Insurance World

Should you buy cheap term life insurance? It’s an often-asked question to which there is a cheap and simple answer. If you have a mortgage or you have a partner, family or dependants that could suffer financial hardship as a result of your death then cheap term life insurance is a must!

Cheap term life insurance, otherwise known simply as life insurance or term life is a cheap life insurance policy that pays out a lump sum upon your death. The premiums are very cheap and term life insurance policies are very easy to obtain. There are two basic types of term life insurance available from insurers - cheap decreasing term life insurance and cheap level term life insurance.

Cheap decreasing term life insurance

Cheap decreasing term life insurance is very cheap. For only a few pounds each month a cheap decreasing term life insurance policy will pay the balance of your mortgage should you die before it reaches full term. This type of term policy is called decreasing term life insurance because the sum insured decreases in line with your outstanding mortgage balance. The cheap premium remains the same for the life of the policy, making it an exceptionally cheap way to secure life insurance. A cheap decreasing term life insurance policy ONLY pays out a lump sum to clear your mortgage. This type of cheap term life insurance does not make any other provision for the loved ones you leave behind.

Cheap level term life insurance

Level term life insurance policies are not as cheap as decreasing term life insurance, although these types of term policies overall are still cheap, having only slightly higher premiums attached to them. The reason for the premium not being as cheap is that level term policies pay off your mortgage AND leave a lump sum to your partner, family and/or dependants. The sum insured through a cheap level term life insurance policy remains the same through the life of the policy, as does the cheap premium.

A cheap level term life insurance is recommended to run in tandem with your mortgage. However, a cheap level term life insurance policy can run differently from the term of your mortgage. For instance, you could take out a 10-year level term life insurance policy that is separate from any other cheap premium life policy covering your mortgage. The premiums on the 10-year insurance policy will not be as cheap because the term is short, but it will provide you with additional life insurance cover in the unfortunate event of your death.

To start with review and understand your life insurance requirements. Figure out if you really need life insurance at this point in time or not. If you don’t have any dependents, then don’t go in for life insurance policy.

Consult an insurance Broker! Consult an independent insurance agent/broker to get an unbiased understanding of the market. The agent/ broker would be in a better position to synchronize your unique insurance requirements with the most affordable option available. It is known that even after procuring the policy these agents help in getting the most out of the plan.

Go the Online Way! Some of the cheapest life insurance quotes come from online insurance companies. This is because they have lower overheads as compared to traditional service providers. Also, the fact that it is easier to compare plans and rates over the internet puts additional pressure on these online vendors to downgrade their quotes.

Shop, Compare and Bargain Hard! Explore the market thoroughly. It would be one effort you would not regret. Gather the quotes for different coverage tiers in line with your requirements and then compare them judiciously. Ensure that you compare apples to apples! Keep in mind that a quote that comes with the lowest initial payment might not be the cheapest one. When you talk about life insurance, think long term. A policy with a higher premium might be a value for money plan. Once you have short-listed your best picks, it is time to sit down with the respective insurance companies and negotiate the best price. Remember, information is power – if you know the market, you can bargain hard and get the lowest possible quote.

At the end of it all, do remember that life insurance is not a mere cost, but an investment that you are making to secure your family. So, try to decide on the coverage and then try to minimize the cost.