Any life insurance policy is a contract with an insurancecompany. In exchange for premiums (payments), the insurance company provides a
lump-sum payment, known as a death benefit, to beneficiaries in the event of
the insured's death.
Typically, life insurance is chosen based on the needs and
goals of the owner. Term life insurance generally provides protection for a set
period of time, while permanent insurance, such as whole and universal life,
provides lifetime coverage. It's important to note that death benefits from all
types of life insurance are generally income tax-free.
There are many varieties of life insurance. Some of the more
common types are discussed below.
Term life insurance is designed to provide financial
protection for a specific period of time, such as 10 or 20 years. Typically,
premiums are level and guaranteed for that time. After that period, policies
may offer continued coverage, usually at a substantially higher premium rate.
Term life insurance is generally a less costly option than
Permanent life insurance.
Needs it helps meet: Term life insurance proceeds are most
often used to replace lost potential income during working years. This can
provide a general safety net for your beneficiaries and can also help ensure
the family's financial goals will still be met goals like paying off a
mortgage, keeping a business running, and paying for college.
Universal life insurance
Universal life insurance is another type of permanent life insurance designed to provide lifetime coverage. Unlike whole life insurance,
universal life insurance policies are flexible and may allow you to raise or
lower your premium or coverage amounts throughout your lifetime. Like whole
life insurance, universal life also has a tax-deferred savings component, which
may build wealth over time. Additionally, due to its lifetime coverage,
universal life typically has higher premiums than term.
Needs it helps meet: Universal life insurance is most often
used as a flexible estate planning strategy to help preserve wealth to be
transferred to beneficiaries. Another common use is the long term income
replacement, where the need extends beyond working years. Some universal life
insurance product designs focus on providing both death benefit coverage and
building cash value while others focus on providing guaranteed death benefit
coverage.
Whole life insurance policy
Whole life insurance policy is a type of permanent lifeinsurance designed to provide lifetime coverage. Because of the lifetime
coverage period, whole life usually has higher premiums than term life. Policy
premiums are typically fixed, and, unlike term, whole life has a cash value,
which functions as a savings component and may accumulate tax-deferred over
time.
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Insurance policy car insurance life insurance insurance insurance news life insuranc