Endowment Policy: Another Forgotten Option

These complicated financial products combine life insurance and investment
growth in one package. They were most commonly used as a way of repaying a
mortgage and were most popular with homebuyers in the eighties and nineties.

The reason so many people bought them was because home loan firms and
middlemen such as estate agents earned large commissions for selling. The
charges tend to be 'front-loaded'
meaning most of it is paid up front and therefore, for several years you
will receive little if anything back if you have to stop paying the
premiums.

In theory, these policies can grow to more than you need to repay your
mortgage, giving you a bonus to spend on anything you like. In practice,
this has rarely happened in recent years and of the 8.5 million endowments
in 2004, 6.8 million were not expected to clear the mortgage they were
originally intended to pay off.

With an endowment mortgage, you do not repay any of the capital you borrow
during the term of the loan. Alternatively, the endowment policy should grow
to produce a lump sum which is large enough to repay the loan in full at the
end of the pre-agreed period of, normally, 25 years.

The monthly payments consist of interest on your mortgage loan and the
premium for the endowment. Within the package you also pay for life
insurance which will repay the loan should you die. However, there is no
guarantee your endowment will pay off your mortgage.

When the time comes to making a decision on stopping an endowment and
surrendering it, it is important to check your policy and make sure there is
some value in doing so.

Early redemption can result in making less than you would have if it carried
on for its full term. However, if you need the money, this could be our only
solution.

Continuing to pay money into a poorly performing investment could be
throwing away hard earned cash.

As well as surrendering it back to the company from whom it was bought from,
policyholders also have the option of selling to a third party.

This can also have the added benefit of getting more for your policy than
you would if it were sold back to the original issuer.

Different companies will have different requirements when it comes to them
buying your endowment.

Usually they would require it to be with-profits or a with-profits whole
life policy and have been running for a minimum number of years (the number
of depending on the company).

Some will also require a surrender value of at least £1,500. If your policy
does not meet the criteria, they will not be able to handle your sale. This
would mean the only other option available is what the policy issuer will
offer.

The Association of Policy Market Makers (APMM) is the industry body for
firms specialising in the buying and selling of endowments. An independent
financial advisor could also be helpful in comparing offers and helping you
get the most for your policy.

There will be a fee for the work, but it could save you time and energy and
also help you achieve the best possible price.

Don’t forget how important your endowment policy is. Like with an
investment, you should not suddenly cancel the policy without doing the
appropriate research and taking the adequate financial advice.

If you stop payments on a policy, you may lose any life assurance cover that
was offered to you. This is an important consideration for your dependents
if you are then taken ill or were to die without having set up an
alternative method of paying off the policy.

On average around half of the total payout on an endowment if you don’t sell
will come on the very last day. This is the so-called terminal bonus and it
is not guaranteed. Stop paying in before then and you are likely to lose
this. Instead, you will get the benefit of only the annual bonuses added to
your policy.

About The Author: Get great articles on life insurance from Life Insurance
defender http://www.life-insurance-defender.co.uk

Aging Parents And Long-term Care Insurance

Talking with an aging parent about purchasing long-term care insurance isn't
usually a cheerful conversation. Fortunately, not everyone has to talk with
an aging parent about purchasing long-term care insurance. Some aging people
have enough money saved to cover the cost of long-term care. Many times
aging widows can rely on the money from their deceased husband's pension.
For example, an aging woman who was married to a coal miner who developed
black lung disease or another respiratory problem will usually receive a
check until the day she, too, passes on. Sometimes these pensions are enough
to cover the cost, or at least a chunk of the cost, of long-term care.

But not everyone has enough money to cover the cost of long-term care, and
not everyone receives a pension to help cover the cost of long-term care. If
you have an aging parent, or aging parents, it's best to talk with them
about purchasing long-term care insurance sooner than later.

Since most people don't want to be told they're aging, it's best to approach
the topic of purchasing long-term care insurance very delicately; otherwise,
your aging parent may think you just want to make sure he or she is off your
hands should he or she get sick and need long-term care.

Explain to your aging parent that while she is still full of energy and
life, she is getting on in years. Express the fact that you love her, and
want to make sure she has the best available care if there should ever come
a time when she needs long-term care beyond your expertise or ability.
Explain to your aging parent that you simply don't want her to be without
the best of care should there come a time when she needs long-term care, and
that by purchasing long-term care insurance, you can all rest assured that
the best possible care will be available if ever needed.

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Buying Life Insurance: A Checklist

Life insurance can be an effective tool to make certain and protect your
family's financial future. It has been acknowledged universally as a method
by which the breadwinner can substitute risk and uncertainty with timely aid
for the family in case of their unfortunate death.

Since a life insurance policy will replace your lost income after your
death, it is important to choose the right kind of policy. Hence, it is
essential to find a company that will cover your insurance with the right
amount, and at a reasonable price.

