Whole life insurance, also known as whole or permanent life, may be described as a policy that is guaranteed to stay in effect for the insured’s whole lifetime, providing required premiums are made and paid, on the maturity date, or if required. This type of insurance is often the most expensive form of insurance because of the cost of the premium and the amount of cash value it provides to the insured.
A few common characteristics of permanent life policies are that they will provide benefits that are not available under term life insurance policies. This means that when the policyholder dies, there will be a separate death benefit that can replace the loss of cash value paid out in premiums by the insurance company. It can also provide a tax deferred death benefit if there is a death during the years covered by the policy.
When determining the amount of cash value that can be transferred from one policy to another permanent life policies provide a great deal of flexibility. This flexibility allows the insured to buy an additional policy and to sell an existing policy, with cash value added to either policy. This cash value transfer also allows the insured to convert his or her current policy to a permanent one, without any additional cost.
Many people do not realize that there are some limitations to permanent life policies. They cannot pay a lump sum death benefit. They cannot cover the costs of major surgery or other serious medical treatments. They cannot pay a death benefit to a spouse who becomes disabled or dies in the event of the insured’s death.
Most permanent life policies have a two-year death benefit. Some policies are backed by a money market account, while others require deposits. Many policies have restrictions on the type of investment choices that can be made on the policy’s money market accounts. There is usually a waiting period before the policyholder’s death benefits begin to accrue.
Some people mistakenly believe that permanent life or term insurance is equivalent to whole life, which is the insurance equivalent of term insurance. However, both are different types of insurance products. Term life covers the death benefit of the insured only and does not provide any cash value.
In order to get the maximum benefit out of permanent life policies, it is important to read the fine print of the policy carefully, as it contains important details like how much money the insurance company will pay out, when you can convert the policy to a permanent one, and what is covered in the policy. {if any. You should also make sure to obtain as much information about permanent life policies from your insurance broker or agent as possible, since there may be additional coverage that is not mentioned on the policy or the insurer may have more restrictive requirements that make your policy less desirable than other insurance options. The broker or agent should help you understand the benefits and limitations of the policy and make you aware of any restrictions that are specific to the product.
As with any type of insurance, permanent life policies are not advisable if you do not have enough money to cover the full benefits in the event of your death. Since permanent policies require investments in the fund to pay the benefits, it is important to make sure that the investment is secure.
In addition, permanent life policies are most commonly bought by people who have been married for a number of years. This is because the premiums are usually lower and the insurance lasts a lifetime, not just until the insured’s death.
Because permanent life insurance requires a larger premium than term life, it is a better choice for older people. Premiums are usually based on the age of the insured, but there may be exceptions. If the insured has good health, the premiums may be low and the policy may only last a number of years.
Before purchasing permanent life insurance, check to see if it is the best option for you and your family. Remember, it should not be purchased only to protect your loved ones; it should also provide security in case of an unexpected demise or need to cover expenses incurred in a time of need.
