Taking out a life insurance policy is a big decision, and as such it’s vital that you go with the right provider. Not only will you likely be paying premiums for several years, but you also want to feel confident that your family will receive the pay out after your death with no hassle.
Yet it’s not always easy to choose where to purchase your cover, as everyone from banks and mortgage providers to credit card companies and supermarkets seems to have policies available! The amount charged in premiums can vary, so it’s a good idea to shop around and get a selection of quotes that you can compare. Once you’ve done that, use the advice below to help you pick between them.
Check the company’s reputation
To begin with, you want to make sure that you get your life insurance from a company that you can trust. One of the best ways to do this is to check their reputation. You can get a good idea of how reputable a business is by reading unbiased online reviews from customers, or asking for recommendations from people you know personally. There are also independent agencies that will grade insurance providers according to objective factors such as financial stability.
Choose a specialist that suits your needs
Depending on your personal circumstances, you might find it more difficult to get an affordable life insurance policy that provides the level of cover you want. For instance, this could be because you have a dangerous occupation, take part in extreme sports as a hobby, or have a pre-existing medical condition. Fortunately, there are specialist brokers such as The Insurance Surgery that have the requisite knowledge and expertise to find you the best policy. As such, it’s well worth using them if you fall into what’s considered a high-risk category.
Don’t judge on price alone
It’s sometimes tempting to simply opt for the cheapest policy and be done with it. However, this could be a big mistake. You need to make sure that the life insurance you choose covers everything that you need it to, for example the entirety of your mortgage or critical illness cover. Therefore, when comparing quotes from different providers it’s important to note differences such as the length of terms and amount of pay out too. If you get confused, do some research into the various forms of life insurance available, to make it easier to understand and judge them.
Always read the small print
This last point is true regardless of the type of insurance you’re buying! Factors such as definitions and exclusions will vary from provider to provider, so before signing anything make sure you’ve read every single point and paragraph. If there’s something in the policy that you don’t understand or have questions about, don’t be afraid to ask for further clarification. Sometimes going through an insurance broker or financial advisor can make this a bit easier. The majority of policies will have a 30-day period after purchase during which you can cancel and get a full refund, so that’s always an option if you find something you don’t like the look of after you buy your insurance.