Monday, May 11, 2009

Retirement Annuity

A retirement annuity is a contract by which an insurance company agrees to provide you with a stream of income during your retirement years. Generally, a retiree may need about 60% of his/her last drawn salary to maintain his/her existing standard of living during retirement.

The Employees Providence Fund (EPF) contribution can be an important source of retirement income, but a study by EPF also showed that majority of contributors spent all their savings within three years of withdrawal upon retirement. Retirement annuities ensure that you are taken care of for the rest of your life.


Why Should I Buy Retirement Annuity?

  • To ensure lifetime income, removing uncertainty and problems should you outlive your financial resources.
  • To guarantee income payment for your loved ones after your demise.

Choosing An Annuity

When it comes to choosing the right annuity:
  • To ensure lifetime income, removing uncertainty and problems should you outlive your financial resources
  • Be aware that income payments you receive will depend on the amount you pay to purchase the annuity, your age when you purchase the annuity and your gender
  • Know that the type of annuity and its benefits determines the amount received during retirement
  • Buy the annuity plan that best suits your needs

Common Types of Annuity and Benefits


Immediate annuity

The income payments begin within 12 months after you buy the annuity. This is suitable for those who are about to retire or have already retired. The premium is paid as a lump sum at the time of purchase.


Deferred annuity

The income payments begin more than 12 months after you buy the annuity. You may buy this type of annuity plans at any time during your working years. The premium can be paid as a lump sum, which will be left to accumulate with the insurance company, or you may make a series of periodic payments up till your retirement.



Common Types of Benefit Options


Level annuity without guaranteed period

Pays a fixed regular income as long as you live.


Level annuity with a guaranteed period

Pays a fixed regular income for the rest of your life, or at least for a guaranteed period. Example: A person purchases annuity with a guarantee period of 10 years, but dies after 6 years. The annuity payments continue to be paid to his beneficiary for the remaining 4 years. If the person outlives the guarantee period of 10 years, he will continue to receive the income payment for as long as he lives.


Increasing annuity

Pays an income which increases each year at a specified rate to partially protect your income from inflation. With increasing annuity, the starting income is normally lower than you would get from a level annuity, but it will provide you with better income some years later in your retirement period.


Joint-life annuity

Pays an income for the rest of your life, and then continues to pay the income to your partner for the rest of his/her life, after your demise. However, income to your partner may be for a reduced amount.


Saving For an Annuity


It is advisable to start saving as early as possible during your working years to build enough funds to provide you with a worthwhile income when you retire. However, should you have a savings arrangement that enables you to do so, it is still possible to purchase an immediate annuity upon your retirement.

Alternatively, you may want to consider purchasing a deferred annuity if you wish to pay a smaller premium,where the premiums paid earlier in life will be invested by the insurance company to provide for your retirement income.


For more details, please download the booklet on retirement annuity or contact an insurance company for assistance.

Download Booklet Here


Source: http://www.insuranceinfo.com.my/choose_your_cover/secure_your_future/retirement_annuity.php?intPrefLangID=1



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Anuiti Persaraan

Anuiti adalah suatu kontrak di mana syarikat insurans bersetuju untuk menyediakan anda dengan pendapatan yang berterusan untuk sepanjang hayat, sebagai balasan kepada caruman premium yang dibayar sekali gus.

Lazimnya seorang pesara memerlukan lebih kurang 60% daripada gaji terakhir beliau untuk mengekalkan taraf hidupnya pada masa persaraannya. Caruman dalam Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) boleh menjadi sumber pendapatan persaraan yang penting tetapi satu kajian berkenaan KWSP menunjukkan bahawa kebanyakan pencarum menghabiskan simpanan mereka dalam masa tiga tahun dari tarikh pengeluaran selepas bersara. Anuiti persaraan memastikan masa depan anda terjamin.


Mengapa Saya Perlu Membeli Anuiti Persaraan

  • Memastikan pendapatan untuk seumur hidup, meringankan ketidaktentuan dan masalah yang mungkin anda hadapi sekiranya anda kehabisan sumber kewangan semasa hayat bersara.
  • Memastikan pembayaran pendapatan kepada orang yang anda sayangi selepas anda meninggal dunia.

