Life Insurance No Exam
Efinancial offers life insurance without a medical exam. Generally when buying life insurance you will be required to take an exam when applying for coverage. Efinancial works with numerous companies who offer coverage with no exam. Generally you will only be able to get 150 or 250k coverage without en exam. click below to learn more about instant life insurance with no exams from each company.

1. Select Term from Jefferson National Life Insurance Company, formerly American Life of New York. Up to 150k coverage issued in under 10 minutes, if qualified. Click Here Now!

2. RBC Expressterm from RBC Liberty Life Insurance. Up to 150k coverage, issued in under 15 minutes, if qualified. A-Rated Carrier. Click Here Now!

3. Globe Life Insurance Final expense policy Up to 25k for funeral costs- no exam, or signature required. Buy online today
Click Here Now!

4. We also offer policies for up to $250,000, that only require speaking with an agent for a few minutes. Simply contact us today at:1-866-POLICY-6 (1-866-765-4296)

Following in the footsteps of Auto and Health Insurance carriers, Life Insurance is now available in a 100% online process. You can actually have real term life insurance coverage today, without an exam. This is a big step forward for the extremely traditional Life Insurance carrier.

Auto and Health Insurance companies have been selling online for years, now the Life Insurance Industry has started taking notice. Some companies have started with an online application, while others have actually taken the process completely online, from quote, to digital signature, to printing the new policy from your computer. The only problem is that no one is looking for it, and most life insurance agents do not know it exists. Carriers that offer this type of life insurance aren’t advertising it on TV and Radio like the Geicos and Esurances of the world.

When purchasing a traditional life insurance policy through a website, or through a hometown agent, the process is similar. You will need to fill out a paper application for an insurance company, then take a medical exam, and wait a couple weeks, to a couple months for an underwriting decision. Often times the insurance company comes back with a higher rate than was quoted on a website, or meeting with your agent.

Companies like RBC Insurance, and Jefferson National are the first to market this type of Life Insurance policy. The coverage amounts are generally only $150,000 to $250,000. But for most of America, that is plenty of coverage. The process requires answering a few medical questions, and entering only minimal contact information, beneficiary information, a social security number, and payment information on a secure connection. Then you can actually print your new policy. There is no medical exam required.

Of course there is still a possibility that your coverage will be denied, as there is some background checks done through the national life insurance database(MIB). So if you have been declined from another life insurance company, chances are you will not be able to get coverage here either. Second, the insurance company will follow up and cancel your coverage if there are untruths on the online application. They are in the business of making money, not paying out on false claims.

The question most consumers ask about this product is, "is this a real company?" or "do I really have coverage if I am approved today?". The answer to both questions is yes. The most prominent non medical life insurance product online today is from the RBC/ Liberty Life Insurance Company (RBCExpressTerm.com). RBC is an acronym for the Royal Bank of Canada- a pretty big name in mortgage, insurance, financial services. Liberty Life is the name of their North American product line. RBC/ Liberty Life is an A-rated company by A.M. Best, which is the 3rd highest of 16 life insurance ratings. Other companies like Jefferson National Life or American Life of New York (AmericanLifePolicy.com) have B+ ratings.

There are other companies out there that may say more coverage, or offer 250,000 without an exam- but in some cases a mortgage is required, or they actually require an exam if you are not in perfect health.

There is one downside to this type of product, which is the price. It is certainly not the cheapest policy out there. With convenience for the customer, comes risk for the carrier, meaning higher monthly premiums. Taking an exam can save a lot of money, but for someone in their mid 20s or 30s, paying an extra 10-20 dollars per month is worth not hassling with an exam. However, be prepared to see quotes considerably higher than those found at top consumer life insurance sites like Efinancial.com.

Even with the increase of sites offering life insurance, only about 18% of all life insurance is sold through the internet, According to a recent report by Forrester Research and Flamingo International. So that leaves 80% of the US with no access to products that are sold like this. If you are reading this, consider yourself an informed consumer.

