Life insurance can be an effective tool to make certain and protect your family’s financial future. It has been acknowledged universally as a method by which the breadwinner can substitute risk and uncertainty with timely aid for the family in case of their unfortunate death.
Since a life insurance policy will replace your lost income after your death, it is important to choose the right kind of policy. Hence, it is essential to find a company that will cover your insurance with the right amount, and at a reasonable price.
Need for a life insurance policy:
There are several reasons for an individual, specifically a breadwinner, to make out a life insurance policy. To assuage your concern for your family in case of your death, most life insurance policies offer various death benefits that take care of your family after your death:
1. For example, a member of your family may have some special needs. You can buy a life insurance policy that will act as an emergency fund in the event of your untimely death.
2. If you want to make sure that your child gets quality education even after your death, a life insurance can also work as a fund for your child’s education.
3. An insurance policy will ensure the maintenance of your family’s standard of living.
4. Your family can also use it to clear personal and business debts, after your death.
Duration of insurance coverage:
Before buying a policy it is advisable to ensure the duration for which you want life insurance coverage. You can take online help to decide the coverage duration.
Need for a checklist
After you decide on your specific need, and the duration of your life insurance policy, you can begin looking for a suitable policy. It is prudent to prepare a checklist before buying, as this will ensure that you end up purchasing the right policy.
The checklist must include various factors on which you can assess insurance companies, which includes various criteria set by insurance companies too. Here are a few pointers:
1. Before buying a life insurance policy, it is advisable to ensure that you have all medical information regarding your health, because most companies expect that, depending on your age and the duration of insurance coverage.
2. It’s a good idea to compare various life insurance companies on the basis of quotes that they have to offer. You can take the help of the Internet to compare the quotes based on your choice of insurance product and your age.
3. You can also take help from a broker through the telephone or the Internet and clear all your queries.
4. Once you decide on a particular insurance company, it is important to ascertain the company’s financial strength and stability.
5. It is also advisable to gather information about the options for renewal that various insurance companies offer, because some companies charge high premiums if you renew your policy.
6. Some insurance companies charge a penalty if you cancel your policy, so make sure that the company you choose does not demand a penalty on cancellation of policy.
7. You may also want to make some changes in your policy in due time, as your insurance needs can change with time. So, when you purchase your insurance policy find out if there is an age limitation for any kind of conversion of your policy, and whether the option of moving into a better policy is there.
About The Author
Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk.
Showing posts with label life insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life insurance. Show all posts
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Your Life Insurance May Be Worth More Than You Think
Many seniors own life insurance policies that they no longer need or want, or that they can no longer afford. Often, they allow their policies to lapse or cash them into the insurance company for the surrender value. What many seniors don’t realize is that their unwanted life insurance may be worth much more if sold to an investor in a life settlement. A Life Settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy by the policyowner, before the policy matures. Such a sale, at a price discounted from the face amount of the policy, but in excess of the cash surrender value, provides the seller an immediate cash settlement.
Life Settlement History
Life Settlement industry evolved out of Viatical Settlements.
In the mid-80’s AIDS became an epidemic, A number of AIDS patients were told that they only had a limited time to live. Many of these patients owned life insurance policies. They knew that when they died, their family would receive the death benefit but they needed money today to pay medical bills or enjoy the rest of their lives. In stepped Viatical Settlement companies. These companies purchased policies on terminal patients and sold them as retail investments to individual investors. The AIDS patients got money they needed today and the investors got the promise that when the patient died they would get the death benefit.
The Life Settlement Market
In the 90’s the Life Settlement market was born as companies and investors turned towards buying unwanted life insurance policies from seniors. According to Sanford Bernstein, the industry grew from $0 in the mid 1990’s to approximately $13 billion in 2005. Bernstein estimates the life settlement market will reach $160 billion over the next several years. The penetration rate is expected to exceed 20% as awareness and the size of the market is increased over the next 20 years.
Life Settlement Case Studies
Below are some real life case studies that illustrate ways that others have used life settlements to increase their net worth:
Case 1:
Settlement Frees up $966,000 in Cash for Annuity purchase
This case involved an 82 year old female who owned several policies totaling $4.6 million. She no longer wanted to pay premiums for the insurance and was going to accept the cash surrender value of $236,548. Her intent was to use the policies’ cash value to help fund the cost of an assisted living facility.
