Posts Tagged ‘life cover’
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Group life insurance plan is decided by a manager or company with more than five or at least 10 workers. The employer bargains for lesser rates with the group policy providers. The insurer in this case, offers coverage to all the employees involved in the plan. This insurance plan can be a big advantage to your organization, incase you want retention of workers. You can do several things with a plan like this one.
Monthly payment system can be finalized in numerous dissimilar ways. You can select for the premiums to be paid exclusively by your organization, or half from employee and half from organization. It is completely depends on workers that whether they wish to be the part of this group or not, but organization needs at least 5, normally 10 workers to start this plan.
A group life insurance providing company generally provides low coverage, such as 1 to 2 times of your salaries. Workers can also add their personal life insurance plan to this policy as if they believe that it is not enough for them. Every worker has the right to change the beneficiary name in their particular policy whenever they require.
A group life insurance policy is a full of benefits for employees. As it is a group plan, the insurer does not consider the effect of any personal liabilities. The company is taken into account as a whole, and the rates are adjusted accordingly. Any of the employees cannot be denied from their coverage, so all can enjoy the advantages. If someone wants to quit then they may get their coverage renewed with the same organization within a month of quitting the job.
Getting a group life insurance policy is simple. Look around to find the best rates and settle on which insurer meets all your requirements. After you have found a suitable company, you may create a team of employees who wish to take part in the plan. You will be responsible to gather all details about employees who are interested to take part in the plan. You will have to furnish the insurance company with some details, like the nature of the business, so that the insurers may know how risky the workers of the company are. When you get new employees, you may even get them involved in the plan. All they need to do is fill up some forms
If someone leaves the company they can still keep their life insurance, but they must make it into a private plan. The employee has thirty days to change the plan. They will have to start making monthly payments themselves and the premiums are likely to be higher, but they can continue having coverage under the same company.
The group life insurance policy is a means of making your organization more advantageous. This can be taken as a fringe benefit offered to anyone who is appointed. The staff will stay for long in the company, and this will let you save time and money on recruitment and training. There are several company group life insurance policies that come along with a disability plan, which you may also club with your insurance plan.
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.
Tags: death cover, disability cover, family, health insurance, life cover, life insurance, money, personal finance Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
Many people find the life insurance policies very troublesome. There are several things that you can do to change the rate of your premiums, and to make sure that you receive the lowest rate available. It is always recommended that you look around well for the best insurance company. This way you can get the best deal, however there are also other things taken into consideration.
Get your life insurance at an early age. If you have people in your family who are dependent on you, it’s time to get life insurance. Many people wait until they become older to even think about it, but that often means you will be paying higher premiums. If you wait it also makes it more likely that you will get sick. People who get sick find it extremely difficult to find affordable life insurance.
You must also try and leave smoking, if you are a smoker. Those who smoke have to pay premiums two times more than those who don?t. You may apply to get your premiums lowered after a year of quitting smoke. But it will save more money if you quit smoking now. If you are not a regular smoker then you may get good rates but you will have to search a lot.
As already said earlier, your insurer takes a lot of trouble to make certain that you have a sound health and fitness. Get a doctor check up to ensure that your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight are normal. Try to get these normal to make sure that you get lower premiums. If you are very sick then it is very less likely that you get lower premium rates.
You may even have to stop participating in any short of risky activities. If you are more into activities like rock climbing, sky diving, or motorcycle ridding your insurer may not offer you the coverage. Some plans have conditions which state that if your death if caused by any of the above mentioned activities then your insurance cover will not be provided. You can buy special insurance plan which cover these activities. Your normal plan may also provide coverage but at a higher premium.
Many people opt for term life insurance in the place of whole life. The term life insurance plan is applicable only for the period of time when the payments are made. Incase of your death, your family members will receive the money provided you do not die participating in any of the excluded adventurous activities. Whole life insurance plan is slightly different. With this insurance plan, you pay a higher premium but you may be able to enjoy the benefits if you live long. A part of the fund that you pay gets invested so that you get some returns on it. This makes it more than the original money and at a particular time you may withdraw these funds. Incase you die before the completion of this period then your family members will get the money.
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.
