Reader’s Question:

What are the benefits that I can get from universal life insurance policy aside from the flexibility in the amount applied to life insurance policy?

Janice

Fort Collins, CO

A universal life insurance policy is a term life insurance policy that has element of savings. If you are a policy holder of a universal life insurance policy, you can adjust the amount of premium applied to the life insurance protection and savings anytime. Reducing the amount can be easy but if you want to increase your life insurance, the life insurance company may require you a proof of insurability.

Owning a universal life insurance policy has several advantages. With this type of life insurance policy, the death benefits are level or do not increase. The proceeds are paid upon the death of the policyholder and are free from income tax. Universal life insurance allows the policy owner to increase or decrease the amount of saving. Increasing the amount of life insurance requires the policyholder to present an evidence of insurability. Because of the saving element, this life insurance policy accumulates cash values tax deferred. The policy owner can access this cash in case of an emergency. Lastly, an increase in cash value increases the face amount or death benefit accordingly.

There are also disadvantages when you purchase a universal life insurance policy. The premium of this type of life insurance is a little high but the extra premium is worth it if you want to save money. In the event of a decline in interest rate, the amount of premium may be required to increase. Otherwise, the policy may lapse. The policy holder can actually reduce the amount of the amount of his/her life insurance as an alternative to this situation.

Reader’s Question:

Since I am planning to buy my own life insurance, I’d like to ask what are the benefits of getting a universal life insurance policy?

Lovely

Hillsboro, OR

A universal life policy can be atoned to a fusion between a term life and a tax-deferred interest accruing savings account.

In buying one, a benefit that you will get is that you not only accumulate tax deferred savings, but you also may not have to pay premiums throughout the entire duration of the policy. If the money required to pay for the death benefit and other associated costs accrues in the savings fraction of the policy, premiums eventually may not be needed to keep the policy in effect.

Most people who would benefit from universal life insurance policy are those who need life insurance into their 70’s as it is an investment medium as well as a life insurance policy. This would give enough time for your savings part to accumulate into an investment. Most individuals will not want their life insurance to come too late in their lives. In that case, it might be more favorable to acquire a term life insurance policy and prepare a suitable retirement investment savings account such as an annuity.

If you feel like universal life is the right insurance for you, you might want to consider a few points. First, ensure that you plan to have the policy for a long period of time given that you will need to have the policy in effect for at least fifteen years to qualify for any return from the policy and second, make sure you have a well-informed insurance agent in your area who can help you review your other alternatives such as whole life and term insurance.

Reader’s Question:

Hello, I’m from Irvington, New Jersey. Please explain, why is it that term life insurance policy is cheaper than whole life insurance policy?

Nicole

Irvington, NJ

Hello there Nicole.
This is the common question for most people who are looking for their money’s value.

Bear in mind that “cheapest doesn’t always equivalent to the best option”. Term life insurance policy is cheaper compared to whole life insurance policy simply because term life insurance covers you for a limited period of time only. The coverage end up when the specified number of years is completed.

Compared to whole life insurance, term life insurance does not build up cash value. If you are going to surrender or terminate the life insurance policy you cannot get your money back. While a whole life insurance has a cash value, its insurance and at the same time also an investment that could give you cash equivalent in the long run.
These are the direct comparison between term life insurance and a whole life insurance. It is also the main reason why term life insurance is cheaper than whole life insurance.

To avail free quotes, you can go to websites that offer free quotes such as this one. It is as simple as filling out a form, and you will be given free quotes without any obligation. I suggest you do compare at least 5 rates from different companies before you buy any insurance from your area.