Whole life insurance covers you in case you die with compensation for your family, but it has other benefits as well. It is a plan that covers you for your whole life, although it is more expensive than other plans. Some of the money you pay each month is invested, and you can choose to access that money when you reach a certain age, or when there is an emergency.

Your family may have various expenses to bear after you are gone. By insuring your self you are saving your family members from sudden financial crises. Because of your style of living your family may have to bear more expenses than you expect. First your family has to bear the expenses of your funeral ceremony, which will easily cost your family thousands of dollars. Even then the reality is that you family members have to support each other with one less earning member, it is even difficult if your family has young children. You may perhaps want to shelter your business or contribute to charitable trusts once you die.

If you make your monthly payments on time your family can expect a large sum of money. How large this sum is depends on what you have set up in your insurance plan, although it is usually more than five times your yearly income. You can choose to bank out your money early in case of a greater need. This is possible since the insurance company has invested part of your payments. You can set your plan up so you can only access the money at a certain age or in case of an emergency. This is very handy if you need extra retirement money, tuition, or money for buying a home. In this way a whole life insurance plan can work like a loan, but it is not necessarily as cost efficient as a regular loan.

While assessing your suitability for insurance, the insurer considers factors like your credit record and well-being. If you want to insure yourself when you are young and healthy you will get some discount on premiums as compared to others. Even by improving your style of living you can lower your rates. This may includes losing weight, leave smoking, and improving your food habits. You can meliorate your credit by clearing your old dues and maintaining correct credit record by making complaints against the wrong entries, if any.

Sometimes whole life insurance is more than what is actually necessary for your needs. There are other types of life insurance plans you can look into if it is not. Some types of plans cover you temporarily, but they have lower monthly payments. Even if you feel your family will need a large amount of compensation for your death, there are still other plans to look into. Make sure to do plenty of research on insurance companies and agents in your area before you choose one that you trust. You can use the internet, the phone book, and friends to find information on companies that might offer much lower prices than others.

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.

categories: Life Insurance,Life Cover,Disability Cover,Death Cover,Money,Personal Finance,Family

When organization or employer wants to insure 5 -10 or more employees then they go for a group life insurance policy. The employer bargains lower premiums with the group policy, and the life insurance company provides cover to everyone who is involved in it. A group life insurance is a huge added plus point for the organization if employer wants more employees to stay. There are so many dissimilar things one can do with this type of flexible plan.

The payment agreements can be made in quite a different ways. You may either opt for a plan where the coverage is entirely paid by your organization, or you may contribute half and take the rest half from the organization. Employees also have the choice to opt out of this group plan if they wish. But to start a group plan like this, at least 5 or 10 people are needed.

A group life insurance company usually comes with fairly low coverage, somewhere between 1-2 times your salaries. Employees can add their own life insurance to this plan if they think it’s not going to be enough. Every employee also has the right to change the beneficiary for their particular plan whenever they want.

A group life insurance policy is a full of benefits for employees. As it is a group plan, the insurer does not consider the effect of any personal liabilities. The company is taken into account as a whole, and the rates are adjusted accordingly. Any of the employees cannot be denied from their coverage, so all can enjoy the advantages. If someone wants to quit then they may get their coverage renewed with the same organization within a month of quitting the job.

Setting up your group life insurance plan is easy. Shop around for the best prices and determine which company is best for you. Once you found one you will be able to set up an account with them involving everyone in your company that wants to participate. You will have to gather information regarding every employee that wants to participate. The insurance company will just want to know about the nature of your business so they can determine how risky the employees as a whole will be to cover. As you get new employees, they will have to fill out forms to become a part of the plan.

If an employee quits the job then they can still continue with the plan, however they must get it changed to a personal plan. The employee can get the nature of the plan changed within 30 days of quitting job. After that, they will have to themselves make the monthly installments and it is possible that the premiums get higher; however the employee can still enjoy coverage under the same organization.

