Get in contact with an insurance broker.
Contacting an insurance broker is the best way to begin your search for life or illness insurance. He/she/they can help you find an affordable plan that meets your needs, explain the different plans and terms, and make sure you complete the paperwork correctly. They are unbiased, so they won’t try to sell you a plan just because they’re getting paid by the company that offers it.
Decide if you want whole life or term.
Whole life insurance offers lifelong protection at a guaranteed premium. Term life insurance has lower premiums in exchange for a limited death benefit that expires after a set period. Whole life insurance is costlier than term, but it also builds cash value over time.
You can compare whole and term life insurance [here](https://www.policygenius.com/life-insurance/types/whole-term-life-insurance/)
To get an idea of how much both types of policies might cost, use the Policygenius life insurance calculator [here](https://www.policygenius.com/calculators/life-insurance-needs/#!/howmuch).
Get quotes from different companies.
- Get quotes from different companies: Insurance companies can provide different amounts of coverage at different prices. To make sure you’re getting the best deal, get quotes from several different insurance companies.
- Compare apples to apples: Make sure you’re comparing the same type of policy and about the same amount of coverage between companies. Some policies might have lower premiums but will cost more out-of-pocket expenses when you need care, and some policies might have higher premiums but will cover all costs after a certain deductible is met.
Consider the cost of premiums.
The cost of premiums can be important, but it’s not the only thing you should consider.
Premiums shouldn’t be so high that you are struggling to afford them, but they also shouldn’t be so low that they compromise the quality of coverage you receive.
Consider whether you want a rider or not.
Your insurance company might say that you should buy a rider—a type of insurance that provides coverage for specific items. Riders can be secured as part of an insurance policy and are especially useful in covering valuables like jewelry, furs and heirlooms. Some riders are optional, but may be required if the insured item is particularly valuable. The cost for a rider will vary depending on the value of your items, how many you have and other factors.
Make sure the company is licensed and bonded.
Once you’ve identified a few companies that offer the kind of insurance you’re looking for, make sure they are licensed and bonded. You need to be able to trust the company that’s going to be handling your assets and future.
Check the company is licensed before you start considering them as an option: if they aren’t licensed, they aren’t allowed to operate in your state. You can find a list of all the insurance companies that are authorized in your state on [state government website].
Make sure the company is financially secure so that it can actually pay out when you need it to — check [ratings website] or [another ratings website]. Customer service should also be included in this checklist: if there is no one behind their phones or emails at three o’clock on a Sunday morning when you have an emergency, then that’s probably not the right company for you. If there’s no claims department available for whatever reason, then maybe consider a different policy.
Life insurance is a good way to take care of your family after you’re gone and illness insurance can help you if you get sick and can’t work
You can use insurance to help protect your family. Life insurance is a good way to take care of your family after you’re gone, and illness insurance can help you if you get sick and can’t work. Insurance costs money, but life insurance may be less expensive if you are young and healthy.
While insurance sounds like a good idea for everyone, it’s not always the best option for everyone.
First, let’s talk about life insurance. You need life insurance if:
- You have people depending on your income to live
- Your spouse would want to stay at home with kids after your death rather than work outside the home