Yourlowinsurance

According to one of the largest UK life insurance companies, just 1% of life policies are written in trust. That is disgraceful and reflects poorly on the financial industry.

Let’s explain.

If your life insurance policy is Written in Trust then, in the event of a claim, the insurance company pays out directly to the beneficiaries you name on the policy. The significance of this is easily missed.

It means that if the policy is Written in Trust, the proceeds from the policy never form part of your legal estate and are not subject to Inheritance Tax. The importance of this is illustrated by the following figures:

Take Mr A. He’s a widower and wants to leave everything equally to his two sons. He owns his home which is currently worth 245,000 with a 10,000 outstanding mortgage. His investments are valued at 52,000 and his car and other chattels are worth 18,000. He also owns a life insurance policy for 100,000 which is not written in trust. We assume that the costs of administering his estate and obtaining probate would be 5,000.

If Mr A were to die now, his estate would be worth 400,000 less Inheritance Tax. Inheritance Tax is currently levied at 40% on the value of his estate over and above 275,000 that means that the taxman will walk off with 50,000 and his sons would each receive 175,000.

Now lets assume exactly the same figures except that in this case the life insurance policy is Written in Trust with Mr A’s sons as equal beneficiaries. Because the life insurance company pays out directly to his sons, they each receive 50,000 straight away and non of the money is included in Mr A’s estate. This means that his estate is now worth 300,000 and the taxman can only walk away with 10,000. Each of his sons receives 20,000 more and tax-free!

So simply by signing a few forms, Mr A saves 40,000 tax!

Is there a catch? No all the documentation is standard and is provided totally free of charge by the life insurance company. Your broker through whom you buy the policy, should complete the documentation for you, again free of charge. All you have to do is give the details of the beneficiaries to the broker and sign the form. Solicitors are not required. In the event of a claim, the life insurance company then has to pay out directly to the beneficiaries. Job done! Poor Mr Taxman!

Even if your policy is designed to repay a mortgage, it should be Written in Trust for your partner. Then, rather than your estate receiving the money and using it pay off the mortgage, the money can be paid directly to your partner. This saves legal delays, solicitor’s and probate fees and loads of hassle. Your partner can then use the money to personally pay off the mortgage. Whether this also saves you Inheritance tax will depend on the value of your estate and how you have structured your Will.

So we believe that a life insurance policy Written I Trust is a win win situation. And there aren’t many of those around these days! We can’t see any drawbacks.

Bye the way, no matter what you decide to do, always ensure that you have an up-to-date Will.

Have you ever heard the term load and no load in the financial service industry? The loading of an insurance product usually always involves the agents commission and the companys expenses. Some policies have what they call front end loads and back end loads. These loads are normally associated with permanent insurance policies. The cost of doing business is all wrapped up in the loading of a policy. No load term life insurance is probably the least expensive form of life insurance in the market. You often wonder what makes one company so much cheaper than the other and it usually has to do with the type of goods and services provided. Those goods and services are what make up the loading aspect of the life insurance policy. The no load term life insurance policy usually indicates that you are primarily purchasing direct from the insurance company and with little or no professional advice or opinion.

The life insurance professional is still very important to a great number of people. Buying life insurance direct from a company without an agent may be less expensive but it also may leave you wanting when it comes to professional counseling and service. Term life insurance is very simple and so the purchase of term life insurance may be something that you can handle on your own without a professional. These are individual choices and preferences that each of us must decide upon before we buy life insurance.

Term life insurance is inexpensive to begin with and so researching the market place for a no load product may or may not have a major affect on the premium. Ask about loading when you shop for term life insurance. You may be surprised at what you learn about the insurance companies and how they come up with their rates. It will also help you when you inevitably begin to shop for permanent life insurance.

Long Term Life Insurance is term life insurance that is taken out for an extended period of time. Most term life insurance tends to be for a period of between one and seven years, but some people prefer a longer term cover. Insurance companies have responded to this demand by offering a new range of products that fall somewhere between whole life insurance and traditional term insurance.

