insured’s condition. For this reason, it is important to work with a respectful, experienced organization.

Who Considers Selling

Those with serious, life-threatening illnesses are most likely to consider selling their life insurance to provide cash for various expenses, such as mounting medical bills. For those who are not terminally ill, selling the life insurance might be a good idea for a number of reasons. If the owner’s beneficiary has died or if the owner can’t afford to keep paying the premiums, it would appear that they no longer have sufficient use for the life insurance. Seniors around retirement age may also consider selling their life insurance, even if they are free of debt, in order to receive a lump sum of money with which they may do whatever they please.

Keep in mind that different companies may have different eligibility requirements to be able to sell your life insurance policy.

Advantages to Selling Your Life Insurance

It might be easy to see some of these benefits, but others are a little less obvious.

  • You’ll receive a lump sum cash payment right now. As mentioned above, this is especially useful to the terminally ill who have mounting medical bills.
  • You will receive more by selling your life insurance than you would if you simply surrendered it to the insurance company. It is possible for an insured person who is 65 or older or who is terminally ill to sell a policy with little or no cash value for a 100,000.00 or much more.
  • You won’t have to pay any more insurance premiums. If your financial situation is becoming strained with no end in sight, eliminating premiums is a way to alleviate the burden.
  • You don’t have to repay the money, like you do when you borrow against your insurance policy.
  • Even though your life insurance benefits won’t be available once you die, you can still leave money to a certain person or organization it will just come from the money that is leftover after using the funds from selling your policy. So, selling your life insurance does not
    mean that you’re definitely robbing your beneficiaries of their gift.
  • In some cases, the money you receive is tax-free.
  • There are no regulations or restrictions on how you make use of the money you receive. You may spend as much of it or as little of it as you wish, however you please.
    • Risks of Selling Your Life Insurance

      Understanding the risks associated with selling your life insurance will help you make an informed decision. Be sure to consult a financial advisor or tax attorney to make sure you understand the implications of the sale.

    • You might lose your eligibility for some public assistance benefits, especially those based on your income and assets (such as food stamps, welfare, Medicaid and some Social Security benefits).
    • There could be tax issues. Selling the policy will
      result in a tax bill if the settlement amount exceeds your cost basis.
    • With improved medical care, the ill person may live longer than expected.
    • You might face unhappy heirs. This might not be a problem for you, but it could lead to a long road of (possibly legal) complications and battles. Some settlement actually companies require the beneficiaries to also sign off on any sale, which could be good or bad, depending on whether or not you’re dealing with a cooperative beneficiary.

      • Other Options

        If you come to the conclusion that selling your life insurance policy is not for you, there are other options (though none that would provide you with such a large lump sum). An insurance agent should be able to help give you more information on some of these ideas.

      • Borrow against your insurance policy
      • Cash out the policy if it has surrender value
      • Look into accelerated benefits or living benefits
      • life insurance
      • Borrow money (from family or friends perhaps) and use the life insurance policy as collateral
        • If you believe that selling your life insurance policy is the right decision for you, make sure you deal with a dependable, experienced broker or settlement company to ensure that you get the best service and results from your transaction.

  • Pennsylvania life insurance company

    May 28, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    life insurance

    Five things you need to know when getting an auto insurance policy

    Did you know that since 1998, New Jersey law has been requiring drivers to have at least a basic insurance policy?

    Driving without coverage is illegal in New Jersey, when caught, you risk paying expensive fines, suspension of your drivers license and even time in jail. For residents and visitors alike, not knowing the basic things about your auto car insurance can hurt you. So if you are planning to head out to the Garden State anytime soon, read on!

    New Jersey auto insurance is considered as the most expensive in the city. This is due to the fact that the state adopts a no-fault policy wherein the automobile insurance company will pay your medical bills, lost wages and damaged property regardless of who caused the accident. In1998, through the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act, people can now buy the basic policy which covers 5,000 for damages and 15,000 for medical expenses for anyone who makes a claim against you. Unfortunately, the insurance company is not liable if you get into an accident with a driver who is uninsured or whose insurance has lesser coverage than yours.

    Now New Jersey car insurance varies not only in prices and also in coverage. Before you decide to get car insurance quotes, there are several things you will need to know. The New Jersey Banking and Insurance has prepared a guide for motorists who are renewing their insurance or are buying new insurance policies.

    1.Understand your needs.
    If you are renting your house, or have assets to protect, then you have to consider those too. You need to check of your life insurance company covers accident-related injuries or if you will need to get a separate policy for that. Aside from this, you will of course, need to know how much insurance coverage you can afford since you will be paying premiums monthly at the least.

    2.Understand your options.
    When shopping for auto insurance, it is important that you are familiar with the words and phrases used by insurance companies. In most cases, the terms are the same so you will need to ask your agent or you can take note of the terms you do not understand and check them out in the internet once you get home.

    3.Understand consumer protections.
    As a consumer, you have rights such as the right to fair and equal treatment and the right to get the information you need which can help you make intelligent decisions. You need to make sure that you understand the advantages of a certain policy over the other one and you can also ask about your additional options.

