Insurance - Your Life and Health in Your Own Hands

Ordinary citizens are no longer safe from the constant changes in their lives and their environments. Every individual has responsibilities on their shoulders and which need to be fulfilled whether the person is capable or not. Life is full of possibilities but some can be bad and some can be good. Every one is ready for the good ones but certain steps need to be taken to be prepared for the bad ones. This is where Insurance comes in. Insurance is the financial instrument that acts as a protection, it can be also termed hedging and help reduce the risk for individuals. Insurance is a defense against the insurance holders exposure to the effects of unexpected events and happening. Insurance helps in shielding the ensured from the lack of security and risk.

Now the most important type of insurance which is essential for every individual who cares for somebody else. Life Insurance is the answer to this quandary and is tool by which one can ensure the safety and security of their own and those close to them. It is a universal product and that is for a reason. One cannot predict the future or what destiny hold for us but we should do what we can so as not be caught with our pants down when something unexpected happens. Be prepared and be alert is the motive of the army and it would be very beneficial if we inculcated this in our own thinking.

Insurance is very important but there are other types of insurance as well. This financial instrument has become as product for the masses and the products are custom made as per the individuals needs and preferences. Health Insurance is essential for individuals who has plans to live for as long as he can and such decisions later on life tend to cause a huge increase in the amount medical expenses. Health care has in recent times become very expensive and beyond the means of most individuals and thus Health Insurance comes in to save the day.

Insurance is used by people for various purposes such a tool for improving their security and safety of their loved ones which is really a old hat now. Insurance are used by certain devious minds now as a investment option and for others as a source of income as well. Certain types of life insurance has been designed by the insurers keeping the above points in mind as well

Getting Insured or having a Insurance has some major benefits has :

* Useful in times of needs.

* Acts as a safety net.

* Reduces risk and improves security.

* Can be seen as a from of investment.

* A Savior in time of emergencies.

* Gives a sense of comfort.

* Helps reduce stress.

Insurance is not an expense but an investment for making ones future and their families future more secure and safe. Insurance is an essential in anyone's financial portfolio and an easy cost effective way of reducing risk. Insurance helps the common man pay attention to the beauty of life around him and live his life to the fullest potential, living a happy and healthy life.

The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the best life insurance policy, health insurance and much more.

Whole Life Vs Universal Life Insurance

You may find it a good idea to look at "whole life vs universal life" insurance. You probably wonder which is best for you and your family. Because more people are familiar with it let us take a look at the mechanics of whole life insurance policy first and find out once and for all which is best "whole life or universal life" insurance.



Whole Life Insurance

I have a certain fondness for the whole life insurance policy because of the myriad of benefits it provides. There is the guaranteed level death benefit that you cannot outlive. You also have a guaranteed premium when you purchase whole life insurance. Your premium never goes up. The whole life policy has a cash value as well as a dividend if the company performs well. The cash value is guaranteed and also earns a minimum amount of interest. Dividends are not guaranteed.

In our comparison of whole life vs universal life we must consider that the whole life policy dividend can be used to purchase paid up additions...which are really small paid up policies purchased each year which are added to the base policy. These paid up additions increase your death benefit and also have cash values. The dividend can be paid in cash or they can be used to reduce premiums.

With all these benefits when we look at whole life vs universal life we must also consider that there is a certain rigidity built into the whole life policy. That is the policy in a nutshell. It is a good policy but quite inflexible.



Universal Life

Universal life provides a little more flexibility than the whole life policy. Life insurance buyers today tend to favor term life insurance. Universal life is built on a term base. It is basically a term policy with an added savings element. You maintain a level death benefit but you also have the option of reducing the death benefit whenever you like. You can also increase the death benefit but you may be required to provide evidence of insurability at the time you choose to make the change.

The premium you pay usually remains level but you do have the option of reducing it. Here is where it is flexible. Let us suppose you bought a universal life policy and you applied 30% of your yearly premium to pay for death benefit and 70% of it to saving. You may decide 5 or 10 years down the line that you don't need as much life insurance as you now own. You can reduce your death benefit and apply the applicable cost to your savings plan.