For More Information on Life Insurance with no medical exam, go to Efinancial.com

MOVERS & SHAKERS: By Mike Oliverio

Here's a reliable rule-of-thumb when it comes to buying the right amount of life insurance: There is none.While it's easy for some so-called "experts" to say everybody needs life insurance protection equal to 10 or 20 times their income, the truth is everyone's situation is unique and the amount you need can only be determined by looking at your individual circumstances. Having the wrong amount of life insurance can be devastating for your survivors and "one-size-fits-all" recommendations can leave you under protected. In fact, according to a 2004 report by the life insurance industry's research association LIMRA International, the average person is underinsured by more than $300,000. The study also found that 45 percent of widows (35 percent of widowers) say their spouse was inadequately insured. And one to two years after the death, half the widows and one third of the widowers are just getting by financially.

Read the entire article.....
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TD Insurance, Inc. Enhances Web-Based Consumer Services
Wednesday April 5, 10:36 am ET

CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TD Insurance, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of TD Bank, has introduced a new service available to customers via the tdbank.com website. Now customers who visit the website can obtain instant term life insurance rate quotes and initiate their purchase of coverage online. The new service is being offered through a partnership with EFinancial, a nationwide, web-based life insurance brokerage.

"In the spirit of the TD Bank tradition of convenience, we wanted customers to have quick access to quotes and coverage for one of the most popular types of life insurance," said TD Insurance, Inc. CEO, George E. Norcross, III.

Michael Tiagwad, TD Insurance's President said: "Important life stage events like a marriage, purchase of a new home, the birth of a child or planning for retirement typically trigger a number of financial services transactions which include decisions about the need for more life insurance. Typically the first question in the consumer's mind is the cost. We wanted to create a convenient shopping experience for our customers to get term insurance rate quotes - online, whenever it's convenient for them - then follow that with service provided by an exceptional team of licensed professionals to help the customer select the coverage that's right for them, finalize their application and get their coverage started."

EFinancial is a web-based insurance brokerage that has developed proprietary software "ALISS" (The Automated Life Insurance Sales System), the first product to automate nearly every step of the life insurance sales process from rate quotes through application, medical exam (when required) to the final steps of policy issuance through licensed professional insurance agents. According to Michael Burns, CIS Vice President of Life Insurance Operations, only a select number of A-rated life insurance companies' products will be offered through EFinancial's software. Mr. Burns commented, "Once again, in the spirit of convenience, we've selected a few insurance companies we believe offer great coverage at competitive prices for our online offering."

About TD Insurance, Inc.
Since its inception in 1996, through strong internal growth and carefully planned acquisitions TD Insurance, Inc. now ranks #22 among the nation's top 100 largest insurance brokerages. Through a network of 14 offices, CIS serves more than 130,000 clients with nearly $1 billion in annual premium volume, conducting business in all 50 states. TD Insurance, Inc. is a full-service insurance brokerage offering personal insurance, Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance, Employee Benefits and a number of Risk Management or Employee Benefit Consulting Services for larger businesses.

About TD Bank
TD Bank, "America's Most Convenient Bank," is a leading retailer of financial services with nearly 400 convenient stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia and southeast Florida. TD Bank plans to build 65+ new stores and create 1,800 career opportunities in 2006. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., TD Bank has $40 billion in assets and, in 2005, achieved a 27% increase in core deposits, a 34% increase in net loans and total asset growth of 26%. For more information about Commerce, please visit the company's interactive financial resource center at http://www.tdbank.com.

About EFinancial
Founded in 2001, EFinancial (http://www.EFinancial.net) is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington and is a nationwide life insurance brokerage working with more than 3000 independent agents. EFinancial's proprietary software "ALISS" (The Automated Life Insurance Sales System) is the first product to automate nearly every step of the life insurance sales process. EFinancial also operates an award-winning consumer website (http://www.EFinancial.com) where Internet shoppers can compare quotes from top carriers online.

Forward-Looking Statements
The Company may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements," including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Company's control). The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB"); inflation; interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; the timely development of competitive new products and services by the Company and the acceptance of such products and services by customers; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors' products and services for the Company's products and services and vice versa; the impact of changes in financial services' laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); technological changes; future acquisitions; the expense savings and revenue enhancements from acquisitions being less than expected; the growth and profitability of the Company's non-interest or fee income being less than expected; unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and the success of the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.
The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

Watch out for unauthorized life-insurance offers Date published: 3/26/2006

THE OFFICE of Personnel Management has just released a letter warning that insurance company salespersons are misrepresenting themselves as affiliates of the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program.
OPM wants everyone to know that neither they nor FEGLI have endorsed this contact. Nor have they authorized any privately sponsored life insurance plans.