Group life insurance plans are a way of making your company more desirable. It can be considered a fringe benefit for anyone who is hired. Employees will stick around longer, allowing you to invest less time and money into training. Many company group life insurance plans are accompanied by a disability plan, which can also be arranged with your insurance.

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.

categories: Life Insurance,Life Cover,Disability Cover,Death Cover,Money,Personal Finance,Family

Finding the right life insurance company is an essential part of getting a life insurance plan that is best for you. Life insurance guarantees that your family will be financially secure if you die. Funeral costs are enormous, and it will be difficult for your spouse to afford the bills all by themselves after you are gone. Life insurance will keep your family safe incase anything happens to you.

Every insurance company provides different life insurance plans, but you must get the most suitable deal for your family. The ideal method is to collect a list of several life insurance companies in your locality. You may also use this research in looking for brokers that might be helpful. Look for the customer care service and opinions of other people on agents and companies. You may also do research online to see if the company has any complaint against it.

Next, you must know approximately how much money your family members would need to make a living without you. This may be an important decided factor in choosing the insurance company. You can calculate the amount yourself manually, or just make a general approximation. Most people seek an amount that is six times their annul salary. This fund is to be used for your funeral expenses and to financially support your famiy when you are not alive.

You must now decide on what sort of plan you want to have. There are many policies offered by different insurance companies, under dissimilar names, but they offer the same thing. Explore and select a policy that is most suited to your needs. Incase you don?t clearly comprehend the disparity in life insurance policies; you may ask your broker to clarify them to you. Incase you get a good company and god broker then they will explain every minute thing to you in details.

If you are still unsure and are looking for more advice then you can refer to the ratings. Standard and Poor, A.M. Best, and Moody’s offer the best ratings. This will help you understand the financial condition of the company. This is important as you must know whether or not they will be able to pay your compensation fund if you die.

Another very basic plan you can opt for is the ?term life insurance?. In this plan you have to only pay monthly for a particular period of time, during which you get the cover. A universal policy gives you the freedom to modify payment plan as well as the benefits offered. The variable life is the most versatile plan offered, and it allows you to invest your payments in anyway you want.

The most appropriate time to start finding for suitable life insurance plan is the time when you feel that you need it. If you have some one who is dependent on you, such as your wife, husband or even children, then it is the best time to get insured. It may be possible that you die suddenly and your family may not be capable enough to bear the costs and ultimately they go into a monetary crisis. Moreover, you may find it difficult to get life insurance as you get older. With old age, you become a liability for the insurer, so you would not be given a proper coverage. You may find it hard to get a life insurance plan also if you are ill in any way, which may not result in death.

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.

categories: Life Insurance,Life Cover,Disability Cover,Death Cover,Money,Personal Finance,Family

Buying a life insurance policy means different things to different persons. When it’s time for you to buy life insurance, the first thing you need to do is to set your goals. Why do you need life insurance coverage’ Do you just want to make it easier for your executor to bury you’ Do you want to leave your family an income’ Many people use whole life policies as a tool for planning for big expenses, such as college, retirement, or just retiring debt in case of death or disability. Think about what you need your coverage to accomplish before you decide which kind of policy is right for you.

Second, you need to thoroughly examine your budget. Make sure you can afford life insurance. Figure out how much you can spend on premiums. Term life insurance tends to be cheaper. Those with temporary needs like a mortgage and child rearing expenses may find term insurance to fit their needs from both a goals and financial perspective. Others find that a permanent, whole life policy fits their needs, while others opt for a combination of term and whole life insurance policies. Whatever life insurance coverage you decide upon, make sure it fits into your budget as well. A qualified life insurance provider can discuss options with you.

Third, don’t forget that your life insurance needs to protect your real earning power, and that is more than just your salary. If your family would have to buy its own health insurance after your death, for example, or even if you think it’s likely your employer would drop their coverage in the future, be sure to include this cost in your life insurance figure. You probably also want to calculate 3 per cent inflation (at least) into the figure that will provide for your family’s needs. Be realistic so that you select the amount of coverage that really meets your family’s needs.