Normally when people want long term cover, they purchase whole life insurance, which covers them for the duration of their life, and also builds a cash value. However, if you do not wish to pay the extra premiums that are associated with the investment, then perhaps long term insurance rather than whole insurance may be the way for you to go.

These policies may be referred to as Permanent Life policies, and can be set up so that they are payable on demise, or at a certain age. Long term life insurance really blurs the line between whole life and term life insurance, with policies often borrowing from both structures to offer the customer even more flexibility. If you do not wish to have an accruing cash value, then you don’t have to. You can also stipulate whether you want the beneficiary to receive a lump sum payment, or monthly payments to boost income.

Unlike shorter term policies, long term life insurance does tend to be initially more expensive, though over the length of the term it may prove more cost effective than short term life insurance policies. Talking to your preferred insurance provider will give you a good idea of the options that are available out there. Then you can shop around and compare policies online, which will give you an even better idea of your options. The market is booming, so if you are looking for more flexibility in your life insurance, now is the time to look.

People spend a lot of money on complicated financial products and it is sometimes difficult to keep track of what products perform what tasks. Many people are not aware of all the financial products that are available or they only know of them vaguely. They may not know how much they cost or the potential benefits they offer. How can consumers make informed decisions on what products they would be willing to buy if they do not have this basic information? This problem can often lead to consumers buying unsuitable of overpriced products simply because they feel they should have some financial protections available but dont have the details to make an informed choice.

One of the common questions many consumers have is regarding the difference between insurance policies and assurance policies. Put simply, insurance policies cover the costs of an event that might happen while assurance policies will pay out on the occurrence of an event that is certain to happen. Insurance policies only last for a specific period of time. If the event occurs within that time, they pay out, otherwise they are finished. Therefore, if no claim can be made within the term of the policy, they have no remaining value.

Guaranteed Payout

An assurance policy is different. Assurance policies always pay out. For example, a life assurance policy will generally pay out upon death or upon reaching the age of 65. How does this policy work? Well, they combine two elements; an insurance element, which will pay out if, the person dies early. This will then be used to pay for the funeral or support his family. But then there is another payment made every year and this is the investment portion. The insurance company invests this part of the premium on behalf of the policyholder and when they reach the age of 65, they pay this out. Life assurance policies are therefore often used both as a method of life insurance and as a method of saving for retirement.

Do You Need Money Now?

If you wish to cash in the investment portion of a life assurance policy early this is generally possible. However, there will usually be hefty penalties added to this so it is unadvisable to cash in early if you dont have to. The distinction between insurance and assurance is also becoming more blurred as more companies offer both types of policy or add features of one type of policy to their other type to make them more attractive. The distinction is still important so that you know what to ask for and know what kinds of facilities are available for insuring your life and providing for your future.

Life Insurance Take A Last Gasp And Count The Savings!

We’re not being insensitive, honestly! We’re talking about your last gasp of smoke have you given up smoking recently?

Did you know that smokers paying up to 60% more for their life insurance cover compared to non-smokers. So, besides the health dividend and the money saved on cigarettes, insurance companies will chip in with lower life insurance premiums. And the insurance savings aren’t to be sneezed at! A typical policyholder could save at least 10 or more per month.

With most insurance companies, you qualify for non-smoker premium rates if you haven’t smoked or otherwise used nicotine products, within the last five years. Now five years is a long time to wait for the extra spending money if you’ve only recently given up smoking. However, people in the know have pointed out a way to speed things up.

They point out that some insurers have adopted a more relaxed definition of a non-smoker. Some insurers have shortened the 5 year smoke free period to just twelve months. So if you haven’t smoked for a year, find out how much you can save by moving your life insurance to one of these insurers. But be careful. You must never cancel your existing policy until you’ve received written acceptance from the new insurer.

How do find the right insurer?