Federal workers and retirees should understand that FEGLI does not use sales agents or telephone solicitations of any kind. Furthermore, OPM stresses that no one from FEGLI will ever contact employees or enrollees, at work or at home.

To read more click below:
Watch out for unauthorized life-insurance offers

Life Insurance Offered to Cancer Survivors ABC News
HARTFORD, Conn. Mar 27, 2006 (AP)— The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. will make life insurance coverage more accessible to men with prostate cancer, recognizing rising survival rates with early detection.

By Marty Weishaar
Efinancial.com

Before submitting your information to an online Life Insurance website there are a few things you should know.

Research-
Do a little research on the site before submitting any personal information. The top sites will contain articles, calculators, or blogs to help with the decision process. Make sure that the site has a learning center or contact information with a relevant privacy policy before submitting anything.

Your personal information-
Most websites use your personal information to offer you quotes while shopping online. Some sites just collect data without showing you a quote, and sell if off to multiple agents who may only work with 1 or 2 carriers, so be careful. You will likely want to work with a website that gives you quotes online and has agents on their staff. Any life insurance site that just acts as a "lead generator" is not looking out for the best interest of the consumer, just trying to make a buck off of your valuable data.

Viewing quotes Online-
Using data like your state, birth date, height and weight, online life insurance sites can offer quotes online. You are also asked to either choose a health class or answer a couple minor health questions to get a more accurate quote. Quotes that you receive can vary between sites, but all of the quotes come direct from the carrier, so they should be the same. If someone says they can get you a cheaper rate, it is most likely with a different company. That is the good thing about life insurance, whether you buy if from brokerage A or Brokerage B, you pay the same amount regardless of where you buy it. Agents can’t hide fees like the mortgage industry. Agents are paid from the insurance company, not you.
Generally you will see the same quotes on all of the websites- Most of the online brokerages work with the same top rated carriers like AIG, Chase, Transamerica, Genworth, Banner Life, RBC Insurance to name a few. Some small agents will only work with a few carriers, so be sure to ask for information on multiple carriers, and be sure to ask for their rating. Often times, a cheaper rate, means a lower caliber insurance company.

Application Request-
You may see life insurance sites use the term "application request form". This isn't to have the company actually send the application, more to gauge interest in purchasing life insurance. If a site says that you can apply online, it just means you can start the application process online. Life Insurance requires certain forms and questionnaires, and any brokerage you work with will have to get these same forms.

Where to find a good website-
Chances are that if you are looking for life insurance, you have gone to a search engine to research. This is the best spot to get a quality quote. Search engine advertising is extremely expensive, so these advertisers will tend to be the most trustworthy in the industry. Be careful of emails that offer "free life insurance quotes", most legitimate sites don't use email or spam. These are likely the sites that will sell your information of 5 times.

What happens when you buy life insurance online-
Online Life Insurance brokerages have made it easy to buy online.
Step 1 -fill out a quote online
Step 2 -speak with an agent to confirm your information and schedule a medical exam
Step 3 -An agent will fax, email or mail a pre-filled paper application to your home or office. You can sign and return or give it to the person who gives the exam.
Step 4 -Your policy is submitted to the carrier and is now in the underwriting process, this takes between 1 and 6 weeks.
Step 5 -Your policy is approved, and coverage is in force.

If you are searching for life insurance, be sure to visit www.efinancial.com along the way.

For more information, call 1-866-POLICY-6 (1-866-765-4296) to speak with an agent now.

A bit lengthy- so they can make some advertising dollars.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/insurance-advisers/life-insurance.asp

How to get the best deal in life insurance
Marriage and/or children mean it's time to buy life insurance, says Jean Chatzky. Here's the most economic way to buy it

When it comes to life insurance, it is unnecessary for most single people. But with a spouse and a family, your decision to get coverage is a smart one. The key to picking the right policy is to figure out how much support - in dollar terms - your dependents would need if something happened to you, then go out and buy that coverage at the most cost-effective price from a top-rated insurer. It can be a pretty tough maze to navigate, so let's take it step-by-step.............

To read the entire article click here....
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5354181/

NEWLY RELEASED SOFTWARE DELIVERS AGENTS FAST AND EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR SELLING LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

For Immediate Release

Efinancial Launches New Version of ALISS Automated Sales Software to Improve Customer Relationships, Reduce Sales Cycle Time and Increase Policy Matching Satisfaction.