Need for a life insurance policy:

There are several reasons for an individual, specifically a breadwinner, to
make out a life insurance policy. To assuage your concern for your family in
case of your death, most life insurance policies offer various death
benefits that take care of your family after your death:

1. For example, a member of your family may have some special needs. You can
buy a life insurance policy that will act as an emergency fund in the event
of your untimely death.

2. If you want to make sure that your child gets quality education even
after your death, a life insurance can also work as a fund for your child's
education.

3. An insurance policy will ensure the maintenance of your family's standard
of living.

4. Your family can also use it to clear personal and business debts, after
your death.

Duration of insurance coverage:

Before buying a policy it is advisable to ensure the duration for which you
want life insurance coverage. You can take online help to decide the
coverage duration.

Need for a checklist

After you decide on your specific need, and the duration of your life
insurance policy, you can begin looking for a suitable policy. It is prudent
to prepare a checklist before buying, as this will ensure that you end up
purchasing the right policy.

The checklist must include various factors on which you can assess insurance
companies, which includes various criteria set by insurance companies too.
Here are a few pointers:

1. Before buying a life insurance policy, it is advisable to ensure that you
have all medical information regarding your health, because most companies
expect that, depending on your age and the duration of insurance coverage.

2. It's a good idea to compare various life insurance companies on the basis
of quotes that they have to offer. You can take the help of the Internet to
compare the quotes based on your choice of insurance product and your age.

3. You can also take help from a broker through the telephone or the
Internet and clear all your queries.

4. Once you decide on a particular insurance company, it is important to
ascertain the company's financial strength and stability.

5. It is also advisable to gather information about the options for renewal
that various insurance companies offer, because some companies charge high
premiums if you renew your policy.

6. Some insurance companies charge a penalty if you cancel your policy, so
make sure that the company you choose does not demand a penalty on
cancellation of policy.

7. You may also want to make some changes in your policy in due time, as
your insurance needs can change with time. So, when you purchase your
insurance policy find out if there is an age limitation for any kind of
conversion of your policy, and whether the option of moving into a better
policy is there.

About The Author: Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance sites
http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk

How Travelers Health Insurance Can Protect You Overseas

When you're planning your vacation overseas you look forward to sunny skies,
romantic nights, and spectacular sights. What you don't look forward to is
the possibility of becoming ill or injured during your trip, but it happens.

If your regular group health policy doesn't cover your medical expenses
overseas, they won't be much help if you have a medical emergency on your
trip. Fortunately, many travelers'
insurance companies now offer medical coverage during your trip anywhere in
the world, at an affordable price.

Before searching for a new policy, check with your current health insurance
company. Many large carriers, such as the BlueCross BlueShield association
members, offer coverage for foreign claims, and also have customer service
departments that are trained to help you navigate through a foreign health
care system in case of emergency.

However, this benefit may not be available to you if your group insurance
requires you to seek treatment from a specific provider network. Most HMO
and managed care plans restrict their coverage to a specific service area.

If you're covered by a smaller group insurance company they may accept
claims from doctors or hospitals in other countries, but you may want to
give them a call to see if their customer service staff is familiar with
foreign health care systems, and if the company has developed long-term
relationships with hospital systems outside the US. If not, they may not be
able to help you find care in an emergency.

Many Medicare supplements also exclude claims from foreign countries, as
does Medicare itself.

For peace of mind, you will want a temporary travelers health insurance
policy if your own group plan does not cover medical costs overseas. When
searching for your new policy, make sure you read the contract to find out
if the policy covers pre-existing conditions, medical evacuation, and
emergency travel services.

Your travelers' medical insurance carrier's customer service representatives
will be your first resource in case of emergency overseas. Some companies go
far beyond paying medical claims and help you to:

- Find a new flight in case your scheduled flight was cancelled.

- Help you fill an emergency prescription if your medication is lost or
stolen.

- Get you emergency cash if your wallet is stolen, and help you replace a
stolen passport.

- Arrange and pay for emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital in case
of accident or illness.

- Reimburse you for non-refundable costs if your trip is cancelled due to
illness.

- Help you find lost luggage.

- Schedule an appointment with a qualified English-speaking physician in the
city you're visiting.

The services offered, and the premiums charged will vary greatly between
insurance companies and between policies. The premiums will go up as the
benefits increase and the deductible goes down, so careful shopping is
important. For instance, you will want to be careful to choose a policy that
covers pre-existing conditions if you have a chronic illness, such as
diabetes, that may cause you to seek medical attention on your trip.

Before leaving home, be sure to find out if your group policy will cover
your medical expenses overseas. If not, a good travelers' health insurance
policy will give you peace of mind on your next vacation.

About The Author: Learn more about travelers' health insurance, as well as
global medical insurance and expatriates' health insurance, at
http://www.worldwide-health-insurance.com/

Aging Drivers And Automotive Insurance

If you're a driver who is aging, it doesn't mean you are a driver who is
facing a lack of automotive insurance. Quite the contrary, if you are a
driver who is aging, you could very well be facing discounts in automotive
insurance.

