As the old saying goes, nothing is certain – except death and taxes. Most insurances are in place to protect against something that could happen – however we can guarantee death will happen to us all – making it the most important insurance you buy.
Reasons to buy life insurance
There are many reasons to buy life insurance – whether you do or don’t have health issues. Naturally, if you do have health issues it makes sense to take out a policy, but even if you don’t it’s wise to look into it early. Policies could be better value the younger and healthier you are. Provided you have dependents, a partner who needs your income or a mortgaged property, life insurance is a must-have. With life insurance you can:
Cover the loss of income
The loss of a partner, particularly if it’s unexpected, can have a huge impact on a household income, to the point where the other partner may not be able to cope. Many may struggle to cover the mortgage, let alone day-to-day living costs, especially with children.
Pay funeral bills
These things can feel morbid to think about, but it’s important to consider how your family might pay for a funeral. The cost of a funeral can reach over £4000 which can be a large expense for a family, especially when faced with a loss of income and not to mention the loss of a loved one.
Pay off any debts
If you were to pass away without settling your debts, these would be paid out from your estate before your family receives anything you’ve left behind. A lump sum payment upon your death to cover anything outstanding means your family can make the most of what you leave them.
Make sure your children are well catered for
Should you have children, particularly those that still live at home, then life insurance is even more important. Ensuring they’re
There are different types of term life insurance depending on your situation:
Level term policy
This policy will pay the same amount throughout the entire term unless you change it during that time. With this policy, you will know exactly what your family will be left with in the event of your death.
Increasing term policy
An increasing term policy factors in the rising cost of living. Any money paid out will be in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI), ensuring that the money insured holds is real value throughout the term. However, as the amount insured rises over time, so will the premiums in line with this. Therefore, if you decide this policy is right for you, you should be prepared to pay more as time goes on.
Decreasing term policy
Decreasing term insurance is designed to cover a debt that will gradually reduce over time, such as a mortgage. With this type of insurance, your monthly payments will stay the same, but the overall mortgage debt will decrease. The amount that the insurance company will pay out will also decrease to reflect the remaining debt on your mortgage.
How much does life insurance cost?
The cost of life insurance depends on a number of factors including the policy you take out as well as your age, lifestyle and medical history. So if you are young, active and healthy then, in general, you will pay less for life insurance than someone who is older or someone who has a life-long medical condition.