Let us suppose, on the other hand, you decide that that you need additional life insurance 5 or 10 years down the line. You can reduce the amount of premium applied to savings and use it to purchase the additional term insurance you need. That means there would be no need for any additional outlay in premiums. You must, however, bear in mind that you have to qualify for the additional insurance. The life insurance company may ask for a medical examination.

Whole life vs universal life...those are the basic differences.

You may add the waiver of premium rider to either policy. The cost for the rider for the universal life policy is much lower than of the whole life as the premium for the rider only applies to the portion of the premium applied to death benefit. With the whole life policy the entire premium is waived in the event of disability.

You may also add the accidental death benefit rider to either policy.



For additional information on whole life vs universal life go to =>http://www.lifeinsurancehub.net/permanent-life-insurance.html

For more than 40 years Donald has been known for his extensive knowledge of the life insurance business. He has represented some of the largest and most admired life insurance companies in the United States as well as Canada. His advice is invaluable.

Donald's website is: http://www.lifeinsurancehub.net

Term Life Verses Whole Life - Picking the Best Life Insurance For You

Most individuals realize how important life insurance truly is, but there is often a great deal of uncertainty and confusion associated with the selection process. When choosing between term life and whole life it is important to understand the fundamental differences. Both types offer the necessary protection that most families and individuals are in desperate need of, but there are pros and cons of term life that should be considered before deciding that it is the most appropriate choice.

Term life insurance is often referred to as temporary protection due to the fact that it provides a death benefit for a specific amount of time. At some point, the term policy will expire and will effectively leave the insured with no coverage. In contrast, whole life insurance is designed to cover an individual for the entirety of their remaining years and does not expire.

Whole life policies accrue cash value as they are funded by premiums, so they are often used as an investment vehicle. Term life policies do not accrue any cash value and simply end when they expire with no financial benefit or surrender value. Perhaps the most important feature of a term life insurance policy is its cost, which is often much lower than any other type of coverage. Although there is no cash value that accrues, the inexpensive premiums often attract consumers that would otherwise be unable to afford coverage.

While many individuals worry that term life insurance expires at some point, it is necessary to understand its designed purpose. Many lenders will suggest that a borrower maintains a life insurance policy during the period of time that their mortgage will last. For these such purposes, a 15 year term would be completely acceptable and a consumer would only pay for coverage when it was needed. There are many other financial goals that can be accomplished by retaining coverage for a specific amount of time, such as the period until a surviving spouse would be able to access retirement monies.

No matter what type of coverage is the most appropriate for your needs, make sure to be a wise consumer and only spend the money that is necessary. Because the insurance companies have widely varying premiums, shopping around can often save a great deal of money. Although comparison shopping is typically seen as a very time consuming process, the truth is that utilizing an insurance comparison website can be quick and easy.

Such websites will allow you to fill out a simple form and immediately receive multiple quotes from reputable insurers that would love to gain your business. Finding the best coverage is no longer an arduous task and it is remarkably simple to find adequate life insurance.

Compare life Insurance quotes online and learn more about life Insurance at InsureWish.com.

Know The Difference Between Whole Life And Term Life Insurance

If you have decided that you want to invest in insurance you may be faced with a very difficult decision. Whole life insurance and term whole life insurance are two very different things that answer to many different aspects in your life as well as in your pocket. You want to make sure that you invest in the proper type of insurance as life and tern insurance can be more damaging than helpful if not chosen wisely.

Of course, before you can begin to even think about either of the two you need to first understand what the difference is, because this will help you figure out what is best for you and your family. It's also a great idea to turn to a professional to assist you with this important choice as a lot of money will be invested and you want to make sure that you and your family are covered well in case the unthinkable happens. Making sure that your family is secure long after you are gone and that they are left with money and not bills is of top importance and through whole life insurance or term whole life insurance this can be achieved.

Whole life insurance is insurance that lasts a lifetime. It doesn't have an ending term. This insurance is a better choice for a younger and healthier person as the life expectancy is much longer and it will be used longer. If you plan on paying the insurance for the next 20 years and are ready for such an investment and commitment, it's the best choice. Keep in mind however, that it comes at a high price, and you need to make sure that you really are ready for the commitment. In the case with whole life insurance you can actually cancel at any time, and a part of the invested money is returned to you. The premiums also stay the same over the years, so you don't have to worry about any increases. The premium is invested and grows over the years, then when either canceled or should the unthinkable happen happens, the agent takes the commission and your family gets the difference.