First go onto Internet because that’s the best way to find cheap insurance. Then search for a life insurance broker that fulfils three criteria:

The broker must search the whole insurance market for the lowest price this means that they will find the cheapest insurance company for you.

The broker must be prepared to discount the prices they achieve this by rebating some of their commission back into your policy. That ensures you get a really cheap quote.

They’ll phone you with the quote and provide further help this is essential as the chances are that the price they will initially phone you with, will be from an insurer using the a five-year smoking definition. You have to tell them that you need the cheapest quote from a company using the twelve-month smoking definition . That means they’ll have to call you back after doing some digging.

If you use a web site that provides an immediate on-screen quote, you won’t know whether the quote provided comes from an insurance company that uses the 5-year or 12-month smoker definition. Online systems never tell you. That’s why you need to be able to speak to a life insurance adviser on the phone so you can explain what you need. Of course, to be able to be able to make a direct comparison with your existing policy you need to get a quote on an identical policy that terminates in the same year as your existing policy.

Once you’ve got the right quote, you’ll be able to see much you’re likely to save. So if the price looks right, make a full application.

One of the main aspects that will affect your premium is your age. Therefore, if your existing policy was bought some years ago, the savings could be less than the 60% we have indicated. However, life insurance is one of those things that’s become cheaper over recent years – so until you get the figures in front of you, the savings are hard to predict. You’ll just have to get a quotation and find out! As all the brokers we know are only too pleased to provide free quotations without any obligation, you’ve nothing to lose and possibly lots to gain.

After finding a cheap quotation from an insurer with the 12-month smoker definition, you’ll have to complete a full application form. Be sure to read every question carefully and answer all the questions fully and honestly. Far too many people try to ensure they qualify for a low premium by being economical with the truth. Don’t be tempted. If there is a claim, the insurer will recheck the information you provide, even if it’s many years later.

Over the last few years insurance companies have become more choosey about whom they accept on standard insurance terms that’s the first price you were quoted. The company’s selection rules about health and weight have become far tougher resulting in more clients having their premium loaded. That’s why you must not cancel your existing life policy until you’ve got a final acceptance notice at a price that gives you the savings you’re looking for.

Whilst the process to switch a policy may sound a little daunting, it isn’t really too bad. Just think of the money you’ll save! Just reward for the stress of giving up smoking.

Best of luck.

Most individuals have some form of insurance, whether it is for their vehicle, home or health. But it is important, however, not to overlook the benefits of life insurance, which pays money to beneficiaries when the insured dies.

HOW LIFE INSURANCE WORKS

Typically, the insured person makes payments into the plan – called premiums – in exchange for a “death benefit,” the money that is paid at the time of death. If you are considering purchasing life insurance there are a few potential problems you need to be aware of.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

There are numerous types of policies you can choose, but life insurance policies generally fall into three categories – protection, long-term savings and estate conservation.

Many people purchase life insurance for the purpose of providing for their dependents in the event of their death, thus protecting your existing stream of income. If you are in the protection category you may want to consider term life insurance, which offers only a death benefit for a specified period of time such as until you retire.

If long term savings is your reason for purchasing insurance, you may consider a cash value policy. With this type of life insurance, your beneficiaries receive a payment upon your death based on the full amount of coverage , not the cash value of the plan. The value of these plans is usually tied to an underlying investment portfolio and that is how funds accumulate.

Another added benefit is that these policies usually allow a holder to borrow from the accumulated funds in the plan without taxes or penalties. Depending on the policy, you can typically withdraw a portion of cash value and not pay it back, or even cancel the policy and receive the money that has been accumulated over the years.

USE LIFE INSURANCE FOR ESTATE PLANNING

Life insurance can also be used as an estate planning tool, especially if your goal is to preserve wealth for future generations. This type of policy covers one or two lives; the cash generated by these plans typically helps your heirs pay estate taxes and provide otherwise.

