Life Insurance, What is it?
Life insurance is the binding contractual agreement between a life insurance company and an insured person that typically protects those who are financially dependant on the insured.
Ok, now, in English! Life insurance takes care of your loved ones, business partners or anyone who depends on you should you die prematurely (as far we are concerned, dying is always too early!) We offer all of our customer the opportunity to review there life insurance policy during a free look period and cancel the plan if not satisfied. Your complete satisfaction is our policy!
What Types of Life Insurance Plans Are Available?
We offer life insurance plans for just about everyone. If you are looking for very low rate life insurance, we have it. If you are looking for fast approval life insurance, we have it. If you have had health issues, we can help too. At just about all ages life insurance is available. Just about all health conditions life insurance is available. We even have some of the lowest rates for smokers and Tobacco users. Some people do not want to do an exam while others do not mind doing the exam if they can potentially get better rates. Both plans are available. Which is best, no exam life insurance or exam required life insurance? That is mostly a personal decision. Please ask questions!
How much life insurance do I need?
Depending on your lifestyle or place in life (i.e. starting a family), life insurance needs vary from person to person and may even change over time. When determining your personal life insurance needs, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration, such as:
Final Expenses - funeral, burial, hospital/doctor bills.
Taxes - estate and inheritance taxes.
Bereavement - a monetary cushion for the family’s immediate lifestyle until the spouse and children have a chance to readjust their life without the insured.
Supplemental Income - maintains the family’s existing living expenses/bills and may include the payment of newly incurred bills, as a result of a spouse’s death, such as daycare, maid, etc.
Retirement - ensures your spouses ability to retire comfortably
Why would I need life insurance, if I don’t have any dependents?
Regardless of if you have dependents, there are many benefits to securing a life insurance policy. Beyond ensuring that those left behind in the event of your death do not incur any unexpected expenses such as your funeral costs (averaging $7,000) or outstanding debt (from student loans, credit card, etc.), life insurance can assist you with estate planning, taxes, and even preparing for supplemental income during retirement. You may even want to get a life insurance policy on someone else that may be unrelated to you. Get a free quote now!
What are some of the business uses for life insurance?
In today’s economy, it is pretty common for employers to offer some type of life insurance to their employees as part of their employee benefit plan. In addition, many companies utilize life insurance to protect themselves against any unforeseen circumstances that might impede the success of their business. Typically, businesses will insure a Key Person – someone whose loss of life could greatly affect the financial well being of the company through loss of profits and/or unpaid business debts. Or, they might use insurance benefits to ensure a Business Continuation that establishes a buy/sell agreement by assigning the business interest of the deceased partner to an able partner or group of employees. These policies tend to work better than group life insurance.
What is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is the person(s) or entity selected by the policyholder to whom benefits are paid in the event of the insured's death. The insured can assign multiple beneficiaries and has the power to determine how the proceeds will be divided. The insured usually maintains the right to change the beneficiary(ies) at any time.
How are benefits paid?
Referred to as the settlement option, the insured can either designate how the death benefit should be paid to the beneficiary in the event of the insured’s death or let the beneficiary choose. The list of settlement options include:
Lump Sum Payment Life Insurance
Fixed Period Payments Life Insurance
Life Income Life Insurance
Interest Payments Life Insurance
Fixed Installments Life Insurance
Single Premium Annuity Life Insurance
Should I buy term life or permanent whole life insurance / universal life insurance?
Term life insurance is generally for people with short term needs (approximately 20 to 30 years); where as, permanent life insurance is for long term needs or for life. For example, a person may consider term life insurance while they are supporting a young family. Others might choose permanent life insurance when preparing for retirement. In many cases, people choose to purchase both types of policies to ensure coverage of all their needs. We strongly advocate the use of term life insurance or modified universal life insurance with lower starting premiums, when funds are limited and the amount needed cannot be afforded with a standard permanent life insurance plan (standard whole life or universal life). See more information on whole life insurance vs term life insurance.
What considerations should I make when purchasing a life insurance policy?
Depending on the insurance company, life insurance policies offer several free and additional options and riders. Things you might want to consider when choosing the best policy for you and your family are:
Conversionability - Does the insurance company allow the insured of a term life insurance policy to convert the policy to a permanent life insurance plan without evidence of insurability?
ROP Rider or Return of premium rider - Often for a small additional cost this rider will return all or some of your premiums paid?
Discounts - Does the insurance company offer any special discounts when two life insurance policies are purchased at the same time to cover a husband and wife or two business partners?
Child Rider - Do you want to add your child(ren) to the life insurance policy?
Accidental Death Benefit - If you die by accidental means, do you want an additional death benefit to be paid?
Guaranteed Purchase - Would you like the option to purchase additional life insurance, in the future, without proof of insurability?
Waiver of Premium - If you become disabled, do you want the insurance company to waive your premium payments?
Accelerated Death Benefit - If diagnosed as terminally ill, will the insurance company accelerate the availability of the death benefit?
How about employer sponsored life insurance?
One of the main advantage of employer sponsored life insurance is its ease of approval. Most plans do not require that you or your spouse answer medical questions. One main disadvantage is portability and/or conversion options if any available.
What is expected of me when applying for life insurance?
After you determine that you would like to purchase life insurance, you will be required to submit an application, you may to disclose all or some of your medical history, and sometimes undergo a medical examination scheduled and paid for by the insurance company.
When will my life insurance coverage start?
With most life insurance companies, once the life insurance policy has been issued and you have paid your first month’s premium, your coverage will begin immediately. Occasionally, amendment are needed to be signed first before your life insurance becomes active.
How is a premium determined?
Premiums are determined by the underwriter based on your risk classification. Your risk classification is determined by a culmination of factors such as personal and family medical history, financial situation, recreational activities and vocation.
Should my stay-at-home spouse get life insurance?
When we think of life insurance, we tend to think about coverage on the person who pays the bills. However, the cost of a stay-at-home spouse does translate into real dollars. Should something happen to them, provisions would need to be made for home maintenance and childcare - both of which could definitely cause some financial hardship.
Are there taxes associated with a settlement?
If they are paid in the form of a lump sum, the proceeds collected from a life insurance death benefit are usually exempt from income taxation. However, if the settlement is paid using another settlement option, then the interest earned on the principal death benefit can be taxed. Not to mention, the proceeds from a death benefit can be subject to estate and inheritance taxes. Get a free quote now! For people in non-profit organizations such as pastors and members of the clergy, tax treatment of life insurance may differ.
