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Life Insurance FAQ
Should I buy term life or permanent life insurance?
Generally speaking, "term" offers the greatest coverage for the lowest initial premium and is a good solution for people with temporary needs. Permanent insurance may make more sense if you anticipate a need for lifelong protection and like the option of tax-deferred savings.
Should I consider Return of Premium Term?
Return of premium life insurance is a newly introduced term life insurance policy that provides both death benefit protection and a return of premium insurance feature. It's simple to understand: If you keep your policy for the term period, at the end of that time whether 15, 20 or 30 years, the life insurance company that issued the insurance with the return of premium policy returns all of the premium that you paid for the insurance. There also is some partial return of premium for policies canceled before the end of the term (depending on the year it's canceled - the longer it's kept , the higher the amount of the return.)
How do I apply for life insurance?
The founder of National Quotes Online has 25 years of experience processing life insurance applications, and helping our clients obtain the premium they deserve. Over the years we have streamlined the process to make applying for insurance simple and painless.
Here's how to apply:
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Complete the online risk questionnaire to determine which carrier and plan best suits your current situation. Be sure to use The Health Analizer and Calculator to assure the most accurate premium. Feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.
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Select the plan of your choice.
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Complete the initial application. After completion of the initial application, an insurance professional will be calling you within 24 hours to verify the information and to ask for any additional information required by the carrier. We will also set the date and time that is most convenient to you for a medical examination. If you do not hear from the medical company within 48 hours, please contact Angela in case management by email at admin@pbrokerage.com or call her toll-free at 1-888-653-6232 Extension 712.
- The application will be sent to you for review by Express Mail and should arrive within two business days. The application will come with easy to follow instructions and will be partially completed. Please complete any yellow highlighted areas on the application and any supplemental forms.
- If you are applying for $350,000 or less, and would like to conditionally bind your insurance coverage, please draft a check for the modal amount you have selected (monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual).
- Please give your completed application kit to the examiner.
- In most cases your examiner will require a blood and urine specimen. This procedure is normal when applying for life insurance today for amounts in excess of $25,000. If drawing blood presents any problem, please contact our office for an alternative plan.
- Once the medical information and lab specimens are received, the underwriting team of your selected carrier will review the data. The full underwriting process normally takes between 4-6 weeks. However, if the insurance carrier requests information from your attending physician, it can cause delay. In that case, please contact your physician and ask to have the questionnaire completed in a timely manor.
Shortly after your underwriter receives all this information, we will receive word concerning your risk level. Every effort will be given to secure the premium and rate class quoted. If a premium was submitted your application, to conditionally bind your coverage, and there are no amendments required to be signed, we will forward your policy to you just as soon as we receive it. If you are applying COD, withdrawals will begin as soon as your initial modal premium check is mailed.
 The entire process should take no longer than 6 weeks after the exam is completed. We will be monitoring the underwriting of your application, and will keep you informed every step of the way.
How can I be prepared to take a life insurance exam?
To get the best results, here are some suggestions on "prepping" for a life insurance health screening, blood and/or urine test:
- Schedule the appointment for the morning (not at the end of a long stressful day).
- If you prefer a male or female examiner, please let it be known. Accommodations might be made.
- If you have a history of problems associated with giving blood samples, please let it be known when you schedule the appointment.
- If you are a large person, be sure the examiner has a large blood pressure cuff.
- Avoid strenuous work or exercise during the twenty-four hour period prior to the exam -- strenuous activities increase the possibility of excess protein in your liver -- which is unfavorable for the exam.
- Fast for a period of twelve to fourteen hours prior to an examination, allowing the digestive process to be completed, and liver functions to get back to normal. Fasting for twelve hours before an exam may also lower your cholesterol.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages for a minimum of twelve hours prior to the examination.
- Limit coffee and smoking for at least an hour prior to the examination.
- Drink a glass of water an hour before the exam to facilitate the obtaining of a urine specimen.
- Have available the names and addresses of any physicians or clinics you may have visited.
- Do your best to get a good night's sleep, and be relaxed for the exam.
What determines my rate classification?
The insurance company looks at many factors to determine the rate classification. Examples include:
- Your current health and physical condition.
- Your medical history.
- Personal habits (including tobacco usage and any history of alcohol or drug abuse).
- Your occupation (a coal miner, for example, presents a greater risk than a bank employee).
- Your avocations and hobbies (auto racing is a hobby that carries additional mortality risk and will increase the policy premium).
- Your age (a 60-year-old applicant will pay a higher rate than a 35-year-old).
- Your gender (except in states with unisex rates; rates for females are lower than comparable rates for males at a given age since women enjoy longer life expectancies).
What if I receive a higher rate than I applied for?
Because insurance companies may have slightly different rating criteria, if your application for life insurance is approved at a higher rate than what was applied for, in many cases, we will automatically shop other insurance companies on your behalf to find you the lowest rate possible.
How often should I review my coverage?
Most financial advisors suggest that life insurance coverage should be reviewed a least once a year to make sure it is still adequate to meet your families needs. Other times for a review would include: A raise in salary, the birth of a child, if one spouse stops working or any other significant change in your families financial situation.
What is the tax treatment of life insurance death benefit proceeds?
Life insurance death benefit proceeds are generally not subject to income taxation provided they are paid in a lump sum; however, if a settlement option is used other than the lump sum option, then the interest earned on the principal death benefit is taxable.
Although life insurance proceeds are generally exempt from income taxation, they are subject to estate and inheritance taxes.
Should I get insurance for my spouse? What if he/she is a homemaker?
At National Quotes online, we strongly believe in assessing needs first before getting any insurance. Therefore, there are some questions you should ask yourself and your spouse before you can better decide on that:
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Will the family's lifestyle be badly affected by the loss of your spouse's income?
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Will you need to get childcare help if you were to become a single parent now?
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Will you, as the surviving spouse, want the ability to spend more time with the children, instead of having to work long hours to earn the income for the family?
Once you have answered the above questions, you can better determine whether you should get insurance for your spouse and how much insurance you should get for him/her.
I currently have or had some health problems. Can I still get insurance?
You probably still can. However, some conditions may be imposed on you. Some insurers may impose a rating (higher premium than normal cases) on you or exclude that condition totally. Our experienced team of insurance professionals at National Quotes Online will help you obtain the best possible premium.
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