Depending on the automotive insurance company through which you are insured,
you may be eligible for various discounts. For example, many insurance
companies that specialize in more than one kind of insurance will offer
discounts to policyholders who purchase more than one insurance policy from
them. Many people choose to purchase both their automotive insurance
policies and their homeowner's insurance policies through the same insurance
company, which results in a discount in premiums.

Some insurance companies also offer discounts to aging drivers who have good
driving records, and for various reasons. Drivers certain ages, usually 50
years of age and older, who have been driving for many years, are viewed as
being less of a risk than new drivers - especially if they have good driving
records.
Aging drivers are seen as more responsible. Plus, aging drivers are less
likely to go "joy riding" like younger drivers are, which puts them at less
risk for traffic accidents and violations.

Aging drivers who are looking for discounts should follow the same tips as
any other driver. Drive a safe car, park it in a safe location, and make
sure it has anti-theft safety components. Keep traffic violations and
accidents to a minimum, if not nonexistent, and try not to drive a
significant number of miles more than necessary a year.

Some automotive insurance companies even offer discounts for aging drivers
who participate in driving programs that the insurance companies provide, or
participate in with another company. These driving programs are designed to
refresh and sharpen driving skills, as well as restore defensive driving
tactics.

So, the next time you worry about automotive insurance because you're an
aging driver, stop!

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Advice For Filing An Auto Insurance Claim

We know we need it; it is required, after all. We just hope we never have to
use it. Purchasing auto insurance may seem like the difficult part of the
process, with all the legalese and fine print; however, if you actually ever
need your auto insurance, you're going to have to file an auto insurance
claim. This can be the trickier part, if you aren't prepared.

Below is some advice for filing an auto insurance claim.
Although it's best to brush up on this advice before you actually need to
file an auto insurance claim, you may want to jot this advice down for
future reference.

Get Answers

You really should know how much auto insurance you have before you're
involved in an accident; however, if you don't, find out how much liability
coverage you have. Liability coverage is the amount of money you have
available to pay for the damages caused by an accident in which you are at
fault. The liability insurance can cover vehicle repairs and hospital
expenses for the other party, for example.

You also need to know the amount of your deductible for your collision auto
insurance coverage, and your comprehensive auto insurance coverage if you
have it. Simply put, this is the amount you have to pay before your auto
insurance kicks in.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company, and provide them with your name and address,
as well as those of the involved parties, everything pertinent to the
accident (date, time, location, damages, etc.), and the names and addresses
of any witnesses.
Your insurance company will advise you on what further steps to take, and
then they will take it from there.

Keep Records

In the meantime, keep records of all paperwork, including repair receipts
and hospital visits. Your insurance company may request this documentation
later.

Being prepared before an accident will make the process after the accident
much smoother.

About The Author: http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/
http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/
http://www.myquoteguide.com/Term-Policy.shtml

Annuity FAQ: Answers To Some Basic Annuity Investing Questions

* How much should I invest in an annuity?

The amount of money that you invest in an annuity will depend largely on
your capability to pay the premiums offered by the assurance company. Things
to consider when putting money to an annuity include:

- Your probable financial needs

- Type of investment portfolio

- Alternatives available

The most important thing to consider is your financial needs, especially at
times when you really need cash to finance something like the birth of a
child delivery or an unforeseen accident or illness. However, you must also
consider the regulations on withdrawal against the annuity, because it can
be a bad scenario if you find yourself being served a penalty just because
you withdrew large amounts from your annuity account when it was not
permitted on the plan you purchased.

* What is a deferred annuity?

A deferred annuity pays out to investors interested in getting an income
from an annuity, but who want the payments to begin some time in the future,
usually at retirement. Or, they may want the insurance company to invest the
money for a few years to increase the payments. A tax deferred annuity
allows income tax to be deferred until the money is withdrawn, and you can
contribute as much money yearly as you like.

* What is an immediate annuity?

An immediate annuity is an investment policy usually purchased from an
insurance company. Immediate Annuities are sometimes known as Single Premium
Immediate Annuities. Immediate annuities are commonly purchased with a lump
sum and used as a retirement investment. In an immediate annuity, the
investor begins to receive lump sum pay-outs anywhere from immediately to
one year from the date of purchase. Generally, payments begin one month
after investing in the annuity.

Immediate annuities can be fixed or variable. While a fixed immediate
annuity payment depends on the amount you contributed, your age, as well as
the interest rate at the time or purchase; a variable immediate annuity
depends on the type of investment purchased.

There are a variety of different options available to you when purchasing an
immediate annuity. You can decide whether you would like a set period of
payments or a lifetime of payments.
You can also decide on whether the payments are solely for the person who
holds the policy or also for a secondary person, such as a spouse.

* What are the advantages of annuities?

There are three principal advantages to an annuity:

1. Tax-deferred accumulation. This allows you to set aside the funds that
you pay into the annuity for as long as you want, without worrying about
exceeding federal tax limits.

