Did you know that taking at least one trip a year, reduces your risk of heart disease by 30%? With a statistic like that, how can you not already have your bags packed?! Before you rush out to book your next trip, be sure to use our checklist below when making any decisions about travel insurance, as well as traveling abroad. Traveling abroad can create some of life’s greatest experiences. Seeing other countries, cultures, and people can create memories that can be shared for a lifetime. In order to ensure that those memories are happy ones, travel insurance should be on the top of your list before you book that flight.

Having an emergency while you're abroad can be a scary experience for many reasons. You are far from home, in a country that you do not know much about and may not know where to go in the event of an emergency. Maybe you don’t speak the language which could make it impossible to try and get assistance from a local. You don’t have the family/ friend support that you do at home. Travel insurance should provide you with the proper coverage to protect from an array of unplanned events that can really ruin a trip.

Travel Insurance Checklist

A good Travel Medical policy should include the following:

· Maximum plan limit of at least $1,000,000.

· Provide coverage in most countries around the world.

· Provide coverage for accidents, illness and the acute onset of a pre-existing condition.

· Emergency air/ground transportation to the nearest qualified hospital.

· 24-hour worldwide emergency assistance.

· Pre-trip health and safety advisories on your destination such as required vaccinations, health risks and travel restrictions, medical monitoring, provider referrals for Western-style medical facilities, medical and dental practices and pharmacies. Other useful services include travel document replacement, lost luggage assistance, emergency travel arrangements and translation services.

· Simple online enrollment.

· Easy claim submission.

Travel insurance benefits can vary and it's best to review a few different options from a reputable company to see which plan is best for you. Also, using an Insurance Broker can provide with you benefits that you may truly value. An insurance broker will typically work for you, the client, and offer you advice and assistant to getting the best l plan possible according to your budget. One reason they may be able to get you better coverage is because they represent several companies as opposed to just one. Their best interest is in the customer rather than the company. They can also assist you in with any claims you make and work on your behalf.

What should I Bring?

Once you purchase your travel insurance, you can begin fully to enjoying yourself and look forward to your adventure without having to worry about the unknown. Packing is very important, and be sure to include the following to make it as hassle free as possible:

1. Travel insurance card

2. Passport and visa

· Make sure the expiration date is not during your trip, also bring a copy of your passport for back up purposes

3. Flight itinerary

4. Immunization documents

5. A Full list of all accommodations

· Including addresses and phone numbers from all the locations you will be staying. Also be sure to include this information with a friend or family member who will be staying home.

7. Contact information for your country’s embassy or consulate in your destination

8. Emergency contacts

· It is smart to keep in touch with loved ones during your trip, checking in every so often.

9. Money

· Never have all of your cash in one place. Cash, cards, checks, passport, if you include them all in your day bag, and it happens to be misplaced or stolen, you may be stranded.

10. Map of where you will be going, along with a translation dictionary.

Once you have completed these checklists, you can officially kick back and enjoy your time. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures!

MHG Insurance Brokers wishes you safe travels along your journey. If you are interested in purchasing travel insurance, or have any questions or concerns, please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0)1624 678668 or visit us at mhginsurance.com. Our insurance brokers are experienced and can assist you in selecting the right plan for you, with the best value.

Purchasing a Life Insurance policy isn’t something you do every day. The benefits and coverage it can provide for you and your loved ones in the event of a loss is irreplaceable, but with that being said, who wants to plan their “death.” We know this is a very sensitive subject, so we took the time to clear the air of some myths that we have heard about whole life insurance. Since purchasing life insurance can be a little unsettling, we wanted to make sure you are prepared and know exactly what you are getting yourself into, in order for you to make the best decision for you. So here are 5 myths that are associated with Whole Life Insurance.

1. Whole Life is too expensive!

Yes, a whole life premium is considerably more money than that of a term life insurance premium, depending on the value of the policy. However, there are some things to take into account. With term life insurance, you will not accumulate any value, once the term ends, you own nothing. As opposed to a whole life insurance policy, where your premiums will build a cash value that will belong to you at the end of the policy.
Also, another thing to consider is the total cost of a policy over your lifetime. Term is not designed to cover you for life, so when your term expires and you would like to purchase more coverage, the cost will increase. When putting the two types of policies together to compare, whole life is substantially less costly than a life time of premiums for term life insurance.

