Life Insurance Policy: What Do You Need?

 Life insurance is a big purchase and a big decision. You should weigh the different possibilities carefully before you commit to a particular insurance package. Ahead of time preparation is particularly important for life insurance because you will not get a second chance at selecting your policy; it is your family members that will deal with the consequences of your choices.

When purchasing life insurance, you will want to weight the company you choose very carefully. Since it is not likely that you will need to use their services for many many years, you will want to make sure that they will be around when it's needed. A strong reputable company who has been in the business for a long time is the safest choice.

Try to determine for yourself how much life insurance you actually need. Many life insurance providers offer several ways in which they can make their own estimations. They usually over estimate in order to turn a larger profit. Do your own estimating so that you can be sure you aren't getting ripped off.

Before purchasing life insurance, you must understand that insurance is for protection purposes only, which does not include investing. Term insurance gives you protection only, with no savings. Whole life and universal policies offer savings, but they are a lot more expensive and you would be better off using the cost savings to invest in something else.

Lower the cost of life insurance by quitting smoking. Smoking is one of the biggest health risk factors from an insurance standpoint, but some life insurers will reduce your rates with just one year of being smoke-free. After two to three years of non-smoking status, some insurance companies will put individuals into the standard rate class, reducing premiums substantially.

The first thing to consider when obtaining your first life insurance policy is determining the amount of coverage you need. A simple way to do this is to multiply your current annual income by eight. However, this is far from perfect, as each person along with their dependents' situations and therefore needs are unique. For example, your specific situation could be unique in that you have a child planning to go to college in the next four years. There are various tools available online that can help you determine a more appropriate amount of coverage. Insurance companies generally have representatives that can consult you on your needs also.

If it is possible, you should pay your insurance premiums yearly instead of monthly. By choosing to pay the premium annually, you can save a bit of money.

Before buying a life insurance policy, make sure to ask the right questions. Find out if your term life insurance policy is convertible and for what length of time. Likewise, find out if it is renewable, and, if so, do you have to re-qualify? Can you cancel your life insurance policy? Does it include a rider for accidental death? Are there exclusions? Are your premiums variable? The more you know about a policy, the better prepared you'll be to choose one that adequately provides for your dependents.

Life insurance is actually cheaper if you chose multiples of $250,000 in coverage. So, if you want $230,000 you will actually have to pay more then just rounding it up to $250,000. It is never a bad thing to save a little money, and you can use that savings for something else.

When shopping around for a life insurance policy, be aware that certain occupations and hobbies are considered risky and can increase your premium. Some of these occupations include commercial fishing, logging, helicopter or airplane piloting, and roofing. Even a business executive position can be considered risky if it requires you to travel to certain perilous countries. Hobbies that are considered hazardous to your health include hang-gliding, parachuting, skiing, and motorcycling. Make sure to disclose this information to prevent your claim from being denied if the insurance company decides to investigate it.

Because you are providing for your dependents in case of tragedy, you owe it to your family to do your research when you buy life insurance. Life insurance only pays out in tragic situations. You can help ameliorate the pain by learning all you can about life insurance and ensuring that your beneficiaries feel satisfied by the policies you select.