Life insurance looks set to make a comeback in the UK, after a period of neglect by consumers who were simply occupied with affording a home. The stabilising of the UK house market has made many consumers take a broader view to their personal finances.
LifeSearch (a life insurance broker), in the September issue of Money Observer, highlighted a few common mistakes people make when buying life insurance:
* Believing life insurance is relevant to everyone
Life insurance is only relevant to people who have financial dependents. If you have no financial dependents, it might be more appropriate to consider income protection or critical illness insurance.
* Paying too much for life insurance
According to Money Observer, research for Sainsbury's Bank Life Insurance revealed that many people take life insurance policies from their mortgage providers and as a result could be paying too much.
* Opting to buy joint life insurance policies instead of single life insurance policies
The advice to married couples is to avoid taking out joint life insurance policies which pay out when the first spouse dies over the term of the policy, but not on the second. Single policies could provide additional cover by paying just an extra £3-4 a month.
* Missing out on a trust
The Tax Man can claim up to 40% of your life insurance payout as inheritance tax. According to Money Observer, those with assets totalling £275,000 or more (including a house) are especially prone to tax inspection. Writing your policy in trust is a way to avoid this and as a trust does not have to go through probate, beneficiaries of the policy will receive the payment without delay.
* Only insuring the main earner
Whilst it is important to cover the main breadwinner, by neglecting to additionally insure the housewife or househusband may result in extra child care costs. Family income benefit (FIB) may be an appropriate policy to put in place.
* Opting for a lump sum over income
If your dependents are likely to require an income, then buying a policy that pays out a lump sum is a mistake. Many people invest lump sums for an income, but when they invest it, they have to pay tax. Family income benefit provides a larger payout ? tax free, though the majority of banks and building societies do not offer FIB, so ask an Independent Financial Advisor for recommendations.
* Not proving full medical records or detailing comprehensive medical history
Failure to disclose a complete picture of your health, no matter how trivial, could invalidate a claim later on.
There's no excuse for not conducting your own homework, as there is an abundance of information available online. Sites such as moneynet, provide not only price comparison research on difference life insurance products, they also offer downloadable consumer product guides. Lowermybills.com proffers a similar service stateside.
Resources:
Life insurance products and research
About Rachel:
Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla.
Cashzilla - personalfinanosaurus
![]() Google News Updated : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:08:02 GMT Obama proposes bankruptcy changes - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Atlanta Journal Constitution - By AARON GOULD SHEININ Barack Obama moved Tuesday to paint the 2008 presidential election in stark terms of rich vs. poor, and fat cats vs. Ad Hawk: McCain's Generation Gap Obama ad attacks McCain on energy solutions Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:41:26 GMT Whistleblower: Cheney Wanted Cuts in Climate Change Testimony - ABC News
ABC News - By Z. BYRON WOLF President Bush is in Japan pledging to do his best to put the US on a long-term path to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050, but back in Washington a former Environmental Protection Agency official said staffers at the White ... Cheney wanted cuts in climate testimony Cheney's Office Pushed Purge Of Climate Change Testimony Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:32:45 GMT Bad blood hampering Obama's effort to help retire Clinton's debt - Kansas City Star
Kansas City Star - By PATRICK HEALY A prominent donor to Sen. Barack Obama recently sent an e-mail plea to other supporters, asking them - for the sake of Democratic unity - to write checks to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to help retire her $23 million in campaign debt. While Markets Peer Ahead Research firm: Obama outpacing McCain in Web-site traffic, online ... Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:23:52 GMT Iraq wants US withdrawal deadline - CNN
CNN - BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A deadline should be set for the withdrawal of US and allied forces from Iraq, and the pullout could be done as soon as 2011, an Iraqi government spokesman said Tuesday. Video: Iraqi PM Calls for Withdrawal Date UPDATE 1-Pentagon chief downplays Iraqi calls for withdrawal Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:32:49 GMT VMware Ousts CEO Greene - BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek - by Aaron Ricadela VMware ended a long-running battle over its strategic direction on July 8, ousting co-founder and Chief Executive Diane Greene and installing Microsoft veteran Paul Maritz in her place. VMWare Drops 25% Of Market Cap; CEO Out Why VMware Dumped Diane Greene Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:18:50 GMT Wildfires push some from homes; some allowed back - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) - Firefighters pushed back a blaze threatening this small coastal community just enough to allow hundreds of people to check on their homes Tuesday as a separate fire 300 miles north forced residents of another town to evacuate. Video: Hot, Dry Weather Developing on Calif Fire Lines Much of US West Coast Under `Explosive' Fire Threat (Update2) Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:40:34 GMT McCain, Obama pitch economic plans to Hispanics - Kansas City Star