BELLEVUE, Wash. - Feb. 28, 2006 - Efinancial, an online life insurance brokerage firm (www.efinancial.net), today announced the launch of a new version of its Internet-based life insurance sales software. Released this month, Efinancial's Automated Life Insurance Sales System (ALISS) is a 100 percent online solution that offers insurance agents a faster and more effective method for matching customers to the best policies available, expediting the overall process and improving agent service and satisfaction.

"ALISS is the most complete life insurance contact management system on the market today," said Brian Fife, chief executive officer of Zebraquote, a term life insurance provider. "The leverage you gain in efficiency and speed is staggering. ALISS has been an integral part of the growth and increased revenue our business has achieved."

According to a recent report by Forrester Research and Flamingo International, the percentage of life insurance policies is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, significantly increasing from the 18 percent recorded in 2005. Efinancial's ALISS software enables life insurance sales leads to be carefully managed as they flow through the sales cycle, delivering important documents and actionable advice on next steps integral to quickly closing the deal. Today, Efinancial has more than 1,000 agents from single-person operations to large commercial banks that benefit from the company's sophisticated and easy-to-use ALISS system.

"One of the most significant challenges for life insurance agents today is the time-consuming tasks associated with selling a single policy," said CEO of Efinancial Michael Rowell. "ALISS eliminates these tasks and allows agents to sell more policies than ever before."

Based on real feedback from agents that use the system on a daily basis, Efinancial added important new features to further simplify the entire life insurance sales process. Unlike competitive solutions, the latest version of ALISS creates an almost paperless process, including the automation of application completion, medical exam scheduling, and real time status on the underwriting process, as well as fast online quote retrieval from all carrier-quote engines. In addition, ALISS helps sales agents stay on top of a lead by emailing scheduled updates and reminders, and setting up follow-up emails. In fact, upon completion, ALISS provides agents with the application, cover letter and mail label, which are print ready for increased timesavings.
ALISS is available at www.efinancial.net at no cost for agents with carrier contracting and requires only a nominal set-up fee.

CEO Michael Rowell says, "The reason so many people get out of life insurance sales is the time consuming tasks associated with selling a single policy. I would not be in business today if we had not created a product that eliminates these tasks and allows agents to sell more policies than ever before. We work with everybody from single person operations, to large commercial banks. Everyone is having success using the ALISS system to sell life insurance."

About Efinancial
Founded in 2001 and based in Bellevue, Wash., Efinancial, formerly 4brokers.com, is a full service, internet-based life insurance brokerage. Efinancial delivers the most advanced processing system available today to help insurance consumers expedite life insurance requests and stay informed on the status of their insurance purchase. Used by more than 2,500 contracted insurance agents today, Efinancial provides agents with top commissions, exclusive lead programs and innovative technology for saving time and money.

For more information about the company and its product, please visit www.efinancial.net. For more information, please contact: Marty Weishaar, Director of Marketing Efinancial 425.460.4903 martyw@efinancial.com

What is Term Insurance?
Term insurance provides protection for a specific period of time. It pays a benefit only if you die during the term. Some term insurance policies can be renewed when you reach the end of a specific period, which can be from one to 30 years. The premium rates increase at each renewal date. Many policies require that evidence of insurability be furnished at renewal for you to qualify for the lowest available rates.
How much life insurance do you need?If you are providing financial support for people who are depending on you, you probably need life insurance. To determine how much you need, deduct the total income that would be lost upon your death from the sum required for your family's ongoing financial stability. Beyond that, it depends on your particular circumstances (e.g., whether you have considerable net worth or few backup resources) and whether you want insurance for other purposes, such as educational funds or your own retirement income. Although there is no substitute for a careful evaluation of the amount of coverage needed to meet your needs, one rule of thumb is to buy life insurance that is equal to five to seven times your annual gross income.

What Types of Policies are offered?
Policies offered have premiums that remain level for the initial term period your select, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Therefore, following underwriting approval, your premium is guaranteed not to change during the initial term of your policy.
Do I have to take a medical exam?Yes. Every company requires a brief paramedic exam which includes blood and urine sample. This is free and is done in your home or office, at your convenience, and usually takes less than 30 minutes.