Memilih Anuiti Yang Sesuai

Di dalam memilih anuiti yang sesuai, sentiasalah:
  • Tahu bahawa bayaran pendapatan yang anda terima bergantung kepada jumlah yang dibayar untuk membeli anuiti tersebut, umur anda ketika membeli anuiti tersebut dan jantina anda
  • Tahu bahawa jenis anuiti dan manfaatnya menentukan jumlah yang akan anda terima setelah bersara
  • Membeli pelan anuiti yang benar-benar sesuai dengan keperluan anda

Jenis-Jenis Anuiti Asas

Anuiti serta-merta
Pembayaran pendapatan bermula dalam tempoh 12 bulan selepas anda membeli anuiti. Ia sesuai untuk mereka yang hampir bersara atau telah bersara. Premiumnya dibayar sekali gus ketika membeli anuiti.

Anuiti tertunda
Pembayaran pendapatan bermula lebih dari 12 bulan selepas anda membeli anuiti. Anda boleh membeli anuiti jenis ini pada bila-bila masa sepanjang tempoh anda bekerja. Premiumnya yang boleh dibayar sekali gus akan terkumpul dengan syarikat insurans, atau anda boleh membuat siri bayaran berkala sehinggalah persaraan anda.


Jenis-Jenis Opsyen (Pilihan) Manfaat Biasa


Anuiti tetap tanpa tempoh terjamin

Membayar pendapatan pada kadar tetap secara teratur sepanjang hayat anda.


Anuiti tetap dengan tempoh terjamin

Membayar pendapatan pada kadar tetap sepanjang hayat anda, atau sekurang-kurangnya untuk suatu tempoh terjamin.Contoh: Seseorang membeli anuiti dengan tempoh terjamin 10 tahun. Sekiranya ia meninggal dunia selepas 6 tahun, bayaran anuiti akan diteruskan kepada benefisiarinya untuk tempoh 4 tahun selebihnya. Sekiranya pembeli anuiti masih hidup melepasi tempoh terjamin 10 tahun, ia akan terus menerima bayaran pendapatan sepanjang hayatnya.


Anuiti meningkat

Membayar pendapatan yang meningkat setiap tahun pada kadar yang tetap untuk sedikit sebanyak melindungi pendapatan anda daripada inflasi, di sepanjang hayat anda. Pendapatan permulaan bagi anuiti meningkat pada kebiasaannya lebih rendah daripada yang anda terima di bawah anuiti tetap, tetapi anuiti meningkat akan memberikan pendapatan yang lebih baik pada tahun- tahun kemudian dalam tempoh persaraan anda.


Anuiti hayat bersama

Membayar pendapatan untuk sepanjang hayat anda dan seterusnya kepada pasangan anda sepanjang hayatnya selepas anda meninggal dunia. Walau bagaimanapun, pendapatan yang dibayar kepada pasangan anda itu mungkin pada amaun yang dikurangkan.


Menyimpan Untuk Anuiti


Anda dinasihatkan untuk mula menyimpan seawal mungkin sepanjang tempoh anda berkerja supaya dana yang cukup dapat dikumpul bagi membolehkan penyediaan pendapatan yang setimpal apabila anda bersara. Walau bagaimanapun, anda juga boleh mendapatkan anuiti ini setelah anda bersara.

Sebaliknya, jika anda hanya mahu membayar jumlah premium yang lebih kecil, anda boleh mendapatkan anuiti tertunda, di mana premium dijelaskan lebih awal dan akan dilaburkan oleh syarikat insurans untuk memberikan pendapatan kepada anda sewaktu anda bersara.


Untuk maklumat lanjut, sila muat turun buku panduan anuiti persaraan atau hubungi syarikat insurans untuk sebarang bantuan.

Muat turun disini

Sumber: http://www.insuranceinfo.com.my/choose_your_cover/secure_your_future/retirement_annuity.php?intPrefLangID=2


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Things To Note: Life Insurance

Buying life insurance for you and your loved ones helps provide some financial security in times of hardship. The money from your policy will be paid to your loved ones when you pass away or to you should you suffer a total and permanent disability throughout any course of your life.


Important Provisions To Remember

Understanding important provisions in your life insurance policy


Premium
This is the money you pay to the life insurance company for coverage.