Kansas City Star - By LIZ SIDOTI and CHARLES BABINGTON AP Writers Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, accompanied by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, waves, Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at the League of United Latin American Citizens in ... McCain, Obama pitch economic plans to Hispanics Obama Assails McCain on Immigration Before Latino Audience Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:25:20 GMT Amazon Associate Software |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Our money saving auto insurance tips were written for one... Read More What is a deductible? A deductible is the amount you... Read More When you originally purchased your auto insurance policy, you purchased... Read More Term life insurance can offer protection for a small business... Read More Insurance policies provide financial protection in a broad range of... Read More Critical illness can happen to anyone, and often does. If... Read More Here's the good news: with improvements in medical technology and... Read More There are times when you'll find yourself temporarily without health... Read More When you want to purchase a life insurance policy, you... Read More Do you know that skyrocketing health care costs have been... Read More More than 150 insurance companies offer thousands of life insurance... Read More With a life insurance settlement, seniors now have the ability... Read More Disability insurance covers you for an extended period of time.... Read More While there are genuine debates about whether privatized health insurance... Read More Thousands of people have work related commitments and in order... Read More Contrary to what you may have heard all auto insurance... Read More Although car insurance is compulsory, it's not necessary to pay... Read More This is a FREE Insurance Claim GuideYour "Motor Vehicle" can... Read More With Nursing home Cost's running $4,000 to $6,000 a month... Read More Do You Own A Life Insurance Policy That You No... Read More Since there are many factors that go into determining your... Read More One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is... Read More You are ready to buy your first car. Researching the... Read More Several national rating institutions rate insurance companies. Do coverages, rates,... Read More Most people only think that insurance is something they need... Read More
Adsense
websites
Free Money Saving Auto Insurance Tips
Should You Have Higher Deductibles On Your Coverage?
Give Your Auto Policy a Tune-Up
Term Life Insurance - A Safeguard for Small Business Owners
Terrorism: Acts of Terrorism: When Will Insurance Respond?
General Knowledge - Critical Illness Insurance
Taking The Mystery Out Of Long-Term Care Insurance
Apply Online for Temporary Health Insurance
Is Life Insurance Comparison Really Necessary?
Consumer Driven Health Plans [ CDHP ]
Tips for Choosing a Life Insurance Company
Life Settlements, More than a Cash Surrender Payout
Disability Insurance For The Long Term
The Immorality of Guarantee Issue Health Insurance
Medical Insurance Overseas
All Auto Insurance is Not Created Equal!
5 Steps To Cheap Car Insurance Premiums
Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Claim Guide
Long Term Care Insurance - Low Cost Alternatives For Budget Conscious Seniors!
Converting An Unwanted Life Insurance Policy Into Ca$h
How Do I Lower My Auto Insurance Rates?
Health Insurance Options for Entrepreneurs
CarInsurance.com Is Available At All Dealerships With Internet Access!
Is Your Auto Insurance Company Rated?
Auto Insurance Basics
Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of... Read More
A person needs to reexamine their life insurance needs every... Read More
The best judge of Total Disability and/or Partial Disability is... Read More
Life Insurance Companies differ in their "underwriting philosophy" when it... Read More
Claims management and administration software systems enable insurance claims adjusters,... Read More
Unlike motor cover, home insurance is not a legal requirement... Read More
Health Insurance: a sense of dissatisfactionThe three C's, customization, consumerization... Read More
Personalisation, Digitalisation, Mobilisation, these 3 words represent your life today.... Read More
Health insurance plans have changed dramatically over the past ten... Read More
When it comes to your family, selecting the right health... Read More
Do you have many claims? If so, you should do... Read More
Whether you are self-employed or a small business owner, finding... Read More
If you decide not to do a car insurance comparison... Read More
The information you need about the best term life insurance... Read More
Getting your business up and running is exciting, challenging and... Read More
Life insurance quoteThank goodness John took his life insurance quote... Read More
Term insurance and permanent insurance are two basic types of... Read More
Disability insurance covers you for an extended period of time.... Read More
Forcible and violent entry (f&ve) is the terminology used within... Read More
My whinstone house my castle is, I have my own... Read More
Renters insurance is often overlooked by people who are renting... Read More
Car insurance rates are prohibitive nowadays. Many families really struggle... Read More
Nowadays, auto insurance is really expensive. A typical insurance policy... Read More
Life insurance can be a very scary thing. If you... Read More
Consumers are countering rising gasoline prices and other vehicle operating... Read More
Insurance |