The difference with term life insurance is that it basically has an ending term, which is usually 10 years. It's less expensive and more appropriate for someone who doesn't expect to surpass those 10 years. It's a very good investment. One thing to keep in mind however is to know that if you choose to cancel your term life insurance you lose the money you have invested thus far.

The decision between term life insurance or whole life insurance is a very difficult one and you need to be fully educated before you make a commitment. If necessary consult with a professional to determine which is best suited for you.

Writing on Finance especially Life Insurance is like a passion for Iftikhar Tirmizi, check out for his latest articles on Whole Life Insurance

Insurance Marketing Agencies - Insurance State Data Information Guide to Sell Insurance

Like insurance marketing agencies, each state also has its own personality. Analyzing insurance state data information, reveals where it is easier to sell insurance. This information is a guide to where insurance marketing agencies get best results for obtaining general insurance brokers and why.

Some states have loads of agents and brokers that are very friendly and open to new insurance opportunities. Other states seem locked in a time zone 5 years behind independent thinking states. Many factors, including state date information and census bureau analysis show how hard it is to get the attention of brokers, independent agents, and general agents to respond to your mailing offer. Insurance marketing agencies must concentrate recruiting and mailing to certain states that will definitely pay off. Using this guide is a great way to maximize your marketing budget and ultimate advanced marketing production results.

On the top 3 states it is: Florida, #1, California #2, and Texas #3. The #4 through #10 top insurance product marketing states are covered below.

OHIO, Rating #4

Finally, the first state that is not on the border or coast. The same land-locked trend is true of these next states on this page. Ohio we call "the profit potential state". Our feedback from agent recruiting firms, using our lists is overwhelmingly favorable for over 20 years straight! The recruiting secret why results can be obtained almost immediately: Ohio has four distinct agent population districts instead of just one or two. This geographic factor makes it hard for a particular insurer to monopolize the entire state. The four metropolitan areas are Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. Where do you set up your recruiting operation? Wherever it is, is also the likely location of most of your recruiting effort.

Factories with unions providing employee benefit plans are rather prevalent. Nonetheless, Ohio it is still a strong state for group and work site benefit plans. The Ohio agents that are with a major career life insurance company, are much less loyal than in most states. That means to you, the recruiter, they broker business to recruiting firms properly baiting their hooks. It also means a huge need for attractive brokerage products, expanding well beyond life insurance.

GEORGIA, Rating #5

Like most southern states, debit agents used to have an enormous impact on the insurance agents. These agents sold very small life insurance policies, and have established routes, where weekly or monthly they pick up the premiums directly from their clients. These agents were employees of the company, which means that when they left, so did their renewals which were not vested. The old route was simply passed on to another rookie agent to handle. Needless to say, low-income potential, high training costs, and modern banking policies have pretty much decreased debit life insurance company presence to a minimal factor nowadays. Georgia is split in two zones, 55% of the licensed agents in the Atlanta Area, Zips 300-303, and 45% for the remainder of the state. Our Georgia advice: Stay OUT of Atlanta. These Atlanta agents are bombarded with almost daily insurance solicitations for insurance products by fax, email, telemarketing, and direct mailing. The quality selected, outside Atlanta, area agents seem excited to receive a direct mail piece offering a genuine opportunity. Make your move to reward yourself with a sweet piece of the Georgia pie

WISCONSIN, Rating #6

There is no doubt that Wisconsin is a dominant Fraternal Life Insurance Company state. Their fraternal agents offer "certificates" instead of polices to "members" instead of clients. The Fraternal Organization holds benefit events for hard stricken members, and may be formed around a common work trade, religion, or life concept. The menu of products offered by Fraternal insurance companies is rather small. This gives the secret to Wisconsin recruiting: Fraternal insurance agents are exceptionally brokerage minded. The average number of outside companies a Wisconsin "broker" is licensed with, far exceeds the national agent average. As the state of Wisconsin is somewhat overlooked, its has over 10,000 agents that have already contracted with at least one outside carrier. Your carrier should be the next one they consider.

