When you pass on, your family can take out life insurance money to cope up with the financial burden that you might leave behind, like medical bills, mortgage payments, childcare payments or car lease payments.
1. Whole Life Insurance
When it comes to whole life insurance, it covers the policy holder’s entire life, and the insurance company will be liable to pay a lump sum of money when you die. This insurance type will pay your beneficiaries in cash after your death. Usually, the whole life insurance policy is expensive and you will have to pay the premium until the age of 70. On the other hand, term insurance is cheaper, as it’s just for a fixed term only. The cash taken out depends on the type of policy you’re buying.
2. Level Term Life Insurance
Now comes the level term life assurance, meaning the beneficiary will get a lump sum payment if the policy holder dies during the fixed term. Just be clear that this policy doesn’t pay if the policyholder dies after the fixed term has ended. The insurance company guarantees the payments, which remains fixed throughout the policy term. Such life insurance policies are being used by people with an interest-only mortgage – in which the mortgage amount remains fixed all through the term period.
3. Decreasing Term Insurance
With decreasing term insurance, the insurer pays out the lump sum in case of death within the policy term. During the policy holder’s lifetime, the actual amount diminishes, and there’s no cash-in value at one time. Such life insurance policies are being used by those with a repayment mortgage – in which the outstanding mortgage decreases throughout the entire mortgage life.
4. Single or Joint Life Insurance
There are two types of coverages; single life insurance or joint life insurance. When it comes to the single life assurance policy, it’s cheaper, but you have to keep in mind your individual needs. On the other hand, the joint life insurance policy covers both you and your partner or child care payments when your non-working spouse dies. Although, the joint policies look good, don’t forget to get the quotes for single policies as well because it’s inexpensive and maybe cover both of you.
5. Critical Illness
When you plan to buy an insurance policy, don’t forget to check that it is covering for critical illness. It’s an additional benefit that most of the life insurance companies offer. The insurer is liable to pay a lump sum of money if you’re diagnosed with heart attack, cancer, stroke or sclerosis. No doubt, the addition of critical illness to your life assurance will benefit you more in the long run, and you can save money on life insurance. But it’s also significant to calculate the added cost against the advantage of lump sum payment when you or your partner is out of work. It’s a good money-saving tip to buy a policy that covers both life and critical illness instead of paying out for separate insurances. The vital part is to check out the level of critical illness that the insurance cover as some policies include limited range such as cancer, in most cases.
6. Waiver of Premium
Another way to save money is by waiver of premium. It is the time when you’re unable to work due to critical illness, and the insurance company makes payments on your behalf for a set period. You can overlook this cost as it is added to your life assurance policy.