INSURANCE PLANNING

Bharat Shah

Introduction: What is insurance planning?

Insurance planning is to protect yourself, your family and loved ones, your home, your assets, or your business against unexpected events. The idea behind insurance is to get a group to contribute financially to a fund specifically designed to help individuals recover in the case of an unexpected loss. In this way, insurance eases financial burdens that can occur when disaster strikes.

Purposes of insurance planning

Insurance planning is a critical component of a comprehensive financial plan that includes evaluating risks and determining the proper insurance coverage to mitigate those risks. The principal goal of insurance planning is to identify and analyze risk factors in life and seek proper coverage to attain a peace of mind if disaster strikes. The chances of recovering partly or fully are assured by having insurance. Therefore, insurance is an economic device transferring risk from an individual to a company and reducing the uncertainty of risk via pooling.

Appropriate plans for YOU

Carrying insurance is crucial, but the most important aspect is carrying the appropriate type of insurance. Each person has different insurance needs tied to his/her unique situation, age, health, family structure, economic status, possessions, assets, and many other factors. There are several forms of insurance and there is no "one size fits all". (This is why we need the insurance planning!) Also, any major change in life requires an immediate review of insurance planning to make sure the protection remains adequate.

For college students and parents, every university offers health information and services. Thus, make sure to check with health services before making insurance decisions. Students age 26 or under are normally (but not always) insured on their parents' insurance plans and are expected to remain insured during their college attendance. However, not all insurance plans are accepted equally. It is the student's responsibility to verify all information with their perspective school, college, or university before attendance and make necessary changes to meet expectations. Graduates and international students are also expected to carry health insurance. They will either purchase insurance provided by the university or buy a plan privately.

You need to think of insurance planning as a fluid process, never stagnant or frozen in time. As your life changes, your insurance needs will have to change accordingly to remain protected. Your focus should be on acquiring enough insurance to match risk factors for you, your family, and your wealth. Here are the elements you need to consider as you embark on your insurance planning:

1.  Your age (young, middle-aged, retiree)

2.  Your family status (single, married, children)

3.  Your health (subsequently your family's health)

4.  Your assets (home, car, boat, etc.)

5.  Your professional status (student, employed, self-employed, unemployed)

6.  Your economic status (insurance access and affordability)

Through a personalized insurance plan, we can help you:

·         Protect your income stream in the event of disability

·         Provide for your family in the event of a premature death

·         Guarantee income for life

·         Protect your business

·         Protect the value of your Estate

·         Prepare for a potential Long Term Care need