Charity Spotlight: Charleston Hope
Term Life
Whole Life
Universal Life
Mortgage Life
Key Man Life
Disability
Note: Not Available in All States.
Having the right insurance coverage provides peace of mind, knowing your loved ones are financially safeguarded against the unpredictable nature of life and potential financial burdens. Here are a few coverages to consider:
Term Life Insurance: Provides coverage for a specific period (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years). If the insured person dies during the term, the policy pays a death benefit to the beneficiaries. This is typically the most affordable option and is ideal for covering specific financial obligations like a mortgage, a child's education, or income replacement during working years.
Whole Life Insurance: A type of permanent life insurance that provides coverage for your entire life, as long as premiums are paid. It also has a cash value component that grows over time on a tax-deferred basis. This cash value can be borrowed against or withdrawn by the policyholder.
Universal Life Insurance: Another type of permanent life insurance that offers more flexibility than whole life. It has a death benefit and a cash value component, and you can adjust the premium payments and death benefit within certain limits, as long as the policy's cash value is sufficient to cover costs.
Mortgage Protection Life Insurance: This is a type of life insurance designed to pay off your mortgage if you die before the loan is paid off. The death benefit is typically paid directly to the mortgage lender, and the coverage amount decreases as you pay down the mortgage balance. This can be a simple way to ensure your family can stay in their home without the burden of the mortgage debt.
Key Man Life Insurance: This is a life insurance policy a business purchases on a vital employee, such as a founder, executive, or top salesperson. The business owns the policy, pays the premiums, and is the beneficiary. If the "key person" dies, the business receives the death benefit. This money can be used to cover financial losses, offset lost profits, pay off debts, or fund the search and training of a replacement, ensuring the business can continue to operate.
Disability Insurance: While not a life insurance product itself, it is a crucial part of a comprehensive financial plan. It provides income replacement if you become disabled and are unable to work. This can be either short-term (covering a few months) or long-term (covering a disability that lasts for years or even a lifetime), protecting your ability to earn an income and pay for living expenses.
Accelerated Death Benefit Rider: Also known as a "living benefits" rider. This allows you to access a portion of your death benefit while you are still alive if you are diagnosed with a terminal or critical illness. The funds can be used for medical expenses, hospice care, or to cover other costs.
Waiver of Premium Rider: If you become totally disabled and are unable to work, this rider will waive your life insurance premiums, so your policy remains in force without you having to make payments. This ensures your coverage continues even if your income is interrupted by a disability.
Guaranteed Insurability Rider: This gives you the option to purchase additional life insurance coverage at specific intervals or life events (e.g., marriage, birth of a child) without undergoing a new medical exam. This is valuable if your health declines after your initial policy purchase, as it allows you to increase coverage regardless of your health status.
Accidental Death Benefit Rider: This rider provides an additional death benefit to your beneficiaries if your death is the result of a covered accident. This is often referred to as "double indemnity" because it can double the payout in the event of an accidental death.
Child Rider: This provides a small amount of term life insurance coverage for all of your children, including future children, under a single rider. It can be a cost-effective way to provide a death benefit for a child to cover funeral expenses or other costs.
Return of Premium Rider: Available on term life policies, this rider refunds all or a portion of the premiums you paid if you outlive the term of your policy. It significantly increases the cost of the premium, but can be an attractive option for those who want a financial return if they don't use the policy.
Long-Term Care Rider: This rider allows you to use a portion of your death benefit to pay for long-term care expenses, such as a nursing home or at-home care, if you become chronically ill and are unable to perform a certain number of daily living activities.
Note: This list in not comprehensive and does not provide official insurance policy language. Coverage options may differ among insurance companies and policy types. Availability varies by State.