Understanding Life Insurance: The Basics
An important part of life and maturing is considering life insurance. However, before you can get life insurance, you need to understand what is all about. Basically, like any other any insurance, when you take out a life insurance policy for yourself or a family member, upon the covered persons passing a beneficiary will be payed a sum of money which is often used to cover the costs of funerals, outstanding medical bills or other debts that person may have incurred while alive.
If you are ready to take this next step in your life, you can find many reliable life insurance providers online who will be able to assist you. Below we will discuss more about the ins and outs of life insurance.
Who Receives the Insurance Payout After Death?
In the event of the death of an insured person by illness, accident or natural causes, a life insurance policy will pay the family a sum of money. There are designated beneficiaries who will receive this money and possibly instructions as to what to do with it (pay for funeral expenses, pay off debt, etc). The remainder of the money is peace of mind for the deceased; beyond life, he or she is able to provide his or her beneficiaries with the funds needed in order to maintain the same comforts they are used to. Many people purchase life insurance so that in the case of a tragic event, their family will be well taken care of.
Who’s Who in the Life Insurance Game?
There are many terms that may be thrown around while talking about life insurance. A part of understanding life insurance is knowing who are the trusted providers in the field. In many life insurance contracts, there is a difference between the policy owner and the insured, however, sometimes this person is one and the same. For instance if you take out a life insurance policy for yourself, you are both the policy holder and the insured. However, if you take out a policy on your wife, husband or child, then you are only the policy owner, while the person who you took out the insurance for is the insured. The beneficiary is chosen at the discretion of the policy holder. This beneficiary does not play a part in the contract and many times does not even know until the insured person passes away.
Having life insurance is an excellent way to prepare for the future. Even though many people prefer not to think about their own mortality, when their family becomes their main priority, this topic must be thought about. Taking out a life insurance policy will give you peace of mind, knowing that your family will be taken care of financially. There are many clauses in a life insurance policy, so it is always advisable to go over the contract with an insurance provider and also with a lawyer.
Medibank Private is Australia’s largest private health insurer and now offers flexible life insurance that can be tailored to your needs.