INTRODUCTION-
In one form or another, we all own insurance. Whether its auto, medical, liability, disability or life, insurance serves as an excellent risk-management and wealth-preservation tool. Having the right kind of insurance is a critical component of any good financial plan. While most of us own insurance, many of us don't understand what it is or how it works. In this tutorial, we'll review the basics of insurance and how it works, then take you through the main types of insurance out there.
Insurance is a financial topic of paramount importance for every individual. Insurance is designed to protect the financial well-being of you and your dependents in the case of unexpected loss. Some forms of insurance are required by law, while others are optional. Agreeing to the terms of an insurance policy creates a contract between you and the insurance company. In exchange for payments from you (called premiums), the insurance company agrees to pay you a sum of money upon the occurrence of a specific event. That event may be as mundane as a visit to the doctor or as serious as a car crash, depending on the type of insurance.
After contacting an insurance company about entering into a policy, you will receive a quote, which is the total amount of money you will need to pay over the term of the insurance policy in exchange for coverage. When you have agreed to pay this amount and the insurance company has agreed to insure you, you will receive a copy of the policy detailing the terms and conditions of your policy.
If an insured incident occurs, you will make a claim for payment from the insurance company. You will receive the amount you are insured for in the case of the specific incident minus a deductible that you must pay for each claim. Higher deductibles are associated with lower premiums and vice versa. Therefore, for claims that are likely to be made, it may be in your best interest to pay a higher premium in exchange for