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For many people, their home is their most valuable asset. Protecting that asset with term life insurance can make sense for a number of reasons. Mortgage protection insurance is another option that can provide peace of mind in the event of your death. So, which is right for you? Here's a look at the pros and cons of each.
Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that provides financial protection for a set period of time, usually 10-30 years. If the policyholder dies during the term, the beneficiaries receive a death benefit. Term life insurance is generally less expensive than other types of life insurance, making it a good option for people on a budget.
Mortgage life insurance is a type of policy that is taken out by the borrower and pays off the outstanding balance on the mortgage in the event of the borrower's death. While this may sound like a good idea, there are actually several reasons why mortgage life insurance is not a good idea.
First of all, term life insurance policies are much cheaper than mortgage life insurance policies and provide more comprehensive coverage. If you do die while you have mortgage life insurance, your beneficiaries will not receive the full value of your policy. They will only receive enough money to pay off your mortgage. For example, if you started with a $500,000 mortgage balance but you die when the mortgage balance is only $200,000, that is all that the policy will cover. Term life insurance policies will pay the entire $500,000 benefit in this case.
Secondly, term life insurance pays the death benefit to your designated beneficiary. However, mortgage life insurance will pay the benefit to the bank. While your mortgage may be paid off, mortgage life insurance will leave your family without additional funds for other expenses they may incur.
Thirdly, mortgage life insurance is tied to your lender and mortgage. If you ever plan to switch lenders, or even refinance, you will have to apply for coverage again. That might not sound too bad in theory but the reality is that mortgage life insurance premiums are based on the lenders age. The older you are, the higher the premiums will be. So if you are looking to refinance your mortgage a few years down the line, you can be certain that the premiums will be more expensive. With term life insurance, the policy is not tied to your bank or mortgage. The coverage, and premiums, will remain the same whether you change lenders, refinance, or even pay off your mortgage sooner.
Lastly, mortgage life insurance is underwritten at time of death, also called "post-claim" underwriting. That means that your eligibility for coverage is determined only after you have died. At this point, it is very easy for the lender to deny the claim. With term life insurance, the underwriting is completed before the policy is issued. If there are any issues regarding your eligibility, you will know before you even have to pay for any premiums. However, once the policy is issued and the premium paid, you can rest assured that your coverage is secure. This adds an extra layer of peace of mind that mortgage life insurance simply does not offer.
Term life insurance is one of the most affordable types of life insurance, making it a good choice for people on a budget. It is also one of the most straightforward types of life insurance, which can make it easier to understand and compare different policies. In addition, term life insurance can be a good choice for people who are not looking for lifelong coverage, such as those who are close to retirement age. term life insurance can provide peace of mind by knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of financially if you die prematurely.
I hope this article has been helpful in explaining the differences between term life insurance and mortgage protection insurance. If you have any questions, please let me know. I would also be happy to provide you with an instant quote so that you can find the best policy for your needs.