Bonus
This is the extra money paid with the final benefit for participating policies. However bonuses are not guaranteed and depend on the performance of the insurance fund.

Policy Loan
You may take up a policy loan on condition that your policy has a cash value. Interest will be charged on your policy loan.

Reduced paid-up
If your policy has acquired a cash value, you can choose to stop paying future premiums. The policy will continue to remain in force but the sum assured will be reduced.

Suicide
Nothing will be payable to a nominee if death was due to suicide within a period, usually one year, as stated in the policy.

Free Look
You may cancel your life insurance policy by returning it to your insurance company within 15 days after receiving the policy documents. The premium that you have paid will be refunded to you.

Assignment
You may transfer your life insurance policy to another person or organisation on condition a written notice is given to your life insurance company.

Confidentiality of Information
All your personal information including medical information is confidential and your life insurance company is strictly not allowed to divulge such information to third parties.

Reinstatement
A lapsed life insurance policy can be fully reinstated within a period of time and under certain conditions.

Exclusions
These are risks that are not covered under the policy

Cash/Surrender value
Your policy will acquire a cash value (or surrender value) when it has been in force for a minimum of three years. This value will be paid to you when you cancel your policy. However, you will lose this cash value if you surrender your policy before the maturity period.

Grace Period
If payment for your monthly premium is pass due, a grace period of 15 days will be given for you to settle your payment. For other frequency of payments such as semi-annually or annually, the grace period is 30 days. If payment is still not made within the grace period, your policy may lapse or be subject to reduced paid-up or automatic premium loans.

Automatic premium loan
Some life insurance companies will automatically advance to you the premium amount when you do not pay your premium within the grace period on condition that your policy has sufficient cash value. However, you will be charged interest on the outstanding amount of your premium loan.
Incontestability
The life insurance company cannot dispute the validity of a life policy after the policy has been in force for two years. If the insurance company refuses to pay, it must prove that the policy was obtained through fraud.

Terms and conditions
These specify your rights and responsibilities as well as that of the insurance company.




Buying Tips

Tips on buying life insurance

Be sure to buy from a company through an authorised agent
Buying life insurance is essentially buying future financial security for your family. Licensed insurance companies are listed in Bank Negara Malaysia’s website or should you need to find out more, contact the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM).

Shop around for rates
Seek premium quotes and proposal from more than one insurance company and compare them. Be sure to compare among similar policies as not all insurance policies have similar benefits.

Understand the scope of cover, terms and conditions of the policy
Make sure you understand all provisions in the policy and if necessary. ask for explanations from the insurance company. Be careful if you are told that bonuses or dividend scales are guaranteed.

Avoid unwanted additional coverage
Do not be pressured into buying "packaged" products that may contain fixed coverages that you don’t need. However, you may opt to add additional coverage or rider of your choice at additional premium which is better value for money.

Make sure the life policy recommended is right for you
Carefully study your agent's recommendation and ask for a point-by-point explanation to make sure the policy suits you.

Always check the date the insurance becomes effective
The date the insurance goes into effect may be different from the date the company issues the policy. Be sure to ask your agent for the effective date of your insurance.

Fill in your application carefully
Never sign blank proposal or application forms. Ensure all information filled in your application is
complete and correct to avoid delays or even denial of claims.

Make sure premiums are paid to company
Make sure your cheque or money order is made payable to the insurance company and not to your agent and insist for a receipt immediately as proof of payment.

Read your policy when you receive it
Life policies have a "free-look" period of 15 days from the date you receive it. Therefore, use this opportunity to assess the policy to make sure this is the right policy for you.


Advising Your Nominee

Importance Of Making Nomination

The purpose of buying life insurance is to ensure that your loved ones are protected financially should anything happen to you. Therefore, making a nomination in your insurance policy will speed up the process of disbursing your funds to your loved ones.

When can I make a nomination?

If you are 18 years old or older, you can nominate an individual or individuals to receive the policy funds upon your demise. Your nomination can be made at the time you apply for your policy.

Who can I nominate?

You are free to nominate whoever you wish. However not all nominees will receive the funds beneficially or for their own use. For more information on who you can nominate, download our booklet.

How do I make a nomination?