2. Only your beneficiaries will benefit!

While having life insurance helps protect your family in the event that something happens to you, your beneficiaries aren’t the only ones who benefit. A whole life policy can also be used as an investment option. Many times, you will have access to the policies’ cash value for withdrawals and loans which can be tax free. Also, certain companies will generally pay dividends to policy owners after the first policy year. Many times these dividends can be used to help pay premiums or purchase more permanent increments.

3. It’s a money pit!

One of the things that makes a whole life policy differ from a term policy is the fact that at the end of your policy, many times you will receive the value of your policy. Which can be a great investment decision for your financial portfolio, given the fact that it isn’t correlated to the stock market and mostly guaranteed by the insurer so death benefits and cash values aren’t affected by declining markets.

4. Cash in your policy once you retire!

Back in the day, many people would cash in their life insurance policy when they retired. However, today that is the time when many start to realize the importance of it. Having a whole life policy in your financial strategy could provide you security, financial freedom, as well as a legacy for loved ones.

5. Once you buy Life Insurance, you don’t have to think about it ever again!

Performing maintenance on your policy can save you money. Health changes can sometimes lead to lower premiums. Also, policies with loans and withdrawals, if not managed correctly can hinder some long term provisions and guarantees. Performing regular maintenance may also link your advisors together, which can help build a team around you with strengthened relationships, putting everyone on the same page for your investments, taxes, and your estate.

MHG Insurance Brokers is dedicated to making your Insurance experience as stress free and informative as possible. We have insurance specialists with the experience and knowledge to get the best coverage to fit you, your family, and loved ones. If you are interested in purchasing Life Insurance, have any questions, or need advice, please contact us at 954 828 1819 or visit our website at mhginsurance.com.

Have you ever needed to borrow money? Chances are that you have. At some point in life, everyone finds themselves in a situation where they may need to take out a loan, borrow money from their parents, dip into their savings, etc. It’s part of helping yourself get squared away, or getting to the next level, or maybe even just to stay afloat. Many don’t want to put themselves into debt, and sometimes there is no other option. But what if I told you that you can borrow money from your Life Insurance policy? Now do I have your attention?

Well, Can I?

Yes, you can borrow money against your life insurance policy. It is a quick and easy way to get cash when you need it most, with no explanation needed of how the money will be used. Also, unlike bank loans, a policy loan has no effect on your credit, and if you can believe it, you don’t have to go through a credit approval process or credit check. This is because you are essentially borrowing money from yourself. However there are some specifics to note before you make the decision to contact your insurance agent.

The Specifics

For those of you who are thinking about borrowing money from your life insurance policy, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, you need to know that this can only be done with a permanent or whole life policy, not a term policy. A whole life policy typically has a higher monthly premium than a term policy, partly because it lasts for life. Part of those monthly premiums will collect as cash value that you can have access to. Keep in mind it can take quite a few years to build any cash value, so it may be significantly lower than the total of your premiums payments.

Once you have enough of a cash value built up, then you can borrow money. Unfortunately, you can’t go and purchase a life insurance policy right now and take out a loan tomorrow. However, this may be the little push you needed to get life insurance if it was something you have been putting off. It should be said that it isn’t a good idea to get life insurance coverage just for loan purposes, or trying to beat the system. This is just one of many benefits for those who make the decision to get coverage.

The Fine Print

It should also be noted that depending on your loan, it will still be expected to be paid back with interest, much like a bank loan. Typically the loan can be paid back with lower interest rates and a more flexible schedule, however it should still be paid in a timely manner. Some loans won’t require you to payback, however the loan amount will be deducted from your death benefit. There will also be interest to pay in this case. Even better news, the loan is not recognized by the IRS, so it will be tax free. The only way you will have to pay taxes on the loan is if the policy lapses, then you must pay taxes on the full amount of the cash value.