What is the Medical Information Bureau (MIB)?
The Medical Information Bureau, or MIB is a non-profit association of about 600 U.S. and Canadian life insurance companies that provide information to each about an applicant's past medical history. Its intention and purpose is to deter applicants of life, health, disability, or long-term care insurance who would omit or misrepresent facts about their medical history when applying for coverage

How do I contact the MIB about my medical file?
The MIB does not have a file on everyone. But if your medical information is on file, you will want to be sure it is correct. You can obtain a copy ($8.50) by writing to:
Medical Information BureauP.O. Box 105, Essex StationBoston, MA 02112or call (617) 426-3660.
You can also visit the MIB web site at www.mib.com to find out more.

Why might the underwriting process take a while?
If you have any medical history that an insurance company may see as questionable, they will send a request to your physician(s) for your records and this process can take a few weeks. The other reason why underwriting can take a while is that if you are applying for a large amount of coverage, most companies will request a copy of your driving record, send for a copy of your doctor records (whether there is any history or not) and also call you to complete a Personal History Interview.

What is Personal History Interview (PHI)?
A Personal History Interview is conducted over the telephone and takes about ten to fifteen minutes. The interviewer will ask questions about your personal characteristics, mode of living and may also repeat questions already asked on the application itself. Some questions may seem odd or uncomfortable but are asked only to gain a better understanding of your background. It is important that if the interviewer calls you at an inconvenient time you ask to be called back.
What if I had a bankruptcy; how will that affect my rates?With the majority of companies most will require that it be discharged completely or be over a year after filing before they will underwrite you. The reason being is that your past credit history may signify an inability to pay future premiums. Due to the high up-front cost that insurance companies incur to establish a new policy, they will be very cautious about this. If it has been discharged completely it shouldn't affect your rates.

How long does it take for the insurance company to pay a claim?
The insurance companies usually pay the claims within days of receiving the paperwork and a copy of the death certificate. Our experiences with the companies we work with have been very quick and easy.

Marty
www.efinancial.com

Term insurance is typically purchased to protect a growing family from the catastrophic loss of a breadwinner. Lower initial premiums offer the flexibility to fit immediate needs. However, over time, a more permanent and valuable life insurance policy may be needed to provide security and more stable premium payments for the future.
The affordable cost / high benefit of term insurance is its most attractive feature. However, term insurance premiums typically continue to rise with age. Some term policies do offer premiums that remain level for a pre-determined number of years, but these policies may experience significant premium increases in the future, or death benefits that decrease yearly. A policy that has long-term value and benefits, and the flexibility to help cope with change, is important. Therefore, converting a term policy to a cash value policy may make sense.Long-Term Benefits
A quality, cash value insurance policy provides the same death benefit protection as term insurance, while offering the opportunity for tax-deferred cash accumulation. Unlike term insurance premiums that increase with age, cash value insurance provides level premiums for the duration of the contract (although you must check with your insurer regarding premium payments over the life of any given policy).
Although cash value insurance initially costs more than term, the long-term savings could be quite substantial. The cash value buildup will continue to grow on a tax-deferred basis as long as the policy remains in force. By offering the flexibility to meet future needs and budgets, a cash value policy can help provide an excellent source of funding for retirement income, college expenses, or other financial needs.The conversion privilege available in most term policies offers those who cannot initially afford cash value insurance a great opportunity to convert to a cash value contract at a later date. Some term policies may offer a conversion credit that makes converting to cash value insurance even more economical.
One particular advantage of converting from term rather than purchasing a new cash value policy is that there is no need for medical or financial requalification. Significant weight fluctuations and increased blood pressure are just a few symptoms of life in today's fast-paced society. Daily pressures and expectations, both at work and at home, can contribute to both health and financial problems. Converting a term policy to a cash value contract eliminates the need to undergo a new medical examination or provide updated financial information (as long as there are no increases in the amount of coverage, or any additional riders).Making the Move
Converting your term insurance to cash value coverage may help provide maximum security and protection. You will be comfortable knowing your family will be provided for in the event of your untimely death. In addition, you will also feel a great sense of confidence in knowing your premiums are hard at work building tax-deferred cash values, which may be important in the years to come. While this approach may not be for everyone, it is always wise to review your insurance options on an ongoing basis so they remain consistent with your needs and goals.INLCONV1 Copyright ? 2003 Liberty Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Marty
www.efinancial.com