1. Fill up a nomination form provided by your insurance company. Be sure to fill in the correct details of your nominee such as name, date of birth, identity card or birth certificate number and address.

2. Ensure that your form is signed by a witness who is 18 years and above who is not your nominee.

3. Have your insurance company endorse your nomination or the policy document for validation.


What happens if I don’t make a nomination?

If you do not make a nomination, your loved ones will have to obtain a Grant of Probate letter or Letter of Administration of Distribution Order to receive your policy fund. However there are certain circumstances under which an insurance company can make payment to a claimant without any of the above mentioned documents. To know more, download the booklet.

Source: http://www.insuranceinfo.com.my/choose_your_cover/things_to_note/life_insurance.php?intPrefLangID=1#content3


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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Life Insurance


Buying life insurance for you and your loved ones helps provide some financial security in times of hardship. The money from your policy will be paid to your loved ones when you pass away or to you should you suffer a total and permanent disability or loss

Income Tax Relief

You can claim for tax relief of up to a maximum amount of RM6,000 per year for an ordinary life policy. This is inclusive of any contributions you have paid to an approved retirement benefit scheme such as the Employees Provident Fund or other pension scheme.

Why Should I Buy Insurance?

  • To ensure that your immediate family has some financial support after your demise
  • To finance your children’s education
  • To have a savings plan for the future so that you have a constant source of income after retirement
  • To ensure that you have extra income when your earnings are reduced due to serious illness or accident
Choosing A Policy

When it comes to choosing a policy, always:
  • Consider a policy that best suits your life stage
  • Understand the scope of cover provided under the
    policy
  • Be aware of the circumstances should you need to switch policies

Basic Type Of Policies

Term insurance
This offers insurance protection for a limited period only whereby the money is paid up if you pass away or if you suffer total and permanent disability.

Whole life insurance
Life-long protection and premiums are paid throughout your life and the money including any bonuses will be paid when you pass away or suffer total and permanent disability.

Endowment
A combination of protection and savings whereby the money will be paid at the end of a specific period upon your demise or if you suffer total and permanent disability.

Investment-linked
For investment-linked insurance, your premium is used to buy life insurance protection and units in a fund managed by the life insurance company. The benefits paid to you or your nominee will depend on the price of the units at the time you surrender your policy or when you pass away.

Life annuity plan
Series of payments paid to you until you pass away. Types of annuity include immediate annuity or deferred annuity.

Supplementary rider/cover
A rider is a supplement attached to the basic insurance plan such as endowment or whole life.

Mortgage reducing term assurance (MRTA)
An insurance protection plan that covers the repayment of an outstanding property loan to the financial institution in the event of untimely death, disability or critical illness of the borrower.


What You Need To Remember About Your Policy
  • Keep a note of the premium due dates. Your policy may lapse if your premiums are not paid when due.
  • Always insist on a receipt as proof of payment
  • Make sure you state your age and other essential personal particulars correctly in the proposal form
  • Review your insurance needs regularly
  • Keep your policy document in a safe place
  • Keep the basic information such as the life insurance company, policy type, policy number and the names of your nominees in a separate place.
  • Always ask your insurance agent when in doubt of anything related to your policy
  • Give full facts in your application fully and faithfully

Importance Of Disclosure

Remember to faithfully disclose all the facts in your application form. If your insurance agent fills out your application for you, be sure to read and understand the requirements carefully before signing the form. Otherwise, any non-disclosure of material fact can cause your policy to be void.


Source: http://www.insuranceinfo.com.my/choose_your_cover/secure_your_future/life_insurance.php?intPrefLangID=1&


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Apa Yang Anda Perlu Tahu: Insurans Hayat


Pembelian polisi insurans hayat, sama ada untuk diri sendiri atau mereka yang tersayang, menjanjikan jaminan kewangan sewaktu susah. Waris anda layak menerima sejumlah wang jika anda meninggal dunia. Anda juga boleh menerima pampasan untuk sebarang kecacatan kekal yang menimpa anda.


Memahami Peruntukan-peruntukan Penting Dalam Kontrak Polisi Hayat

Premium
Ini ialah wang yang anda bayar kepada syarikat insurans hayat untuk perlindungan insurans



Bonus
Wang tambahan yang dibayar bersama-sama manfaat akhir polisi sertaan. Walau bagaimanapun, pemberian bonus tidak dijamin dan bergantung kepada prestasi pelaburan dana insurans anda.

