Skip to main content

Posts

111721 How does life insurance pay out?

A life insurance pay out is the money paid to your beneficiaries if you were to pass away while the life insurance policy is in effect. This is the process for how life insurance pays out and the steps you need to take.   Locate the life insurance policy. If you can’t find the policy, contact your life insurance agent, the company that issued the policy or the human resources department of the company that sponsors the group life insurance plan. If you’re still stuck, check out these additional tips on locating a life insurance policy from the American Council of Life Insurers. Two last resort options include searching the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service or contacting MIB ,  an insurance membership corporation that offers a policy locator service for a fee.   Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate. Check with the state or county where the policyholder passed away or with the funeral director arranging services to get a co...

111621 What are living benefits of life insurance?

While life insurance generally benefits your loved ones after you pass away, it can also benefit them (and you) before that time comes through something known as living benefits.   Term Life Living Benefits   Term life insurance covers you for a set amount of time, or term. It provides funds to your beneficiary (or beneficiaries) if you pass away during that time. Living benefit options for term life include...   Accelerated death benefits. This living benefit pays out a portion of your term life policy if you ever face a terminal illness. This gives you needed cash to cover medical expenses, debt and more. Many people also use the funds to take a dream vacation or make other memories with their loved ones. Here are four things in mind when it comes to this living benefit… Different insurers have different life expectancy timelines for when you can access the cash. The policy may need to be in force for a certain amount of time before yo...

111521 How often should I review my life insurance?

Like other aspects of your financial well-being, you don’t want to take a “set it and forget it” approach to your life insurance policy.  As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to review your life insurance with your life insurance agent at least once a year. The life insurance review is a way to make sure that you have the right kind and level of coverage to protect your loved ones. And if you have permanent life insurance, it’s a good opportunity to make sure it’s helping you meet your overall financial goals.   A life insurance review is also the perfect time to learn about any new coverage options your insurer recently announced; to discuss any concerns you have about the rate you’re paying; and to take action before a policy expires.   Other Times to Review Life Insurance   Your life insurance often needs to change as your life changes. That’s why you’ll want to schedule a life insurance review after a major life event. Life e...

110921 What is the process for how to get life insurance?

  The process for how to get life insurance starts by filling out a life insurance application. From there, your application will undergo a process called underwriting.  This is when a life insurance expert known as an underwriter decides whether to offer you life insurance and at what cost. Approval and costs are based on your risk class. There are two types of underwriting… Traditional underwriting. With traditional underwriting, you fill out a life insurance application and undergo a medical exam. Simplified underwriting. With simplified underwriting, you typically fill out a quick online life insurance application. A medical exam is not required. Keep reading for more in-depth information about the traditional underwriting process and the pros and cons of both traditional and simplified underwriting. The Traditional Underwriting Process The application. You’ll usually fill out the life insurance application with help from your insurance agent. Your ...

092821 Who can be a life insurance beneficiary?

Every life insurance policy requires you to name a life insurance beneficiary. A beneficiary definition is simply who gets the payout on the life insurance policy in the event you pass away. Your beneficiary can be…   * A person * Several people * An estate * A trust * A charity   Life Insurance Beneficiary Tips…   Here are some basic things to know about naming a life insurance beneficiary along with a few helpful tips…   * Know that you can name more than one beneficiary.   You can name one beneficiary or two or more beneficiaries. You’ll typically be asked which percentage of the payout goes to each person… for instance, you could designate 70% to a spouse and 30% to an adult child.   * Make sure to name a secondary beneficiary.   Think of a secondary, or contingent, beneficiary as a backup. He or she receives the life insurance payout in the event the primary beneficiary is no longer alive when the payo...

092721 How much life insurance do I need?

Everybody needs a different amount of life insurance based on their individual situation. But it basically comes down to how much money your loved ones would need to remain on firm financial ground if your earnings were no longer in the picture. To get started, it helps to consider a few questions like…     * Who do I want to protect?   Common answers include a spouse and children, but your list may also include siblings, aging parents and more.   * How long would they need financial support?   Consider the ages of everyone who depends on your earnings.   * Is anyone disabled or have other special needs?     It’s important to remember that some people may need lifelong support.   * How much debt do I have?   You’ll want more coverage if you have a mortgage, auto payments, credit card debt and other outstanding loans.   * How much savings do I have?   Factor in all of your savings and investme...

092321 What Is The Average Life Insurance Cost?

The price of life insurance depends on four main factors…your age, your health, the type of policy and how much coverage you buy. In general, you’ll pay less the younger and healthier you are. You also typically pay less for a term life policy than a permanent (Whole Life) life policy.   That said, don’t let your age or health status discourage you from considering life insurance. There are policies available for people of any age as well as those with high blood pressure, diabetes and a smoking habit. (Just know that you’ll generally pay more for your policy if you’re in poor health and/or smoke.)   Still wondering the answer to the question of how much does life insurance cost? If so, here’s a working idea...   A healthy 30-year-old can get a $250,000 20-year  level term policy for just $13 a month.   That means that if you purchase that policy and pay the $13 a month without fail, your loved ones would get $250,000 if you were to...