Although we all want to cut costs, the cheapest life insurance policy is not always your best option. A few dollars monthly now in your life insurance premium can make a mess of red tape whenever your loved ones are attempting to collect on a policy after you have passed.
You will find multiple types of life insurance policies out there, but most popular are term life insurance policies and life insurance coverage policies. Many people think that whole life is the best alternative, but there is value to both types at different phases in your life. A wise financial planner would advise that you have a mixture of both life insurance coverage and term life, especially in early phases in your life. So what may be the difference between term and life insurance coverage?
Term life insurance can be a policy which is set for any fixed term of your life (i.e. 120 month term, or 20 year term). During this period you have a guaranteed premium that’s fixed and will not change. Term is typically cheaper, especially if you are young. This is because life insurance companies realize that if you are 25 and also have a 20 year term life policy, the probability that you will die in that term is small. They stand to cash in all the premiums without having to pay out any money. Term life is a good option when you’re young and also have others who be determined by you if you can not afford the expense of a whole life policy.
Life insurance coverage, in comparison, is a policy that may remain through the rest of your life, whether you die at 30 or 80 (most still need an end date at 95 or thereabout). The premiums for whole life insurance is typically higher because the term life insurance company recognizes that the only way they’ll not pay is incorporated in the event that you simply (1) stop paying or cancel a policy or (2) live beyond the end date (around 95). Additionally, whole life will acquire a cash value over time. As you pay your premium every month a portion switches into a cash account, that is invested to get a return (typically between 4-6%).