Posts Tagged ‘insurance quotes’

About Life Insurance.

Friday, November 11th, 2011

The loss of life often results in a hardship to the surviving family members in three different ways. The first is the anguish and personal loss whenever a loved one leaves this world. While there is very little money can do to relieve the pain of this loss, the other two hardships can be addressed with a life insurance policy.

The costs associated with a funeral and the loss of income of the deceased are the hard facts to be faced that often accompany a death, and life insurance is the financial buffer.

The Basic Concept of Life Insurance

Life insurance is a contract between an individual and an insurance company based on what one does for the other. The individual promises to pay an insurance premium for the insurance company’s promise to release funds to designated survivors (beneficiaries) upon the event of the insured’s demise.

Protecting their survivors or beneficiaries from monetary losses or hardships is the underlying theme the holder of the policy contracts a life insurance policy, even with all the different life insurance formats there are.

Should the holder of the life insurance policy contract a terminal illness that incapacitates them, benefits may be paid in whole or partial installments to the beneficiary to help cover the cost of health care in certain contracts.

Understanding Life Insurance

Anyone entering an agreement for whole or term life insurance should understand the terms of the policy completely, and the insurance agent should make the details perfectly clear before an agreement is signed. Many variables affect the premium amount and the conditions of payment because the insurance company is at risk from the moment that the contract is officially in force.

Unlike some insurance policies, life insurance is almost a predetermined expense to the insurer. There is no cancellation of the policy unless the insured commits an act to void it, or any of the exclusions come into play, as long as the premiums are paid the insurer will, at some point, pay the benefits.

Default of the Contract

Suicides and fraud are two of the top reasons for voiding a life insurance policy. Other exclusions concern the dangers people put themselves in because of acts they commit, such as involvement in riots, wars, or any type of civil commotion. This is why most life insurance contracts have very strict policies about how a death may occur.

Because life is so unpredictable, it is a comforting assurance to know your loved ones will not be left in a hardship financially in the event of your death because you had the forethought and sensibility to obtain a life insurance policy to protect them.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Buying Life Insurance Online

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Are there advantages or disadvantages to purchasing insurance online? Here are some things you might want to consider when it comes time to shop for life insurance.

The Value of Your Time

Working during the day makes it a pain to visit insurance agencies, fill out paperwork, answer questions, and shop multiple providers for life insurance. With the time involved in shopping for, you might end up with only three or four to compare. Shopping online is generally something you can do during your time off from work or even during a typical lunch hour. All the life insurance resources you need are available online. You’ll still have to answer questions for each query you make. You might have to speak to someone over the phone for the follow-ups there may be from your applications. Even with everything you have to do, you still control the amount of time required by shopping online.

Your Information

Be selective in what info you give out because you will need to provide some personal information in order to receive an accurate quote online. A company may want your email address claiming they must send the quote via email, but this is a way to add you to a mailing list. A provider should not need your social security number to provide an insurance quote. Be prepared to provide facts regarding your health such as weight, age, height, gender, medical history, etc., but if you are not sure about providing certain info, attempt to find out the reasons why they need it.

Online Insurance Providers

Insurance providers online are much more specialized than local agencies. Although insurance websites may have non-agents doing the quote processing, the companies they represent must be legally able to sell insurance in your state of residence. You’ll find many that target a certain market. This can be demographic as in young people, healthy people, older citizens, or even those with illnesses. The good thing about specialization is that when you find the right fit, you should receive an estimate that is based on the correct product specialized for your current needs.

Medical Exams

In most cases, life insurance requires a medical exam no matter if you purchase the policy online or not. Even if a medical exam is not required, false information given on a questionnaire can result in cancelled coverage, so be certain to answer all questions accurately. Beware of online quotes that do not inquire about your age, height, weight, blood pressure, etc. Without this information, a quote may be erroneously low.

Deals Online

There are many different types of life insurance and many variables that can make a difference on the bottom line. You still should be able to find some affordably priced coverage by shopping for life insurance online. If you are shopping on your own, be sure that you compare quotes and coverage, including exclusions and inclusions, to determine which quotes are the best offers. Be certain also to check the financial rating of the provider as you want coverage only with solvent insurance companies.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Do You Need Life Insurance?

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

No one wants to leave their family troubled with expenses and hardships due to their failure to leave enough behind to financially cover them. This is why one of the primary reasons someone needs life insurance is to support their loved ones.

There are several things to consider from the moment young adults begin to support themselves. One thing to consider is as soon as a person establishes a life independent of their parents, it is time to consider life insurance.

It is important to have someone specified who will take care of debts and other financial obligations in the event of the insured’s death. Before marriage, the beneficiary of a policy might be the parents or a close friend or relative. After marriage the responsibilities typically fall onto the spouse of the insured.

