Posted by: livingstondavid on: June 25, 2009
Below mentioned terminologies are commonly practiced in life insurance which some of us usually hear while having discussion with insurance underwriters for extra knowledge about insurance benefits. Knowing some of the basic aspects is advantageous for us. We at least get chance to familiarize ourselves with these terms. Don’t go for complete knowledge but at least have some idea about life insurance and cheap life insurance rates even though you don’t have interest.
Beneficiaries – these are people with insurable interest in the life of the insured. Insurable interest means that if the insured lives, the beneficiary would gain. But if the insured dies, the beneficiary would lose. An example would be the persons closely related by blood or by marriage to the insured. A creditor can also be classified under persons with insurable interest.
Beneficiaries According to Priority – Primary are those beneficiaries who would receive first the proceeds of the policy. Contingents are those beneficiaries who would receive the proceeds only when all the primary beneficiaries have predeceased the insured. The main question to ask in this aspect is, Who is alive at the time of the insured’s death?
Beneficiaries According to Rights – when insured person dies revocable beneficiaries automatically assume power on insurance. Specific rules are linked with revocable beneficiaries who must pay estate tax. Such beneficiaries are half owners of policies followed through mutual consents. The irrevocable beneficiary has a say in case some changes are proposed in insurance policy contract. In this case proceeds by irrevocable beneficiaries are exempted from estate taxes and no minor can be made part of this category.
Factors in Mortality Assessment – how much premium proposed policy holders would pay becomes crucial investigation that it defines. Parameters can include one’s age, built particularly height and weight, family history, personal health history, present physical condition, substance abuse, morals, avocations, aviation, exposure to foreign, nationality and professional traits. Medical Information Bureau (MIB) investigates such key factors for complete investigation.
Term Policies – Provides the maximum insurance for a minimum or cheap life insurance rates. A medical exam is required for all term insurance applicants. Housewives who are dependent are generally excluded from the term policies. Minors are also excluded.
Policy Lapses or Termination – most of these policies have one reason or the other for termination. Non-payment of premium payments can be an issue like policies being surrendered or paid-up. The case may be policies getting halted or terminated due to urgent cash requirement or done so due to insufficient cash value. The issues can be many which need prudent solution.
Underwriting Process – the work starting with preliminary processing, risk appraisal until policy issuance is part of this category. Applications are checked minutely in preliminary process to check completeness. Furthermore data is entered in application forms to check authenticity besides cross-checking them with available sources. Acceptance or rejection of application forms come in risk appraisal category. When policy is issued it is delivered.
Group Life Insurance – usually group life insurance is offered to group of employees in an organization in which flexibility is that insurance underwriters prefer the size and turnover of that particular organization instead of demanding for individual identities as insurable proof. When any of the employees leaves that organization his/her policy gets terminated. But still there are provisions through which an individual can continue the policy although he/she doesn’t have any association with that organization.
Whole Life Insurance – This is the simplest form of permanent life insurance. It features lifelong protection with guaranteed premiums, death benefit, and cash value. This offers a fixed premium that would not increase and the dividend can be used to increase the value of the policy.
Finally we conclude that learning something extra about insurance and its peculiar terminologies is a march towards excellence. The saying has valid reason that “it is better to be sure than sorry.” It is not tough to buy an affordable life insurance for better tomorrow. Our approach is that none should dupe us with useless products hence we’ll not fall prey to anyone’s buttressing.