2. Flexibility. An annuity can offer you a variable or a fixed return,
unencumbered by federal tax limitations.

3. Security. An annuity offers a fixed-income payout option which would
grant an income that cannot be outlived.

* How will I receive my annuity payments?

There are several pay-out methods available when you begin receiving annuity
payments. With some options, you or your beneficiaries can select how you
want to be paid. The following are some of these:

You can get income for your entire lifetime even when the money in your
annuity account has been used up. This is advantageous if you live to an
advanced age because it will maximize the income that you will receive.
However, there is a risk
involved: when you die, all the money cannot be claimed, even by your
assigned beneficiaries. If you die young, you simply lose this money.

Another is the joint and survivor annuity where it pays you during your
lifetime, and after your death your beneficiary (usually your spouse) will
also be paid during his or her lifetime.

You can also refund your annuity, meaning you're gaining income for life.
However, when you die, the portion if the income payments that you have not
collected will be the only amount that your beneficiary receives.

About The Author: Ammon Yorke is editor of http://www.annuityyes.com, the
online guide to Annuities. He also writes Annuity FAQ's for
http://www.prettygreatanswers.com/articles/AnnuityQuestions/ .

Antique Car Insurance

If you are covering your antique or classic car under a regular insurance
policy, you may be paying too much. Most people don't use their antique cars
every day and so there it is better of get a policy that is geared towards
an antique car that would take that into consideration. You will probably
pay less for it.

For insurance companies there is a difference between old, classic and
antique cars. The criterion usually differs depending on the company. In
general, the definition of a classic car is that the car must be between
fifteen to thirty years old, it must be something of worth to a collector
and the car must be in good form.

An antique car is classified as a thirty year old vehicle. It has historic
plates and can only be driven as part of a show.
If an old car doesn't fit either of these requirements then, it is simply an
old car that can't be insured under the special policies available. This is
classification is necessary because there are some companies that deal
exclusively with classic or antique cars and they generally have lower
insurance fees attached.

You may get your car appraised if you think that its value is much more than
what the book states. The appraisal process includes the car becoming
officially recorded with a list other cars that are considered to be under
that same value bracket.

To select a proper appraiser you could contact the American Society of
Appraisers (or ASA for short). When you are selecting your candidate, look
at their resumes. It is best to have an appraiser that has worked with your
make of vehicle in the past, and knows a lot about it. Check their
references for more information about them.

The appraiser checks the vehicle thoroughly for the final report. If she
can, she will run the car and take note to the condition. She will also be
taking a lot of pictures, to add to her detailed document. She will include
a record of similar vehicles with their prices. The appraiser bases her list
on various sources such as car price guides, advertisements, auction and
sale results; and other documents related to the car.

In addition to an appraiser, the insurance policy company needs information
such as make, color, model, body style, and year.
Engine number and Vehicle Identification Number (or VIN) could be asked for.
Cars such as a Ferraris or Corvette must have a VIN for verification.

Another good reason for putting your classic or antique car under the proper
insurance policy is that they would most likely understand what the car
needs and what concerns you have about your vehicle.

There are three types of insurance for an antique or classic car. There is
the actual cash value (ACV); agreed value (AV); and stated value (SV). If
your insurance policy is under the heading of actual cash value (or ACV),
then the value is set for the cost of the car at the time of being insured.
This value decreases with time, if the insurance is needed, an insurance
claim adjuster will decide how much the ACV is.

With the stated value (or SV), the insurance pays either the fees related to
damage of the vehicle or the ACV depending on which costs less. The AV is
the better of the three. When you get your AV policy, you are guaranteed a
degree of coverage regardless, if anything happens to your vehicle.

About The Author: Tom Atkins is a staff writer at
http://insurance-gazette.com and is an occasional contributor to several
other websites, including http://www.debt-journal.com.

Estate Planning: Make Sure Your Wishes are Honored

Estate Planning: Make Sure Your Wishes are Honored A medical power of
attorney and living will are crucial estate planning steps, and like long
term care insurance, must be set in place early in life for optimal
protection.

She was just 26 years old when she went into cardiac arrest, fell down in
her apartment and was rushed to the hospital. She lapsed into a coma and
spent 15 years of her life in what doctors diagnosed as an "irreversible
persistent vegetative state".

For all that time she was unable to make any medical decisions whatsoever.
Her husband believed she did not want to live in that state, and asked that
her feeding tube be removed, but her parents disagreed.

The legal battles that followed made history, and debates raged across the
USA. She was known to the world as Terri Schiavo.

There are two basic steps you can take to plan ahead. No one likes thinking
about the worst, let alone planning for it, but if Terri's situation has
taught us anything, it's that planning for such events saves your family a
great deal of potential heartache, and it puts the focus on your life and
your wishes.

A living will is the first step to making sure you're prepared in case of a
medical emergency where you cannot make decisions for yourself. It simply
spells out in detail exactly what kind of medical procedures you do or do
not want performed on you and indicates whether or not you want to be
resuscitated and what you want done under a variety of other medical
conditions, including comatose and a persistent vegetative state.