If you are interested in purchasing life insurance, or have any questions about your policy, or which policy would be best for you and your family, contact us at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. We have the insurance specialists to assist and advise you on the best coverage for you and your loved ones at every stage of life.

As we grow older, there are many of us who think back and regret not doing certain things while we were young. There are activities or decisions that we can’t make now because it’s too late, or we don’t have the time or energy. I’m sure many of you are thinking about skydiving or some other thrill seeking adventure, but I’m talking about purchasing life insurance!

While the benefits of having life insurance in your 20’s may not be obvious to all, they are enough for you to consider buying a policy. So if you find yourself asking the question, “Should I Buy Life Insurance in My 20’s?” The answer is YES!

Cost

Similar to health insurance, life insurance premiums are less costly when you are younger, typically because you are less of a “risk.” When in your 20’s, you may be thinking that you don’t need life insurance now, you’ll wait until you get married, or start a family, or buy a house. While all of those are great reasons to get life insurance, you could be costing yourself a few hundred dollars or more per year in premium by waiting. The older you are when buying a policy, the more costly the premiums. Something important to note, many times you lock in that price for the rest of your life.

Health

Most consider younger people to be healthier. While that may not always be the case, insurance companies tend to reflect that outlook in price and requirements. Depending on the face amount, you may not have to go through the extensive physical in order to get insured. Many older people have to go through a full physical and sometimes can be denied coverage. However, if you apply for it early enough, there is a chance that you won’t have to be examined at all and still attain coverage.

Investment

When most people think of life insurance, I doubt they are thinking about it as a financial investment opportunity. But depending on the type of policy, that is exactly one of the benefits it can offer. Whole Life and Universal Life insurance policies are much like savings accounts that you can withdraw money from, essentially taking a loan from yourself.

Also, after a certain amount of time, you can withdraw all of the money without having to pay a penalty. Usually your money will earn an ROI after a certain amount of time. So unlike some life insurance policies, you won’t be putting your money into a “black hole.”

Situational

Every person’s situation is different. Which is why you should evaluate your life when making a decision to purchase life insurance. Being a young person in your 20’s, there is a chance that you don’t have as much disposable income as someone who is a bit more established in their career. Keep in mind that once you become more established, you may wish your younger self had purchased a policy so that you would be paying a lower premium later in life.

Maybe, you could be starting a family, in which case you definitely need life insurance. If you are having trouble deciding which route to go or how much coverage you need, call us. We are here to help!

If you are interested in purchasing life insurance, or have any questions, we’re here to help! Please contact us today at 954-828-1819 or visit mhginsurance.com. We have the insurance specialists to assist and advise you on the best coverage for you and your loved ones at every stage of life.

Life insurance provides many valuable benefits. It can protect our assets, provide a way to make charitable contributions, and perhaps most importantly, it is the one way we can make sure our loved ones’ needs will be taken care of long after we are able to look after them ourselves. While most adults realize the importance of buying life insurance, lack of knowledge about the process may cause some to put off purchasing this essential coverage until it is too late. Purchasing life insurance may seem complicated, but, it doesn’t have to be. Read on to learn 5 things to know when buying life insurance:

What should I expect when buying life insurance?

You will need to determine your most important needs as well as any additional coverage you may wish to purchase. Many policies offer riders that may be of value for you, such as critical illness or disability. Expect to answer questions about your and your family’s health and medical history, and be certain to answer completely and truthfully because any falsehoods could disqualify you for coverage or invalidate your policy.

How much life insurance coverage do I need?

The amount of life insurance coverage you need is determined by many variables, and while coverage is important at every age, the amount you need will change over time. To determine the amount of coverage you need now, you should calculate what would be needed to clear your debts and care for your loved ones’ current, ongoing, and future needs. That will include replacing the income of a passing spouse or the value of services provided by a homemaker spouse, as well as medical and schooling expenses.

What type of life insurance should I buy?

