Loan protection insurance and credit insurance on a personal loan may appear to be a good way to ensure that disability or death does not result in default – but is this insurance wisely purchased? Find out more here.
What Is a Loan Protection Insurance?
It is insurance that will pay your credit card and loan balances if you are injured or die. There are four major types, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
- If you die, credit life insurance will pay off all or part of your loan.
- If you are unable to work due to illness or injury, credit disability insurance will make loan payments on your behalf.
- So, if you lose your job and it is not your fault, involuntary unemployment insurance will pay off your loan.
Credit property insurance protects personal property used to secure a loan in the event of an accident, theft, or natural disaster.
While these are frequently grouped together, there are distinctions. Credit insurance products, such as mortgage protection insurance, are regulated by the state, whereas debt protection products, such as those for credit cards, are regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
While a lender may recommend or even pressure you to purchase credit protection, the FTC warns that including the insurance without your permission is illegal.
What Does Loan Protection Insurance Cover?
When you get a mortgage, you’ll probably get offers for mortgage protection insurance. Your lender or independent insurance companies may make you an offer.
If you die while carrying mortgage protection insurance, the insurance proceeds are paid directly to the lender to pay off the loan. This differs from traditional life insurance, which pays your beneficiary and allows them to spend the money as they see fit.
Private mortgage insurance (PMI), which you may be required to purchase as a condition of your loan if you put less than 20% down on a home, is not the same as mortgage protection insurance. PMI does not pay off the mortgage; rather, it compensates the lender if you miss a payment.
Read Also: What Is Mortgage Insurance and When Do You Need It?
Some mortgage protection insurance benefits dwindle over time. That’s ostensibly related to the declining balance on your mortgage.
Your premiums may also change over time. As a result, you run the risk of premiums rising while payouts fall.
You may also be offered mortgage disability insurance or mortgage unemployment insurance to cover payments if you become disabled or lose your job. The funds will be transferred directly to your lender. Traditional disability insurance pays out if you are unable to work for an extended period of time.
If you take out an auto loan, open credit cards, or take out a personal loan, you may be offered similar types of life, disability, and unemployment insurance.
What Is the Process of Loan Protection Insurance?
Loan protection insurance can assist policyholders in meeting their monthly debts up to a certain limit. These policies provide short-term protection, ranging from 12 to 24 months in length depending on the insurance company and policy. The policy’s benefits can be used to repay personal loans, car loans, or credit cards.
Policies are typically purchased by people between the ages of 18 and 65 who are working at the time of purchase. To qualify, the buyer must often work at least 16 hours per week on a long-term contract or be self-employed for a set period of time.
Types of Loan Insurance Protection
Loan protection insurance policies are classified into two types.
#1. Standard Policy:
This policy disregards the policyholder’s age, gender, occupation, and smoking habits. The policyholder can choose how much coverage they want. This type of policy is widely available through loan institutions. It does not pay until the initial 60-day exclusion period has passed. The maximum period of coverage is 24 months.
#2. Age-Related Policy:
The cost of this type of policy is determined by the policyholder’s age and the amount of coverage desired. This type of policy is only available in the United Kingdom. The maximum period of coverage is 12 months. Quotes may be less expensive if you are younger because younger policyholders, according to insurance providers, make fewer claims.
Loan protection policies may include a death benefit, depending on the company you choose to provide your insurance through. In either case, the policyholder pays a monthly premium in exchange for the assurance that the policy will pay if the policyholder is unable to make loan payments.
Different insurance companies have different coverage start dates. In general, an insured policyholder can file a claim 30 to 90 days after the policy began if they have been continuously unemployed or disabled. The amount of coverage depends on the insurance policy.
What Is Personal Loan Credit Insurance?
Credit insurance refers to a variety of insurance policies available with a personal loan:
- Credit disability insurance, also known as credit accident and health or credit casualty insurance, can cover a portion or all of your loan payments if you become ill, injured, or disabled as a result of a covered incident.
- If you lose your job involuntarily, such as being laid off, credit unemployment insurance, also known as credit involuntary unemployment insurance, can make your monthly payments for a limited time (but not if you quit your job).
- If you die unexpectedly, credit life insurance can pay off all or part of your remaining loan balance.
To qualify for each type of policy, you may need to apply and meet the eligibility requirements. To qualify for credit unemployment insurance, for example, you may need to be working. There may also be an upper age limit for credit disability or life insurance.
You may be offered credit property insurance if you take out a secured loan, such as an auto loan. This is a type of credit insurance that can help cover loan payments in the event that the property is stolen or destroyed. There are also some types of credit insurance available.
A lender may also offer debt cancellation or suspension services. Following a covered incident, these can reduce or eliminate your payments. However, because they are not a type of insurance, they may be subject to different regulations.
Is it a Good Idea to Buy Credit Insurance?
