|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life insurance looks set to make a comeback in the UK, after a period of neglect by consumers who were simply occupied with affording a home. The stabilising of the UK house market has made many consumers take a broader view to their personal finances.
LifeSearch (a life insurance broker), in the September issue of Money Observer, highlighted a few common mistakes people make when buying life insurance:
* Believing life insurance is relevant to everyone
Life insurance is only relevant to people who have financial dependents. If you have no financial dependents, it might be more appropriate to consider income protection or critical illness insurance.
* Paying too much for life insurance
According to Money Observer, research for Sainsbury's Bank Life Insurance revealed that many people take life insurance policies from their mortgage providers and as a result could be paying too much.
* Opting to buy joint life insurance policies instead of single life insurance policies
The advice to married couples is to avoid taking out joint life insurance policies which pay out when the first spouse dies over the term of the policy, but not on the second. Single policies could provide additional cover by paying just an extra £3-4 a month.
* Missing out on a trust
The Tax Man can claim up to 40% of your life insurance payout as inheritance tax. According to Money Observer, those with assets totalling £275,000 or more (including a house) are especially prone to tax inspection. Writing your policy in trust is a way to avoid this and as a trust does not have to go through probate, beneficiaries of the policy will receive the payment without delay.
* Only insuring the main earner
Whilst it is important to cover the main breadwinner, by neglecting to additionally insure the housewife or househusband may result in extra child care costs. Family income benefit (FIB) may be an appropriate policy to put in place.
* Opting for a lump sum over income
If your dependents are likely to require an income, then buying a policy that pays out a lump sum is a mistake. Many people invest lump sums for an income, but when they invest it, they have to pay tax. Family income benefit provides a larger payout ? tax free, though the majority of banks and building societies do not offer FIB, so ask an Independent Financial Advisor for recommendations.
* Not proving full medical records or detailing comprehensive medical history
Failure to disclose a complete picture of your health, no matter how trivial, could invalidate a claim later on.
There's no excuse for not conducting your own homework, as there is an abundance of information available online. Sites such as moneynet, provide not only price comparison research on difference life insurance products, they also offer downloadable consumer product guides. Lowermybills.com proffers a similar service stateside.
Resources:
Life insurance products and research
About Rachel:
Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla.
Cashzilla - personalfinanosaurus
Wind Chimes and more... Life insurance quoteThank goodness John took his life insurance quote... Read More You may have noticed that life insurance is coming back... Read More As a young, healthy college student, it might be tempting... Read More Non-profit groups in this day and age need to watch... Read More Term life insurance can offer protection for a small business... Read More You were on the phone, got distracted and before you... Read More Let's be realistic, everyone needs to have auto insurance. Aside... Read More California high risk truck insuranceIf your are in need of... Read More Traditionally, life insurance companies solicited men as the main breadwinners... Read More Insurance versus assurance: what is the difference?Should you care?Yes!!The world... Read More One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is... Read More The expenses involved with owning a home can be overwhelming... Read More Cheap insurance? Auto insurance, life insurance, health insurance, liability insurance... Read More Drivers are applying for auto insurance online not just for... Read More The information you need about the best term life insurance... Read More Insurance adjusters are not without outside pressures they must deal... Read More Travel insurance is something that many people haven't considered. Sure,... Read More As many of us expect, the New Year will bring... Read More The biggest single investment most people make in their lifetime... Read More The life insurance quote business online is booming. Not only... Read More Term life insurance quotes are rarely a concern of single... Read More It has become increasingly difficult to get young driver car... Read More The communities of Exmouth and Moora in Western Australia don't... Read More In the United States health insurance, unlike many other countries,... Read More Changing the way that life insurance is bought and sold... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
A Life Insurance Quote Became Reality
Life Insurance, the Universe, and Everything
Student Health Insurance - Is It Necessary?
Insurance for Car Wash Fundraisers
Term Life Insurance - A Safeguard for Small Business Owners
I Was In An Accident, Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up?
What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance
Finding California High Risk Truck Insurance
Why Dont Women Have Life Insurance?
Insurance or Assurance - Do You Need Reassurance?
Health Insurance Options for Entrepreneurs
Disaster Decision - Do You Need Insurance?
Cheap Insurance - Ten Ways
Car Insurance Online ? Benefits of Applying for Auto Insurance Online
Everybody Wants The Best Term Life Insurance Quote
Outside Pressures On The Typical Insurance Adjuster
Travel Insurance Might Be Just What You Need!
Gain An Advantage Over Your Competition By Controlling The Cost Of Your Health Insurance
Why Do You Need Homeowners Insurance?
The Life Insurance Quote Business is Booming, but is the Insurance Quote Accurate?
Term Life Insurance Quotes for Singles
Young Driver Car Insurance
Natures Fury - Time to Check Your Insurance
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Can I Really Get Life Insurance, No Exam Required?
Here comes the insurance adjuster. Is he overly friendly? If... Read More
One of the things that is important to consider when... Read More
Pet Health Insurance can give you the peace of mind... Read More
Only 61% of adult Americans have life insurance (down from... Read More
Human life is precarious and so are the activities they... Read More
An automobile accident can be a terrifying event for anyone,... Read More
More than 150 insurance companies offer thousands of life insurance... Read More
Lets face it, finding the best home insurance price quote... Read More
We have just had the first year's anniversary of the... Read More
Rental car agencies have a menu of insurance policies they... Read More
Although premiums, policies and prices vary widely, the mandate does... Read More
No Claims Bonus is a term used to describe the... Read More
The topic of insurance is not sexy by any means.... Read More
Many personal car insurance companies consider your credit information when... Read More
Before the internet, you picked a neighborhood car insurance agent,... Read More
If you want to save money when you purchase your... Read More
As you shop online for the best auto insurance deals... Read More
When you are looking for an automobile insurance quote, the... Read More
Changing the way that life insurance is bought and sold... Read More
There are two different types of life insurance, term life... Read More
The original purpose of life insurance was to provide for... Read More
The Life Settlement market is all about providing due access... Read More
Mortgage insurance, to pay off a mortgage, is something you'll... Read More
You can go online to easily find and quote auto... Read More
In response to a hard insurance market in the mid... Read More
Insurance |