Combined Insurance Offers Guidelines When Planning for Final Expenses
Affordable supplemental life insurance can help offset costly funeral expenses.
Chicago (PRWEB) March 7, 2008
Many people consider the welfare of their loved ones by purchasing life insurance to provide some financial security in the future. But, how many people consider the burden of paying the immediate costs for "final expenses" when a loved one dies? Combined Insurance, leading provider of supplemental insurance, offers guidelines consumers can use to ensure their family has adequate coverage for final expenses.
Final expenses are the costs incurred when one dies -- expenses such as a funeral service, burial or cremation, taxes and more. According to the National Association of Funeral Directors, the average cost of funeral expenses is approximately $7,000. These are expenses that often must be paid immediately, generally before the settlement of the deceased's estate. This can place a heavy financial burden on family and friends, compounding the emotional strain from their loss.
One option to help offset this burden is an affordable supplemental life insurance policy.
Immediate Expenses, Immediate Assistance
Following the death of a loved one who has not made plans in advance, survivors are responsible for making arrangements -- many of which require immediate payment such as:
Transportation of remains to a funeral home Casket or cremation urn Burial plot or urn vault Tombstone or memorial Visitation and/or funeral services Hearse and limousine services Floral arrangements Taxes and probate expenses
"To help cover such expenses and ease the burden on surviving -- and grieving -- family and friends, a small, supplemental life insurance policy is a good option," says to Bill Wade, head of Claims for Combined Insurance. "Most supplemental life insurance policies afford faster payment, usually in about a week or so, which can help cover immediate expenses." And having a supplemental life insurance policy specifically earmarked for paying final expenses allows the estate and any other life insurance policies to go directly to beneficiaries, instead of bills.
Minimal Cost, Significant Benefits
Many small life insurance policies -- those with benefits from $10,000 to $25,000 -- are relatively inexpensive. "Once someone purchases a policy, the cost generally does not go up and the coverage rarely goes down," adds Wade.
The key to finding the right policy to meet individual needs is finding a licensed insurance agent who can look at your personal situation, evaluate your existing coverage and help you find a supplemental life insurance policy to meet your needs.
About Combined Insurance Company
Combined Insurance Company of America (www. combined. com) is a leading provider of supplemental accident, health and life insurance products. With a field sales force and corporate staff in excess of 10,000 people worldwide, Combined meets the growing coverage needs of policyholders around the globe. For more information, call 800-225-4500 or visit www. combined. com.
About Aon
Aon Corporation (NYSE:AOC) is the leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting, and specialty insurance underwriting. Through its 43,000 professionals worldwide, Aon readily delivers distinctive client value via innovative and effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions. Our industry-leading global resources, technical expertise and industry knowledge are delivered locally through more than 500 offices in more than 120 countries. Aon was ranked by A. M. Best as the number one global insurance brokerage in 2007 based on brokerage revenues, and voted best insurance intermediary, best reinsurance intermediary, and best employee benefits consulting firm in 2007 by the readers of Business Insurance. For more information on Aon, log onto www. aon. com.
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