It's important that you consult with your family whenever you make these
decisions. This way, it's clear what your wishes are. It's also important to
include a financial professional in your planning process, to make sure you
aren't missing any crucial information or steps.

Your living will deals generally with a variety of medical procedures and
can be as general or as complex as you want. The more complex you make it,
the more your wishes are known, and this is crucial, so that it's clear
precisely what you want. A little contemplation can go a long way to save
family and friends from heartache and legal battles over what may initially
seem like minor medical details.

Next, name a medical power of attorney. A medical power of attorney can go
by many names, including advance directive and health care proxy. It's all
the same basic principle.
By naming a medical power of attorney, you simply designate someone to act
as sole medical decision maker in your absence / incapacity. Most
frequently, a spouse is named to this position, though it's wise to name
someone else in reserve just in case your spouse is incapacitated as well.

Appointing a medical power of attorney and drafting a living will are only
two ways to be prepared. Preparing a complete estate plan with a financial
professional and an estate planning attorney is one way you're more likely
to have your wishes honored from all sides, both financial and medical.

Another crucial element is your long term care insurance which had better be
bought as early as possible. The likelihood of long term care is
overwhelming compared with other common risks like auto accidents or home
fires

----------------------------------------------------
Long term care insurance activist, Clay Cotton, writes for
http://www.PrepSmart.com - The Online Baby Boomers Decision Assistance
Center, where you get Free Long Term Care Insurance advice, comparative rate
quotes and personal guidance, all while safely at home in your favorite
pajamas and bunny slippers.

Are Your Computers And Technology Covered?

More people in America are experiencing the joys, and conveniences, of
today's computers and technology than ever before. You'd be hard-pressed to
find a household that doesn't have one computer, or at least has a family
member who owns a computer.

The technology that computers offer us is so useful, and many people use
their computers for work, recordkeeping, and other such important tasks and
information storage. So, if the homes the computers in which the computers
are located catch fire, are severely damaged due to weather elements, or are
robbed, how safe are the owners' computers going to be?

Most homeowners' insurance policies cover computers; however, coverage may
be limited, and computer owners may want to consider purchasing additional
insurance to cover their computers and technology losses in the event of an
accident or emergency.

If you are a computer owner, and rely a good deal on the technology your
computer offers, you might want to take a look at your homeowner's insurance
policy to find out exactly how much coverage is offered for your computer.
If it's not enough, think about purchasing additional coverage.

If your computer is used primarily for business-related purposes, you should
look into additional coverage for the expenses necessary for data recovery;
compensation for lost income while you computer is being repaired or
replaced; and data recovery. Sometimes it's essential to look into insurance
policies made specifically for business-related issues when it comes to your
computers and technology.

When choosing additional insurance coverage for your computers and
technology, find out how much your deductible will be. If it's less than
what you're willing to pay, you might want to increase it a bit; this will
help keep your insurance premiums low.

Remember to always safeguard yourself by keeping all receipts for any
repairs, replacements, data recovery, and upgrades you purchase in order to
help the transaction between you and your insurance company go smoothly.

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Affordable Health Insurance For The Unemployed

For many people, one of the many benefits of being employed is having an
affordable health insurance package of some sort offered to them through
their employers. Of course, not all employers offer affordable health
insurance packages to their employees, nor are they legally required to, but
many do. And those employees who do get affordable health insurance packages
through their employers? Well, we will just imagine they are quite happy.

Yet, there comes a time in many of our lives when we find ourselves
unemployed; and when we are unemployed, we no longer have all of the nice
little perks our employers offered us, such as affordable health insurance
packages. However, just because we are unemployed and without health
insurance packages does not mean we're going to stop getting sick or injured
and requiring those health insurance packages.

Is there a way for the unemployed to get affordable health insurance?

Yes. One option for unemployed people is to purchase a short term health
insurance package. Although you must pay for the short term health
insurance, which usually last anywhere from six to 12 months, most of them
are considered affordable and perfect for those individuals who have found
themselves unemployed or laid off.

These short term health insurance plans are designed to provide you and your
family with affordable health insurance while you are in between employment.
This means they are also designed to offer you many of the same health
services your previous health insurance package offered you and your family.

After all, your health needs do not change just because your employment
status changes. Many short term health insurance plans offer visits to the
doctor, hospital services such as surgery as well as inpatient and
outpatient procedures, prescription discounts, dental and vision services,
and sometimes even chiropractic care.

If you're looking for affordable health insurance for the unemployed, begin
your search with short term health insurance plans.

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Best Homeowners Insurance Rates - How Can You Get Them?

Rating of Homeowners insurance depends on various factors. The most
knowledgeable buyer usually finds the best home insurance rate. To get the
best homeowners insurance rate, you should do a bit of research work. If you
cannot time yourself for it you can of course seek professional help. This
approach is timesaving but you have to be cautious about your advisor.

