Term Life Insurance or Whole of Life Insurance Policy?
The search for life insurance can be frustrating and confusing, so it's important to get the best policy for your own unique needs and circumstances. So many web sites offer discount life insurance, and as a result people often end up with a policy not suited to their needs.
One of the questions that arise time and again is whether a term life policy or a whole of life policy is best, and what's the difference between them.
Term Life Insurance:
Term life insurance is a bit like leasing a car. You pay cover for a predefined term, and are covered for that term. However, at the end of the term, whether for example its 15 years or 30 years the deal is done and you simply walk away.
This means that term life insurance only offers protection for the duration of the mortgage, and is usually of little value once your mortgage is fully paid off.
Term insurance is generally cheap and is expected to fall over time providing you don't suffer from a major disease. However, there are a number of different types of term life insurance policy:
* The first type is known as level term insurance, and it is a very popular policy. Here, the premium costs are locked in for the entire term of the policy. This means you pay the same amount every month/year for the term of the policy.
* The second type is known as escalating term cover. This type of policy can be become expensive in later years, as you generally pay an increasing amount as the policy ages. However, there is an advantage, in that the payout at death also increases. This type of life policy is normally more suited to younger people.
* Next, we have decreasing term insurance, and in this type of policy monthly payments stay the same, although the amount of cover reduces each year.
* The forth type of term life cover is increasing term insurance, where the pay out on death increases. However, to make up for this increase it will be necessary to increase the premiums from time to time, in line with changing circumstances.
* The fifth and final type is known as convertible term insurance. It is a type of term life insurance that you can convert at a later stage into an investment vehicle. The value of the investment is normally based on your health when you originally took out the policy.
Whole of Life Insurance & it's Advantages:
Whole of life cover covers you right up until your death. Provided, of course, that you keep paying your premiums! It can pay out a substantial benefit to your loved ones when you die, and it can also accumulate a cash value over time.
Whole of life policies can be more expensive and more complicated than term life insurance. Also, the investment you make can earn some interest each year. Therefore, since your investment generally grows each year, your premiums can actually reduce over time. You may also reach a time where the interest gained covers all the future premiums, which means you may have no more premiums to pay.
However, it's important to understand that it is possible the cash-in-value of a whole of life policy may actually be less than the amount put into the policy over it's full term.
Summary:
When it comes to the decision of whether to choose a term life policy, or whole of life insurance cover, the ultimate decision must be guided by your individual needs.
The simplest form is a level term policy with a renewable option. This will allow you to get life insurance for as long as you may need it.
However, you may prefer a policy that offers a growing nest egg, that pays out while you are still around to enjoy it!
Both types of policy have advantages and disadvantages, and that's why it's always a good idea to get advice from a competent insurance adviser.
One of the questions that arise time and again is whether a term life policy or a whole of life policy is best, and what's the difference between them.
Term Life Insurance:
Term life insurance is a bit like leasing a car. You pay cover for a predefined term, and are covered for that term. However, at the end of the term, whether for example its 15 years or 30 years the deal is done and you simply walk away.
This means that term life insurance only offers protection for the duration of the mortgage, and is usually of little value once your mortgage is fully paid off.
Term insurance is generally cheap and is expected to fall over time providing you don't suffer from a major disease. However, there are a number of different types of term life insurance policy:
* The first type is known as level term insurance, and it is a very popular policy. Here, the premium costs are locked in for the entire term of the policy. This means you pay the same amount every month/year for the term of the policy.
* The second type is known as escalating term cover. This type of policy can be become expensive in later years, as you generally pay an increasing amount as the policy ages. However, there is an advantage, in that the payout at death also increases. This type of life policy is normally more suited to younger people.
* Next, we have decreasing term insurance, and in this type of policy monthly payments stay the same, although the amount of cover reduces each year.
* The forth type of term life cover is increasing term insurance, where the pay out on death increases. However, to make up for this increase it will be necessary to increase the premiums from time to time, in line with changing circumstances.
* The fifth and final type is known as convertible term insurance. It is a type of term life insurance that you can convert at a later stage into an investment vehicle. The value of the investment is normally based on your health when you originally took out the policy.
Whole of Life Insurance & it's Advantages:
Whole of life cover covers you right up until your death. Provided, of course, that you keep paying your premiums! It can pay out a substantial benefit to your loved ones when you die, and it can also accumulate a cash value over time.
Whole of life policies can be more expensive and more complicated than term life insurance. Also, the investment you make can earn some interest each year. Therefore, since your investment generally grows each year, your premiums can actually reduce over time. You may also reach a time where the interest gained covers all the future premiums, which means you may have no more premiums to pay.
However, it's important to understand that it is possible the cash-in-value of a whole of life policy may actually be less than the amount put into the policy over it's full term.
Summary:
When it comes to the decision of whether to choose a term life policy, or whole of life insurance cover, the ultimate decision must be guided by your individual needs.
The simplest form is a level term policy with a renewable option. This will allow you to get life insurance for as long as you may need it.
However, you may prefer a policy that offers a growing nest egg, that pays out while you are still around to enjoy it!
Both types of policy have advantages and disadvantages, and that's why it's always a good idea to get advice from a competent insurance adviser.
About the Author:
Michael Pettigrew writes articles for insurance website Best Insurance Quotes, who provide quality cheap life insurance cover. Visit Best Insurance Quotes for great life insurance cover