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Common Life Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

One of the foundations of financial security is life insurance. While many people are still uninsured, public awareness is increasing. Unfortunately, even individuals who make an effort to obtain coverage are not properly protected. This is basically due to some common mistakes noted below. Incorrectly Selecting Your Insurer. When buying a life insurance policy, your main concern is ensuring your family has access to money without any problems. However, while some insurance companies provide decent products, they perform poorly in customer service and claim processing. As a result, you should exercise caution while selecting an insurance firm. Check that the insurance company has a high claim settlement ratio regarding the number of policies and amounts, a solid reputation for customer service, and a good digital platform to access services.
Buying Life Insurance for Tax Savings. Many taxpayers believe that purchasing a life insurance policy is one of the simplest methods to save tax. As a result, it becomes an even more appealing proposal for last-minute tax savers who want to finish the procedure before the March 31 deadline. However, purchasing life insurance as a fast-fix solution to save taxes may wind up negating the exact objective of the exercise, which is to give financial protection to your family. Assuming That All Life Insurance Policies Are the Same Many insurance buyers believe that all types of life insurance provide the same tax advantages. As a result of this misunderstanding, many people wind up purchasing improper insurance coverage that does not meet their needs. There is no Clarification About the Duration of the Insurance Coverage. Few people can predict the length of time they will require the assistance of a life insurance policy. As a result, some people end up with unduly long-term policies. At the same time, others end up with insurance coverage that is too short-term. A longer-term will result in a higher premium. At the same time, a shorter period may leave you financially susceptible to unanticipated circumstances. The best approach to determine the appropriate duration for your life insurance policy is to plan for it until your retirement. Retirement is when people have accomplished their life commitments and saved enough money to aid them during their golden years and no longer require insurance protection.
You’re Unsure Whether You Need to Improve Your Insurance Coverage. People’s lifestyles depend on their income, and a life insurance policy is supposed to ensure this is maintained even after the family’s breadwinner dies. For example, suppose your income has increased significantly over time, and your lifestyle has followed a similar pattern. In that case, you will require more insurance coverage to ensure your family can maintain their current lifestyle even after your death. When a new family member is introduced, life insurance coverage typically needs to be increased. In addition, people should upgrade their life insurance coverage when significant life events occur, such as marriage or childbirth. Missing Out on Additional Coverage What if you escape a big accident but suffer a disability that prevents you from earning a living? If you have basic life insurance, the insurer will not pay you because you survived the accident. This is a frequent error that many individuals make when purchasing insurance such as a term plan. When purchasing your term plan, ensure to get appropriate supplementary protection against critical illnesses and disabilities by adding riders like Critical Illness or Accidental Disability. Keeping Vital Information Hidden The insurance provider accepts all the information you provide in good faith when issuing the policy. However, suppose any of the information provided in your application is later proven incorrect. In that case, the insurer may refuse to honor the claim. This is most common in cases of major illness and the use of tobacco and alcohol, where people frequently conceal information. If your loved ones do not receive the desired benefit, the point of purchasing the coverage is defeated. As a result, even if the premium is higher, ensure you provide accurate information. Being overinsured or underinsured People also often mistake buying multiple life insurance plans without first figuring out how much insurance they need. If you acquire too much life insurance, you will waste your money on something you may not need if you live. Higher premiums will also lower your savings, which could otherwise be put to better use. If you keep the cover amount low, it may not be enough to maintain your family.

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Kathy Hollingsworth

Kathy Hollingsworth – Federal Employee Benefits Specialist Originally from Birmingham, Kathy received her advanced education at Birmingham-Southern College. Kathy’s professional career began with 30 years in the media industry (radio and television), but will end serving senior citizens. As director of a senior center for five-and a half years at the largest senior center in central Alabama, Kathy has devoted her life to meeting the needs of senior citizens. Due to continuing education and working with companies that specialize in finding the best financial products, Kathy stands ready to help her clients find solutions to the problems that arise while in retirement and planning for retirement retirement. For the last eighteen years, Kathy, a Federal Employee Benefits Specialist, has assisted in helping federal employees make wise, frugal retirement decisions. Kathy also became a Registered Rep in 2018 (CRD 6832692) and an Investment Advisor Representative (Fiduciary) in 2021. In addition, Kathy is a licensed mortgage originator (License #212553), specializing in VA, FHA and Conventional mortgage loans. Kathy has written many articles for the Montgomery Area Council on Aging, Montgomery Advertiser, and Alabama Gerontological Society on the subject of seniors. Kathy was the keynote speaker at Alabama’s State Capitol in Montgomery for the State Combined Campaign Salute to Seniors in 2005. Kathy also writes articles on Federal Benefits and Insurance subjects. A Certificate of Recognition was awarded to Kathy in 2005 by Governor Bob Riley for her service to state, family and community. Every free moment Kathy gets is spent with her grandson Konner and two dogs, Sallie, and Sassy.

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