Home mortgage, automobiles, and possibly a student loan to pay off are some examples of the financial obligations people face early on in life. Finances tend to be tight for those just starting out, and if a major wage earner is suddenly taken out of the picture or if half of the family income is now gone, the remaining spouse will be devastated not only by the loss of their loved one, but the financial obligations to be faced on their own.

A spouse does not want their loved one left in dire straits because of their untimely demise. Life insurance cannot take the place of a human life, but it can make things easier for the one who must carry on without the income to which they have grown accustomed.

No longer is the concern solely for the spouse, but it extends to the expenses of raising children including college expenses. When children are born, the need for protection doesn’t change; it actually increases.

These years even with both parents working full time families have a tough time making ends meet. Without two incomes it is often almost impossible to make it through. The biggest thing that can hold some families together when a family member dies is life insurance.

Life insurance will support a spouse on into the later years. In harsh economic times when unemployment rises and investments are depleted to cover basic expenses, there are countless people who are no longer prepared to retire with any amount of comfort. This is why life insurance is needed by almost everyone.

Your loved ones could be financially secure if you were to vanish from the picture unexpectedly if you had bought term life insurance in your younger years. When you are young term life insurance is very inexpensive and can provide many years of assurance.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Renewable Term Life Coverage

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Term life is a type of insurance coverage that is in effect for a designated “term.” If the insured dies during the policy term, the death benefit is paid to the policy beneficiaries. If the insured dies even one hour after the policy term ends, no benefits are paid. The cost of the premium is based on the expected likelihood of that happening during the coverage term.

A key factor in obtaining life insurance is insurability of the applicant. Perhaps an insured individual is diagnosed with a terminal illness during the coverage term but does not die while covered. Because of the illness, it is unlikely that the provider will renew the policy or issue a new one, deeming the applicant uninsurable.

There are ways that a policy holder can be guaranteed re-insurability. Annual renewable term life (ART) is a type of term insurance that falls into this category. The premium is paid for a year’s coverage and comes with a guarantee of renewal every year for a pre-determined number of years.

The policy renewal term can range from 10 to 30 years or until the insured reaches a certain age, generally age 95. The premium rate increases each time the policy is renewed, which results in the cost of an annual renewable life policy to eventually exceed that of a regular permanent policy.

Another form of renewable term life insurance is one in which the renewals occur at multiple year intervals instead of each year as with the ART. Some people prefer these policies because the rates increase every few years instead of annually when the policy is renewed.

Reasons to Have Annual Renewable Term Insurance

In most situations, you probably do not want this type of life insurance. If you have a business loan you expect to pay off in a couple of years, renewable term insurance is an option to cover the debt in case something happens to you. You can simply choose not to renew it once the loan is paid in full. Another reason is due to illness as mentioned earlier and it is the only insurance you can get when the term expires.

Decreasing Term Insurance

Decreasing term life insurance is another option to consider when your renewable policy expires. With this type of policy, the benefit value of the policy decreases but your premium cost stays the same. Keep in mind, however, that the policy over the long term will eventually become worthless.

Choosing the Right Policy Type

There are things that must be considered when choosing the best policy for your specific situation including your age, health, lifestyle, and the amount of coverage you need. If you are with a company that offers term life only, naturally they are going to do everything they can to sell you that type of policy.

Explore the different types of life insurance policies available, and then discuss your options with a reputable and versatile life insurance provider who will help you find the best coverage at the best price that fulfills your needs. Doing some research first will always help ensure that you are planning for all the possibilities the future may hold.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Renewing Your Life Insurance Every Year

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

A good way to earn premiums for a cheaper price according to your own budget is with an annual renewable life insurance policy. This is a kind of policy that lasts for one year. Term and permanent are the two broad types of insurance policies but many variations exist within them.

Annual renewable life insurance policies usually cost less and is typically suggested for people who are on tight budgets who need coverage. Just what the name suggests; annual renewable life insurance are usually for a set period of time (from 1-30 years).

The most obvious advantage of this kind of policy is their affordability. Annual renewable policies are those that automatically renew yearly - also increasing premiums gradually with each year. These kinds of policies are the cheapest you will find.

When you only pay for death benefit and only pay coverage for a short time, premium payments will be very low compared to other fixed policies. The premiums for this policy will be the lowest because the company is undertaking the least risk by selling these. Hence these are very affordable. People in between jobs can buy these to receive coverage for the short time they are in between jobs.

Most people will not buy this policy because they don’t expect to die within one year of purchasing it. Suppose someone buys the policy and then finds out that they have a life threatening disease, then they end up surviving it, and then is looks into buying the policy again - they will probably not be able to do so because they will be considered uninsurable.

