The importance of life insurance and what it can do for your dependants.
The idea of life insurance is to help look after your family when you die. The proceeds of a life insurance policy can clear your debts, mortgage and replace some of your income to support those who depend on you when they need it most.
Simply put, you pay premiums, usually monthly, and if you die during the term of the policy, the insurance company will pay the sum assured. There are many factors taken into the account when getting quoted for your life insurance. One is your age. Generally the younger you take out life insurance the cheaper it will be. Another is the state of your health. If, for example, you have a bad heart or any other physical problems, your premiums will reflect this. Another issue considered is if you smoke or not. Life insurance is very much a personalised thing and the cost can vary between companies, so it makes sense to shop around
Who needs life insurance? Mortgage lenders advise all borrowers to take out life insurance, to ensure that your dependents or next of kin are not left with the mortgage debt should you die. Another consideration is critical illness insurance to help cover your mortgage in the event of being diagnosed with a critical illness. However if you are single with no dependants, income protection may be an alternative to critical illness. Find out more about income protection here.
Where to get life insurance? The main rule for life insurance is to shop around. Different companies have different rules and rates. That's why you are better to contact an independent financial adviser who can shop around for you. Make a life insurance cover enquiry here and one of our advisers will help source a competitive quote for you from the whole market, with no obligation. Another thing to consider is that if you have a partner, perhaps buying two separate policies, so in the event of divorce this is one less thing to worry about.
How much cover is needed? The first thing you need to do is cover your mortgage and some of your debts. Then you need to have enough to cover your income, realistically ten times of your gross income should be covered. For your life insurance cover you should aim to have a sum assured to cover your mortgage, other debts, and leave your family with something to live on. Your financial adviser can help with this. Alternatively it is important that you do not over-insure yourself, paying unnecessarily high premiums.
Remember! If you have something to lose, you have something to insure.
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