What is the difference between insurance and life assurance?

Asked by: Syble Feil  |  Last update: August 3, 2022
Score: 4.2/5 (31 votes)

Many people think that life assurance and life insurance are the same thing, yet there is a subtle but key difference between the two: life insurance covers the policyholder for a specific term, while life assurance covers the policyholder for their entire life.

What is the main difference between insurance and assurance?

Assurance is something which is 'assured' (or guaranteed) to happen, in this case when you pass away. A life assurance plan therefore pays out 'when' you die, rather than 'if' you die. Insurance is based on something which might happen (again you passing away), during a specific time period (or term).

Why is life insurance also called life assurance?

An insurer may refer to life assurance, meaning the cover is indefinite, with no fixed expiry date, unlike a life insurance policy term. The word 'assurance' is used because you're assured that a valid claim will be paid regardless of when you die, so long as you pay your premiums.

What life assurance means?

Life assurance, often known as a whole of life policy, is a type of insurance that continues indefinitely and pays out a lump sum once a policyholder dies (assuming they've met their monthly payments). Premiums tend to be higher for this type of protection, because a provider expects to make a pay-out at some point.

What are the 3 types of life assurance?

There are three main types of permanent life insurance: whole, universal, and variable.
  • Whole life insurance. This type of permanent life insurance has a premium that stays the same throughout the life of the policy. ...
  • Universal life insurance. Universal life coverage goes one step further. ...
  • Variable life insurance.

Difference between insurance and assurance

45 related questions found

What are the 4 types of insurance?

Different Types of General Insurance
  • Home Insurance. As the home is a valuable possession, it is important to secure your home with a proper home insurance policy. ...
  • Motor Insurance. Motor insurance provides coverage for your vehicle against damage, accidents, vandalism, theft, etc. ...
  • Travel Insurance. ...
  • Health Insurance.

What are the 7 types of life insurance?

To get you started on your search, here's an overview of types of life insurance and the main points to know for each.
  • Term life insurance.
  • Whole life insurance.
  • Universal life insurance.
  • Variable life insurance.
  • Burial insurance/funeral insurance.
  • Survivorship life insurance/joint life insurance.
  • Mortgage life insurance.

Is life insurance and life assurance the same?

Many people think that life assurance and life insurance are the same thing, yet there is a subtle but key difference between the two: life insurance covers the policyholder for a specific term, while life assurance covers the policyholder for their entire life.

Can you cash in life assurance?

Life assurance policies are designed to pay out when you die. However, some providers will allow you to cash them in early. If you choose this option, you'll receive the value of the fund (or what you've paid in premiums) at that time, minus any penalty charges.

Is life assurance the same as death in service?

Death in service is an employee benefit provided by your employer, whereas life insurance is a separate insurance policy you buy which helps to protect your family from ongoing mortgage repayments and utility bills.

What are the benefits of life assurance?

The many benefits of having life insurance
  • Income replacement for years of lost salary.
  • Paying off your home mortgage.
  • Paying off other debts, such as car loans, credit cards, and student loans.
  • Providing funds for your kids' college education.
  • Helping with other obligations, such as care for aging parents.

Is life assurance a pension?

Defined benefit pension schemes

If you're an active member of a defined benefit pension scheme that includes life insurance, the amount of money that would be paid on your death is often a multiple of your pensionable salary or your earnings at the time of your death.

Is life assurance a taxable benefit?

Although similar to other types of life assurance cover, relevant life policies are highly tax efficient: the benefit is tax free, there's no P11D Benefit in Kind for the employee and the premium is an allowable business expense.

What are the 2 main types of insurance?

There are two broad types of insurance:
  • Life Insurance.
  • General Insurance.

What is example of assurance?

Assurance is defined as a statement given for the purpose of inspiring morale or belief in yourself. An example of an assurance is your boss telling you that your job is safe. Self-confidence. The state of being assured; sureness; confidence; certainty.

Do I need life assurance?

Some homeowners may no longer feel they need life insurance if they've paid off the mortgage. However, if you no longer need to protect a mortgage with life insurance, a cash sum from a valid claim could help your family with other costs, such as household bills and any other ongoing expenses.

Can you cash out life insurance before death?

Can you cash out a life insurance policy before death? If you have a permanent life insurance policy, then yes, you can take cash out before your death. There are three main ways to do this. First, you can take out a loan against your policy (repaying it is optional).

What happens to life insurance when you leave a job?

Generally, if you have no other options, your life insurance coverage will end when you leave your job. That means you'll need to apply for new coverage (either at your new job or independently from a life company or broker) based on your current age and health status.

Does life assurance form part of an estate?

Typically, life insurance payouts are not part of the deceased's estate as they are made directly to beneficiaries named in the policy, therefore, they never come into or out of the deceased's estate.

Why is life insurance not assurance?

Many Individuals consider life assurance and life insurance as same, however, there is a minor but important difference between the both: life insurance provides coverage for a fixed tenure, whereas life assurance provides coverage for the entire lifetime.

What are five things not covered by life insurance?

Other Reasons Life Insurance Won't Pay Out
  • Family health history.
  • Medical conditions.
  • Alcohol and drug use.
  • Risky activities.
  • Travel plans.

What kind of life insurance covers everything?

Whole life insurance

It's the closest thing to “set it and forget it” life insurance. In general, your premiums stay the same, you get a guaranteed rate of return on the policy's cash value, and the death benefit amount doesn't change. Pros: It covers you for your entire life and builds cash value.

What are the four types of insurance that most people need?

Nevertheless, there are four types of insurance that most financial experts recommend everybody have: life, health, auto, and long-term disability.
...
  • Life Insurance. Life insurance provides for your family if you unexpectedly die. ...
  • Health Insurance. ...
  • Long-Term Disability Coverage. ...
  • Auto Insurance.

Which is a type of insurance to avoid?

Avoid buying insurance that you don't need. Chances are you need life, health, auto, disability, and, perhaps, long-term care insurance. But don't buy into sales arguments that you need other more costly insurance that provides you with coverage only for a limited range of events.