Pinjaman Polisi
Anda boleh mengambil pinjaman polisi sekiranya polisi anda mempunyai nilai tunai. Faedah akan dikenakan pada pinjaman polisi anda.

Berbayar Terkurang
Jika polisi anda mempunyai nilai tunai, anda boleh memilih untuk berhenti membayar premium. Polisi anda akan terus berkuatkuasa tetapi nilai yang diinsuranskan akan berkurangan.

Bunuh Diri
Tiada sebarang bayaran akan dibuat kepada penama sekiranya kematian berpunca daripada membunuh diri dalam tempoh setahun perlindungan, seperti yang dinyatakan di dalam polisi anda.

Tempoh Membuat Keputusan
Anda boleh membatalkan polisi insurans anda dengan memulangkan polisi anda kepada syarikat insurans terbabit di dalam masa 15 hari selepas anda menerima dokumen-dokumen polisi anda. Premium yang anda bayar ditolak fi pemeriksaan perubatan yang dikenakan akan dikembalikan kepada anda.

Penyerahan Hak
Anda boleh memindahkan polisi insurans hayat anda kepada orang atau organisasi lain dengan syarat anda memberi notis bertulis kepada syarikat insurans anda.

Kerahsiaan Maklumat
Semua maklumat peribadi anda, termasuklah maklumat perubatan adalah rahsia dan syarikat insurans hayat anda tidak boleh sama sekali mendedahkan maklumat itu kepada pihak ketiga.

Pengecualian
Risiko yang tidak dilindungi polisi anda.

Nilai tunai/serahan
Apabila polisi anda telah berkuat kuasa selama minimum 3 tahun, ia memperolehi nilai tunai (atau nilai serahan). Ini ialah amaun tunai yang akan dibayar oleh syarikat insurans apabila anda membatalkan polisi anda. Walau bagaimanapun, anda akan rugi jika menyerahkan polisi sebelum ia matang.

Tempoh Tangguh



Jika anda lambat menjelaskan premium bulanan anda, tempoh tangguh selama 15 hari akan diberi untuk anda melunaskan bayaran anda. Untuk bayaran secara tahunan atau setengah tahunan, tempoh tangguh anda ialah 30 hari. Jika bayaran masih tidak dijelaskan di dalam tempoh tangguh, polisi anda mungkin luput atau tertakluk kepada polisi berbayar terkurang atau pinjaman premium automatik.

Pinjaman Premium Automatik
Sesetengah syarikat insurans akan secara automatik memberikan pinjaman pembayaran premium untuk anda jika anda tidak menjelaskan premium anda di dalam tempoh tangguh dengan syarat polisi anda mempunyai nilai tunai yang mencukupi. Walau bagaimanapun, anda akan dikenakan faedah ke atas amaun pinjaman premium yang tertunggak.



Tidak Boleh Tanding
Syarikat insurans tidak boleh mempertikai kesahihan polisi yang telah berkuat kuasa selama dua tahun. Sekiranya syarikat insurans anda enggan membayar tuntutan anda, syarikat insurans itu mestilah membuktikan anda memperoleh polisi tersebut melalui penipuan.

Pengembalian Semula
Polisi insurans yang telah luput boleh dihidupkan atau dikembalikan semula di dalam tempoh masa tertentu mengikut syarat-syarat tertentu.

Terma dan Syarat
Perkara-perkara di bawah terma dan syarat ini merupakan hak dan tanggungjawab anda dan syarikat insurans anda.


Panduan Membeli Insurans Hayat

Pastikan anda membeli insurans hayat daripada syarikat insurans berlesen melalui ejen insurans yang sah.
Membeli insurans hayat merupakan satu perkara yang penting sebagai jaminan kewangan keluarga di masa hadapan. Senarai syarikat insurans berlesen boleh diperolehi di laman web Bank Negara Malaysia dan sekiranya anda perlu maklumat lanjut, hubungi Persatuan Insurans Hayat Malaysia (LIAM).

