| ems like everywhere you go, someone is trying to | | | | ones if you should suffer an untimely and |
| sell you an insurance product and many try to tempt | | | | unexpected death. |
| you with apparently free gifts if you sign on the | | | | Here's Where Professional Advice Comes In |
| dotted line for one of their policies. From DVD players | | | | Life insurance is one of the most important financial |
| and digital cameras to bonus Nectar points, these | | | | products you will ever buy. While any life cover is |
| plans and policies may, at first, seem like good value. | | | | better than none, you'll pay less and get a better |
| But, in most cases, when you add it all up it can turn | | | | deal if you sit down with a broker or independent |
| out to be one very expensive free gift. | | | | adviser and work out what you and your family |
| The fact is that life insurance is far too important a | | | | actually need. You won't get that sort of advice from |
| decision to make on the basis of who will give you | | | | a checkout cashier at the local supermarket or off a |
| the coolest gadget for signing with them. While | | | | simple direct mail advert. |
| YOUR life may not be affected by the quality of | | | | Important Questions to Ask |
| policy and cover that you choose, your family's | | | | We all know that the question foremost in the minds |
| future financial well-being very well might. There is | | | | of most insurance buyers is "How much will my |
| one primary reason why you should sit down with a | | | | premium be?" There are, however, a number of |
| professional to discuss your life insurance needs | | | | other questions that you'll need to have answered |
| before you make a final decision on where to place | | | | first. Here's a list of questions you should discuss with |
| your trust and hard earned money. | | | | your insurance broker or adviser to help the two of |
| Professional Knowledge is Worth It's Weight in Gold | | | | you plan for your financial future. |
| One of the biggest reasons to buy your life insurance | | | | - How much insurance should I buy? |
| through a traditional insurer with professional advice is | | | | If your adviser doesn't start asking YOU questions |
| that an independent adviser is obliged by law to find | | | | when you ask that one, find another adviser. |
| the most suitable policy for your specific needs. While | | | | Everyone's circumstances are different, and your |
| you'll need to keep in mind that most also have their | | | | adviser can't possibly give you an accurate answer to |
| eye on the profit margin, you'll get far more accurate | | | | that without knowing how much you owe and how |
| answers to important questions when you're dealing | | | | much you're worth. |
| with an adviser who knows and understands the | | | | - Should I be looking at term life or whole life? |
| product being sold. | | | | An adviser should be able to explain the difference |
| And there are important questions to consider. | | | | between the two to you in words that you can |
| According to research done by Sainsbury's Bank, few | | | | understand. If you don't understand the difference, |
| people have enough savings to carry them through | | | | find someone who CAN make it clear. |
| even three months if something should happen to | | | | - Should I consider critical illness and income |
| the head of household. In fact, more than 50% of | | | | protection cover? |
| UK households could not manage on their savings | | | | Your death isn't necessarily the worst financial |
| financially for three months. In fact, research done by | | | | disaster your family could face. Critical illnesses and |
| Combined Insurance estimates that 52% of us could | | | | disabilities that leave you unable to work may be far |
| survive exactly 17 days on the amount of savings | | | | more debilitating to your family finances. Discuss |
| that many of us have. | | | | policies that include coverage for critical illness and |
| The right life insurance will ensure that if you should | | | | disability. |
| die before your debts are paid and your family can | | | | - How much should I insure for in order to maintain |
| manage without your income, they will be able to | | | | our current lifestyle? |
| survive financially. With the right amount of life cover, | | | | Inflation is a real factor, especially if you're looking at |
| you can secure the family home and ensure that | | | | whole life or terms of 20 and more years. |
| there is money to provide expenses for your loved | | | | |