Life Assurance Products Flashcards
What is a useful saying that expresses how we should approach financial risk?
“Some risks are best managed, whilst others are best insured.”
What types of insurance does protection insurance refer to?
Contracts that provide financial sums in the event of long-term illness, disability or death.
What are the FIVE main areas for protection needs?
- Health
- Income, mortgage and other debt
- The event of death
- Asset protection
- Business protection
What is a state benefit for unemployment/low earners?
Universal credit
Who is universal credit paid to?
Individuals who are actively seeking work or are on low incomes.
What are THREE state benefits for sickness/illness/loss of capacity?
- Statutory sick pay
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendence allowance
Who is ‘statutory sick pay’ paid to?
Employees who pay Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
Who is ‘Personal Independence Payment (PIP)’ paid to?
Individuals under state pension age who need help with key activities necessary to everyday living.
Who is ‘Attendance allowance’ payable to?
Individuals over state pension age who need help with their personal care (often replaces PIP).
What is the state benefit in place to assist with the cost of raising a family?
Child benefit.
What is the state benefit in place to assist with the cost of caring for others?
Carer’s allowance.
Who is ‘Carer’s allowance’ payable to?
Individuals who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for an individual in receipt of PIP or attendance allowance.
How is ‘carer’s allowance’ paid?
As a taxable weekly benefit.
What is the state benefit in payment to assist with costs left after death of a spouse/civil partner?
Bereavement Support Payment.
How is ‘Bereavement Support Payment’ paid out?
A lump sum and temporary monthly income payments.
What THREE things is the amount payable for ‘Bereavement Support Payment’ based on?
- Age
- NICs
- Nature of death
Why would an individual require financial insurance when there are state benefits in place to assist with income replacement?
Because nearly all state benefits are insufficient to live off alone.
What is a benefit-in-kind?
A benefit that an individual receives through their employment that has a monetary value.
Why are employers able to negotiate better terms and cheaper premiums on the benefits they provide to their employees?
Because they have higher bargaining power due to bulk buy and the policies are not individually risk-based.
How and when is ‘Life assurance’ paid out?
As a lump sum on the death of the life assured.
How and when is ‘Income protection (IP)’ paid out?
As regular income when the insured is unable to work due to accident or illness.
When is IP payable until?
Retirement.
How and when is ‘Critical illness cover (CIC)’ paid out?
As a lump sum if the insured is diagnosed with a critical illness specified in the policy.
How and when is ‘personal accident insurance’ paid out?
As a lump sum OR income benefits if the insured suffers an accident or falls ill.
When is Accident, Sickness and Unemployment (ASU) paid out?
When the insured suffers an accident or is unable to work due to sickness, redundancy or unemployment.
What does Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) provide an income to cover, and when?
Provides an income to cover mortgage or loan payment if the insured suffers an accident or is unable to work due to sickness, redundancy or unemployment.
What is the main purpose of life assurance?
To provide a lump sum if the insured dies during the term of the policy.
What TWO categories does Life assurance fall into?
- Whole of life assurance.
2. Term assurance.
Who is the policyholder?
The individual who purchases the policy.
If a Life assurance policy was held in a trust, who would the benefits be paid to upon death?
A nominated beneficiary.
If a Life assurance policy was not held in a trust, who would the proceeds be paid to upon death?
The estate.
What is a ‘whole life policy’ designed to do?
Pay out a cash lump sum upon death.
What is the surrender value?
An amount payable if the policyholder decides to exit a flexible whole of life policy.
What are funeral plans?
A whole of life contract designed for those over age 50.
What determines the level of annual bonus applied to a with-profit policy?
The financial performance of the life company providing the policy.
What is the ‘final/terminal’ bonus on a with-profit policy, a percentage of?
A percentage of the original sum assured and any accrued ‘reversionary/annual’ bonuses.
Why should individuals be wary about taking a surrender value with a with-profit policy?
Companies can apply a Market Value Reduction (MVR).
Which type of policy presents a higher risk, with-profit or non-profit?
With-profit policy.