Life Insurance

Life Insurance

What is it?

Life insurance is a form of insurance in which a person makes regular payments to an insurance company, in return for a sum of money to be paid to them after a period of time, or to their family if they die.

Peace of Mind

Buying life insurance is all about peace of mind for your family and how you’re able to provide it. If someone depends on you financially, chances are you need life insurance. Life insurance provides cash to your family after your death. This cash, known as the death benefit, replaces your income and can help your family meet many important financial needs like daily living expenses, mortgage payments, college savings, funeral expenses, and more. Owning life insurance can provide an added sense of security for the insured and beneficiaries. Designed with your needs in mind, we can help you find the life insurance solution that will make sure your family or business is adequately protected.

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Did you know?

Studies show that 40 percent of adult Americans have no life insurance whatsoever, and over 50 million people in this country lack adequate life insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Term & Permanent Life Insurance?

Term Life Insurance provides coverage for a specified period of time or “term” (usually from 5 years to 30 years). The premium usually stays the same throughout that specified term and the premium is designed to pay the cost of the insurance only. There is no separate cash value account building. Once the term has expired, the policy owner will usually let the policy lapse. There are options for maintaining coverage beyond the specific term, but the costs can increase dramatically. Term insurance is an affordable way to get the maximum coverage for the period of time in which you want to make sure your family or business is adequately protected.

Permanent Life Insurance provides coverage for your entire life as long as sufficient premiums are paid. Premiums are usually designed to pay for the cost of insurance coverage, but a portion is also used to build equity in what is referred to as a Cash Value account. There are many different options with permanent insurance, such as Whole Life, Variable Life, Universal Life, Variable Universal Life, all of which have different designs and objectives for providing insurance as well as a savings option. Premiums for Permanent Insurance are generally much higher than Term Insurance.

Diversify Insurance, Inc. is a strong proponent of Term Life Insurance. We believe that the goal of life insurance is just that, to provide insurance, and not to fund retirement. Those with a good financial plan should hopefully be in a position at the end of their “Term” that they no longer need life insurance. Let your independent agent at Diversify Insurance, Inc. help you determine what kind of life insurance is best for you.

How much insurance do I need?

If you were to die, consider what your spouse and dependents would need in order to pay off debts, cover day-to-day as well as larger expenses, to live comfortably and have financial stability. Don’t forget to include savings for college and retirement. Also consider the effect of inflation over time; the amount needed, say, twenty years from now is likely to be significantly higher than today. Your independent agent at Diversify Insurance, Inc. can help you determine what amount of coverage is right for you.

Why should I choose a reputable insurance company?

In addition to being financially secure, the life insurance company you choose should have a good claims payment history, good customer service and competitive pricing. Independent sources such as Standard and Poor’s, A.M. Best, Moody’s, Fitch, and Weiss rate insurance companies. Diversify Insurance, Inc. represents over 200 of the nation’s top rated carriers. This allows us to find the best solution for your life insurance needs.

How much does Life Insurance cost?

Premium rates for life insurance can vary dramatically and are typically based on factors such as:

age, sex, height, and weight
health status, including whether or not you smoke
participation in high-risk activities or occupations
the type of insurance (permanent or term)

What if I already have insurance coverage?

If you already have a life insurance policy, it’s a good idea to review it every few years to make sure it still meets your needs. Check to make sure all beneficiaries and other information are current. If any of the scenarios below pertain to you, it might be time to speak with your representative.

Were recently married or divorced
Have a child or grandchild who was recently born or adopted
Provide care or financial help to a child or parent
Want to ensure that financial resources are available to provide assistance or long-term care for a loved one
Purchased a new home recently
Have children or grandchildren who are about to enter college
Refinanced your home mortgage in the past six months
Receive an inheritance
Retired or your spouse has retired
Have started a business

Can I trade or replace my policy?

You can trade or replace your policy, but you should think carefully before you do. Whether you switch policies within the same company or switch from one company to another, your new policy could be subject to new underwriting which may affect how much you have to pay and the type of coverage you receive. It is important to consider all the options before replacing an existing life insurance policy. Your independent agent at Diversify Insurance, Inc. can help you determine if replacing your existing policy is right for you.

What if I have life insurance through my employer?

Obtaining life insurance through your employer may be an affordable solution to your life insurance needs. Many employers will offer a certain amount of life insurance as a benefit to their employees. However, it is important to find out whether or not that policy is “portable”. Most life insurance policies obtained through an employer will not remain active in the event that you leave that company. Many individuals are not aware of this and find themselves without life insurance coverage. We strongly suggest that unless your employer sponsored life insurance is “portable”, meaning you can continue that coverage beyond your employment with that company, that you obtain some level of life insurance outside of your employer.