It can be time-consuming to search for and purchase life insurance. There are many types of life insurance available. Premium costs will vary depending on your health and age. Even if you have life insurance, it may not be the right fit. So, you’re on the lookout for the best option to suit your family’s needs.
Every person’s financial goals and life circumstances are different, just like home and automobile insurance. There are key similarities and differences when choosing permanent life insurance policies.
Whole-life insurance
Whole life is a permanent type of insurance that pays a death benefit to your beneficiary regardless of how old you are at the time you die. When you sign up for whole-life insurance, the premium you pay is set for life and will not increase. Whole life insurance can only be paid for a certain amount of time. Certain policies can be paid until the age of 99 or 100. Others have higher premiums, but require payments for only 10 or 20 years. These policies are called 10-pay whole life insurance policies.
Permanent life insurance can also include a cash value component. The policy’s cash value component builds tax-deferred over time as part of the money you pay for the premium. You can borrow the money or withdraw it once you have reached a minimum cash value. This may have tax consequences.
Although it is not guaranteed, the cash values could pay dividends. You can either keep the cash value or reinvest in the policy to allow the cash to grow, lower your premiums, or provide more coverage. You can keep the cash value of the policy if you cancel or surrender your whole-life policy. This is in addition to any fees imposed by the life insurance company.
Universal life insurance
Permanent life insurance can also be called universal life insurance. Universal life insurance, like whole life, offers permanent coverage as well as the possibility to increase cash value over time. Universal life insurance is more flexible than whole life. It offers premiums and death benefits.
Universal life insurance offers more options than whole life insurance. There are two options: an adjustable plan with a fixed premium and death benefit. This allows you to increase or decrease premiums, but only if certain minimums have been met. You can use the cash value to pay premiums once it has increased in policy.
Universal life insurance policies, like whole life, have a guaranteed minimum cash value growth potential. Index universal life is a different type of insurance that is tied to a stock index. This can increase cash value faster, but it also has the potential to lose value. While loss prevention is an option for some companies, you won’t lose any money and you might not be able to gain any value from indexed universal life insurance.
Universal life vs whole life
There are many similarities between universal life and whole life insurance. Both provide permanent life insurance coverage. You can borrow against the policy or withdraw cash from it. After paying any fees or charges, you’ll get a refund of a portion the cash value if you cancel either your life insurance policy.
There are key differences between universal and whole life. Whole life locks you into a fixed premium and death benefit amount. Universal life allows you to adjust the premiums and death benefit, provided that certain criteria are met. Although universal life may offer a faster cash growth than whole life, it is not guaranteed.
How can I decide what is best for me?
Your financial situation and your family’s needs will determine the type of permanent insurance you choose. You should consider whether flexibility is important, and whether you are able to handle the risks associated with universal life insurance. To find the best life insurance company for your family, it is important to compare the policies offered by each of these companies, as well as the fees.
Questions frequently asked
Which is the best life-insurance company?
The best life insurance company will have the right policy to meet your needs. Consider the amount of coverage you require, costs based on your health , and how long you can afford to pay into the policy.
Which type of insurance is better: Universal or whole life?
It doesn’t mean one is better than another. It all comes down to your risk tolerance, flexibility and needs. The cost of life insurance should also be considered. This is why you should review different policy options from various insurance companies to find the best fit.