MINNESOTA, Rating #7

The state of Minnesota possesses many of the valuable marketing characteristics that Wisconsin has. In the land of ice and snow and lakes, it also has many fraternal life insurance agents. Consider this fact. Many large insurance brokerage orientated insurance companies have regional recruiting directors. In the Midwest, this central hub is Chicago, Illinois. This means 70% of their recruiting time and budget is conveniently located in that recruiting hub, even though the region includes other states like Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, or more. Our recruiting tip - Keep your recruiting dollars outside of a recruiting 'hub'. Also giving less attention to Minneapolis/St Paul will produce more solid leads. The competition pressure is low, so your results could boil over the top.

NORTH CAROLINA, Rating #8

North Carolina agents may carry a heavy accent, but they also carry a heavy brokerage swing that can easily hit you a couple homeruns. Usually the internet interest in brokers seeking marketers is closely aligned with the number of recruiters in this insurance marketing territory seeking brokers. In North Carolina, this scale is tipped drastically in a different direction. Good North Carolina brokers are looking for insurance marketing firms! We have noticed that North Carolina gets one-third the recruiting solicitation that Georgia does, and one-half that of Tennessee. Part of this credit goes to cities like Greensboro, Charlotte, and Raleigh, that all have good agent bases. This is unlike Atlanta or Nashville with sole agent population center domination. By recruiting top-notch North Carolina agents, you have so much to gain, plus one giant bonus point. The brokers in North Carolina are more loyal to a marketing firm that treats them right than anywhere else we have seen.

MICHIGAN, Rating #9

In Michigan lets look at the negatives first. The large presence of automobile and automotive supplier unions, among others has virtually wiped out the group insurance market. Some individual major medical potential exists but with Blue Cross being so dominant, and offering such paltry commissions, it hardly makes the market worth pursuing. Another drawback is that the metro Detroit area contains over half the agents and over half the population. The plus factors include the well-off union retirees who have moved outstate, the non-presence of insurance marketing hubs. This is further enhanced by the poor job career life companies have done helping agents overcome early career obstacles. Our tip is look for agents with at least 6 years experience. The metropolitan Detroit area is very good for advanced life and annuities directed at the professional market. However, observe the constant sways and effects of the economy in this metropolitan area. The out state area is prime for long term nursing care. Don't zoom by the motor city state.

MISSOURI, Rating #10

Close to a tie with Michigan is Missouri, but still making the top ten round out. However, the state is very different, with very few unions and a median family income $3,000 below the national average. In this state, the good parts of Midwest agent personality; start to blend with some Southern Hospitality. It is surely a good show me state, where an abundance of independent and semi-independent agents know that show me a good product offer and I might be interested is a winning combination. The sufficient senior citizen base in the state would have to be rated good for long term nursing care, whereas the lower income could be a slight drawback to over sophisticated annuities. KISS - A Keep it Simple State.

Well published author, Don Yerke likes to concentrate on what you don't know or what no one else dares to print. Tell it like it is.

Watch for his new paperback book debuting on Amazon early this summer. It is loaded with great insurance marketing and recruiting information.

Come and get your FREE "Think and Grow Rich" Ebook by Napoleon Hill instantly. The website address is [http://www.agentsinsurancemarketing.com]

Life Insurance - Pros and Cons of Term Life and Whole Life Policies

"Do I need life insurance?" "Is whole life insurance a good investment?" "Is term life insurance risky?" Questions like these are posted in online communities on a daily basis. The answers vary widely, with the term life and whole life camps polarized. The tone of the debate is surprisingly strident. After all, the topic is insurance--not a something expected to inspire strong opinions, let alone strong language. But words like "rip-off," "scam," and "waste of money" fly back and forth, sometimes accompanied by rows of exclamation marks or worse. What is behind the brouhaha? And which camp -if either - is right?

The two sides do not even agree about whether a person needs life insurance. Whole lifers say, yes. You do not want the death of a family member to disrupt your family's finances or jeopardize its future. It is hard enough to adjust to the loss of a loved one. Adding financial difficulties exacerbates the problem. With the skyrocketing costs of funerals, even children and seniors should have at least a small life insurance policy.

