Term Life Insurance vs Whole of Life Insurance

When looking for life insurance, it's important to find the best policy for your own unique needs. There are so many web sites offering online discount life insurance, so it's a common mistake made by many, to end up with a policy that's not suitable.

There are a variety of life insurance policies available, so it's important to understand the differences.

Term Life Insurance & it's Benefits:

With term life insurance you pay for a predefined term, and are covered for that term (normally the same term as your mortgage).

Term life insurance only offers protection for the duration of the mortgage, and can be of little value when once your mortgage is paid up.

Term insurance is generally cheap and is expected to fall over time providing you don't suffer from a major disease. However, there are a number of different types of term life insurance policy:

* The first is known as level term cover, and it's the most common type. With this form of policy the premium costs are locked in for as long as you hold the policy. In other words, you will pay the same amount throughout the entire term of the policy.Unfortunately, it means that as time goes by you could end up paying more for your life cover. However, the nice thing is that you get the benefit of paying at today's rates. However, bear in mind that over time these rates could fall instead of rise.

* The second type of term life cover is known as escalating term insurance. This type of scheme means that you pay an increasing amount each year, so the payout at death also increases. They are generally low cost policies, and are more suited to first time buyers and the young. However, they can become more expensive as you get older.

* The third type is known as decreasing term insurance. In this case your monthly payments will stay the same, although the amount of cover you receive will reduce each year.

* The forth type of term life policy is known as increasing term insurance. With this type of term life insurance the benefit on death increases. However, in order to make up for this increase you will need to increase your premiums at certain times, for example on the birth of a child, or as your financial circumstances improve.

* Finally, convertible term insurance is a type of term life cover that can be converted into an investment/insurance policy in the future. Normally, the value of such investments will be based on your health, at the time you bought the term insurance policy.

Whole of Life Insurance:

Whole of life cover covers you right up until your death. Provided, of course, that you keep paying your premiums! It can pay out a substantial benefit to your loved ones when you die, and it can also accumulate a cash value over time.

The amount generally increases in value over the years. Also, the contributions you make to your policy normally earn interest each year. When this happens, your premiums may reduce over time, to the point where you no longer have any more premiums to pay.

However, understand that it is possible that the final value of a whole of life insurance policy may not be the same as the amount of money invested in it over the years.

Summary:

When it comes to the decision of whether to choose a term life policy, or whole of life insurance cover, the ultimate decision must be guided by your individual needs.

Term life policies are the simplest and cheapest to set up, and cover you only for as long as you need them.

However, you may prefer a policy that offers a growing nest egg, that pays out while you are still around to enjoy it!

There are advantages and disadvantages to both forms of insurance, so it's always important to get advice from a competent insurance adviser.