Finally, ask yourself this question: what stage are you at in life’ Different people have different needs, depending on where they are in life. You might need a policy to simply provide a death benefit. If you have people dependent upon your income, then you need to think about making sure your income is replaced in the event of your death, devastating illness or accident. If you need more income for retirement, take that into consideration when mapping out what type of life insurance policy is going to help meet your needs.

Sit down and make a list of your goals, your budget and your earning power. Think about where you are in life and what you want to accomplish. Once you have these ideas mapped out, then you can decide on what life insurance product is right for you.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.

categories: Life Insurance,Life Cover,Disability Cover,Death Cover,Money,Personal Finance,Family

Life insurance is exactly what the name suggests an insurance policy on your life. You buy a policy from an authorized agent, paying the company a monthly, quarterly, or annual premium. In return, the insurance company agrees to pay a set amount of money after your death. The proceeds of a life insurance policy go to your designated beneficiaries, usually in a single lump sum payment. If the policy does not designate beneficiaries, then the payment is made to your estate.

There are two kinds of life insurance policies: Term insurance policies, also called protection policies. Term insurance is temporary, for a set term of years, providing your family with coverage for a specific number of years for a set premium (although premiums typically go up as you get older).

Term life does not build up cash value. You are just buying protection in the event of your death, and nothing else.

Whole life, also sometimes called permanent life insurance. The objective of whole life insurance is to accumulate money through the payment of regular or lump-sum premiums on which interest is paid, while also providing coverage in the event of death. Whole life coverage is sometimes also called permanent life insurance. The premiums you pay for whole life do not change, and there is a fixed, guaranteed cash value for the policy. The funds accumulated from the payment of premiums each year can be paid to you whether or nor you die, for emergencies, vacations, retirement, or other expenses. If you take these funds for other purposes, of course, they are not paid when you die.

In addition to whole life insurance, other permanent policies include universal life insurance, which offers flexibility in that the insured can change the payment schedule or coverage amount; variable universal life insurance, which allows the potential for earning market returns; and single payment whole life insurance, where the insured buys the policy with one lump sum payment.

Life insurance policies usually cover death, although they may also cover dismemberment or serious illness, and give extra benefits in the event of accidental death, depending on the policy purchases. Proof of death or injury is always required before payment, regardless of the type of coverage. Remember, to get your coverage, you will have to get a physical examination from a company-approved doctor to give the company an accurate picture of your medical history. And even after you pass your physical, the coverage does not start before premiums are paid. Once premiums are paid, the policy is activated.

Life insurance usually covers death, dismemberment, accidental death and serious illness, depending on the type of policy purchased. Proof is required in all cases before payment will be made on any life insurance policy, regardless of the policy type. To purchase life insurance, you will need to get a quote from a qualified insurance provider, give an accurate picture of your medical history and receive a physical examination from your doctor. Once you pass your physical exam and your medical history is approved, a premium is required. After the premium is paid, then your life insurance policy is activated. A qualified insurance provider can also answer any specific questions you may have, as well as help design and tailor a life insurance program to help meet the needs of you and your family.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.

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Life insurance is difficult enough to understand, but understanding how company computes your premiums is even harder. Calculating your life insurance rates is not as simple and straightforward as calculating your premiums for other kinds of risk, like fire insurance. The rates you pay for life insurance coverage are based on your state of health at the time you apply for the policy, and that risk assessment is made by a qualified medical professional. If you are not in good fit, or if you indulge in risky behaviors such as smoking or street drugs, the insurance company expects to have to pay out more benefits on your policy than if you were totally healthy and did nothing to put your health at risk. That is the reason insurance companies usually require a physical exam before issuing your life insurance policy.

