Guidelines For Buying A Life Insurance Policy

 

 

None of us are able to forecast the future. We may have a good idea of what will happen if current conditions continue. But we are unable to predict the unexpected. Life insurance is an important way to provide for the unexpected--as it will affect those we love. Here are some tips to consider.

 

 

Disclose everything regarding your life and your health when purchasing life insurance. If anything that you failed to mention contributes to your passing, you may have rendered your insurance null and avoid. The most expensive insurance policy in the world is the one that doesn't pay out when it's needed.

 

Read all of the fine print of the policy before you sign on the line. Know what discounts, exclusions, inclusions, and any other fine print is included on the agreement. You may find that there is a no payment clause for pre-existing diseases. Careful reading will help you be sure that your spouse will get the money they will need.

 

Life insurance comes in many different variations that can fit just about any budget. Once you know the amount of coverage you need, decide whether you want insurance that provides permanent coverage, or just need term insurance to cover you until large expenses are paid off. Once debts are gone and the kids move out, you may decide to self-insure and won't need life insurance coverage anymore.

 

Buy the right amount of life insurance to cover all of your needs. Skimping on life insurance is not a good idea. Term insurance, especially, is very affordable, so make sure you get as much insurance as you need. For a rule of thumb, consider buying insurance that equals approximately 6 to 10 times your income.

 

Make sure to do all of your research before purchasing a policy or hiring a professional. This can not only save you a lot of money, but this can better help you understand what it is you are looking for and who is best to handle your needs. It's also best for deciding who offers the payment plan that works for you regarding their services.

 

Take advantage of the accelerated death benefit option if it's offered by your insurance company. This life insurance benefit allows the policyholder to receive a substantial amount of the death benefit of the policy, in the case of a terminal illness. This can allow the insured to use this benefit to cover things such as medical costs, experimental treatments, a trip, home improvements or nursing staff.

 

You should find out about the payment options that are available to you when you are signing up for a life insurance policy. There are many companies that offer customers the ability to pay monthly, annually or even bi-annually. You need to consider which option is best for you, and set up the payment plans accordingly.

 

When shopping around for a life insurance policy, be aware that certain occupations and hobbies are considered risky and can increase your premium. Some of these occupations include commercial fishing, logging, helicopter or airplane piloting, and roofing. Even a business executive position can be considered risky if it requires you to travel to certain perilous countries. Hobbies that are considered hazardous to your health include hang-gliding, parachuting, skiing, and motorcycling. Make sure to disclose this information to prevent your claim from being denied if the insurance company decides to investigate it.

 

Some people try to lie on their insurance applications and end up losing their life insurance once that lie is exposed. Never lie on your application. Someone will find out that you're only trying to save money, and then you lose your premiums and the entire policy in the blink of an eye with no recourse.

 

To make your premiums as low as possible you should purchase life insurance immediately when it is needed. The reason is because life insurance is cheaper when you are young and healthy. As a result, if you wait to purchase life insurance when you are older and in worse health, your premiums will be higher.

 

Do as much research into life insurance as you possibly can. It doesn't matter whether you buy a policy by yourself or with the assistance of a professional, you need to know what you are talking about in order to feel confident and sure of the decision you are making.

 

Determining when to purchase life insurance is a hard question for many people to answer. The best advice is to plan according to when you believe your dependents will no longer rely on your support. For example, once your children are out of college they will be financially stable and will no longer need as much of your help, so you can plan your insurance with this in mind.

 

Life insurance is one of those things we want to buy, but hope will not be used--at least for a long time. These tips will provide guidance in choosing a life insurance policy to cover future provision for your family in case you are not there. Its greatest value is peace of mind for you and your loved ones.