Now you have to decide how much coverage you need to provide the amount of income your family will need in the event of your death. After all, your goal in purchasing life insurance most likely is to ensure that income continues for those who are now dependent upon your income.

WHO NEEDS LIFE INSURANCE?

It also is important not to ignore the need for life insurance protection in a single or dual income family. The death of either spouse could create a financial strain on your family.

Shopping online for life insurance quotes is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and throughout Europe. No longer do we have to spend hours on the telephone – much to our employer’s disgust – divulging our personal details, only to find that the quotes from the life insurance companies are too expensive or don’t match our needs. Neither do we have to concern ourselves with taking time off work to make appointments with life insurance providers, subjecting ourselves to hours of sales talk. Of course, all of these options are still available to consumers should they prefer them, but many are now voting with their mouse and turning to online sources for life insurance quotes.

Tracking down the best quotes for life insurance

Obtaining life insurance quotes online is quick and easy. We can start our search for life insurance at our convenience any time of the day or night. If we want to find life insurance quotes at 3am in the morning, then we can do! Searching online for quotes also presents us with a great deal of choice. Almost all of the familiar names in the life insurance market have web sites on which their life insurance products are offered, and there are many less familiar names too.

For the consumer, this is great news, as the more life insurance companies there are offering their life insurance products on the Internet, then the more competition there is and so the better the price. When hunting down life insurance, or any type of insurance, it is always best to get a range of quotes as premiums can vary quite dramatically – sometimes by 300% or more! The Internet provides consumers with an efficient tool to do just this, plus they get to read about the benefits of each life insurance plan in the comfort of their own home first.

The quotes process

Most life insurance companies will have links to online quotes request forms. Consumers looking for life insurance quotes will be required to complete the form and submit it online in order to receive quotes. The online forms are generally uncomplicated, often taking only 5-10 minutes to complete.

Once the form is complete it can often be submitted online to the life insurance company. Some insurance companies will come straight back to you with an instant quote, others will revert back with a quote within 24-72 hours, either by e-mail or by telephone. Many companies also back their insurance quotes up with an official quotation by post.

When it comes to selecting life insurance policies the Internet is the place to look for the best offers. Life insurance companies have flocked to the Internet in recent times, supplying online life insurance hunters with an extensive choice of life policies. The growth in the number of life insurance companies servicing life insurance polices has made a significant impact on life insurance premiums too, bringing them down to record low levels. Basic life insurance cover can now be acquired for less than 50p per day, and in some instances for as little as 20p per day.

Besides choice and price, the Internet also offers convenience to people who are looking for life insurance polices. Life insurance information can be gathered and insurance quotes asked for at any time of the day or night. If it suits you to search out information on life insurance policies at five in the morning, then life insurance companies on the Internet are there for you at five in the morning.

Choosing between life insurance policies

There are four types of life insurance policy available from most life insurance companies. These are level term life insurance, level term life insurance with critical illness, reducing term life insurance and reducing term life insurance with critical illness.

Level term life insurance is the most basic type of the four policies. It guarantees pay out upon death of the policyholder should he she die during the term of the policy. The premiums remain the same throughout the life cover as does the amount paid out in the event of death. It is important to note that many level term policies have an upper age limit after which the life company becomes free of its obligation to pay out.

Reducing term life insurance, which is also known as mortgage life insurance, works a little differently to level term policies. These are shorter policies that are normally taken out over the same term as a mortgage and guarantees pay out in the event of death during the term. However, unlike level term insurance the amount paid out on a claim reduces in line with the outstanding mortgage balance, so ensuring that loved ones left behind are not in danger of losing the roof over their heads.

Both level term life & reducing term life policies can be coupled with a critical illness product. This ensures that the policyholder and their family have an income for a certain period of time should the policyholder become critically ill and be unable to return to work. Critical illness policies also come with life insurance payment waivers so you don’t have to worry about your life insurance premium payments while you are in a critically ill state.