Buat perbandingan kadar premium
Meneliti dan membuat perbandingan kadar premium dan manfaat insurans daripada beberapa syarikat insurans. Pastikan anda membuat perbandingan di antara polisi yang serupa kerana tidak semua polisi insurans mempunyai manfaat yang sama.

Fahami skop perlindungan, terma dan syarat polisi
Pastikan anda memahami semua peruntukan di dalam polisi yang ingin anda beli. Jika perlu, dapatkan penerangan daripada syarikat insurans. Berhati-hati jika anda dijanjikan bonus atau skala dividen.

Elakkan sebarang perlindungan yang tidak perlu
Jangan rasa tertekan untuk membeli produk-produk yang dipakej sekali yang mungkin mengandungi perlindungan tetap yang tidak diperlukan. Walau bagaimanapun, anda boleh membuat pilihan bagi mendapatkan perlindungan tambahan atau rider dengan premium tambahan yang memberi nilai pulangan yang lebih baik.

Pastikan insurans hayat yang dicadangkan benar-benar sesuai untuk anda
Semak polisi yang dicadangkan dengan teliti bagi memastikan ia menepati keperluan peribadi anda.

Periksa tarikh insurans anda berkuat kuasa
Tarikh insurans anda berkuat kuasa mungkin berbeza daripada tarikh syarikat insurans anda mengeluarkan polisi itu. Tanya ejen insurans anda bilakah tarikh polisi anda berkuat kuasa.

Isi borang permohonan anda dengan teliti

Jangan menandatangani cadangan atau borang permohonan kosong. Pastikan semua maklumat di dalam borang cadangan anda lengkap dan tepat bagi mengelakkan kelewatan atau tuntutan ditolak.

Pastikan premium dibayar kepada syarikat insurans
Pastikan anda membuat pembayaran cek atau kiriman wang kepada syarikat insurans anda dan bukan kepada ejen insurans dan minta resit selepas pembayaran sebagai bukti pembayaran.

Baca polisi anda apabila anda menerimanya
Anda diberi masa selama 15 hari untuk meneliti kandungan polisi selepas menerimanya. Gunakan peluang ini untuk memastikan polisi itu benar-benar sesuai untuk anda.


Kepentingan Membuat Penamaan


Tujuan anda membeli insurans hayat adalah untuk memastikan mereka yang tersayang dilindungi daripada segi kewangan sekiranya terjadi sesuatu yang tidak diingini ke atas anda. Dengan membuat penamaan, proses pengagihan wang polisi anda dapat dilakukan dengan lebih cepat.

Bilakah saya perlu membuat penamaan?

Jika anda berumur 18 tahun ke atas, anda boleh menamakan seorang individu atau beberapa individu untuk menerima wang polisi anda jika anda meninggal dunia. Penamaan anda boleh dibuat ketika anda memohon polisi tersebut.

Siapakah yang boleh saya namakan sebagai penama?

Anda bebas menamakan sesiapa yang anda kehendaki. Walau bagaimanapun, tidak semua penama akan menerima wang polisi secara benifisial atau untuk kegunaan sendiri. Untuk maklumat lanjut, muat turun buku panduan kami.

Bagaimana saya membuat penamaan?

1. Isi borang penamaan yang disediakan syarikat insurans anda. Pastikan maklumat yang diisi adalah tepat, seperti nama, tarikh lahir, nombor kad pengenalan atau sijil kelahiran serta alamat.

2. Pastikan borang penamaan anda ditandatangani oleh seorang saksi berumur 18 tahun ke atas yang bukan merupakan penama anda.

3. Pastikan syarikat insurans anda mengesahkan penamaan anda, sama ada di dalam dokumen polisi atau borang penamaan.


Apa yang akan terjadi jika saya tidak membuat penamaan?

Jika anda tidak membuat penamaan, syarikat insurans hanya akan membayar wang polisi kepada pemohon yang mengemukakan Perintah Probet atau Surat Kuasa Mentadbir atau Perintah Pembahagian Walaubagaimanapun, atas budi bicaranya, syarikat insurans boleh membuat bayaran kepada pihak yang menuntut tanpa dokumen-dokumen tersebut. Untuk maklumat lanjut, muat turun buku panduan kami.

Sumber: http://www.insuranceinfo.com.my/choose_your_cover/things_to_note/life_insurance.php?intPrefLangID=2&#content3



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