    You have the right to purchase insurance and in cases that you are denied insurance coverage, it is important that the insurance company state a reason. The state of New Jersey provides legitimate reasons why a person is not eligible for coverage.
    You also need to know that you can change or cancel your insurance at any time even when your policy is not yet up for renewal. If you find more affordable car insurance in New Jersey, you can cancel your old policy and get a refund of your unused premium.

    4.Knowing your obligations as a New Jersey driver.
    As the old adage goes with great power comes great responsibility, as a consumer, you get a lot of rights, but you need to understand that you also have obligations to keep. In order for you to maintain your auto insurance coverage, you need to make sure that all premiums are paid for and that you abide by the rules of traffic and driving in the state.


    No Medical Life Insurance

    May 7, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    life insurance

    When applying for life insurance many life insurance companies require you to answer medical related questions and or to undergo a medical examination as part of the application process. These medical examinations are often required as proof of your health status as given on your application form. They are used by the life insurance companies to help them decide upon the insurance premium you’ll be charged for your life cover, and in some instances, as to whether you will be given life insurance at all.

    Life insurance products where intensive medical questioning and or a medical examination is required effectively penalise you for pre-existing medical conditions, pushing up the cost of life cover. Taking a medical examination may also prove stressful, especially for the elderly who are looking for life insurance coverage later on in life.

    Increasingly though, life insurance companies are offering life insurance products where no medical is required. What’s more some life companies even guarantee acceptance before you apply!

    What is no medical life insurance?
    No medical life insurance, to use a well-known phrase, does exactly what it says on the tin! It is a life insurance product where no medical examination is required. You may not even have to answer medical questions and yet still be guaranteed acceptance for life insurance. No medical life insurance is open to people of all ages, so whether you’re 20 or 65, no medical life insurance can give you the peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially secure in the event of your death during the term of the life insurance policy.

    You may be questioning the ethics of such a life insurance scheme at this point? If you are don’t worry! No medical life insurance is all above board, and is in fact offered by some of the most well-known insurance companies in the UK. Even supermarkets like Tesco for instance now have a no medical insurance policy available for the over 60s.

    The premiums on life insurance where no medical is required are competitive too. Life cover can be acquired for as little as 7 per month, with some life companies guaranteeing that the insurance premiums on no medical policies will not rise through the life of the policy. Of course, how much you pay into the life insurance policy each month will affect the final life insurance total available upon death. Generally, there are no issues involved with increasing the life insurance premiums later on of your own accord should you wish to do so.


    Life Insurance Coverage

    February 12, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    The subject of life insurance can be a confusing one and we spend a lot of time discussing various ways to buy life insurance. How much do I need? How much will it cost? Will my beneficiaries have enogh to live comfortably? What is the difference between cash-value and term life insurance? Which is the cheapest to buy?

    CASH VALUE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
    Cash value life insurance, such as universal and whole life, combine a death benefit and a tax deferred saving element. Occasionally referred to as permanent life insurance, these types of policies are intended to cover you for your lifetime.

    Annual premiums for cash value policies generally are higher than those of term life policies as part of each premium pays for insurance and the remainder is invested. Cash value is what you can borrow from the policy or receive by surrendering it. These funds are ideal for retirement planning and college funding, among other goals, because they accumulate tax deferred until you withdraw them and then may be partially taxable. Loans and withdrawals will reduce the policies cash value and death benefit.

    LIFE INSURANCE MADE EASY

    Term life insurance is the most fundamental type of life insurance. You purchase coverage for a designated period, from one to many years and the policy will provide a death benefit if you die during that period. Many polices let you renew your coverage for repeated terms until age 65 or even 100.

    Term life insurance is popular with younger people because it provides the maximum amount of coverage for the lowest cost. Early premiums are low and increase as you become older. For example, a 250,000 death benefit will cost less in your 30s than it will in your 50s. For this reason, term life insurance is usually a better value for shorter term or finite life insurance needs.


    Advantages Of Whole Life Insurance

    February 5, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    Whole life insurance also known as permanent or straight life insurance is one of the most applied forms of insurance. This life insurance policy covers ones entire life. This is much in demand because of its ability to provide financial protection and accrue cash value and pay dividends to the insured. In other terms, you can say it as an investment, that you make to secure your future build up finance that helps you in your indigence.

    Taking a whole life insurance policy leads to a number of benefits and advantages. Few of them are listed below.

    1.The first advantage is The Death Benefit.
    The whole life insurance policy guarantees you the death benefit that never decreases. Moreover no federal income taxes are charged upon death. And if you desire, death benefit can be taken as a monthly income instead of a lump sum.

    2.Consistency of premium level.
    Unlike term life insurances premiums, which increase at the time of renewal, the premium you pay in whole life insurance remains consistent. Theres no increase. However, use of dividends can minimize the premiums that you pay and contracted for.

    3.Cash value is another beneficial feature of whole life insurance.
    Unlike other life insurance policies, whole life insurance policy accumulates the useable cash reserves. This increase as one pays premiums and also accumulates tax deferred. And if you decide to surrender the policy, you receive your cash values.

    4.Participation in whole life insurance policy earns you the dividends.
    You are eligible to earn dividends if you own a participating whole life insurance policy. You receive this dividends in cash, which you can further use to either purchase a paid up additions, to minimize premiums or you can keep it within the policy to generate interest.

    These advantages of whole life insurance policy are really worthwhile. If you are not confident you should consult an expert before taking up any policy.