Some holders of Whole-of-Life policies are receiving very worrying letters, informing them that their policies have been reviewed, and their premiums increased.
In some cases, a monthly Whole-of-Life premium increase can be 680% more than the original payment. We’re going to discuss why this is happening, and what to do about it.
What is a Whole of Life Insurance Policy?
It’s an insurance policy that insures you for your whole life, or as long as you keep paying premiums. The cost of these policies is higher than with term life policies, where you are only covered for a defined period of time.
How much do they cost?
It depends how much you’d like to insure yourself for, and on the type of policy you’d like.
What’s the difference?
There are two basic types: Reviewable Whole-of-Life, and Guaranteed Whole-of-Life
Guaranteed Whole-of-Life
Reviewable Whole-of-Life
These policies are also known as Unit-Linked policies. A unit-linked policy is a policy whose encashment value is linked to the value of units in a company’s unit fund. This is an investment fund operated by the life company.
If the value of the fund doesn’t grow to pay for the cover, the premium will be reviewed, and increased.
Okay, I’ll take the one that doesn’t increase in price. Obviously.
Very wise. Unfortunately, Reviewable Whole-of-Life policies can often start cheaper. And stay cheaper for a long time, and then, once you hit 60, the premiums are reviewed every year. The Whole of Life premium increase can be hundreds of percent more than the original payment. This what it can look like:
However, as the policy continues, the reviews may increase the Reviewable premiums sharply.
This can be a particular problem is the insurer covers the cost of a policy that isn’t performing, and neglects to perform the first few reviews.
When the reviews are finally issued, the premium can increase drastically.
So what happens if your whole of life premium increases?
- If you can’t pay the new premium, your insurer may agree to give you cover of a very small amount for your original premium.
- Or, you can choose to encash this policy – but, if your premiums have increased drastically, the fund may not have much to encash.
- You can choose to get a new policy somewhere else.
But I’ve had this policy since the ‘80s or ‘90s! A new policy now will be too expensive!
Slightly Shocking Example!
This policy holder was 53 when they received this premium hike. Sadly, they could not find other cover, due to ill health, etc. This is why they had to complain to the Financial Ombudsman.
The good news is, many new life policies are simpler products, with simpler underwriting.
The couple above had:
€408,488 cover on the First Life, with Accelerated Serious Illness Cover
€204,731 cover on the Second Life, with Accelerated Serious Illness Cover
For €192.44 p/m
Guaranteed Whole-of-Life policies don’t offer Serious Illness Cover, and now policies will offer Dual Life payouts (on both deaths)
For just Life Cover, at the above amounts, I could quote €900 p/m on a Dual Life basis, which is cheaper than their reviewed premium.
Many of these policies were sold to be used as a form of Mortgage Protection, etc. We now have much simpler products to protect mortgage loans.
The shape of your life may have changed since you originally took out your policy too. If your family have all grown up, you have lower expenses, and have built a pension fund, you may need a lower amount of insurance.
How Can A Broker Help?
With one of our insurers, you can also get dual life protection for 25 years, for €150,000 each, with an added benefit of €25,000 paid on death after the 25 year term is up, for €164 p/m.
Paying €164 p/m, for 25 years, will cost €49,200 total.
You will still be guaranteed a payout of €50,000 minimum, or €300,000 total if you both died within the 25 year term.
If your Whole of Life premium increase has come as a shock, you may have more options than you think.
If you’re worried, talk to us today. We specialise in finding out answers to your queries and giving personalised advice. Call us on 01 853 2727, or contact us.