You have taken the first step, and have selected a life insurance policy that meets your coverage goals. Before you put that policy in a drawer to gather dust you must remember that life insurance needs change when you reach life's various milestones. In order to ensure your coverage continues to meet your needs and stays current, you must review your policy throughout the years on a regular basis.
Clearly, you recognize the importance of life insurance and the role it can play in protecting the financial security of your loved ones. And yet, are you reviewing your policy on an annual basis? Doing so becomes particularly important whenever you reach any of life's milestones. New additions in your life such as a spouse, homeownership, or the birth of a child make reviewing your policy a necessary component of planning your financial future. You may need to give your policy extra consideration in the event of
Marriage. In addition to determining whether or not your coverage amount is still appropriate, you may also consider insurance for your spouse. Updating your beneficiary list to include your new spouse, as well as correcting your policy to reflect a name change, if applicable, are important aspects of your plan.
Children. With added responsibilities comes the need for additional coverage. Keep in mind that the skills of a child's primary caretaker are not easily replaced, and childcare can be expensive. As your family grows, be sure to update your beneficiary list.
New Home or Refinancing. Owning your own home is an unbeatable feeling, but extra coverage may be necessary to help ensure that mortgage requirements continue to be met.
Start a College/Retirement Savings Plan. Review coverage amounts to supplement a potential loss incurred before your financial goals are met. Know the coverage periods of your policy to ensure you are covered for a length of time that meets your current needs and future objectives.
Starting Your Own Business. If you leave your old job to start your own business, make sure that you do not sustain a significant loss in coverage when you leave your employer's benefit plan. You should again review your policy objectives and consider the ways in which life insurance can be a useful business tool. For example, for business continuation purposes, you may now be interested in obtaining coverage for financing a buy-sell agreement. In certain circumstances, you may consider placing business partners on your beneficiary list.
New Job. If you change jobs, pay attention to the benefits. Coverage amounts will often vary greatly from employer to employer, and this must be factored in to your personal policy.
Perhaps one of the most secure feelings in life is knowing that you have covered your bases and are prepared for whatever may happen. Through annual checkups you can plan for coverage that will provide for your loved ones, and help ensure that financial goals and obligations will be met. As you approach each one of life's many milestones, you will find that additional consideration and planning are well worth the effort.INLRVW01 Copyright © 2003 Liberty Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Marty
www.efinancial.com

You probably are aware it is important to have enough life insurance coverage to handle the financial contingencies that may affect your family in the event of your death. However, determining the necessary amount of life insurance can be complicated. One general rule of thumb is that you should have enough life insurance to equal five to seven times your annual salary. However, to be more specific, you may want to determine the right amount of life insurance coverage with a careful needs analysis, rather than using an arbitrary formula.
The Needs Analysis approach incorporates an evaluation of a family's most important financial obligations and goals. This includes insurance coverage to help address mortgage debt, college expenses, and future family income, as well as liquidity for meeting future estate tax liabilities.Mortgage Debt
The first point worthy of consideration is whether your life insurance proceeds will be sufficient to help pay the remaining mortgage on your home. If you are carrying a large mortgage, you may need a sizable amount. If you own a second home, the mortgage on that home should also be factored into the formula.College Expenses
Many people want life insurance proceeds large enough to help cover their children's college expenses and, possibly, graduate school. The amount needed can be roughly calculated by matching the ages of your children against projected college costs adjusted for inflation. This calculation should be revised periodically as your children get closer to college age, and it may be a good idea to be as conservative as possible when estimating long-term savings goals.Continuing Income for Your Family
The amount of income you will need to help provide for your surviving spouse and dependents will vary greatly according to your other assets, retirement plan benefits, Social Security benefits, age, health, and your spouse's earning power. Many surviving spouses may already be employed, or will find employment, but their income is based on education, training, and experience. Your spouse's income, alone, may be insufficient to cover the monthly expenses of your family's current lifestyle. Providing a supplemental income fund can help your family maintain its standard of living.Estate Taxes
Life insurance has long been recognized as an effective method for establishing liquidity at death to both pay estate taxes and maximize asset transfers to future generations. However, this use of life insurance requires qualified legal expertise to help ensure the proper results.Existing Resources
If your current assets and retirement plan death benefits are sufficient to cover your financial needs and obligations, you may not need additional life insurance for these purposes. However, if they are inadequate, the difference between your total assets and your total needs may be funded with life insurance.
There are many factors to consider when completing a Needs Analysis. In addition to the areas already mentioned, some other questions you might want to address are:
How much will Social Security provide and for how long?
How do you inflation-proof your family income, so the real purchasing power of those dollars does not decrease?
What is the earning potential of your surviving spouse?
How often should you review your Needs Analysis?
How can you use life insurance to help provide retirement income?
How do you structure your estate to reduce the impact of estate taxes?
Which assets are liquid and which would not be reduced by a forced sale?
Which assets would you want your family to retain because of future growth possibilities or sentiment?
As you develop an insurance strategy, remember to analyze your existing policies. Calculate the additional coverage you may need based on your family's financial obligations and any other resources, such as retirement benefits and savings. Remember, having the proper life insurance coverage can play a major role in any family's financial protection.INLJ2UU Copyright ? 2003 Liberty Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Marty
www.efinancial.com

