Six Life Insurance Questions and Answers

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:19:23 +0000

1. How does a life insurance company decide how much a particular policy costs?
The price of a life insurance policy is a life insurance company’s calculation of the amount of cash necessary to gather from each member of the life insurance pool. The price is always dependent on the mortality tables and the calculation of the size of the risk the life insurance company is taking on by being the insurer of your life insurance policy.
2. How does a life insurance company assess their risk in insuring an individual?
When somebody applies for a life insurance policy, the company will inquire about their health status and often require a medical exam. The life insurance company will use information gathered to determine if and how they want to insure the individual.
This determination of “if” and “how” is referred to as “underwriting. ” There are not many limits on the type of information underwriters can take into consideration.
3. Do all life insurance companies require a medical examination?
Often companies will require a physical medical examination prior to agreeing to insure an individual. Generally, they have a company doctor that will conduct this examination. This doctor or medical technician may have their own office or may even come to the potential insured party’s home for their convenience. The insurance company should not charge the potential insured party for this exam.
4. What types of questions will the life insurance company ask when applying for a policy?
It is common for life insurance applications to ask the following questions:
Do you regularly use tobacco or tobacco products? Life insurance companies strongly believe that smoking or using tobacco products in any form can make an individual’s life shorter and will charge higher premiums for smokers.
Do you have AIDS, cancer, heart disease, or are you HIV+? Depending on the severity of any health conditions such as these, a life insurance company may sell you a policy at the normal rate or possibly charge you a more expensive price. If the health problem is extremely severe, most life insurance companies will directly reject your application.
Do you have a hazardous career? With more dangerous jobs, companies tend to charge a more expensive price for a life insurance policy. If your job requires an above average amount of risky, life threatening behavior, expect a higher cost for life insurance.
Does your immediate family have a history of fatal diseases or death at a young age not due to an accident? The life insurance company is not barred from questioning you about you and your family’s health history. Diseases that commonly run in the family that are fatal, such as heart disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, or cancer may cause a company to reject your application or charge you a higher rate.
5. What other questions can I expect to be asked?
A life insurance application may ask seemingly unrelated health questions to asses high risk behavior.
Some of these questions may include the following:
In the past seven to ten years have you ever been arrested for driving under the influence? Diagnosed or medically treated for cancer, AIDS, HIV, chronic lung disorder, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or liver problems? Recommended by a medical professional to cease or reduce drinking alcohol?
Are you currently or have you ever been disabled or forced to retire due to an illness or injury?
Answering “yes” to any one of these inquiries may result in getting a life insurance application denied, it is far better than answering dishonestly and then having a claim refused later down the line. This outcome could result in your beneficiaries getting nothing if you should die.
6. Can life insurance companies use genetic testing to determine whether or not they want to insure someone?
Life insurance companies often use genetic testing to learn as much as possible about their potential clients. By administering a blood test, companies can determine not only what diseases you may currently have, but ones you may get in the future as well. Some states do not permit this kind of testing for health insurance purposes, but generally for life insurance, genetic testing is permitted.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in the topic of life insurance: policies, companies, agents, and advice. For a free quote, please visit http://www. equote. com.

Questions About Utah Home Insurance

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:18:25 +0000

Utah Home Insurance is a necessity, something every property should have. If you have a mortgage, your lender will require coverage — and if your home is mortgage-free than you should have coverage anyway.

But not all insurance coverage is alike. Policies and protections differ, and so do costs. In essence, you want the most protection for the least number of dollars.

Utah Home Insurance generally comes in standardized packages. For instance, the most basic form, HO-1, offers protections against such perils as fire, theft, and certain types of liability.

HO-2 is more comprehensive and includes protection against damage from broken pipes, the weight of ice and snow, and broken hot water heaters.

HO-3 gives more protection still: It generally includes just about everything and excludes only earth-shaking events such as earthquakes, floods, nuclear accidents, and wars.

To determine which policy is best for you, and to find out about other policies, make a list of valued possessions and the types of coverage you’d generally like to have — and then sit down with an insurance broker to review what’s included (and excluded) from each policy form and the other forms of coverage which may be available. You may find all the coverage you want in a general form, or you may determine that you need special coverage at extra cost.

Real estate brokers, attorneys, fee-only financial planners, and CPAs can recommend local Utah Home Insurance brokers. Once you have some names what questions should you ask? Here are a few to get you started:

Why should I buy Utah Home Insurance?

Are deductible required, and if so, what are they?

Yes, most homeowners forms contain deductible provisions applicable to losses occurring under Section I (dwelling, appurtenant structure, unscheduled personal property, and additional living expenses). The type and amount of deductible varies by company. Deductible provisions do not apply to Section II losses (personal liability – bodily injury and property damage – and medical payments to others). Some companies offer an optional deductible applicable only to wind or hail losses. Most offer higher deductible options such as $500 or $1,000 at a reduced premium.

What property and perils are excluded from most homeowner policies?

Most homeowner policies provide coverage that does not apply to animals, birds, fish, automobiles and business property; for loss or damage caused by flood, surface water, water which backs up through sewers or drains, earth movement, nuclear damage, war, etc. Section II coverages (personal liability and medical payments) do not apply to the operation, ownership, use, etc. , of any aircraft, automobile, recreational motor vehicle, water craft powered by more than 50 horsepower motor; bodily injury or physical damage caused by an intentional act of the insured. It must be noted that these are a mere sample of property and perils not covered. A complete review of your policy is the only way to determine what property is covered and what perils are insured against. Also, there are specific limits of coverage on property insured under the homeowner’s policy such as money, securities, water craft, theft of jewelry, silverware, and/or guns.

When can an insurance company cancel my Utah Home Insurance during the policy term?

Peter Miller. “How to Buy Home Insurance. ” Realtor. com. 6 Nov. 2009 [http://www. realtor. com/home-finance/insurance/how-to-buy-home-insurance. aspx].

State Department of Insurance. “Homeowners Insurance FAQs. ” 6 Nov. 2009 [http://www. insureuonline. org/consumer_homeowners_faqs. htm].

L. A. Bowen Insurance Agency is an Independent Insurance Agency serving Utah since 1961. We have made a commitment to be here for many more years to come. We are proud to represent over 50 different companies. With a large selection to choose from we will always try to find the company that best fits ALL your needs.

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Six Life Insurance Questions and Answers

Questions About Utah Home Insurance