What is Life Insurance?

What Is Life Insurance?
Life insurance is a simple way to protect the people you love.
If you die during the term of the policy, it pays out a tax-free lump sum to your family.
That money can be used for anything they need; like paying the mortgage, covering bills, or keeping life on track at a very difficult time.
It’s often one of the most important pieces of financial protection a family can have.

How Does Life Insurance Work?
Life insurance works in a straightforward way:
1. You choose the amount of cover (how much money would be paid out).
2. You choose how long you want the policy to last (the term).
3. You pay a monthly premium.
4. If you pass away during that term, the insurer pays the lump sum to your chosen person or people (your beneficiaries).
That’s it; simple and clear.

What Can Life Insurance Be Used For?
People usually put life insurance in place to protect things like:
• Mortgage repayments
• Everyday bills and household costs
• Children’s expenses (school, childcare, activities)
• Future financial support for a partner or dependants
• Funeral costs
It creates financial stability at a time of emotional stress.

Who Needs Life Insurance?
You may want life insurance if:
• You have a partner who relies on your income
• You have children or anyone who depends on you financially
• You have a mortgage or other debts you don’t want passed on
• You want to leave a financial safety net for your family
Many people think life insurance is only for parents or married couples; but anyone with financial responsibilities can benefit.

Types of Life Insurance
There are two main types:
1. Term Life Insurance
This is the most common and affordable option.
It covers you for a fixed number of years, for example 20 or 30 years.
If you die during that time, it pays out.
If you don’t, the policy ends – simple.
Most people use term cover to protect their mortgage and their family while the kids are growing up.
2. Whole-of-Life Insurance
This covers you for your entire life.
As long as you keep paying the premiums, the policy will pay out whenever you die.
It’s often used for long-term financial planning or to help with funeral costs.

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost?
The cost depends on a few things:
• Your age
• Your health
• Whether you smoke
• How much cover you want
• How long you want the policy to last
For most people, life insurance is far cheaper than they expect — often only the price of a takeaway coffee each week.

How Much Cover Do You Need?
A good rule of thumb is to think about:
• Your mortgage balance
• Household bills for a number of years
• Childcare or children’s future costs
• Any debts
• The income your family would need if you weren’t around

Why Life Insurance Matters
Life insurance gives your loved ones:
• Financial security
• Breathing room to grieve
• Protection from financial stress
• A clear safety net when facing the unexpected
It’s about planning ahead so your family won’t have to worry about money during a very difficult time.

At Beat the Bank we can
• Compare multiple insurers
• Help you choose the right level of cover
• Make sure the policy fits your needs and budget
• Handle the paperwork
• Support your family if a claim is ever needed

Life Insurance Is About Love, Not Money
At its heart, life insurance is simple: It’s a way to take care of the people who matter most, even when you can’t be there in person.