Losing someone close is one of the toughest things we will all have to deal with. If that person has not properly planned ahead to cover the expenses they have left behind then they leave a tremendous burden on their loved ones. The grieving process is difficult enough but when complicated with financial issues can leave bitter feelings. The last thing someone wants to be remembered for is not properly planning ahead.
Term life insurance is a cost effective way to protect the ones you care about from having to clean up a financial mess after you have passed on. Several unexpected costs arise after death such as funeral expenses and burial costs, medical expenses, and other costs that normally rise into the tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to these final expenses there are the normal costs of living to pay for. The regular monthly bills such as mortgage payments, insurance, loans, and other expenses must still be paid even though you're gone. All of these expenses can quickly deplete your savings or retirement money and force loved ones to sell things or investments below value. You need liquid assets that can be available quickly after your death. Even high net worth individuals need life insurance because houses, property, and other investments can't be sold fast enough to provide the required assets. If your loved ones are forced to quickly sell investments such as houses, property, stocks, or mutual funds, they possibly will take a loss just to get the money.
Stay at home parents and non-working spouses are often over looked when it comes to life insurance. The loss of a stay at home spouse means that the working spouse will often have to quit their job or pay for someone to take care of kids and tend to the things at the house.

marty
www.efinancial.com

1. Don't wait till you REALLY NEED the coverage! By that time you'll be that much older, you'll be sick or you will have encountered a health issue that will cause your premiums to be significantly more than you anticipated. That is of course if you can even qualify for the coverage!
2. The highest financial rating doesn't necessarily mean better coverage. The important thing is to at least be looking at an 'A' rated company. There is little, if any difference between one company's term policy and another, so basing a decision solely on ratings won't always get you best deal. The highest rated companies tend to be more conservative in their underwriting and attaining the 'best available' with them will be a bit more difficult.
3. Shop online first before you meet individually with an agent! Many online life insurance brokerage companies can be a useful source of information and can save you up to 75% on your premiums. The reason is of course because they are impartial and are not driven to sell you only one company's product.
4. Pay annually if you can afford it. Paying annually can save you up to 20% with some companies versus monthly, quarterly or semi-annually.
5. Don't smoke. If you are trying to save money then being a smoker won't help your cause. However, if you do smoke, most companies will let you re-apply for nonsmoker rates if it has been at least 1 full year from your last usage.
6. If you have cholesterol or blood pressure issues get it controlled with medication. Insurance companies don't like to see health issues go unattended. If you are doing something to control it they will likely look at that favorably and give you the benefit of the doubt when it comes to approval time.
7. If you are considering buying $90,000 of coverage, buy $100,000 instead. Many times it will cost less, the same or just a tad more for additional coverage. Insurance companies may give breakpoints at $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $750,000 and $1,000,000.
8. Read the 'Prepare for the Medical Exam' section before completing your exam. Eating a few Twinkies or calling your stockbroker a half hour before your exam will surely turn your lab results sour and cost you big time!
9. Obtaining coverage through your company's plan may be a good alternative in the short-run. Many employer's plans however are not portable and won't let you continue your coverage if you leave. If you need coverage then, you'll have to apply for an individual policy anyway. Don't leave it to your employer to take care of you!
10. If you're 30 years old, you're as old as 31 in the eyes of the insurance company. Most insurance companies round up when determining your age and because premiums increase with age that can make a big difference. So, if you're approaching 30 and you have thoughts of applying, don't wait!