Tags: death cover, disability cover, family, health insurance, life cover, life insurance, money, personal finance Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Looking for the perfect life insurance company is an important component of getting a plan which works for you. Life insurance plan ensures the financial security of your family after you die. The funeral costs are huge and your partner may find it very tough to bear all the costs alone after you are no more. A life insurance plan will protect your family if your die.
Every insurance company provides different life insurance plans, but you must get the most suitable deal for your family. The ideal method is to collect a list of several life insurance companies in your locality. You may also use this research in looking for brokers that might be helpful. Look for the customer care service and opinions of other people on agents and companies. You may also do research online to see if the company has any complaint against it.
The next step is to figure out how much money your family will need to compensate your death. This may play a big factor in what insurance companies you can look at. You can either manually figure out the costs, or do a general estimate. Most people want life insurance that is equal to six times their yearly salary. This money is used to pay for your funeral and to keep your family going, since you are no longer there to provide.
You must now decide on what sort of plan you want to have. There are many policies offered by different insurance companies, under dissimilar names, but they offer the same thing. Explore and select a policy that is most suited to your needs. Incase you don?t clearly comprehend the disparity in life insurance policies; you may ask your broker to clarify them to you. Incase you get a good company and god broker then they will explain every minute thing to you in details.
If you need help choosing a life insurance company you can look at their ratings to give you more advice. The most popular ratings are A.M. Best, Standard and Poor, and Moody’s. This will tell you what type of financial standing the company have so that you know they will be able to pay your life insurance if something happens.
Term life insurance is the most basic plan which you can get. In this plan you pay monthly premiums for a fix amount of time, and you will get cover till the end of the policy period. A universal policy plan allows you to transform your payments and benefits plan. The most flexible plan is known as variable life, and this plan allows you the freedom to pay premiums in which ever way you want.
The best time to start looking for life insurance is as soon as you think you need it. If you have anyone that is dependent on you, like a husband, wife, or children, it’s probably a good time. If you die unexpectedly, your family may not be able to bear the costs and go into a financial crisis. Furthermore, life insurance may be more difficult as you get older. When you get older you become more of a liability for the insurance company, so they may not want to give you coverage. It can also be difficult to get life insurance if you are sick in any way that might lead to death.
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.
Tags: death cover, disability cover, family, health insurance, life cover, life insurance, money, personal finance Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Anyone who has people who depend on them financially should have proper life insurance coverage Life cover should be at the top of your list of priorities. How will your family survive financially when you are gone? Just because you are here today does not promise a tomorrow. Nobody should be without life cover.
The lump sum policies are a cinch to obtain. Finding the right plan options with the highest amount of coverage is the tricky part.
Before you apply for life insurance there are a few things you should know. Determine how much life cover you really need, be careful not to take out too small of an amount. Do not forget to factor the home loan and other bills. Life insurance calculators can be located online to assist with determining the amount of cover you need. It is imperative to not be under insured. You want to make sure you are not over insured as well.
You have to decide the length of time the coverage Under normal situations a policy should remain in effect until dependants have left home and all financial responsibilities has been paid. Some have the policy in place until retirement age. Each individual will have their own needs for the policies length.
Make sure you are answering all the questions on the application for life cover correctly and honestly. You could be refused for life insurance coverage if you do not answer all the questions or are found to have been dishonest on your application.
Putting your cover in a trust is a considerate thought. go wrong with setting up your cover in a trust. The trust ensures that the loved ones are paid once you die. Policies that are not written in a trust will be considered part of your estate and may increase the inheritance tax liability. You will find the trust form included with your policy.
Make sure you are not paying too much for your policy. You can expect to pay a higher rate if the insurance company think of you as a higher risk.
The most popular cover is the Level Term Assurance (LTA) where the sum of your insured amount remains the same for the length of the term. If you only need cover for payment of a mortgage or other decreasing debt you could check out Decreasing Term Assurance (DTA) for a much better rate.
Things that could change your coverage needs are a new child, a new home, or even a change in occupation. Many people ignore that our life insurance needs may increase as our lives change. Make alterations whenever it is sensible that you may need more coverage.
Even if you already have a life cover policy you can shop around for a more affordable one. Make sure if you cancel your policy that you are not losing any needed benefits. A new policy could be higher is you have had any major health problems or other life changing situations.
Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Life Insurance Options.
