Life insurance is one of the most important elements of anyone’s financial portfolio. Education is the key to selecting the right type of policy and making it work for your personal circumstances. Using the tips and advice in the article that follows is a great way to get the most out of this very significant investment.
As you get older, evaluate how your life insurance needs have changed to be sure you aren’t paying more than you should. For example, if you are retired and your children are all employed and living independently, there is no need for a zillion-dollar policy. They simply don’t need that income if something should happen to you. So if you have no dependents in the house and no debts, you should ramp down your life insurance coverage to a minimum level – say, to support only your spouse if he or she survives you.
Make sure you understand all the exclusions, inclusions, and terms involved in your contract before signing on the dotted line. Items like non-payment for pre-existing diseases, no coverage if you were doing an activity considered dangerous and other exclusions are very common. Read the fine print and understand fully what you are paying for.
If you are looking to purchase a life insurance policy and you are a smoker, try to quit. This is because most life insurance companies will not provide insurance to a smoker, as they are more at risk to getting lung cancer and other smoking-related conditions. Companies that will provide insurance to a smoker will usually charge higher premium rates.
If you have a life insurance policy that is well founded, meaning you have a growing balance, you may be able to borrow against it to get the money that you need for a down payment on a house. If you do not want to borrow against it, you could even cash it out and start over on it again.
Sometimes in life insurance, more coverage is actually cheaper. As the amount of coverage increases, the cost per thousand dollars of coverage will decrease. For some companies, the math works out such that buying a bigger policy actually costs you less per month in premiums. Always ask for price quotes for multiple levels of coverage when shopping for insurance.
Choose a policy that specifically meets your needs. Life insurance can be tailored in many ways. Ask about riders that provide benefits such as an advance on the death benefit. If the insured contracts a terminal illness, this allows them to have money to pay for medical costs, although it does reduce the face value of the policy.
When preparing for a life insurance medical exam, be sure to follow all instructions carefully. At the same time, drink plenty of water the day before the exam and be cautious of what foods you eat. Taking these two actions can impact blood panel results and help you receive a better classification on life insurance rating.
Check your life insurance policy contract very carefully. When you receive the policy, you normally have 10 days to cancel for a full refund if you find it to be unsatisfactory. Make sure that all the benefits you applied for are included, and the premiums are what you agreed to pay. If there is anything you don’t understand in the policy, you should call the company for clarification. If you are still not satisfied, remember to return it within 10 days.
To save money on your life insurance, make adjustments to your policy as your needs grow and change. Good times to reevaluate your policy are after getting married or divorced, after having a child or after gaining care-taking responsibilities for an elderly parent or relative. If you have saved enough for retirement and have no one else to take care of, you can forgo life insurance entirely.
Don’t be tempted to lie or hold back information on your application for life insurance. If you have medical issues or other possible rate hikers, your company will investigate any time you file a large claim. This means they will find the hidden truth and can revoke your policy.
Being healthy will cause your life insurance rate to drop. You cannot foresee every medical issue you are going to run into, but you can definitely adopt healthier habits. You should stop smoking and drinking, as well as eat healthier food and perhaps go on a special diet if you have high cholesterol or a similar issue.
There is no debating the substantial role life insurance plays in the financial lives of many. The best way to choose an appropriate policy and realize the greatest benefit possible is to learn as much as you can about how different types of coverage work. Take advantage of the pointers in this article, and you will have a great foundation from which to operate.