There are two basic types of life insurance: term life insurance and cash value insurance. Term life insurance generally has lower premiums, but does not build up cash values that you can use in the future. Cash value life insurance, which includes whole life, universal life, and variable life, provides an investment or cash accumulation feature that can be used if needed. Most individuals find a mixture of policies is the best way to meet their coverage needs while keeping premiums at an affordable level.

When is the best time to buy life insurance?

The short answer is NOW! When you purchase a life insurance policy, you lock in premium rates for the length of the policy. Since rates increase as you age, as do the health problems that can make it difficult to qualify for coverage, you should purchase life insurance as early as possible.

Should I buy life insurance from an insurance agent or an insurance broker?

You should always buy life insurance from a professional insurance broker like MHG. An insurance agent works for a single company, while insurance brokers work with several insurance companies, so they can find you the best life insurance coverage for the lowest rates. While life insurance has become more complicated over the years, it has never been easier to purchase than now.

If you are interested in purchasing life insurance, or have any questions about your policy, or which policy would be best for you and your family, contact us at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. We have the insurance specialists to assist and advise you on the best coverage for you and your loved ones at every stage of life.

Did you know? About 250,000 Americans turn 65 each month, and many don’t feel financially prepared to retire. How is your retirement planning coming along? Are you on track to retire with the lifestyle you have gotten used to?

Studies show that many workers haven’t saved enough money to last them from the time they stop working through the rest of their lives. Part of the reason is the increase of life expectancy due to the advancement of medical technology and services. Many don’t account for the increased amount of medical costs that people experience as they climb in age, as well as the increase in the cost of living. No matter how much you are saving for retirement, it can never hurt to save more. You’ll thank yourself later.

Who Can Benefit?

Diversifying your retirement portfolio is important if you would like to reach your savings goals. A Universal Life insurance policy (UL) can act as another option for those looking to add to their portfolio in other ways than the stock market. It can work well for many; those who are looking for a long term savings option that is tax efficient, executives who would like to save more than the allotment of the company plan, or clients who are concerned with future tax rates and are looking for different options for tax free distributions in retirement.

What You Need to Know

You can invest more money into a Universal Life policy than you can in an IRA or 401-K, however there are still limits. The amount of your policy will determine your premium, which will then determine the window as to how much you can overfund. From there you can decide whether you would like to overfund the policy to invest money.

The Benefits

Some of the main benefits are tax-favored growth, asset protection, no penalty for distribution before age 59 ½, and a disability waiver. One of the great benefits of a Universal Life policy is that you can access your savings through a tax favored loan, essentially borrowing money from yourself. Other benefits include:

· Tax free withdrawals

· Additional retirement savings

· Accrue interest tax deferred

· Little to no market risk

· Death benefit

· Protected from creditors

The Fine Print

If you do happen to use the benefit of borrowing money from the policy, there is something you should know. If you were to pass away prematurely, the dollar amount that you owe will then be taken out of the death benefit before it is paid to your beneficiaries.

It’s important to note that we are not financial advisors. If you would like advice or guidance about your investment portfolio, please contact your financial advisor.

If you are interested in purchasing Life insurance, or have any questions about your policy, or which policy would be best for you and your family, contact us at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. We have the insurance specialists to assist and advise you on the best coverage for you and your loved ones at every stage of life.

. We have the insurance specialists to assist and advise you on the best coverage for you and your loved ones at every stage of life.

Having the proper life insurance policy is very important in order to protect loved ones in the event of an unexpected tragedy. A difficult part is deciding what the proper life insurance policy is for you. While at one point in your life, term life insurance made sense, now it may seem like it isn't the best option. Maybe at this point in time, having a permanent life insurance policy is a better option. If you find yourself in this dilemma, the following may help you make a decision on whether or not you should convert your term life insurance policy into a whole life insurance policy.

Is it Convertible?

Before you consider converting your term life policy to a whole life policy, you must first find out if it is convertible. Depending on the policy, there is a chance that you will not be able to convert to a whole life plan. If it is an older policy, it is more likely unconvertible as newer policies are more flexible to make changes.

Have You Developed an Illness?

