How To Buy Life Insurance

Life Insurance Buying Guide

Many people decide they need a life insurance policy, but really don't understand the different types of life insurance. Actually, I've talked to many people who already had life insurance, and they didn't even know what they had! It is important to understand what you are buying before you sign a contract, and also to understand what you need.

If you look at the Life Insurance Guide, you will find three basic types of life insurance. Term insurance is probably the most popular, especially with people who are in their earning and child raising years. Since you buy the insurance for a specific number of years (term), it is the cheapest type of insurance, and you can get a larger death benefit for your money. Simple term life insurance does not accrue any cash value though, so if you outlife your life insurance policy (and we hope you do), you will not have any value left in your policy.

A popular rider to life insurance is Return of Premium (ROP) Life Insurance. This rider will give you back the value of all of your premiums if you keep the policy until the term ends, and of course, if you survive the policy. This option costs a little more, but may be a valuable way to get a nice check back for outliving your life insurance policy.

On the other hand, whole life insurance is permanant insurance, so it will cover the insurance until they die, as long as premiums are paid. It will also grow a cash value, though rates are probably not competitive with other investments. Whole life insurance is more expensive than term.

A third type of insurance is called Universal Life Insurance. It is also a permanant life insurance policy, does have a cash value, and may pay a more competitive return rate than whole life. If you are considering Universal Life Insurance as an investment, however, be aware that a substantial portion of your monthly payment will go towards the cost of insurance.