Guides/Checklist

LifeGuide

Term Life Insurance
- Provides coverage for a set period (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years).
- Lower premiums, no cash value, pays a death benefit if you die during the term.
- Best for temporary needs, such as income replacement while children are young.
Whole Life Insurance
- Permanent coverage with fixed premiums and a guaranteed death benefit.
- Builds cash value at a fixed rate, which you can borrow against.
- Higher premiums, but offers lifelong protection.
Universal Life Insurance
- Permanent coverage with flexible premiums and adjustable death benefits.
- Builds cash value at an interest rate set by the insurer (not guaranteed).
- Allows you to borrow against or withdraw from the cash value, but underperformance or underpayment can affect coverage.
- Offers options for level or increasing death benefits, and you can adjust coverage as your needs change.
Variable and Indexed Universal Life
- Permanent policies with cash value tied to investment performance (variable) or a market index (indexed).
- Potential for higher returns, but also higher risk and complexity.
Final Expense Insurance
- Whole life policy with a small death benefit, designed to cover funeral and final expenses.
- Easier to qualify for, often no medical exam required.

HealthGuide

Types of Health Insurance
- Employer-sponsored plans, individual/family plans (including ACA Marketplace), Medicaid, Medicare, and supplemental policies.
- Plans vary in provider networks (HMO, PPO, EPO), costs, and covered services.
Key Features to Compare
- Premiums: Monthly cost to maintain coverage.
- Deductibles: Amount you pay before insurance starts covering expenses.
- Copayments/Coinsurance: Your share of costs for services after meeting the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket Maximums: The most you’ll pay in a year for covered services.
- Provider Networks: Doctors and hospitals covered by the plan.
- Covered Services: Preventive care, hospital, prescription drugs, mental health, etc.
Supplemental Insurance
- Policies like dental, vision, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity help fill gaps in standard health coverage.

Tips and Considerations

Universal life insurance offers flexibility but requires active management to avoid lapses if cash value is insufficient.
Term life is usually best for straightforward, temporary needs; permanent life (whole, universal) suits long-term or estate planning goals.
Health insurance should balance cost with access to needed providers and services.
Supplemental insurance can provide valuable support for expenses not covered by standard health plans.

Universal Steps for Choosing Life and Health

Assess Your Needs
- For life insurance: Consider dependents, debts, income replacement, and future expenses.
- For health insurance: Review your health status, regular prescriptions, preferred providers, and anticipated medical needs.
Understand Policy Types
- Learn the differences between term, whole, universal, and other life insurance options.
- Compare health plan types (HMO, PPO, etc.) and supplemental options.
Compare Features and Costs
- Get quotes from multiple insurers.
- Compare premiums, benefits, exclusions, and flexibility (e.g., ability to adjust coverage or borrow from cash value)
Check Insurer Reputation
- Research financial strength and customer reviews.
Review Policy Details
- Read all terms, conditions, exclusions, and riders.
- Ask questions about anything unclear.
Apply and Maintain Coverage
- Complete the application honestly.
- Keep policy documents accessible and review coverage annually as your needs change.

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"Suzette has a thorough knowledge of Medicare and helped my husband and I along with many family members to select the best packages for us."

" I was Happy to meet Suzette, finally someone to provide personal service at your convenience. She is extremely knowledgeable of Medicare Healthcare products and can answer any question you might have. I meet with her every year and her services are exceptional. Thank you Suzette "

" Suzette is very knowledgeable about many different insurance policies and worked hard to find the one that suited our needs."

" I like that Suzette keeps you up to date about the changes with insurance. She is patient and caring and polite. She is also very knowledgeable in what she does and is reliable and ready to answer any question you may have. "