Once the physical exam is conducted, the life insurance provider will review the exam results, your family?s medical history, your driving record and possibly other medical reports. A credit report may be obtained as well.

Life insurance companies usually ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your lifestyle and health issues that do not come up during a physical. However tempting it may be to try to sway the results, be honest as you answer the questionnaire and as you fill out your medical history. Any dishonesty anywhere in your application will give the company grounds to cancel your policy in the future?perhaps after you are gone and cannot do anything to contest it.

From all these reports, the insurance company assigns you a score reflecting your risk. That is why the premium you actually pay may not be the same as the quote the agent gives you when you apply for coverage. If the company finds that you are at a higher risk level than originally assumed, your premium will almost certainly be higher than your quote.

Life insurance companies tell us that there are ways to lower risk. In general, take good care of your health. Stick to a healthy weight. Eat well-balanced meals. Get out and exercise on a regular basis. If you are a smoker, quit. Drive safely, and don’t get tickets. Auto insurance claims may also raise your life insurance premiums, not just your car insurance premiums. In general, enjoy your life, but avoid unnecessary risks

The insurance provider will also take into consideration things that you cannot control, like your age and gender, when determining your life insurance premiums. That is why it is important to improve your health and lower your health related risks. Risk assessment policies vary, depending on the life insurance provider. That is why it is a good idea to do research, ask questions and get several quotes before deciding on a life insurance policy.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.

categories: Life Insurance,Life Cover,Disability Cover,Death Cover,Money,Personal Finance,Family

Insurance protects us against risks, and having insurance policies seems to be a normal part of life. While insurance has been around for centuries in one form or another, the versions of insurance policies we are so familiar with today are relatively young.

As early as 5000 BC, the ancient Chinese formed mutual aid groups called tangs. These associations acted as a form of insurance to protect traders. There are man y historical stories and even modern mutual aid societies indicating a kind of humane “insurance,” in which neighbors or settlers or members of the same church or club take care of each other during emergencies. While a caring community cannot be assigned monetary value-many would consider its value to be incalculable-we can consider a caring community to be a form of insurance. Life insurance, however, did not arrive until long after the first caring communities.

In ancient Rome there were “burial clubs.” Members of these clubs were protected against funeral costs and their survivors were given financial aid. The origins of the burial clubs were religious. The Romans believed that if someone was not given a proper burial, he or she could not find peace in the afterlife. For all but the very rich, burial clubs were essential to finding peace in death, because every proper funeral required a large and often lavish celebration.

Life insurance of the kind we have today dates from the late seventeenth century in England. It was originally intended, like the ancient Chinese traders’ insurance, to protect merchants and traders. The death of one party to a business transaction could cause considerable hurt to the other. This historical form of life insurance protected those who brought goods into the city and those who sold them. Life insurance protected commerce.

The earliest American life insurance company appeared in 1732 in Charleston, in the colony of South Carolina, although at its founding, the company only offered fire insurance. Life insurance was not sold in the Thirteen Colonies until the 1760′s, but it quickly became a big business. In the southern states of the US, life insurance policies were issued for slaves. One company in New York allegedly issued 485 policies on slaves in just two years during the’40′s. However, as the northern states became more adamant in their opposition to slavery, insurance companies were ordered to stop insuring slaves. If the records are to be believed, the sale of life insurance on the lives of slaves stopped several years before the Emancipation Proclamation of’63. Ordered to search their records to purge any policies that indirectly supported slavery, life insurance companies found no such policies even before the Civil War.

Whatever type of insurance policy you hold today, one thing that is sure is that the history of life insurance is rich and complex. One constant, however, has not changed. Life insurance is designed to protect our heirs from whatever life sends their way. Speak with a qualified life insurance agent if you have any questions about how life insurance can protect your loved ones. A qualified agent can examine the specifics of your situation and help you find exactly the policy you need.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica’s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.

categories: Life Insurance,Life Cover,Disability Cover,Death Cover,Money,Personal Finance,Family