Here are some tips to get the best homeowners insurance rates.

1. First of all you should get the basic understanding about your home
insurance rate and the different policies. You have to know who regulates
the rate. It is the individuals of an insurance company who decide on the
home insurance rates and these rates are regulated by the insurance
department of the state. The state insurance department is the approving
authority; it is only after their approval the rates can be passed on to the
customers.

2. Before applying for homeowners insurance, you should shop around, so that
you get the best homeowners insurance rates. To maximize your options you
should make a search of your own.
Enquire with your local bank, lenders and credit unions. Today, many banks
have official websites; you can send your enquiry online. After completing
your search, compare with those available in the advertisements. This will
make it easier for you to get the best deal.

3. Some insurance companies provide more than one kind of insurance policy.
For example, they will give you better rate if you buy auto policy along
with home insurance. It also helps you get better home insurance rates.

4. Many insurance companies are associated with security companies like
Brink's or ADT, these companies offer you better rates if you install a home
security system.

5. Not only better rates, you can even get discounts if you are ready to
install motion sensors or video surveillance cameras in your home, provided
by the associate companies of home insurance company.

While keeping these points in your mind, you can get the best homeowners
insurance rates.

About The Author: We have made a research on the subject of homeowner's
insurance. Check it out on
http://www.leandernet.com/Home_insurance/Homeowners_insurance.php.
All about homeowners insurance on http://www.leandernet.com

Life Insurance Cover - A Good Deal

The cost of life insurance has fallen over the past few years and there’s
now more choice than ever, at prices that won’t break the bank.

If you have a family you could provide security for them by taking out
adequate life insurance cover. In the tragic event of your death they would
have enough to cope with, without added financial worries.

There are various types of life insurance and here we cover the types of
term policies on offer.

· A level term policy pays a one off cash payment on death. The amount
insured stays the same throughout the period of cover.

· An increasing term policy is another term for indexed insurance. The value
of the final payout rises in line with inflation. Depending on the terms of
the policy, premiums may also rise accordingly.

· A decreasing term policy is designed around the fact that the amount
payable on death will reduce through the term of the insurance, right down
to a nil balance at the end of the term.

The policies are often used to safeguard loans and mortgages.
The policies above each have their own merits, depending on the type of
mortgage you are guaranteeing.

The level term policies are often purchased to cover interest only
mortgages, where the capital borrowed does not reduce over the years. The
capital sum, remaining the same as the original, is covered by the cash
payment on death.

Increasing term policies offer the protection against inflation, but are
correspondingly more expensive.

Decreasing term policies are often used for repayment mortgages, where the
capital amount owing decreases over the term of the mortgage. Premiums will
be lower for this type of policy, compared to level term insurance.

Benefits from term policies can be paid out in two ways. The first is via a
lump sum payment and the second is via a “family income benefit”. As far as
the second method is concerned, your family would be provided with an agreed
annual income for the remaining term of the policy. The cost of policies
will be affected by the choice of how the payment is to be made. The
insurance company will potentially pay out less money overall if the insured
person lives until the later years of the insurance term. Because of this
the cost of family income policies will be lower.

So far we have talked about covering mortgage and loan payments. Whilst this
would certainly be a weight off the minds of your family, further cover
should obviously be considered.
When working out just how much money your family would need, should the
unexpected happen, it is recommended for an average and typical family, each
parent should have at least £150,000 worth of insurance per child, plus any
death-in-service benefits, which are often linked with your employment. If
you choose to take the family income benefit, then it is thought that you
should plan for an income of between £20,000 to £25,000 per child per year.

Another type of life insurance is known as whole of life. This pays a
guaranteed amount, known as the sum assured, on the death of the
policyholder. There is no specified term on this type of insurance.

It is possible to purchase life insurance with your pension fund. If you
choose this method of purchase, you will be allowed tax relief on the
premiums, so a higher rate taxpayer will get £100 worth of life insurance
for just £60. However, due to higher administration costs, premiums will be
likely to be higher and it is felt that this could cancel out any gain to
basic-rate taxpayers.

Rather than opt for a joint policy, it’s better for couples to take out
individual cover. A joint policy pays out once, on the death of the first
partner, whereas the individual policies will pay out twice.

Get on to your broker – you’ll find one easily if you log on to the internet
– and find out the costs of protecting your family.
It’s worth it for your peace of mind.

About The Author: Get great articles on life insurance from Life Insurance
Angel http://www.life-insurance-angel.co.uk

Advice For Choosing Your Life Insurance Payments

Although it's a responsible choice, the choice to purchase a life insurance
policy isn't required. Other than not wanting to think about inevitable
death, many people choose not to purchase a life insurance policy because
they don't want to take on the extra payments for something they will not
immediately use.
Electric bills, for example, are less painful to pay every month. You use
electricity every day. Life insurance policies, on the other hand, are
usually only used in case of a financial emergency or the death of the
policyholder.

