One of the biggest mistakes people make in planning their health and life coverage is assuming they'll never need long-term care services, or that if they do need these services, they will pay for them with their savings. And many people shy away from long-term care insurance because they worry about premium hikes or the fact that if they don't use the coverage, they never benefit from their premium payments. But now there is a policy that melds long-term care insurance with life insurance. Here's how these hybrid policies work:
One type of coverage bundles a long-term care insurance policy with a whole life insurance policy. This strategy may be done with a single upfront premium, a set of premiums for a fixed term, or ongoing premiums. The cash value is invested and liquid after surrender charges, and the policies generally will provide a fixed interest rate for cash value growth. These hybrid policies try to eliminate some of the friction points of long-term care insurance, such as:
You can avoid premium increases by paying a one-time premium or a guaranteed schedule of premiums for a specific period. Some policies lock costs in at the start, and you can sometimes get an optional continuation of benefit rider that would continue paying for long-term care benefits even if the death benefit is depleted. Is it good for your situation? A blended life insurance/long-term care policy costs more, but there are potential advantages that may make this additional cost worth it for your situation. You have some earmarked, guaranteed funds to help pay for any needed long-term care services. If you don't need long-term care services, your beneficiaries receive the unreduced death benefit. In addition, universal policies typically charge a premium that is guaranteed to at least maintain the basic benefit, although it may not be enough to build cash value. That eliminates the problem of rising rates on long-term care insurance that prompt many people to shy away from buying this type of coverage. If you decide to buy a blended life insurance/long-term care insurance policy, be sure you understand the long-term care benefits it would provide. Questions you may want to ask include:
Every person's needs vary, but if this type of dual long-term care and life insurance coverage suits your needs, you're able to buy two types of insurance protection in a single policy - and with a single premium. Comments are closed.
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September 2022
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501 Bell St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: (563) 556-0272
An AssuredPartners Agency
In February 2020, The Friedman Group joined AssuredPartners, the 11th largest insurance brokerage in the U.S. This partnership provides us access to additional capital and a national footprint that enables us to continue to negotiate the most favorable coverage terms and conditions for our clients, and allows us to provide an even broader spectrum of risk management support services.
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