Before buying an annual renewable life insurance policy you will want to see how the premium will be handled. Generally premiums will never increase above the figure that is locked by the company beforehand but they will gradually increase. Therefore, these policies will also help you determine how your future expenses will fall and allow you to budget them accordingly.

If you or someone you know has bought this policy, then you will be aware that it is possible to renew the policy with a higher premium as long as the premiums keep getting paid - to keep the death benefit in place. For those who think an annual renewal life insurance policy is applicable to them, it is advised that you calculate the higher premium before you take out this policy.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Things That Affect The Cost Of Life Insurance Premiums?

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

It is easy to make assumptions about how coverage is priced when shopping for insurance of any kind. Every factor, however small it may seem, has a bearing as far as risk to the insurance provider, which is why they have very precise formulas to determine coverage cost.

Naturally, the higher the risk, the more expensive the coverage is. The primary factors that lead to the final premium costs are:

Quotes at certain ages

The simple math involved is based on the estimated life span of an individual. One consideration, although not the only one, is the age of the applicant at the time of the life insurance quote. If you are in your early 20’s, you will most always get better rates than someone even a mere decade older.

Health

An older person in their 50’s might be in perfect health, with no major prior illnesses, which will allow a better offer on a short-term life insurance policy. If the same person were to look into a longer term policy, the agency would take into consideration the age at the end of the term and cause an increase in premiums. A young person with health problems, especially serious ones, might not be able to get coverage at all.

Occupation and Activity

There is so much data available today on longevity based on the workplace that it has an effect on life insurance premiums. For instance, the careers that have the most occupational accidents are those concerned with road construction. A construction worker would probably receive a high premium estimate based on their profession. More dangerous activities might keep a person from being able to even obtain coverage.

The Insurer

A policy underwriter, who works for the insurer, dictates what is considered insurable and what is not. A sliding scale of premium costs is based on all the information given by an applicant as well as any information gathered from 3rd parties based on activities that have a bearing on insurance coverage, such as results from a medical exam.

Savings may be available for someone who holds more than one policy with a single provider due to the fact that many of the line items that premium costs are based on are relatively the same from one life insurance provider to another.

Life insurance companies do compete with one another, so to attract additional business, there is some price-restructuring going on. Even with all the price-restructuring going on, the end cost of coverage will always be based on the risk exposure to the provider.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

What is Level Term Life Insurance?

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Level term life insurance is when the premium for the policy stays the same throughout the term of the policy, or as the name suggests, they remain leveled.

There are always factors to consider when you are taking out any type of insurance and the same goes for level term life insurance as well. For instance, some people may want a short term policy designed to be put into play until the policy holder’s children graduate from college.

This policy is unlike whole life insurance. With whole life insurance, the cost increases with time - thanks to its investment aspect. With level term life insurance, the premium and hence the cost of policy remains the same throughout so you know exactly what you’re getting when you buy such a policy.

Determining how much your family will require, in case of your death, to remain financially stable is not always an easy task. This is in turn linked to how much you make yearly. Then of course you can figure how much coverage you will need before you take out a policy.

A question you will need to take into consideration is how much premium you can afford. Even if you have the advantage of a premium that will stay the same through the tenure of the policy, you still have to make sure that you pay it every month.

A decision you need to make is that of how many years you want to take out the policy for. It is important to decide for how many years you will require coverage, because you will have to consider factors like how long your offspring are dependent on you or even how long might your spouse need some extra financial help after you are gone.

Some insurance companies give you the option of renewing your policy once it expires. You can take out level term life insurance for 10, 20, 30 and 40 years but remember that the longer your time period for the policy, the higher your premium will be.

If you are looking to take out a life insurance policy, then level term life insurance will prove to be a cheaper option when compared to whole life insurance. This is because you get a clear picture of how much you will pay every month without the fear of your premium increasing with time as with whole life. Also, because no portion of your money is allocated to the investment option, you know how much you will get back - which is not the case with whole life insurance.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Life Insurance with No Medical Exam Requirement

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

There are policies for life insurance with no medical exam requirement. However many individuals don’t bother attempting to obtain quotes for life insurance because they fear they will fail a medical exam required by the insurance provider.

What Policy Types Do Not Require a Medical Exam?

1. Simplified Issue Life Insurance - the applicant provides information regarding their medical history on the policy application but no exam is required.

2. Graded Benefit Life Insurance - Graded Life policies are more complicated to get than other policies and are intended for those in late middle age and older. No questions are asked about health history and no exam is required.

3. Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance - no health history or medical exam required; no applicant can be turned down, which is why this insurance is also called Guaranteed Acceptance.

Why Buy Exam-Free Life Insurance?

For typical life insurance policies, the application process can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks before a policy is issued. The underwriting process is shortened when no medical exam is required, making it possible to have a policy issued in hours or days rather than weeks.