However, most life insurance companies offer the ability to make life
insurance policy payments four different ways - monthly, quarterly,
semi-annually, and annually - and your life insurance agent will be more
than happy to offer advice about each payment option.

Monthly

Sometimes making monthly payments on your life insurance policy is the best
choice, simply because you have the money right then. However, if you pay
monthly, you may actually end up paying more than you would if you paid
quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, because many life insurance companies
offer discounts for other payment options.

Quarterly

Quarterly payments are sometimes the most convenient option, because they
allow you to save for a few months before sending payment.

Semi-annually

Semi-annual payments aren't quite as large as annual payments, yet they do
offer the ability to save and pay twice a year.

Annually

Making annual payments on your life insurance policy in the form of one lump
sum may leave a lump in your throat, but depending on the life insurance
company, you may actually save money this way.

Whether you're considering purchasing a life insurance policy, or already
have one, talk with your life insurance agent about life insurance policy
payment options. While you may think one payment option is best for you, the
advice your life insurance agent gives you may help you see that another
payment option is actually better.

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Life Insurance. Cut The Pounds - Cut The Premium

Obesity is becoming a real problem in the UK. In the past twenty years the
number of overweight adults has snowballed and latest figures estimate that
more than half of the population of UK women are classed as overweight or
obese. It's even worse for men, with six out of ten coming into the "tubby
or worse"
classification.

Unfortunately things don't look so good for the future, either.
A survey of children ranging in age from two year old toddlers to the
mid-teenagers reveals that more than one in five boys and in excess of one
in four girls are in the overweight range.

Life insurance companies are aware of the health risks connected with the
obesity problems. When working out quotations for life insurance it's common
practice for them to charge up to four times the standard (ideal weight)
premium.
The bad news for the overweight population is that the limits are steadily
being lowered.

The result of these altered requirements will put many people who are only
slightly overweight into the higher premium bracket and for the extremely
obese the news is really bad.
They could even be refused life insurance altogether.

When filling in your life insurance application form, you'll be asked to
state your height and weight. A new little box may have been added under the
"weight" part - you may be asked what date you were last weighed. This is to
counteract the amnesia caused by overweight - it is easy to knock off a few
pounds (or more) here and there and when did you last weight yourself? From
this height and weight information, the insurers will be able to work out
your BMI, or body mass index. Should your BMI be higher than the normal
limits you could be asked to have a medical check-up.
If the news is bad and your weight be way over the normal you could find
your premium raised by up to 400%. Even being slightly heavier than normal
could increase your monthly premium by 50%.

You may decide to check your own BMI. You can do this in four simple steps.

1. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
2. Divide the result by your height in inches.
3. Divide this second result by your height in inches (again).
4. And the answer is your BMI

Normally, insurance companies would prefer to you to be in the
18.5 to 24.9 range of BMI to be considered normal. Over 25 and you're
overweight and over 30 qualifies you as obese. Over 35 and medical research
shows that your life expectancy would be in question.

Another of the criteria affecting the price of your premium relates to your
age. The younger you are the higher will be the increase in premium. This
shows an acceptance of the fact that people tend to weigh rather more as
they age.

It's never too late to lose weight though. Whatever your age.
The increase in health and vitality will be its own reward.
There are lots of slimming club and health clubs and your GP should be able
to give you advice and support if you show you really mean to take this
important step.

Don't let the above facts stop you from going ahead and arranging some
valuable life insurance. As the weight comes off you should be able to
negotiate a reduction in premium.

Your insurers will be happier, too.

About The Author: Get great articles on life insurance from Life Insurance
Quotes http://www.life-insurance-quotes-quotations.co.uk

Long Term Care Policy- Planning For Your Old Age

The term 'Senior Citizen' spells a perfect combination of ultimate wisdom
and experience! However, sometimes it also resounds with silent pain,
suffering and worry that become their only companions in life. They have
enjoyed life's most cherished moments, as well as witnessed its darkest
side. They have experienced the harsh realities of life, often suffering
from the indignities of uncaring relatives. Using long-term policies created
specially for them can allay the challenges senior citizens face in their
silver years.

Types:

There are various long-term care policies catering to the physical ailments
that afflict old age. Often, severe medical conditions require specially
trained nurses and doctors twenty-four hours a day. Long-term care envelopes
regular care required by a person ailing with an acute illness or
disability. The degree of care generally includes bathing, dressing and many
other specific services.

Main Concern:

The main concern of most families is to provide their aging parents with the
best available long-term care, without resulting in a major monetary burden
for the rest of the family. Usually, most families wonder when to time the
long-term care for their aged relatives; whether it is required at all, or
would the care given by family members themselves be enough.

Major Disagreement:

One of the greatest arguments against buying a long-term care policy is that
people feel that the money paid as premium would be wasted if there were no
need for the benefit. It is akin to people hesitating about getting their
car insured, for there is no guarantee of the car being damaged in an
accident. Of course, it boils down to priorities; just as one insures a car
to take care of unforeseen circumstances, long-term care insurance provides
future security by taking care of an aging loved one.

