If you want your survivors to have sufficient funds, in the event of your death, then life insurance is something you will want to look into. Insurance companies pay in a lump sum, which means the funds can be used to handle the immediate expenses involved with estate settlement and funeral costs. However, this also provides help with the long-term needs of your survivors. A life insurance policy allows you to make provisions for your dependents, and some even offer options in case you become disabled. You can also find a few that propose a retirement annuity.
South Africa really has a wide variety of life insurance options and providers. You can easily find policies that offer term, whole and universal life insurance plans.
With term life insurance, your coverage will only last for a specific span of time. When that term of time is over, your policy simply ceases to exist. If you only need extra protection for a short span of time, this policy is ideal. If you feel you only need your life insurance to see you through paying off your home mortgage, then a term policy would work extremely well for you. Being short term coverage also makes the life insurance more affordable, but there is a down side. It does not have a cash value or any investment potential.
Whole life insurance coverage is a little different, and far more complete. A payout of some kind is assured, and it expires only upon the policyholder’s death, or when it’s is given up. Once you are covered, you do not need to worry about the possibility of becoming uninsurable later in life. The insurance company will invest the premiums, and policyholders can borrow against the policy as soon as it builds cash value. Naturally, it costs more than a term life insurance policy.
An investment component is included in a universal life coverage plan. A cash value will be credited to premium payments that are above the cost of the insurance. Each month you receive interest on the cash value. Although there exists a possibility for rapid growth, it is not guaranteed.
South Africa is home to several excellent insurance companies, one of which is1LifeDirect. This company has not been around long, but they have made a favorable impression by providing customers unique products and low monthly premiums. Because they use a direct sales model, there is no middleman. This means 1LifeDirect saves their customers on the cost of premiums. Discovery Life Insurance generates excellent insurance products, probably because it draws its skill from the medical aid industry. It also has a great loyalty program.
Liberty Life Insurance is one of the bigger names in the insurance industry, and they put forward three premium options that fit just about any need. RMB Insurance has one of the largest assortments of products on the market, which is a plus for customers, and finally, Sanlam Insurance can provide either life insurance for personal coverage, or group life insurance coverage.
Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Life Insurance.
Tags: Death, disability, finance, health, insurance, Life Cover, life insurance, medical insurance, people