Not so fast, say the term lifers. The only reason to have life insurance is to replace the lost income of a family member who dies, and then only when the spouse or family is dependent on that income. If you are single with no dependents and no debts that might be transferred to your family in the event you die, then you do not need life insurance. If you are married and your spouse works, you probably do not need life insurance, either, assuming your spouse makes enough to support himself or herself.

The time for life insurance, term lifers say, is when the policyholder's income is vital to the financial security of the family. If, for example, you have purchased a home together and your spouse could not pay the mortgage and other bills by himself or herself, then life insurance is in order. If you have children, you will want to have enough life insurance to allow your family to maintain its lifestyle after you are gone. This includes not only meeting day-to-day expenses, but also being able to follow through with plans for higher education. Insurance professionals recommend buying a policy with a face value 5-10 times the breadwinner's annual salary to help family meet expenses for a period of years.

Whole lifers see problems with the term-life scenario. The view it as overly optimistic, even naive. Many things can happen during the 20- to 30-year period covered by term life insurance policy that could extend the need for coverage beyond the policy's end date. For example, children may be born mentally retarded, with severe autism, or with another serious condition that could prevent them from becoming independent when they reach adulthood. Children also can develop a disease or suffer an accident that disables them. A spouse, too, can become disabled. In these situations, the family will remain dependent on the breadwinner's income long after the term life policy expires.

Term life insurance advocates point out that in such cases, the breadwinner can renew the term life insurance policy, or take out a new one. Now it's the whole lifers' turn to say, "Not so fast." By the time the second term life insurance policy is needed, the breadwinner will likely be in his or her fifties or even sixties. Due to the age of the insured, the cost of a second term life insurance policy will be much higher than the cost of the first was.

With the added years come added risks of certain diseases. If the breadwinner is obese, has developed high blood pressure, a heart condition, diabetes, or another disease, the cost of the term life insurance policy will skyrocket. If the individual has developed cancer or AIDS, he or she may not be insurable at all. In such situations, the cost savings realized on the first term life policy could be wiped out by the high cost of a second term life policy.

By contrast, the premiums of a whole life policy are set for life and do not go up with age or medical condition. A whole life policy cannot be canceled due to medical conditions, either. The policy remains in force until death, as long as the premiums are paid.

"Until death" is another advantage of whole life, its advocates maintain. Whole life gets its name from the fact that it insures the policyholder life until death. As a result, whole life insurance is guaranteed to pay a death benefit-the amount the policy pays upon the death of the insured. The death benefit can be increased-at certain points at no additional cost-as the policyholder ages. A small policy designed to cover the funeral costs of a child can be increased to provide adequate coverage during an adult's peak earning years. Whatever the death benefit or "face value" of the whole life policy, the insurance company guarantees to pay it. As a result, the policyholder or his or her beneficiaries always receive some, all, or more than the premiums paid into the policy.

This is not the case with a term life insurance policy, whole lifers point out. The term life insurance policyholder can pay premiums for 30 years, but if he or she outlives the policy-even by a day-then all of the premium money is gone. The only thing the policyholder will have received is 30 years worth of peace of mind.

Whole life insurance, by contrast, accumulates a value that the policyholder can access during his or her lifetime. This value is known as the cash value or the surrender value. The whole life policy holder can use the cash value as collateral for a loan, or even borrow some of it during his or her lifetime. The policyholder must pay this amount back. If he or she dies before it is paid back, then the unpaid amount is deducted from the death benefit. If the policyholder decides to cancel the policy, the insurance company will pay him or her the cash value, which is then known as the surrender value. Whole life, its proponents maintain, is not only insurance against death. It is an investment for life.

This is where the debate turns nasty. Term lifers often ridicule the investment features of whole life. Because whole life always pays a death benefit, it costs 5-10 times more than term life does. Term lifers argue that a person is much better off getting a term policy for the same face value that they would get a whole life policy, then saving and investing the difference in premiums. Almost any investment will return more than a whole life policy will, term lifer proponents maintain. Over 20 or 30 years, the difference can be vast. Buy insurance to insure, the term lifers say, and use the savings to invest.