Her advisor recommended a life settlement for each policy, and she agreed. Ultimately she received a settlement of $966,000 – more than 400% greater than the cash surrender value – and used those funds to purchase an annuity. The annuity payments now help cover the costs of the assisted living facility.
Case 2:
Settlement Proceeds Stabilizes Trust
This case involved an 81 year old female, owner of a $5 million life insurance policy with a surrender value of $196,866. Since the insured had lost interest in maintaining the policy and no longer wished to make gifts to the trust for premium payments, the cash surrender value was rapidly depleting as premiums were being deducted from the cash value. Working with her financial advisor they conducted a review to determine whether the policy should be surrendered or whether a Life Settlement would be more advantageous. The advisor provided an offer of $556,000 – over three times the cash surrender value.
Case 3:
Settlement Allows Policyowner To Purchase Paid-Up Policy
A 78 year old male decided to allow his $1,250,000 policy to lapse. He had significant medical expenses and could no longer justify the $39,536 annual premium. After reviewing the available options with his advisor they decided to pursue a Life Settlement. He was able to secure an offer of $490,000. The policyowner and advisor decided to use some of the proceeds to purchase a paid-up $500,000 policy and the remainder helped to ease the burden of the policyowner’s medical costs.
Case 4:
Policyowner Makes $797,000
• A 74 year old in good health purchased a $10mm Life Insurance Policy. He paid-$536k for two years of premiums. After the policy is two years old, he sold the policy for $1,333,333 in the secondary market representing a $797,000 profit on his investment.
If you are 70 and over, and have an insurance policy that you were going to get rid of anyway, you owe it to yourself to explore whether a life settlement might be a better option.
About The Author
Matthew Tuttle, CFP®, MBA, is President of Tuttle Wealth Management, LLC, in Stamford Connecticut. He is also the author of “Financial Secrets of my Wealthy Grandparents”. For more information, or to sign up for his free newsletter please visit http://www.matthewtuttle.com.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame logo) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Life Settlement History
Life Settlement industry evolved out of Viatical Settlements.
In the mid-80’s AIDS became an epidemic, A number of AIDS patients were told that they only had a limited time to live. Many of these patients owned life insurance policies. They knew that when they died, their family would receive the death benefit but they needed money today to pay medical bills or enjoy the rest of their lives. In stepped Viatical Settlement companies. These companies purchased policies on terminal patients and sold them as retail investments to individual investors. The AIDS patients got money they needed today and the investors got the promise that when the patient died they would get the death benefit.
The Life Settlement Market
In the 90’s the Life Settlement market was born as companies and investors turned towards buying unwanted life insurance policies from seniors. According to Sanford Bernstein, the industry grew from $0 in the mid 1990’s to approximately $13 billion in 2005. Bernstein estimates the life settlement market will reach $160 billion over the next several years. The penetration rate is expected to exceed 20% as awareness and the size of the market is increased over the next 20 years.
Life Settlement Case Studies
Below are some real life case studies that illustrate ways that others have used life settlements to increase their net worth:
Case 1:
Settlement Frees up $966,000 in Cash for Annuity purchase
This case involved an 82 year old female who owned several policies totaling $4.6 million. She no longer wanted to pay premiums for the insurance and was going to accept the cash surrender value of $236,548. Her intent was to use the policies’ cash value to help fund the cost of an assisted living facility.
Her advisor recommended a life settlement for each policy, and she agreed. Ultimately she received a settlement of $966,000 – more than 400% greater than the cash surrender value – and used those funds to purchase an annuity. The annuity payments now help cover the costs of the assisted living facility.
Case 2:
Settlement Proceeds Stabilizes Trust
This case involved an 81 year old female, owner of a $5 million life insurance policy with a surrender value of $196,866. Since the insured had lost interest in maintaining the policy and no longer wished to make gifts to the trust for premium payments, the cash surrender value was rapidly depleting as premiums were being deducted from the cash value. Working with her financial advisor they conducted a review to determine whether the policy should be surrendered or whether a Life Settlement would be more advantageous. The advisor provided an offer of $556,000 – over three times the cash surrender value.
Case 3:
Settlement Allows Policyowner To Purchase Paid-Up Policy
A 78 year old male decided to allow his $1,250,000 policy to lapse. He had significant medical expenses and could no longer justify the $39,536 annual premium. After reviewing the available options with his advisor they decided to pursue a Life Settlement. He was able to secure an offer of $490,000. The policyowner and advisor decided to use some of the proceeds to purchase a paid-up $500,000 policy and the remainder helped to ease the burden of the policyowner’s medical costs.