Tags: death, disability, finance, health, health insurance, insurance, life cover, life insurance, people Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Life Insurance is a means of catering to the financial needs of your spouse and your kids, in the face of your unexpected demise. You just need to register with a life insurance company and sign an agreement with them, promising to pay the insurance premiums periodically, in return for their services. After the agreement is signed, your family is financially secured because even in the event of your early demise, the company will pay the entire insurance sum to your family and they need not be dependent on anyone financially.
The first step to get a life insurance is to decide upon the insurance company, that you would like to go along with ? so start hunting and shopping around for the most reliable and consistent insurance companies. You can either take the help of your insurance agent, financial advisor, colleagues, friends, or relatives to arrive at a decision. Alternatively, you may also browse through the internet and find out for yourself about the best insurance companies and their hot deals.
It is very important to opt for companies which have a prominent online visibility and which have been in business for a long period of time because this will ensure that your money is in safe hands.
Provided below are some commonest ways of getting a life insurance ?
Most people prefer to consult a qualified insurance agent or an experienced financial advisor to get some advice on which is the best insurance company from which you can obtain your life cover, and which are the best insurance deals available in the market. Being professionals from the finance and insurance sectors, these people are bound to know about the ins and outs of all the major insurance companies, and will be able to give the best suggestion to suit your needs.
Many middle aged or older employees, who may be afflicted with a chronic disease or health disorder, find it difficult to pay the huge insurance premiums. This problem can be solved by obtaining a life insurance cover through the office. Usually, many offices offer group insurance plans for all their employees and the premium amounts vary from one age group to the other. The maximum insurance benefit that can be paid for by the office is about twice the basic salary of the individual. You can opt for the group insurance cover because the premium amounts are quite low compared to the premium that you would need to pay if you were to take a life insurance on your own.
Purchasing life insurance online is the simplest and most reliable way of obtaining an insurance because with a simple click of the mouse you can instantly calculate your premium amounts (with help of the online tools) and the cost of the insurance. Moreover, all the discount schemes are laid down openly for you to check out. However, you would need to devote adequate time and energy to it. If this is not possible for you, then you can also use the services of online brokerage firms, who will do the customized research for you and come up with the best financial plan for you in exchange for a small fee.
Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance provider who specialises in Life Insurance.
Tags: death, disability, finance, health, health insurance, insurance, life cover, life insurance, people Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
No one can deny the truth about death. It is certain, but what is not certain is its time of occurrence. There in not much that you can do to prevent death. However, you could prepare for it and ensure that your family still manages to keep going good. In other words, you could make financial arrangements for your family, even after your death.
Most insurance agents would recommend a life cover of four to eight times your salary. It implies that if your annual salary amounts to $40000, your cover must be around $16000. The formula may roughly work for most people, but may not suit you the best. You would know the requirements of your family better than any one else, and must calculate your cover on your own.
Various parameters must be considered while finalizing on your insurance cover amount. Some of the parameters are, if your spouse is working, if you are a single parent, the age of your children, how strong is your financial backup etc.
A support of that huge lump sum amount of money can mean a lot to your family. As of now, you might have to strive a little hard to manage that extra amount of money to pay your premiums. However, the output of same means a lot to your family. The sad part is that many people have no knowledge about these lucrative life insurance policies and hence they never opt for them. Some people get to know about them quite late, and at a higher age the premiums are high too. Also, the policy at that age may not cover you for everything. It is therefore very imperative for you to act soon.
There are two choices to choose from, when looking for a life insurance policy. You could either choose term insurance policy, or else the investment type policy. A term insurance policy only pays your family in case you die in the valid given period of the policy. However, the same does not hold true for the investment policy, wherein the customer is covered life long, as long as the premiums are paid. Sometimes the policy is referred to as whole life policy. The good thing about this policy is that it deposits a part of your premium into your investment account, every time you pay the premium. Not only are you covered for your life, but also you make an investment for your future. It is evident that an early step to buy this policy is a good move. After some number of years, you would have a significant amount of money in your investment account.
You need to be careful about choosing the right policy. The best way to go about it is to compare some of the best policies on offer and finalize on the one that clicks your needs.
It serves well to buy a policy at earliest. You pay low premiums at a young age, and the premiums would stay low all your life. At an old age, you will have to buy a policy with high monthly premiums. You would therefore do yourself a world of good, by purchasing a policy quite early in your age.
Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Life Insurance.
Tags: death, disability, finance, health, health insurance, insurance, life cover, life insurance, people Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Life insurance is exactly what the name suggests an insurance policy on your life. You buy a policy from an authorized agent, paying the company a monthly, quarterly, or annual premium. In return, the insurance company agrees to pay a set amount of money after your death. The proceeds of a life insurance policy go to your designated beneficiaries, usually in a single lump sum payment. If the policy does not designate beneficiaries, then the payment is made to your estate.
There are two basic kinds of life insurance: Term insurance, also called protection policies. These policies are temporary, providing coverage for a specific number of years for a set premium.
Term policies have no cash value. Basically, you buy protection in the event of death and nothing else.
Whole life, also sometimes called permanent life insurance. The objective of whole life insurance is to accumulate money through the payment of regular or lump-sum premiums on which interest is paid, while also providing coverage in the event of death. Whole life coverage is sometimes also called permanent life insurance. The premiums you pay for whole life do not change, and there is a fixed, guaranteed cash value for the policy. The funds accumulated from the payment of premiums each year can be paid to you whether or nor you die, for emergencies, vacations, retirement, or other expenses. If you take these funds for other purposes, of course, they are not paid when you die.
In addition to whole life insurance, other permanent policies include universal life insurance, which offers flexibility in that the insured can change the payment schedule or coverage amount; variable universal life insurance, which allows the potential for earning market returns; and single payment whole life insurance, where the insured buys the policy with one lump sum payment.
Life insurance policies typically pay on death, although they may also cover dismemberment or certain serious illness, such as heart attack or cancer, and provide additional benefits in the event of accidental death. It all depends on the particular policy you buy. Proof of death, injury, or illness is always required before the insurance company makes payment, regardless of the type of policy. Remember, before you are covered, you first have to get a physical exam from a company-approved doctor, so the company has an accurate picture of your medical history. Even after you pass your physical and your application is approved, your coverage does not start until your premiums are paid. Once your application is approved and your premiums are paid, only then is your policy is activated.
A qualified life insurance provider can give you the answers to all your questions. Let them help you customize your life insurance coverage to meet the needs of your family.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.
Tags: death cover, disability cover, family, health insurance, life cover, life insurance, money, personal finance Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Life insurance is hard to understand, but understanding how the premiums are computed is even harder. Calculating premiums is not as straightforward as calculating premiums for other kinds of risk. Your life insurance rates are based on your health at the time you buy the policy, and that risk assessment is made by a physician. If you are not in top shape, or if you indulge in risky behaviors, the insurance company expects to pay out more benefits than if you were healthy and did not put your health at risk. That is why a physical exam is usually required before a company issues a life insurance policy.
Once the results of the exam are, the company will review not only those findings, but also your family’s medical history, your personal driving history, and probably records of your health insurance claims and credit score as well.
In addition to the medical and driving reports, your insurance provider will also have you fill out a questionnaire about your health and lifestyle. Be honest when answering the questions and providing your medical history. If you are found to have lied on your questionnaire, then it could keep your policy claim from being paid in the future. An insurance provider may also cancel your life insurance policy if they find out that you lied during the quote process.
From all these reports, the insurance company assigns you a score reflecting your risk. That is why the premium you actually pay may not be the same as the quote the agent gives you when you apply for coverage. If the company finds that you are at a higher risk level than originally assumed, your premium will almost certainly be higher than your quote.
There are ways to lower your risk. Take care of your health. Maintain a healthy weight, eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you smoke, then quit. Be a safe and defensive driver. Don?t get speeding tickets or into accidents that can raise your insurance premiums. Make smart decisions and don?t engage in dangerous, risky behavior.
The insurance provider will also take into consideration things that you cannot control, like your age and gender, when determining your life insurance premiums. That is why it is important to improve your health and lower your health related risks. Risk assessment policies vary, depending on the life insurance provider. That is why it is a good idea to do research, ask questions and get several quotes before deciding on a life insurance policy.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.