Have you developed an illness that may be life threatening at some point? If so, most insurance companies will deny you coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Most insurance companies do not provide coverage for those with a pre-existing condition because the risk is too high. If you had a term life policy, you would be able to convert it to a whole life policy where the benefit never expires because you had already been insured. This is a way to get continued coverage if you have developed a condition that will make life insurance a necessity in the future.

Would You Like More Time?

When many people purchase a term life insurance plan, they make a decision on the number of years they would like to be covered, maybe 15 or 20 years to cover a child until they are an adult. However, life is full of surprises, and what you once thought was the right amount of years has turned out to be too short of time. Maybe you had more children, or have new dependents. You also could have new debt that you want to cover in the event something happens to you. If that is the case, converting to a whole life policy is crucial as the policy doesn't end until it is cancelled, or the policy holder passes away.

Want to Build Cash Value?

A term policy and a whole life policy can be compared to renting and owning. A term policy often costs less than a whole life policy, however you only have coverage for a limited period of time, like renting an apartment. A whole life policy lasts as long as you would like it to last, and the money that you use to pay for it will collect and build a cash value or become an asset, much like buying a house. Another benefit is that after a certain amount of time, you can take out a loan from your whole life policy, essentially borrowing money from yourself.

Whether you are purchasing Life insurance for the first time, looking for better coverage or are interested in learning more about other types of insurance available to you, we can help! Visit our website at mhginsurance.com or speak with an Insurance Specialist at 954 828 1819.

Do you have Life Insurance? Do you ever wonder what will happen to your family if anything ever happens to you? If you do have Life Insurance, you don’t need to ask yourself questions like that. The problem is not everyone has life insurance. Many don’t even see it as an option because they think it is too expensive. However, that isn’t the case. There are plenty of ways to secure your family without going broke.  

What are my Options?

There are two types of Life Insurance, Temporary and Permanent. Temporary Life Insurance covers you for a period of time such as 5 years, 10 years, etc. If you should pass away within the term, your beneficiary will receive the death benefit. Permanent Life Insurance covers you for your entire life. So no matter when you should pass away, your beneficiary will receive the death benefit. Also, for either type of life insurance, the death benefit will pass to your beneficiaries income tax free.

Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent Life Insurance covers you for your whole life. You should purchase Permanent Life Insurance if you have a life-long dependent, or have an estate or business to protect. In some permanent plans, your money may collect in an account, and after a number of years, you may be able withdraw money, borrow cash, or surrender the policy and receive the surrendering value.

Temporary Life Insurance

Temporary Life Insurance, also known as Term Life Insurance, is a good option if you would like to have coverage for a certain period of time. Usually an individual will have this coverage during the most vulnerable time of their life. For instance, until the kids are grown and graduated from college, or your house has been paid off. Many times, the premiums are lower than the premiums of a permanent life insurance plan. The only downfall of this type of plan is that once the term is over, IT’S OVER. You may be able to renew your plan once it expires, but your premiums may increase because you will be older than when you purchased your prior plan.

Not Going Broke

“So how do I purchase Life Insurance without going broke?” First off, there are a number of factors to determine which plan is right for you and which plan you can afford. But in general terms, the route to go would be purchasing a Temporary Life Insurance policy. As stated before, the premiums generally are less money than those of a permanent policy, and you and your family or dependents will also be protected during the length of the term.

Not for Everyone          

Buying Life Insurance is not for everyone. There may be no need to purchase it if you don’t have any dependents and enough assets to cover your debt and the cost of dying. Death can very expensive, having to pay for the funeral, estate lawyer’s fees, etc. So if you are unsure about the need to purchase a Life Insurance Plan, or would like to purchase one, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you with all of your questions and concerns.

Call MHG Insurance today at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com for help in selecting Life Insurance and other coverage to ensure you and your loved ones have the protection you need at every stage of life.