Whole lifers respond that the return on a whole life policy is guaranteed at the outset, something than cannot be said for other investments. To earn greater rewards, the term life policyholder must take greater risks in the open market. Many investments will outperform whole life insurance, but not all will. Some investments lose money, as shareholders in World Com, Enron, Peregrine Systems, and many other companies can attest.

Even if the investment will pay out, it is not certain that the term life policyholder will actually make it. To do so, he or she must calculate the amount saved over whole life insurance; save that money every month, quarter, or year; research possible investments; and contribute to that investment regularly for 20 or 30 years. This makes sense for disciplined and savvy investors, but many others will find the endeavor daunting and time consuming. They may not start it, and if they do, they may not continue it. Whole life takes care of insurance, savings, and investment in one easy payment. Even if the returns on whole life are not great, saving something is better than saving nothing, and nothing is exactly how much many term life policyholders will end up saving.

Both whole life and term life have pros and cons. People who are financially savvy and disciplined will gain from the term life scenario. Those who need a convenient and simple mechanism for insurance and savings will benefit from whole life insurance. Deciding which is best for you requires an honest appraisal of your goals, your lifestyle, and your investing skills.

An award-winning author of books for young adults, Bradley Steffens is a frequent contributor to online and print publications, including Gig and Broker Agent Magazine. A copywriter with 25 years experience, he creates website content for health insurance, life insurance, and homeowner's insurance professionals. His most recent book, Ibn al-Haytham: First Scientist, is the world's first biography of the medieval Muslim scholar known in the West as Alhazen.

Tips For Choosing Insurance For Life

Of the many types of insurance, life insurance is perhaps one of the most common, second only to auto and health insurance. It is fair to say, however, that life is very different from most other types of policies. Auto pays in the event of an accident, health in the event that medical treatment is needed; life pays in the event of death. All the same, life is a very important policy in the long run. As hard as it may be to come to terms with, death is an inevitable part of life, and life insurance can be a life-saver for the family left behind.

What can also be different from other policies, and maybe just as difficult to deal with, is choosing the best life policy to leave behind. Despite however morbid it may seem, it is important to consider carefully what type of policy will be most profitable: every insured person is different, as is every beneficiary, hence the type of policy should fit yours' (and your beneficiary's) particular circumstances.

Two major types of life policies are most dominant: term and whole life.

Term Life Insurance

The simplest type of insurance for life is this one. It costs the least and has a particular value, as well as a particular term. The term, however, is a set amount of time during which the insured person is covered, a death one day after could mean no payout. An insured person pays a fixed rate over this term, which can range in amount depending on the overall value of the policy. The shortest possible term life policy goes for 1 year.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is the same as term in several respects, the premiums are fixed, the policy has a set value, and it is not invested by the insured. The distinction between whole and term life is that whole life covers the insured's entire life, as long as they continue to pay into the policy. Whole life policies do also have cash value, allowing the policyholder to borrow against the value or cash out before their death.

Things to Remember While Preparing for Life Insurance

Whether you choose term, whole life, or another form of insurance, there are several important considerations to make before making an informed decision:

Calculating cost and need. Arguably the most common reason that the uninsured stay uninsured is that, according to them, plans are either too costly or too unnecessary. In truth, even a little life coverage has the potential to help, and almost anyone leaving behind a dependent family member has the need. It is important to truthfully and carefully calculate the cost and need of a life policy when making a decision on what type and how much life to purchase.

Term life plans can be renewable. A person who chooses a term life plan runs the grave risk of losing coverage when their term ends. For many policies, however, there is a renewal period that allows the term to be extended, forgetting to extend or not being able to extend can mean the insured person loses all they have placed into the policy.

Being underinsured. LIMRA International, an authority on life policies in the US, counted most life policy holders as actually being underinsured. According to their statistics, most only have coverage for about 4 years of their income, whereas it is recommended to have a plan covering at least 7 years. On top of this, 56 percent of policy holding parents acknowledge that their coverage is not enough. Getting the right type of insurance, life insurance, can be important to staying properly insured.

Andy West is a writer on a variety of topics, including insurance. When you have a family, it's very important to have insurance life insurance specifically incase the unthinkable occurs.