Reasons:

Though it is not possible to predict if there would ever be a need for
hospitals, home-care services, or assistance in living, still, you could opt
for a long-term care insurance policy for reasons such as:

- Restoration of personal freedom
- Easing the burden on care-takers
- To save assets for the rest of the family.
- To access the virtual helping hand at a time of acute crisis.

Eligibility:

A senior citizen would be eligible for funds provided they meet
the following criteria:

- If he or she is unable to perform at least two to three, out
of five or six, regular activities that are necessary for daily
life, which includes bathing, dressing, toiletry, moving about,
feeding oneself, and the like.
- All tax-qualified policies state that a qualified doctor must
declare the applicant severely ill.
- The illness should have signs of lasting for at least for
ninety days.

Though long-term insurance policies are an expensive buy, yet
their significance is important for senior citizens. As one
ages, there is a growing fear of being hindered by illness and
disability, the costs involved, and being a burden on one's
family. A long-term care insurance policy goes a long way in
easing these fears, helping senior citizens face their silver
years confidently.

About The Author: Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance
sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also
http://www.cardguide.co.uk

Opinions About Health Plans

There are three basic health plans available: Health Maintenance
Organizations (HMOs), the Participating Provider Option (PPO), and
Traditional Indemnity (TI). If you receive health insurance through your
employer or through an organization with which you are affiliated, you may
not have a choice as to whether your health plan is an HMO, PPO, or TI.
However, if you purchase an independent health insurance plan, the freedom
to shop around usually brings with it the freedom to find the kind of health
plan you want - HMO, PPO, or TI.

The kind of health insurance plan you choose depends on your opinions about
each of the health plans available.

Many people consider TI health plans to be the best health plans because
they are less restrictive than HMOs and PPOs.
With a TI health plan, you can see any health care professional, as long as
he or she is licensed, for any health condition covered under the health
insurance policy. TI health plans are popular since they are more flexible
and they offer more choices than HMOs and PPOs.

On the other hand, HMO health plans offer a network of health care
professionals you can see and be covered for at a lower cost. With HMOs, you
need to choose a primary care physician
(PCP) who will be your main doctor; any other health care professionals you
need to see within the network must first be approved by your PCP. He or she
will then give you a referral.

PPO health plans also offer a network of health care professionals, but
there is a bit more freedom when choosing the health care professionals you
want to see. That freedom brings extra costs, but the opinions of some
policyholders are that the extra cost is worth it.

When shopping for health insurance, take your health, finances, and the pros
and cons of each health plan into consideration before you make your final
choice.

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Life Insurance - Women Furious Over Insurer Gene Testing

Thousands of women with family histories of breast and ovarian cancer could
pay higher insurance premiums or even be denied cover altogether under new
proposals from the insurance industry.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is expected to lodge an
application for permission for its members to ask women whether they have
been tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

The faulty BRCA genes are responsible for about five per cent of the 41,700
new cases of breast cancer and 10 per cent of ovarian cancers diagnosed in
Britain each year.

If the insurers are granted permission by the Genetics and Insurance
Committee (the organisation that advises the Government on the issue), women
who have tested positive could be forced to pay higher premiums. Some
companies may even refuse high value life or critical illness insurance.

A notice published on the GIC’s website said, “The Committee expects that
the Association of British Insurers will submit in late 2006/2007 four
revised and updated applications for the use of adverse results from
predictive genetic tests of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (breast/ovarian
cancer) in helping to determine insurance premiums for life and critical
illness insurance.”

At present, the only predictive genetic test the committee has allowed
insurance companies to ask about is for Huntington's Disease. This is
because of the lack of environmental influences on its development.

However, across Europe, several countries have banned insurers from using
genetic tests to decide premiums. Also, in 2005, a voluntary agreement to
avoid using such tests by British insurance companies was extended until
2011.

Under this agreement, insurers can ask potential customers only about
genetic testing results for Huntington's Disease. However, they can only ask
for the information for policies that are worth more than £500,000 for life
insurance, more than £300,000 for critical illness and more than £30,000 a
year for payment protection.

But the association's genetics working party has indicated that it would
like to bring about a change seeking permission to ask about two cancer
genes and wants approval by the end of the year.

Approximately one in 850 women in Britain inherits a faulty
BRCA1 gene. Those women will have a 14 to 18 per cent chance of developing
breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Meanwhile insurers are not allowed to ask prospective policyholders if they
have HIV, but they can ask them if they have exposed themselves to the risk
of infection through unsafe sex or sharing needles.

An alliance of 45 leading charities, unions, scientists and lawyers have
called on the Government to ban this genetic discrimination.

A study carried out by the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer found 28 per
cent of women with a family history of breast cancer said the would be
deterred from having a genetic test if insurers had access to the results.

About The Author: Get great articles on life insurance from Life Insurance
Quotes http://www.life-insurance-quotes.me.uk