Case 4:
Policyowner Makes $797,000
• A 74 year old in good health purchased a $10mm Life Insurance Policy. He paid-$536k for two years of premiums. After the policy is two years old, he sold the policy for $1,333,333 in the secondary market representing a $797,000 profit on his investment.
If you are 70 and over, and have an insurance policy that you were going to get rid of anyway, you owe it to yourself to explore whether a life settlement might be a better option.
About The Author
Matthew Tuttle, CFP®, MBA, is President of Tuttle Wealth Management, LLC, in Stamford Connecticut. He is also the author of “Financial Secrets of my Wealthy Grandparents”. For more information, or to sign up for his free newsletter please visit http://www.matthewtuttle.com.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame logo) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Friday, February 2, 2007
More Than Just Life Insurances
Insurance, as we all know is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of potential financial loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a potential loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for a premium and duty of care.
When we think of taking insurance what immediately strikes our mind are the life insurances. Families often consider life insurance as necessary as a sound roof when it comes to protecting them from the harsh winds of fate, especially when children are small. Primary bread earners want assurance that even if worst things happen, the house will be paid for and the youngsters can continue to go to college. But there are many worst things which can happen within once life period like a disability that could knock the family provider out of the workplace. While industry studies show that workers are three to five times more likely to be disabled than die early, disability insurance is often neglected. What is the point of having a life insurance if you are disabled? While premature death tends to have a bigger emotional impact, disability can be equally, if not more, devastating to a family financial stability. Disability can be long term or short term and can be broken down into a number of broad sub categories.
Physical impairments affecting movement.
Lack of amputation of limbs or other body parts.
Sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments
Neurological impairments.
Cognitive impairments.
Psychiatric conditions
The often heard "It won't happen to me" has become a joke as daily someone or the other living in this world is diagnosed with some kind of a disease or other.For example Diabetics is one such kind of a disease that is common among youngsters today.Shocking to hear!!! But true facts are sometimes difficult to accept.With such a situation in hand, there is a high demand not only for life insurances but also disability insurances.
Disability insurances are of two types;
Long Term Disability
Short Term Disability
Based on the type of disability, there are various different policies to suit you need and requirement.
Short-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of 0 to 14 days with a maximum benefit period of no longer than two years
Long-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of several weeks to several months with a maximum benefit period ranging from a few years to the rest of your life.
Disability policies have two different protection features that are important to understand.
1. No-cancelable means the policy cannot be canceled by the insurance company, except for nonpayment of premiums. This gives you the right to renew the policy every year without an increase in the premium or a reduction in benefits.
2. Guaranteed renewable gives you the right to renew the policy with the same benefits and not have the policy canceled by the company. However, your insurer has the right to increase your premiums as long as it does so for all other policyholders in the same rating class as you.
In addition to the traditional disability policies, there are several options you should consider when purchasing a policy:
Additional purchase options
Your insurance company gives you the right to buy additional insurance at a later time.
Coordination of benefits
The amount of benefits you receive from your insurance company is dependent on other benefits you receive because of your disability. Your policy specifies a target amount you will receive from all the policies combined, so this policy will make up the difference not paid by other policies.
Cost of living adjustment(COLA)
The COLA increases your disability benefits over time based on the increased cost of living measured by the Consumer Price Index. You will pay a higher premium if you select the COLA.
Residual or partial disability rider
This provision allows you to return to work part-time, collect part of your salary and receive a partial disability payment if you are still partially disabled.
Return of premium
This provision requires the insurance company to refund part of your premium if no claims are made for a specific period of time declared in the policy.
Waiver of premium provision
This clause means that you do not have to pay premiums on the policy after you're disabled for 90 days.
If you decide to buy a private disability insurance policy, remember that policies are legal contracts.
Read and compare the policies and understand the provisions before you sign.
In comparing policies, you might want to consider:
Is disability defined as your inability to perform your own job or any job?
Does the policy cover accidents and illness?
Are benefits paid for partial or recurring disabilities?
Are full benefits paid after loss of sight, speech, hearing or use of limbs?
Is the policy no cancelable, guaranteed renewable or conditionally renewable?
How long must the worker be disabled before premiums are waived?
Is there an option to buy additional coverage, without evidence of medical insurability, at a later date?
