Knowing Your Life Insurance Options

While there?s not necessarily an age at which you?re too old to get life insurance, some people are not candidates for life insurance, despite what insurance sales representatives would have you think. Many consumers have not been given adequate information about the differences between whole and term life insurance, amongst other differences in the types of insurance policies. We want to make that information clearer, so you can understand and make informed decisions about life insurance. Lots of people don?t know whether life insurance is necessary for them. While many avoid the issue by saying that they will not be able to take money with them when they die, they should consider whether the loved ones they leave behind will need money. It is for the good of your spouse and/or dependents that you should investigate your life insurance options.

There are many varieties of life insurance. Choosing which will depend on your needs. There is term life, whole life, universal/variable universal, no-load, and of course mortgage life. Mortgage life insurance can be great for families with a mortgage. Upon your death, your mortgage is paid and your family can live mortgage free as long as they maintain ownership. It is no wonder with all this confusion most people decide to do nothing. Let us take the mystery out the life insurance options and allow you to make an education choice.

* Term Life Insurance: With this option, you would decide on specific length of time for which the company would cover you, and pay a fixed premium over that span. In the event of death within that period of time, the insurance company would pay out the amount of money you decided on. However, if your death were to occur outside of that time frame, you will not be covered. Buying a new policy after the expiration of the previous one is always an option, but the rates will tend to be much higher.

? Whole Life Insurance: As the name implies, whole life insurance covers you for the duration of your life. For the rest of your life, you will pay a monthly premium. You have the option to cash in the policy during your lifetime, in which case you are paid a lump sum. A whole life policy has a cash value and a face value. The cash value is what you get if you cash in the policy before death or maturity. The face value is what is paid at the time of death or policy maturity.

* Universal Life Insurance: This policy will invest your premiums into bonds, mortgages, and money market funds. This makes universal life insurance a bit more flexible, as you can adjust the details of the policy to fit your means. This fund created by your invested money pays for the pre-decided amount when you die. There is a minimum amount that is guaranteed to you if your money doesn't do well in the market.

-Variable Universal Life: This insurance type depends heavily on the outcome of your investments. If your investments are doing well, then your death benefit will be greater.

-No-Load/Low-Load Life Insurance: This life insurance types normally has less expenses than other life insurance policies. It is designed to use your premium to earn you money rather than fees or commissions. Speak to your financial advisor. They often sell no or low-load life insurance policies for flat rates instead of commissions. Now that you decide to buy life insurance, you will need to know how much. Speak with your accountant and financial advisor. They will better aid you in determining the amount your family will need if the unfortunate happens. This will help you decide which type, rates, and benefits based on your situation.

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Life Insurance provider. For more information visit: http://life.insurance123.co.za/