Do you constantly ponder how your income would fare if you faced a financial emergency? Most families are familiar with exhausting their funds even if they still have pending bills to pay. The solution to this crisis is financial planning, carefully dividing and allotting the finances to reach your life goal.

Insurance is like a sandbox that could buffer your financial setback in case of contingencies. Financial planning includes insurance which most families are familiar with as they usually exercise it in the household. In addition, it is also an investment since you stash your money to get a future interest from it and secure your family’s future against financial crisis.

Insurance is something you should take seriously. Below are some tips on how to figure out the best plan for your family.

1. Know your family’s general health history. Do you or any of your family members have any chronic illnesses? Knowing this will help you determine the type of health insurance plan that you need.
2. Review the coverage. When considering which plan to go with, look at what specific services and care it covers and what it does not cover so you can make an educated decision and compare plans and providers.
3. Check the insurance plan offered by your employer. If you work for a company that provides health insurance, see if they allow an open enrollment period or multiple options to sign up for coverage. Sometimes different plans will offer more features than other ones but cost more money.
4. Be mindful of the insurance plan’s provider network. You don’t want to lose your primary care physician by changing plans. Ensure that you research which doctors and healthcare facilities are included in each plan to know who you have access to before signing up.
5. Determine your needs and budget. When switching health care plans, be sure that you are moving to a plan that will fit your needs and budget. Do not simply go with the highest ranked or most expensive because it is better than all the other choices. You may find yourself paying more for something you don’t need.
6. Don’t forget about long-term care. This type of insurance can help pay for costs not paid by Medicare or other types of health insurance if you should ever require extended or ongoing assistance with day-to-day tasks due to chronic illness, injury, or old age.
7. Make sure that you understand what your health coverage offers. You don’t want to be stuck with paying for a service or treatment simply because you were unaware of the policy’s limitations.

There are a lot of available kinds of insurance plans nowadays that are highly accessible. It all goes down to what type of insurance is the best for your family and your circumstance.

The Types of Insurance Plans in the Market

• Life Insurance Plan 

Life insurance policies are legal contracts offered by insurance companies to policyholders that secure the family from financial troubles if the insured person passes away. This plan ensures that the listed beneficiaries would receive a certain amount of money after the unfortunate passing of the policyholder. It is a life-long plan that issues death benefits that can be withdrawn or borrowed by the beneficiaries.

There are various types of life insurance plans. The first is whole life insurance, where there is a fixed premium throughout the policyholder’s lifetime. Next is the variable life insurance, which states that the beneficiaries will receive a death benefit and cash component. The third is the variable universal, wherein the customer can adjust the premium amount and the death benefit while investing in cash value.

Another one is the endowment insurance plan—a combined life insurance and investment plan where the beneficiaries receive a sum of money after some time. Lastly, group life insurance is a benefit employers provide to employees, so customers buy it as a part of a group.

• Health Insurance Plan 

A health insurance plan is a type of insurance that covers the expenses whenever there is an illness, accidental injuries, or other medical contingencies. The costs covered include hospital bills, doctor consultation fees, as well as the cost of medicine.

There are also several types of health insurance plans. One type is the individual health plan, which covers medical expenses for a single person under a single sum insured. Another is the family floater plan, wherein it insures the whole family under a single sum. It is typically cheaper than the individual health plan and is especially beneficial for young families.

A senior citizen plan applies to those of the age 60 and above, providing coverage for necessary medical interventions. Another one is a critical illness plan, which conveniently covers emergencies like stroke, heart attack, and other acute illnesses. The plan secures a lump sum to the policyholder.

• Disability Insurance Plan 

A disability insurance plan provides financial assistance to policyholders if they become physically incapable of working and earning income. This plan is vital as accidents that can cause disability is inevitable, and it is best to be prepared and equipped with a financial fallback.

There are two main types of this plan. One is short-term disability insurance, which covers up to 60% of your pre-tax income during the first year. However, as it is short-term, the limit would only be up to one year. This is ideal for people who want to have a financial cushion for one year. However, as an injury can last for more than that, so a short-term insurance plan may not be ideal for certain circumstances.

The second type, a long-term plan, can last a more extended period and even reach retirement. Every month, the amount you will receive is about 60% of your monthly salary while you can still work.

Identifying Your Budget

An insurance plan premium charged for each client depends on several factors such as age, job, lifestyle, medical history, and income—some companies might include other aspects, but these are the basics. It is efficient as you will pay for what the company thinks you can afford. However, some plans can still weigh heavier, so opt for the one you can afford and satisfy your needs.

No matter how much your income is, you must remember to make a financial plan that will benefit you and your family in their present and future needs. Spend your money wisely by engaging in insurance plans to secure some of your income which insurance companies can heighten while providing additional benefits.

Things to Consider When Selecting the Right Insurance Plan and Company

You can get an insurance plan as early as possible, even for family members that are still young. Emergencies don’t pick a specific age and time, so starting as early as possible is the best way to get the maximum benefits of your insurance plan.

In choosing the right company, the first thing you should consider is their history or reputation as it will show you how long they have been in the market, the products they offer, and their achievements. Also, you should review their policy coverage to see which company offers the best plan for you at a reasonable price and value.

The next one is the ease and convenience they offer since you want a company that can smoothly process your concerns. Lastly, you should review their customer satisfaction as this summarizes the overall services their clients experienced.

Final Words

It’s essential to consider your own needs and your family’s to determine which type of insurance plan would work best for you. Things like their general health history and any pre-existing conditions will help identify what kind of insurance coverage is needed.

Financial planning is a way to protect your family and secure their future. However, you must not forget to include a budget for treating yourself and your family in your financial plan. Do not spend your money stingily; instead, spend it wisely.