When was the last time that you considered purchasing life insurance? Life insurance is a topic that can be hard to discuss because the subject is so heavy. Yet ignoring the importance of life insurance can lead to unforeseen outcomes that leave loved ones in emotional and financial pain.
Mark Hauser is a veteran private equity investor with decades of industry experience helping his clients find the best policies for their lives. Taking time out of his day, Hauser decided to explore the realm of life insurance to educate his followers on the process better.
Understanding Life Insurance
Life insurance is a simple concept at a glance. A life insurance policy is a legally binding contract between the insured individual and the insurance company. Policyholders can be insured through multiple entities, including themselves and the corporation that they work for.
Throughout the lifetime of a policyholder, they will make regular payments to the insurance company. Premiums ensure the continued coverage for a policyholder which will allow their loved ones to receive the face value or “death benefit” of the policy when it actuates.
For example, a policy with a face value of $300,000 would pay out that same amount to beneficiaries upon the policyholder’s passing.
Advantages of Life Insurance
Purchasing life insurance is a big task and one that requires some forethought. Mark Hauser suggests that individuals take time to assess both the pros and cons of life insurance before making a financial decision.
Pros
- Reduces Financial Stress For Family of Policyholder
- Replaces Lost Income of Insured Individual
- Loan Privileges
Cons
- Higher Rates For Older Applicants
- Must Pass a Medical Exam
The Living Benefit Clause
While most insurance policies only pay out when the policyholder passes, Living Benefit clauses are used to insure critical, chronic, or otherwise terminal issues. These policies will pay out a portion of the aforementioned death benefit upon qualification while the policyholder is still alive.
Two Primary Forms of Life Insurance
While there are a multitude of people with varied needs, there are only two forms of life insurance policies. Mark Hauser underscored these policies to serve his clients with information better.
Term Life Insurance provides policyholders with insurance for a predetermined period of time, typically ranging between 10 and 30 years. These policies are more affordable but can lapse, leading to occasionally higher premiums in the future. These policies are paid out when the policyholder passes.
Permanent Life Insurance is far more expensive than conventional insurance but provides coverage throughout an individual’s life. These policies can only end when the policyholder no longer pays their premium or opts to surrender the policy altogether.