Applicants advanced in years or with health problems trying to obtain coverage when they will most likely be denied because of exam-required policies can always rely on no-exam life insurance.

The Cost of Exam-Free Life Insurance

Life insurance premiums are calculated based on life expectancy. Naturally lower rates apply to applicants in good health and in their younger years. A medical exam gives the insurer a more accurate picture of life expectancy.

Without an exam, the insurance provider is placed at a higher risk which in turn dictates a higher premium rate. While a medical exam can be a hassle and an inconvenience, if you are in good health it is the wiser choice because of the potential rate savings. The exam allows the insurance provider to place you in the right rate class and charge you based on your actual health profile.

While no-exam life insurance might be a quick and convenient way to obtain coverage, don’t expect it to be the cheapest. Then again, any coverage is better than none, and if you are avoiding seeking life insurance coverage because of health problems or your age, no-exam life insurance may be the perfect solution for your situation.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Knowing Term Life Insurance Quotes

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Some terminologies used in a term life insurance policy are very confusing and most of the time you have to get it translated into plain English. Aside from screwy terminology, there may also be many questions regarding what exactly is included or excluded from the policy.

Some pointer to getting to understand life insurance quotes:

Quotes Online for Term Life Insurance

You must provide accurate information about yourself to get a response when you seek a quote online. The process takes very general pricing structures and applies them for a quick assessment of your current age and health. A quote may end up varying somewhat once more extensive information is made available that effects the true cost of a policy, such as information from a medical exam.

A price that is higher than a quote you first received may be a shock to you, but you may also get a quote that is lower than originally estimated. Insurance providers are not attempting to give an erroneous number just to get your commitment; it’s just that after a more in depth assessment of your health and living habits they can get a better gage on what premium amounts will be.

Term Life Insurance Rates Go Up For Several Reasons

Most of what causes rates to increase are caused by the person insured. The insurance company prefers to insure healthy people who will usually live long lives, unless they are involved in an accident or diagnosed with a health problem, because they are a lower risk. Some of the causes for higher premiums include:

* High cholesterol - Above average levels will increase premiums even though there is no industry standard. * Height to weight ratio - The health problems associated with being overweight or underweight the higher the term life insurance rates because of the health problems associated. * High blood pressure - There are a number of health problems attributed to blood pressure, and each points to a shortened life cycle. * History of family health - History of disease and health problems in your family can be underlying causes of future illness. This is why your questionnaire asks about family history. * Lifestyle activities - Premiums will increase if you regularly participate in a dangerous sports or activities, if you can get insured at all. * Driving history - Someone with tickets for reckless driving or speeding are a early warning sign and no one wants to insure them.

Life Insurance Provider Choices

Price and performance are the two top reasons people give when asked what they want from a life insurance company. It is possible to get many varying prices for term life insurance based on the companies that quote coverage. Pricing comes from factors like the rating of the company and who underwrites the policies. A rating of A or A+ identifies high financial stability for an insurance company.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.

Universal And Term Life Insurance

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

The biggest problem that many policy buyers face today is that of “Which life insurance policy should I get?” The more important question that you should be asking yourself at the time of taking out a life insurance policy is that “What is term life insurance and how does it differ from universal life insurance?”

Admittedly, it can be confusing and many people do not know the difference between the two. First it is necessary to get rid of any confusion before you decide which is better.

Term Life allows you to buy large face amounts with very little money. You will be fully covered for the term that you take out the policy for - but you do not receive any cash payments after the policy is over. That is why term life insurance is generally less expensive than universal life insurance for the same face value amount - because it does not build up any equity.

This kind of policy is popular among young people who need large amounts of coverage for their families with lower premium payments. It is also the way to go for those people who want coverage in case of an untimely death and prefer to invest in stocks and other investments rather than save with universal life insurance.

The premiums with universal life insurance policies stay the same whereas the premiums with term life keep increasing during time. Universal life insurance policies usually cost much more than term life insurance for the same amount of face value but they usually cover you for a longer time as well as allowing you to build up tax deferred payments.

Although one must hold the policy for at least 15 years till you see some return, it does provide the holder with some long term investment that the holder can borrow against. This kind of policy should sit well with those people whose financial planning extends well into the future.

One of the most confusing and challenging decision an individual might have to make is choosing the right life insurance policy. On top of the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one, making the wrong choice with a policy can lead the surviving family of the issuer or holder without any financial benefits. By taking the time and effort to do a little research to educate and inform yourself - or seek some legal help on the matter, you can avoid your family all this hardship.

My Insurance Expert will help you find term life insurance that fits all of your individual needs. The world of life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right advisor you can give your family the protection they need and have peace of mind.