Term Life Insurance or Whole of Life Insurance Policy?

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:

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.

However, term insurance is cheap, and the cost can even reduce over time. There are five main forms of term life insurance, and these are as follows:

* 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.

* Next, we have decreasing term insurance, and in this type of policy monthly payments stay the same, although the amount of cover reduces each year.

* The forth type of term life cover is increasing term insurance, where the pay out on death increases. However, to make up for this increase it will be necessary to increase the premiums from time to time, in line with changing circumstances.

* 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 insurance covers you right up until the time of your death, providing that you keep paying your premiums. It can give a considerable lump sum to your family when you die, and it normally accumulates in value over the years.

Whole of life policies can be more expensive and more complicated than term life insurance. Also, the investment you make can earn some interest each year. Therefore, since your investment generally grows each year, your premiums can actually reduce over time. You may also reach a time where the interest gained covers all the future premiums, which means you may have no 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.

The simplest form is a level term policy with a renewable option. This will allow you to get life insurance for as long as you may need it.

On the other hand, you might like to consider a policy that grows in value over time, giving you a very nice nest egg which you can benefit from, while you are still alive.

Both types of policy have advantages and disadvantages, and that’s why it’s always a good idea to get advice from a competent insurance adviser.

Michael Pettigrew writes articles for insurance website Best Insurance Quotes, who provide quality cheap life insurance cover. Visit Best Insurance Quotes for great life insurance cover