Marty
www.efinancial.com

Term VS Permanant Insurance
An analogy that can be made between term and permanent life insurance is like comparing leasing an apartment to purchasing a new home. Buying term insurance would be like leasing an apartment and purchasing permanent life insurance would be like buying a new home. Even though one may conclude that purchasing would be better than leasing, when it comes to life insurance there isn't one that is better than the other. It all depends on your needs and plans for what you want the insurance to provide for. For many individuals having a combination of the two makes the most sense.
Term life insurance will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary upon the death of the insured. Term insurance is a cost effective way to get the life insurance coverage you need for a specified period of time such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. There is no cash value in Term life insurance policies. This is the most common type of life insurance purchased because it is inexpensive, easy to understand, and there are little if any contractual provisions that are different between each company's policy.
Term Insurance Features
When dealing with life insurance basics, a logical place to begin is with term insurance. Some of the basic provisions of term insurance that differentiate this type of life insurance from permanent life insurance are:
Provides temporary coverage for a specified period of time (5 years to 30 years).
A death benefit is paid only if the insured dies during the specified term of the policy.
No cash values accumulate during the policy term.
Most can be converted to a permanent policy without medical qualification during the conversion period.
When is term insurance right for you?Term insurance can be used when you have a temporary need for coverage and you need a large amount of insurance for a modest initial cash outlay. Term insurance would also be appropriate if you wish to guarantee your future insurability, wish to buy term and nothing else, or want to use it in combination with a permanent policy to provide a maximum death benefit for your beneficiary.
There are a few different types of permanent life insurance. The three main types are Whole life, Universal life, and Variable Universal life. Permanent life insurance is more expensive than term insurance because it has a cash value component that grows tax deferred inside the policy.
Basic Permanent Insurance Features
Permanent life insurance, like term, has some specific provisions.
Provides coverage for as long as premiums are paid, or as long as there is sufficient cash value within the policy to pay for itself.
Level, guaranteed premiums. (Universal life policies have flexible premiums)
The ability borrow or withdraw from your policy, usually not though until the policy has been in force for a few years.
In the early years of a permanent policy, the majority of the premium dollars are used to help generate cash values so that the premium will stay level in later years, as you get older.
If there is sufficient cash value within the policy it can be used to pay future premiums, unlike in term where once premium payments cease, so does the insurance.
Whole Life
Whole life insurance is the most conservative type of the three. The investment feature in whole life insurance is tied up within the company's own investments. If the insurance company's investments perform well then the policy will pay a higher rate of return or dividend.
This kind of permanent insurance is typically the most expensive but gives you the option to have it contractually paid up after a certain number of years. With most companies it will be around 12-16 years. Again though, it all depends on the company's own financial success, so make sure you are with a proven and solid company.
Universal Life
The investment feature in a Universal life insurance policy has a minimum rate of return and is generated by interest rates. Aside from the insurance itself the investment portion of the policy is similar in many ways to a normal savings account at a bank. In markets where interest rates are high, they perform well and in times where rates are low they do not.
Unlike whole life insurance, universal life insurance policies have flexible premiums. As long as there is sufficient cash value to pay monthly deductions, including cost of insurance charges, the policy stays in force. The monthly cost of insurance charges typically increase each year.
The cost for Universal life is a bit less than whole life but you should expect to pay into this policy for a number of years before you have any substantial cash value. The one benefit though that these policies have in comparison to whole life is that the flexible premiums give you the ability to pay more or less into the policy, within certain limits.
Variable Universal life
Variable universal life insurance is similar to universal life but the cash value portion is invested in mutual funds and performs however well the particular funds you can choose from do. You have the ability to be an aggressive or conservative investor within your own policy.
Like universal life, VUL policies give you the flexibility to pay more into the policy to help accrue cash values quicker, within certain limits and also the ability to pay less if you need to.
When is permanent insurance right for you?
Permanent insurance will make sense if you have a long-term need and can afford to pay for the permanent coverage. With term it only stays level for the specified term length you elect (i.e. 5, 10, 15 years etc.). It will also make sense if you need to diversify your investments into tax-favored programs. The cash values accrue tax deferred and can be used to help supplement retirement income, education expenses or any other future need.

Marty