Tags: death cover, disability cover, family, health insurance, life cover, life insurance, money, personal finance Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
Most people purchase life insurance to insure that their loved ones are protected in case of death or accidents. Others use the policy to finance life?s big changes, like retirement or college. Life insurance can also be used to help you handle those unexpected, and expense, moments that happen from time to time. Defining your goals and determining why you need life insurance will allow you to make the most of your life insurance policy. You might need a policy to simply provide a death benefit. If you have people dependent upon your income, then you need to think about making sure your income is replaced in the event of your death, devastating illness or accident. If you need more income for retirement, take that into consideration when mapping out what type of life insurance policy is going to help meet your needs.
Once you decide why you need life insurance, then choose the type of policy that best meets your goals. Knowing what you want your life insurance policy to do for you enables you to get the maximum out of it, for both you and your family.
There are two major types of life insurance policies, term and whole life. Term policies are written for a fixed term of years. Term coverage is less expensive, but it does not accumulate any cash value. Term life insurance only offers you a death benefit (and, in some cases, coverage for accidents, illness, and dismemberment). This cash, of course, is very important for funeral expenses. Many people, however, use term policies to take care of death benefits and whole life as part of their larger life financial plan.
Once you figure out what you want out of life insurance, you also want to make sure you can afford the coverage. Purchasing life insurance, regardless of what type, will require you to pay a premium. Term life insurance tends to be cheaper than the permanent, whole life insurance policies. Again, you want to make sure that the policy also meets your specific needs, but you also want to make sure the premiums fit your monthly budget. Have an idea in mind of what you can afford before you start looking at policy specifics.
Be realistic about your needs for coverage. Make sure you replace your actual earning power. If you are buying whole life, look hard at your retirement goals. Don’t forget that funerals can be expensive, and they are only going to get more expensive. Make sure your family is covered for all those costs.
Think about where you are in your life and what you still want to accomplish. After you have all those ideas mapped out, then you will be able to decide which policy is right for you. Ask questions of a licensed insurance agent. He or she can help you find the policy that is best for and make sure your loved ones are protected.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.
Tags: death cover, disability cover, family, health insurance, life cover, life insurance, money, personal finance Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Insurance offers financial protection against risk, and buying insurance policies has become a normal part of modern life for almost all of us. Although one form or another of insurance has been around for thousands of years, most of the everyday kinds of insurance in common use today are relative newcomers on the historical scene.
Insurance itself can be traced back to the ancient Chinese, around 5000 BC, as a way to protect traders. There are also stories of a more humanistic form of insurance, with neighbors helping neighbors and settlers taking care of each other during difficult periods in history. While that has no monetary value attached to it like our current insurance policies do, we consider that insurance because of the gesture of caring and providing for someone else. What we think of as life insurance didn’t come along until later.
The ancient Romans had their “burial clubs,” through which members were protected against funeral costs and survivors were helped financially. The contributions of a burial club were part of what was considered a proper burial, and the Romans believed that if a person was not given a proper burial, he or she could not rest in the afterlife. And burial clubs were essential to the belief, because part of a proper funeral was a large and often lavish celebration.
Modern life insurance dates from the late 1600’s in England. Life insurance was originally intended, like the ancient Chinese tangs, to protect the transactions of merchants and traders. The death of a business partner, without insurance, could lead to disastrous results to the commercial enterprise. These early life insurance policies protected those who brought goods into society and those who sold them to the public. Life quickly became essential to stable commerce.
The first American life insurance company appeared in 1732 in Charleston, South Carolina, but at its inception, the company only offered fire insurance. Life insurance policies were not offered in the Thirteen Colonies until the 1760’s, but providing them quickly became a big business. After the American Revolution, there were issues with life insurance policies for slaves. One New York insurer supposedly issued 485 policies on the lives of slaves just in two years in the decade of the’40’s. However, the sale of life insurance on the lives of slaves stopped several years before the’63 Emancipation Proclamation. The insurance companies, in the North, were ordered by their states to search their records to purge any policies that indirectly supported slavery. There is no record of any such policies being found.
Regardless of what type of insurance policy you may hold, it is clear that the history of insurance is a rich and complex history. But one constant hasn’t changed. Insurance is designed to protect us from whatever life sends our way. Contact a qualified insurance provider if you have questions about how insurance can benefit and protect you. A qualified insurance provider will examine your specific situation and help determine what type of insurance will best protect you and your family.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica’s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.
Tags: death cover, disability cover, family, health insurance, life cover, life insurance, money, personal finance Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
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