There comes a time in our life when we think about our self do we need any protection for future like life insurance or not. It is not a big decision for all of us. No one likes to be reminded of their own mortality, after all! , its a decision that comes to our life all at certain times especially if we have kids to give them good future.

Honestly it is worth, while we consider of taking out life insurance at any stage of your life especially as we reach middle of age and start to amass mortgages and other financial commitments. The basic fact is that it does not matter if we have family to consider for or not but, if we have some kind of financial commitments then we need to consider about what will happen if we die out of the blue. We have to remember that it does not matter how healthy we think of our self but we may die in a car accident or get run over by a train tomorrow while crossing the railway line!

We must consider few things, what would happen to our financial commitments if we die unexpectedly. Many people do not know that the money they owe on some kind of loans and mortgages does not necessarily pay for itself after their death There must be somebody who will have to take care of its repayment. Finally, in the simplest of form we have to consider about who would pay for our funeral at the end of the day.

Life insurance may be worth thinking about at this stage it is very important, but, if you have a family to add to the equation. If you have a partner andor kids then consider about how they would meet financially if we did die and our salary died with us. This isnt just about managing things like the mortgage, loans its also all about working out how they will pay for lifes necessities never mind lifes luxuries after us. If we protect them with a strong life insurance policy then they could at least meet financially during what will be a very difficult time for them.

The important thing to remember in mind with life insurance is, that it doesnt have to cost the land. Life insurance policies these days are available at small cost we really could be paying just a small amount pound a month to get the right levels of protection with satisfaction. To make things easier and clear many industry experts recommend that we shop around for the best life insurance quote as the sector is extremely competitive these days and off course this is easily done there are lot of web sites that can help us swiftly through competitive quotes so we can find the cheapest policies in just a matter of minutes. This is a great way of getting the life insurance cover we need without spending much time or money in the process.

Life Insurance No Medical Exam – The Pros and Cons

Are you in search of life insurance with no medical exam required? Have you been looking for life insurance online, but maybe youre frustrated with so many choices?

Why spend endless hours searching online when you already know buying life insurance is the right thing to do? And term life insurance offers you the maximum protection at the lowest rates.

Now its quick, easy and affordable for almost everyone to get term life insurance online without taking a medical exam. Actually, theres a few insurers that offer instant approval life insurance if you qualify. You can apply online in about 5 minutes and find out if you qualify instantly. Thats right. No more paperwork. No medical exams. No more pushy agents. And, no more delays of between 4 to 6 weeks to receive your policy.

Today, you can get life insurance online and print your policy immediately after you pay your first premium online. You can actually get life insurance coverage In Force today, if you qualify. Not everyone qualifies for coverage though. You do have to be in good health, generally. But, even if youre taking medication, or may not qualify with other life insurers you might qualify for no exam life insurance.

Okay, you should be aware that life insurance with no exam required may cost you a little more than coverage through other insurers. But the benefits outweigh the costs for some folks. Several benefits include: Instant approval, coverage in force today, no doctors, no invasive needles, no medical tests, no mailing delays, no pushy insurance agents to deal with The list goes on. However, there are two drawbacks – the premium may be a little higher. And, not everyone qualifies for coverage.

Its easy to find out if you qualify for no exam life insurance. You just answer a few simple health questions to get your instant quotes. Then, you decide if you like the rates, and you can apply online in about 5 minutes. You usually get a response within 10 minutes as to whether you are approved for your life insurance coverage. Then, you can pay your first months premium online, and print your policy immediately. Its that simple. No time delays, no mountains of paperwork and no dreaded medical exams.

Make sure to check the financial rating of your life insurer. It is usually provided on their web site. Also, paying an annual premium is usually less expensive than monthly payment options. Finally, when you buy direct online, youre cutting out the uncomfortable sales person at your dinner table trying to talk you into the policy.

Life insurance no medical exam policies can provide the protection you need at affordable rates. Its worth a few minutes to get instant quotes and decide if you want the coverage. Theres no hassle, and no sales pressure.