Life insurance is simply that’an insurance policy on your life. You purchase a life insurance policy from a qualified provider, paying them a premium. The premium is either paid monthly or in a lump sum (usually annually or every six months). The insurance company then agrees to pay an agreed upon amount of money after the insured person dies. The amount of money paid from a life insurance policy goes to the policy’s designated beneficiaries in a lump sum payment. If no beneficiaries are designated, then the payment is made to the estate of the deceased.
There are two kinds of life insurance policies: Term insurance policies, also called protection policies. Term insurance is temporary, for a set term of years, providing your family with coverage for a specific number of years for a set premium (although premiums typically go up as you get older).
Term policies have no cash value. Basically, you buy protection in the event of death and nothing else.
Investment policies: these are commonly called permanent life insurance. The objective with permanent life insurance policies is to grow capital with the payment of either regular or single premiums. Permanent life insurance is also known as whole life insurance. This type of life insurance provides life time coverage as long as the policy premiums are paid. The premiums are fixed, and unlike term insurance, there is guaranteed cash value. The insured can access this cash for emergencies, retirement or other expenses.
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.
The type of life insurance policy you need will depend on why you are purchasing the insurance and the goals you want the insurance to accomplish. Most people find that a simple term life insurance policy suits their needs, while others want to make sure their bills are paid and their heirs receive a settlement after their deaths. You can discuss your needs with a qualified life insurance provider in order to determine what policy is best for you.
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.
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