A credit insurance policy can help protect your loan payments in the event of an unexpected event. As a result, you may not have to pick and choose which bills to pay, nor will you have to worry about a missed loan payment resulting in late fees or damaged credit.
However, exceptions and limitations may limit the usefulness of the policies. Examine the fine print carefully and consider the following:
- The premium may be added to the principal amount of your loan, accumulating interest and increasing your monthly payment. Unless you are a member of the military, the additional cost may not be included in the annual percentage rate of your loan (APR).
- Credit disability and involuntary unemployment policies may have a monthly payment cap that must be met before your loan is paid off.
- When you file a claim, the credit insurance company will often pay the lender directly.
- Preexisting conditions may cause your claim to be denied.
- As you pay off the loan, the potential benefit decreases.
- You may be able to cancel the insurance and receive a full refund within a certain time frame. If you cancel the policy or repay the loan early, you may receive a partial refund.
Read Also: BEST PERSONAL LOANS FOR FAIR CREDIT IN 2022
Credit insurance is an optional add-on for personal loans, and you must usually purchase it when you apply for the loan. Consider the benefit and the cost, which can vary depending on where you live, the type of insurance, and the amount of your personal loan.
If you are told that you must purchase insurance from the lender in order to qualify for a loan, you can file a complaint with your state attorney general, state insurance commissioner, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), or Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
What Are Some Credit Insurance Alternatives?
Paying for credit insurance may not be a good idea if you already have benefits or savings to cover loan payments in the event of an emergency. For instance, you may not want to purchase credit insurance if you have:
- An emergency fund: An emergency fund can help you get through events such as an accident or job loss. Save three to six months’ worth of your monthly household expenses, including loan payments.
- Workers’ compensation: If you are injured or become ill at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits—a benefit that you may be entitled to as an employee. The amount you receive may be determined by the nature of your injury and the laws of your state. It could be as much as two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
- Disability insurance: Disability insurance can replace a portion of your income if you are injured or ill and unable to work. You can get short- and long-term disability insurance through your employer or buy it on your own. The benefit amount and payment period are determined by your previous income and the amount of coverage you purchase.
- Unemployment benefits: If you are laid off unexpectedly, you may be able to apply for unemployment benefits through your state. Benefits from insurance can vary greatly depending on your previous income and state laws.
- Life Insurance: Unpaid personal debts are not passed on to children or family members, with the possible exception of a spouse in a community property state. If you’re concerned about how your death might affect others, consider purchasing life insurance. Term life insurance may be less expensive and provide a greater benefit than credit insurance, particularly for young and healthy applicants.
Read Also: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Benefits, Process & Claims in the UK
If you are unable to work or lose your job, none of these options will completely replace your income. They may, however, provide enough funds to cover your loan payments and other monthly bills.
If you find yourself unable to make payments, you can contact your lender and inquire about hardship programs. Some lenders may work with you to temporarily pause or reduce your monthly payments.
Can you take out insurance on a loan?
Lenders can offer you loan protection insurance, but they cannot make you buy it as a condition of borrowing. Lenders are also prohibited from including loan protection insurance in your loan without first disclosing it to you and explaining the fees associated with the policy.
Inquiries to Make About Loan Insurance Protection Offers
If you’re still thinking about getting credit insurance or debt protection, the FTC has a list of questions you should ask.
- What is the cost of the premium?
- Will the premium be included in the loan? If this is the case, your loan amount will be increased and you will be charged additional interest.
- Can you pay in monthly installments rather than financing the entire premium as part of your loan?
- How much less would your monthly loan payment be if you didn’t have credit insurance?
- Will the insurance cover the entire loan and the amount of your loan?
- What are the payment limits and exclusions for benefits, and what exactly is and is not covered?
- Is there a waiting period before coverage begins?
- What coverage does your co-borrower have, and how much does it cost?
- Is it possible to cancel the insurance? If this is the case, what kind of refund is available?
Conclusion
When looking for a loan or PPI, always read the terms, conditions, and exclusions thoroughly before committing. Look for a reputable business. One option is to contact your local consumer advocacy center. A consumer advocacy group should be able to point you in the direction of ethically responsible providers.
Examine your specific financial situation in depth to ensure that purchasing a policy is the best option for you. A loan protection policy is not appropriate for every situation. Determine why you might require it; determine whether you have other emergency sources of income, such as savings from your job or other sources.
Examine all exclusions and clauses. Is the insurance affordable for you? Are you confident in the company in charge of your policy? All of these concerns must be addressed before making such a significant decision.
Loan Insurance FAQs
How much is insurance on a loan?
Regardless of the value of a home, most mortgage insurance premiums range from 0.5% to 5% of the original loan amount per year. That is, if a borrower borrowed $150,000 and the annual premiums were 1%, the borrower would have to pay $1,500 ($125 per month) to insure their mortgage.
What does it mean when a loan is insured?
An insured loan is one that has been insured, as evidenced by the issuance of an Insurance Certificate or the Commissioner’s endorsement of the note for insurance.
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