Buying Life Insurance

When you buy life insurance, you want coverage that fits your needs and doesn’t cost too much. First, decide how much you need – and for how long – and what you can afford to pay. Next, find out what kinds of policies are available to meet your needs and pick the one that best suits you. Then, find out what different companies charge for that kind of policy for the amount of insurance you want. You can find important cost differences between life insurance policies by using cost comparison indexes as described in this guide.

How much do you need?

To decide how much life insurance you need, figure out what your dependents would have if you were to die now, and what they would actually need. Your new policy should come as close to making up the difference as you can afford. In figuring what you have, count your present insurance – including any group insurance where you work, social security or veteran’s insurance. Add other assets you have – saving, investments, real estate, and personal property. In figuring what you need, think of income for your dependents – for family living expenses, educational costs and any other future needs. Think also of cash needs – for the expenses of a final illness and for paying taxes, mortgage or other debts.

What is the Right Kind?

All life insurance policies agree to pay an amount of money when you die. But all policies are not the same. Some provide permanent coverage and others temporary coverage. Some build up cash values and others do not. Some policies combine different kinds of insurance, and others let you change from one kind of insurance to another. Your choice should be based on your needs and what you can afford. A wide variety of plans is being offered today. Here is a brief description of two basic kinds – term and whole life – and some combinations and variations. You can get detailed information from a life insurance agent or company.

Term insurance covers you for a term of one or more years. It pays a death benefit only if you die in that term. Term insurance generally provides the largest immediate death protection for your premium dollar. Most term insurance policies are renewable for one or more additional terms even if your health has changed. Each time you renew the policy for a new term, premiums will be higher. Check the premiums at older ages and how long the policy can be continued.

Whole Life Insurance covers you for as long as you live. The common type is called straight life or ordinary life insurance – you pay the same premiums for as long as you live. These premiums can be several times higher than you would pay at first for the same amount of term insurance. But they are smaller than the premiums you would eventually pay if you were to keep renewing a term policy until your later years.

Combinations and Variations. You can combine different kinds of insurance. For example, you can buy whole life insurance for lifetime coverage and add term insurance for the period of your greatest insurance need. Usually the term insurance is on your life – but it can also be bought for your spouse or children.

Endowment insurance policies pay a sum or income to you if you live to a certain age. If you die before then, the death benefit is paid to the person you named as beneficiary. Other policies may have special features which allow flexibility as to premiums and coverage. Some let you choose the death benefit you want and the premium amount you can pay. The kind of insurance and coverage period are determined by these choices.

Universal Life is one kind of flexible premium policy, it lets you vary your premium payments every year, and even skip a payment if you wish. The premiums you pay (less expense charges) go into a policy account that earns interest and charges for the insurance are deducted from the account. Here, insurance continues as long as there is enough money in the account to pay the insurance charges.

Variable life is a special kind of insurance where the death benefits and cash values depend upon investment performance of one or more separate accounts. Be sure to get the prospectus provided by the company when buying this kind of policy. The method of cost comparison outlined in this Guide does not apply to policies of this kind.

A simple comparison of the premiums is often not enough. There are other things to consider. For example:

• Do premiums or benefits vary from year to year?
• How much cash value builds up under the policy?
• What part of the premiums or benefits is not guaranteed?
• What is the effect of interest on money paid and received at different times on the policy?

Things to Remember

• Review your particular insurance needs and circumstances. Choose the kind of policy with benefits that most closely fit your needs. Ask an agent or company to help you.
• Be sure that the premiums are within your ability to pay. Don’t look only at the initial premiums, but take account of any later premium increase.
• Don’t buy life insurance unless you intend to stick with it. It can be very costly if you quit during the early years of the policy.
• Read your policy carefully. Ask your agent or company about anything that is not clear to you.
• Review your life insurance program with your agent or company every few years to keep up with changes in your income and your needs.