FIVE SIMPLE LIFE LESSONS

Gillian Cooper
Insurance news
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Someone wise once said that life is really simple – but we insist on making it complicated. The same could be applied to life insurance. Too many people like to mystify it with technical jargon or claim it’s unaffordable. Some dismiss the need for it at all, while others think savings alone would be an easier way to leave behind a lump sum for their loved ones when they’re gone.
In an attempt to clear up some common misconceptions, we’ve addressed five of the main ones below. They offer quite simple reasons why life cover might be worth reconsidering. In a nutshell, it’s a straightforward way of protecting your partner or kids financially if you die. But it’s more than just a money thing. Yes, it could cover the mortgage if they’re dependent on your wage or meet the cost of the funeral. And yes, it could foot the bill for childcare or even pay off a debt. But ultimately, it’s also about giving your family peace of mind at one of the most difficult times in their lives. It’s about continuing to look after them – just as you’ve always done.
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Still on the fence? Then let’s sort the fact from the fiction:

Fiction:It’s too expensive – and too complicated!”
Fact: Life cover doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. And it’s not something you need to consult a specialist financial adviser about first. Getting a quote is straightforward, and you can decide how long you need it for and how much cover you require. When you’re ready to buy, you can do it online or over the phone, and without stumping up any additional fees.

Fiction: “It won't make much difference to my family”
Fact: If you have a child, a partner or even an elderly relative who depends on you financially, having life insurance in place could mean the difference between having to move to a new house or falling into serious debt. At the very least, it could help pay for your funeral, cover regular monthly bills and ease other day-to-day financial burdens.
It’s easy to look at the lump-sum payout quite dispassionately, but when you factor in the other stresses’ family members must contend with after a bereavement, especially the emotional toll, having one less thing to worry about can be a real gift.

Fiction: “My savings will do the same job”
Fact: For a relatively small monthly premium, your family could benefit from a very substantial lump-sum payout. If you’ve got the discipline, time and means to build up a similar emergency fund, excellent. Sadly, most people don’t, and that’s where life cover can step in and do the job for you.

Fiction: “The insurers won’t pay out”
Fact: If you’ve been honest on your application and have paid all your monthly premiums you have nothing to worry about – the pay-out is guaranteed. Generally, life insurance policies don't require regular updates of personal information, such as you might be used to with car cover, for instance. However, it’s worth checking your policy every few years to make sure the amount you’re insured for will still cover outstanding debts or any other expenses you’d like to take care of.

Fiction: “I probably won’t need it”
Fact: Possibly not, but no one can predict the future. Perhaps your family might never need to make a claim. Or perhaps they will – and be relieved you had the foresight to give them a financial alternative to borrowing money or dipping into savings. Like most insurance, it’s difficult to appreciate its value until you need to claim on it. Although it won’t be you, personally, benefitting in this instance, the peace of mind afforded by knowing your loved ones are taken care of should certainly count for something in your lifetime too.

It can be difficult to get life cover if you have a pre-existing condition. There are guaranteed-acceptance policies out there, such as UNISON Life Cover that will offer cover to those with medical issues. These may not always be the cheapest but there are no medical questions, so providing you meet the eligibility criteria, you are guaranteed to be accepted. What’s more with UNISON Life Cover, the premiums are fixed, which means they stay the same for the duration of the policy term.

To find out more about UNISON Life Cover click here

https://www.royallondon.com/life-insurance/articles/how-much-does-life-insurance-cost-compared-to-a-coffee/

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