Transcript Chapter 8 - Savannah State University
#8
Insuring Your Life
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Basic Insurance Concepts
• •
Basic purposes of insurance
Protect you and dependents from losing your acquired assets Shield you and your family from an interruption in earnings
The Concept of Risk Risk: chance of economic loss Insurance planning: reduces risk that losses will cause financial devastation
The Concept of Risk Risk Avoidance – Avoiding an act that would create a risk Example: not driving to avoid car accident Risk avoidance is not always practical or possible
Loss Prevention and Control
Prevention
chance that loss will occur - reduce
Control
reduce severity of loss once it occurs Example: accident Driving the speed limit may reduce likelihood of car Example: Wearing a seat belt can minimize effects of an accident
The Concept of Risk
Assuming Risk
choice to accept and b ear the risk of loss yourself
Example:
Bear the cost of replacing stolen calculator
Insurance
pay someone to bear your risk of loss
Example:
Buy an insurance policy to transfer risk to insurance company
Underwriting Basics
• • Insurance company decides whom to insure and rate to be charged Company must guard against adverse selection a disproportionate number of bad risks
Benefits of Life Insurance • • • • Financial protection for dependents Protection from creditors Tax benefits Vehicle for savings
Do You Need Life Insurance?
• •
Consider if
Dependents count on your financial support You have debts – home mortgage • •
Maybe Not if
No one depends on your support You child are a
How Much Life Insurance is Right for You •
Multiple-of Earnings Method
Multiply annual earnings by an arbitrary number •
Needs Analysis Method
Estimate needs and examine available resources
How Much Life Insurance Is Right For You?
Assess Family’s Total Economic Needs • • • • • Family income Additional expenses Special needs of dependents Pay off debts Liquidity
Determine Financial Resources • • • • • • Savings and investments Social Security benefits Pension or retirement plans Other life insurance Income of surviving spouse or children Real estate or other assets
Subtract Resources From Needs This is the amount of life insurance needed to provide your family with desired standard of living
Term Life Insurance • • • Specified amount of insurance protection for a set period Benefit paid if insured dies during that time Simplest type of insurance policy
Types of Term Insurance
Straight term
Coverage remains the same while premiums can increase
Decreasing term
Premiums remain the same while coverage decreases
Important Features In Term Insurance
Renewability
Renew policy without evidence of insurability
Convertibility
Convert to whole life policy without evidence of insurability
Representative Annual Renewable Term Life Insurance Premiums: $100,000 Policy, Preferred Nonsmoker Rates
Term Insurance • •
Advantages
Economical way for young families to purchase large amounts of life insurance Provides for needs that disappear over time • •
Disadvantages
Premiums become more costly as you get older Does not build cash value
Whole Life Insurance
Cash value
Provides death protection plus a savings feature
Nonforfeiture right
Right to cash value when canceled prior to death
How Cash Value Accumulates In A $200,000 Whole Life Policy
Representative Whole Life Insurance Premiums: $100,000 Policy, Preferred Nonsmoker Rates
Types of Whole Life Policies •
Continuous premium (straight life)
Level premiums paid until death or policy cancellation •
Limited payment
Level premiums paid for specified number of years, insurance in force until death •
Single premium
Lifetime coverage purchased with a single premium
Advantages of Whole Life • • • •
Advantages
Savings vehicle Borrow against cash value Premiums remain constant Cash value accumulates tax-free until redeemed
Disadvantages of Whole Life • • • •
Disadvantages
Less death protection for young people Low return on savings Tax penalties possible on early withdrawal Outstanding loan subtracted from face value of policy upon death
Universal Life Insurance • • • • • Permanent cash-value insurance that combines term insurance with tax sheltered savings account Provides death protection plus savings feature Premiums are “unbundled” into 2 accounts Savings grow at current interest rate vs. guaranteed minimum rate Provides flexibility in premiums paid and death benefit Understand the risks before you buy!
Representative Universal Life Insurance Annual Outlays: $100,000 Policy, Preferred Nonsmoker Rates
Other Types of Life Insurance
Variable life insurance
• • • Provides death protection plus a savings or cash value feature Cash value can be invested in mutual funds for greater possible return Returns not guaranteed and actual death benefit can vary
Representative Variable Life Insurance Values: $100,000 Policy, Preferred Nonsmoker, Male, Age 45
Other Types of Life Insurance
Variable life insurance
• Combines flexibility of premium payment feature of universal with investment choices offered by variable
Group life insurance
• Usually term insurance offered through employers • Premiums usually lower than individually purchased policies
Other Special-Purpose Life Insurance • • •
Credit and Mortgage life insurance
Decreasing term insurance Pays off outstanding balance if borrower dies before repaid Costly form of coverage • •
Industrial life insurance
Whole life policies with small face amounts For low-income families
Buying Life Insurance • • • Compare costs and features Select a large, highly rated, financially secure company Choose a reputable agent
Key Features of Various Types of Life Insurance
Life Insurance Contract Features Beneficiary clause Settlement options Policy loans Premium payments Grace period Nonforfeiture options Policy reinstatement Change of policy
Other Policy Features Multiple indemnity Disability clause Guaranteed purchase options Suicide clause Exclusions Participation Living benefits Viatical Settlement