Do you have Life Insurance? It’s a question that many don’t want to think about for obvious reasons. Some believe that Life Insurance isn’t a priority because they procrastinate, or are waiting until a life changing event that will motivate them purchase a policy. It’s a fact, the benefits that a good life insurance policy can supply your family and loved ones are too good to pass up. Many people have life insurance and believe that they have coverage until the day they die. However, in some circumstances that is not the case, and it’s not because your term life policy expired. So maybe a better question would be, do you have International Life Insurance?

Do I have international coverage?

Many people do not know that their life insurance policy will not continue to offer them coverage if they happen to move to a new country. Typically, if you are in a foreign country for 3 or more months, your life insurance will not offer the coverage that you have been paying for. This is part of the “small print” that many may not know about. So if you are a world traveler, or hope to move to a foreign country one day, or are an expat who looks to settle down back home when you are done with your career abroad, it may be smart to look at your policy and see if you are covered.

Does international coverage exist?

There are several life insurance options that offer international coverage, and will pay the death benefit for expats or others who unthinkably pass while not in their home country. I know you’re wondering if having international coverage makes your premiums more expensive, but in many cases the premiums are in the same ball park as life insurance policies that don’t have international coverage, sometimes even less! Usually the only thing that will affect your premium is the policy amount, your age, and any health problems you may have.

Do I need international coverage?

As I stated earlier, having Life Insurance should be a priority for everyone. If being away from your home country or the country where your life insurance policy was purchased for an extended period of time applies to you, then international life insurance should be a priority. Deciding if you need the extra coverage is the easy part, now comes what type of policy is right for you!

There are many things to take into consideration when making the decision of which type of policy is best for you, your family, or loved ones. Are you interested in purchasing Life Insurance or International Life Insurance? Would you like some more information regarding Life Insurance options that are available to you? Would you like to ask some questions to a Life Insurance expert? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, please contact us 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com and talk to one of our insurance specialists for help in selecting Life Insurance and other coverage to ensure that you and your loved ones have the protection you need at every stage of life.

Saving money is something everyone should be interested in. Especially when it comes to insurance premiums. That is even more the case when it comes to life insurance premiums. In many cases, life insurance is viewed as a luxury. We couldn’t agree less as it should be a necessity, no matter what stage of life you are in. But, that doesn’t stop us from helping people and advising them on ways they could potentially save money, which may motivate them to get the insurance coverage they need. If you have been looking to get a life insurance policy but are turned off by the cost, the following tips may help you get the life insurance coverage to protect your loved ones.

Do Your Research

There are several different types of life insurance policies, but the main two are whole life insurance and term life insurance. Whole life insurance will offer you coverage for the duration of your life, and offers many other benefits. Term life insurance offers you coverage for a period of time, such as 25 years. While having a whole life policy may offer better and more complete coverage, a term life policy tends to have a lower premium.

In addition to figuring out what type of policy you are looking for, you should also look at different companies. Shop around and try to find which insurance company will give you the best deal.

Stop Smoking

It’s no secret that smoking is bad for health, and the healthier you are, the lower your premium will likely be. Insurance companies base your price on risk. Since smoking causes several different diseases, you will be seen as a higher risk client which will then increase the premium you must pay.

Get Insured at a Young Age

Just like with smoking, the older a person is the more likely they are to develop health problems. This should incentivize you to get coverage when you are young and seen as less of a risk. Many people wait to get life insurance to save money in the meantime. However, you will save money in the long run by getting life insurance now!

Get the Proper Coverage Amount

One of the items that dictate the cost of your insurance policy is the pay-out. Some people want a lot of coverage because they see a large number, however you can calculate how much coverage you need! While having a million-dollar life insurance policy is great, you may be able to cover everything and everyone you wanted at half that amount. Talk to your insurance agent to help you formulate a plan and get an idea of everything you should be covering.

There are many things to take into consideration when making the decision of which type of policy is best for you, your family, or loved ones.  Are you interested in purchasing Life insurance or International Life Insurance? Would you like some more information regarding Life Insurance options that are available to you? Would you like to ask some questions to a Life Insurance expert? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, please contact us 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com and talk to one of our insurance specialists for help in selecting Life Insurance and other coverage to ensure that you and your loved ones have the protection you need at every stage of life.