Does the policy offer an inflation adjustment?
There are many disability insurance companies and agents all around the world to offer their services.
Based on once necessities, he or she can choose the best disability insurance to suit their needs.
About The Author
Sam Rosy is an expert in analyzing the insurance types especially in California and has produced lot of articles regarding the insurance types and its application. Read Rosy articles, and for further more details regarding the Health insurance California and quotes views the site http://www.goodhealthquotes.com. To Contact Sam Rosy its samrosy@gmail.com
When we think of taking insurance what immediately strikes our mind are the life insurances. Families often consider life insurance as necessary as a sound roof when it comes to protecting them from the harsh winds of fate, especially when children are small. Primary bread earners want assurance that even if worst things happen, the house will be paid for and the youngsters can continue to go to college. But there are many worst things which can happen within once life period like a disability that could knock the family provider out of the workplace. While industry studies show that workers are three to five times more likely to be disabled than die early, disability insurance is often neglected. What is the point of having a life insurance if you are disabled? While premature death tends to have a bigger emotional impact, disability can be equally, if not more, devastating to a family financial stability. Disability can be long term or short term and can be broken down into a number of broad sub categories.
Physical impairments affecting movement.
Lack of amputation of limbs or other body parts.
Sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments
Neurological impairments.
Cognitive impairments.
Psychiatric conditions
The often heard "It won't happen to me" has become a joke as daily someone or the other living in this world is diagnosed with some kind of a disease or other.For example Diabetics is one such kind of a disease that is common among youngsters today.Shocking to hear!!! But true facts are sometimes difficult to accept.With such a situation in hand, there is a high demand not only for life insurances but also disability insurances.
Disability insurances are of two types;
Long Term Disability
Short Term Disability
Based on the type of disability, there are various different policies to suit you need and requirement.
Short-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of 0 to 14 days with a maximum benefit period of no longer than two years
Long-Term Disability policies
Have a waiting period of several weeks to several months with a maximum benefit period ranging from a few years to the rest of your life.
Disability policies have two different protection features that are important to understand.
1. No-cancelable means the policy cannot be canceled by the insurance company, except for nonpayment of premiums. This gives you the right to renew the policy every year without an increase in the premium or a reduction in benefits.
2. Guaranteed renewable gives you the right to renew the policy with the same benefits and not have the policy canceled by the company. However, your insurer has the right to increase your premiums as long as it does so for all other policyholders in the same rating class as you.
In addition to the traditional disability policies, there are several options you should consider when purchasing a policy:
Additional purchase options
Your insurance company gives you the right to buy additional insurance at a later time.
Coordination of benefits
The amount of benefits you receive from your insurance company is dependent on other benefits you receive because of your disability. Your policy specifies a target amount you will receive from all the policies combined, so this policy will make up the difference not paid by other policies.
Cost of living adjustment(COLA)
The COLA increases your disability benefits over time based on the increased cost of living measured by the Consumer Price Index. You will pay a higher premium if you select the COLA.
Residual or partial disability rider
This provision allows you to return to work part-time, collect part of your salary and receive a partial disability payment if you are still partially disabled.
Return of premium
This provision requires the insurance company to refund part of your premium if no claims are made for a specific period of time declared in the policy.
Waiver of premium provision
This clause means that you do not have to pay premiums on the policy after you're disabled for 90 days.
If you decide to buy a private disability insurance policy, remember that policies are legal contracts.
Read and compare the policies and understand the provisions before you sign.
In comparing policies, you might want to consider:
Is disability defined as your inability to perform your own job or any job?
Does the policy cover accidents and illness?
Are benefits paid for partial or recurring disabilities?
Are full benefits paid after loss of sight, speech, hearing or use of limbs?
Is the policy no cancelable, guaranteed renewable or conditionally renewable?
How long must the worker be disabled before premiums are waived?
Is there an option to buy additional coverage, without evidence of medical insurability, at a later date?
Does the policy offer an inflation adjustment?
There are many disability insurance companies and agents all around the world to offer their services.
Based on once necessities, he or she can choose the best disability insurance to suit their needs.
About The Author
Sam Rosy is an expert in analyzing the insurance types especially in California and has produced lot of articles regarding the insurance types and its application. Read Rosy articles, and for further more details regarding the Health insurance California and quotes views the site http://www.goodhealthquotes.com. To Contact Sam Rosy its samrosy@gmail.com
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