It is hard to think about how you or your family would cope in a financial crisis. However, failing to prepare for these situations can have worrying effects on overall wellbeing that extend beyond cash matters alone.
Introduction
Insurance can often seem a strangely intangible product. It is something that affects the future more than the present and provides a safety net rather than an immediate benefit. It is about preparing for the unexpected and guarding yourself against the potential shocks to your income that could come with unpredictable events, such as falling ill or suffering an injury.
While there are some things you cannot predict, having personal insurance in place can lessen the financial burden and take a weight off your mind.
Why get personal insurance?
Here are just a few of the reasons you might start thinking about taking out a personal insurance policy.
Your family rely on your income
If you have a partner or children with no other source of income, or not enough income to manage alone, it is important to think about what they would do if you were no longer able to provide for them financially.
Certain insurance policies offer a payment to you or your family in the event that your income is no longer available in the event of illness or injury.
You are prompted to plan for a life event
For many people, events like getting married, buying a home and having children or grandchildren will often prompt them to reflect on their overall financial position.
These stages in life each come with their own financial commitments, whether that is ensuring mortgage repayments are made on time or paying school or university fees.
You are self-employed
While many employers offer some kind of insurance as part of their package of employee benefits, when you are self-employed you have to organise this yourself.
If you would not be able to get by comfortably without your income for a period of time, it may be a good idea to consider taking out income protection. We will cover this in more detail later on.
You have limited savings to fall back on
It can be difficult to live on savings alone if you no longer have your main source of income. Insurance relieves you from having to cover all the costs in this situation, so you do not have to erode the money you have saved up.
Types of personal insurance protection
There are several different kinds of insurance product on the market, offering cover for different situations. Here are some of the main types to consider:
Life insurance
Life insurance policies offer a lump sum or regular payments to your dependants in the event of your death. This could cover specific payments, such as a mortgage or rent, or used to help cover funeral expenses.
The cost of life insurance can depend on factors like your age, health and lifestyle, and some existing medical conditions which may or may not be covered. It does not cover you if you are unable to work because of an illness.
The main types of life insurance policy include:
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- Term-life insurance policies run for a fixed period of time, and only pay out if you die during the term of the policy (typically 10 to 25 years).
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- Whole-of-life policies pay out no matter when you die, but the premiums may increase over time depending on the policy.
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- Family income benefit is a life insurance policy that would pay out in the event of your death during the policy term. If you were to die during the term of the policy, your family would receive a regular tax free income for the remaining term of the policy.
Critical illness cover
This type of insurance will provide a lump sum, or in some cases a regular income, if you are diagnosed with a serious illness.
The policy will set out the types of illness that are included, and how serious they must be. Make sure you fully understand what is covered in the policy, as not all illnesses are included.
Any health conditions you already had before taking the insurance out are unlikely to be covered.
Whilst critical illness cover relates specifically to illness, rather than death, it can often be purchased in combination with life insurance.
Premiums on critical illness cover can be guaranteed or reviewable:
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- Guaranteed premiums are fixed for the duration of the policy. This is the more costly of the two options as you pay extra for the certainty of knowing how much you will be paying throughout.
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- Reviewable premiums are the cheaper option as the price of the premiums is typically fixed for the first five years, after which your provider will almost certainly increase your premium.
Income protection
If you cannot work for a period of time because of illness or disability, income protection will pay a percentage of your take-home pay until you can start working again.
It covers most illnesses that would leave you unable to work, and you can claim it as many times as you need to while the policy lasts.
There is usually also a deferral period, for example four weeks or three months, in which you cannot claim after falling ill.
However, be aware that the definition of ‘unable to work’ may differ depending on the policy, and you might not get cover if you have existing health problems or a dangerous job.
Private medical insurance
You may choose to take out private medical insurance to supplement the healthcare available on the National Health Service (NHS). This can offer more choice in the care you get and the way it is provided.
The types of medical care covered depend on the policy, and some will extend to specialist treatment.
Tips for choosing insurance
There are a lot of insurance options out there – so how do you go about picking the one for you?
Set a budget
A good first step is to draw up an out-of-work budget, to figure out what your policy will need to cover and how much it should provide.
In many cases, you may find that your outgoings when out of work will be less than usual, so be careful not to over-insure.
Check your current policies
Before you take out a new policy, make sure you are clear on precisely what you are already covered for.
If you are employed, it is worth checking whether you already have insurance of some kind as part of your employment benefits.
Read the small print
As you research your options, pay close attention to all the details of the policies to check they suit your needs.
Premiums vary from policy to policy, and are not always fixed, so pay attention to the different costs and how they could change over time.
Get a second opinion
Most importantly, make sure you talk through your options with a professional before you commit to a policy. We are happy to guide you in choosing the right policy for your circumstances.
How can we help you?
If you would like assistance with personal insurance protection, or if you wish to arrange an initial no cost, no obligation, consultation, then please fill out the contact form below. Alternatively, you can call 01603 706 820 or email info@lffp.co.uk.
Important information
This article is solely for informational purposes and nothing in it is intended to constitute advice or a recommendation.
The personal insurance protection products discussed in this article (with the exception of some Whole of Life policies) are not savings or investment products and have no cash value unless a valid claim is made. The tax treatment of any policy may depend on your individual circumstances and may be subject to future change.
While considerable care has been taken to ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date, no warranty is given as to its accuracy. This article constitutes a financial promotion.
