You too can easily compare life insurance.

There may come a time in your life when you need to consider taking out life insurance. Whether it is to cover a loan, such as a mortgage, or simply leave your loved ones provided for in the event of your death. The decision is quite a major one and choosing the correct level of insurance and at a price that suits your budget, may seem quite a daunting task. This is when it may prove helpful to use a specialist life insurance broker, who has access to many of the leading UK insurance providers and can compare life insurance policies on your behalf to locate you the best deal.

Many insurance providers offer the same level of cover as each other but at very different prices, so it pays to compare life insurance polices very carefully.

The type of life insurance required should reflect the purpose of the cover. Generally, decreasing term life insurance pays a lump sum should you die within the policy's lifespan. The value of the lump sum reduces by set instalments, reaching a zero value by the end of the policy. This kind of life insurance is regularly used for loans like mortgages where the amount owed reduces during its lifetime. Level term assurance also pays a lump sum should you die within the policy's lifetime; however, the value of the sum does not change. This could be your best choice when making financial provision for your loved ones.

How much cover to apply for again should reflect the end purpose of the policy. At the most basic level, it should cover the total of your debts less any existing life policies. This maybe sufficient for life insurance to cover a mortgage, however, if you plan to financially provide for your loved ones in the event of your death, then the sum insured must cover your debts and leave enough money to make investments to provide an income. A rough guide for a policy cover would be a maximum of twenty times your current annual net salary, plus the total of any loans including the mortgage.

The cost of the premiums can seem quite inhibiting and many factors that contribute to their cost. You could keep the sum to be insured and the period of insurance cover, to the bare minimum in order to obtain a cheaper policy. Whether you smoke can greatly influence the cost, as smokers are believed to be more of an insurance risk. In addition, certain occupations are considered more of a risk to insure. You can expect to pay higher premiums if you are a person who works as a fire fighter rather than someone who is a bank clerk. All these details need to be considered when you compare life insurance. A specialist broker could do this and provide you with a summary and select the best value for money policy for you.

David Thomson is Chief Executive of BestDealInsurance an independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their clients with the best deal on their life insurance, critical illness cover and home and motor insurance.