Insurance versus assurance: what is the difference?
Released on = May 27, 2005, 7:57 am
Press Release Author = bigmouthmedia.com
Industry = Financial
Press Release Summary = What is the difference between the use of the terms“insurance” and “assurance” in financial products?
Press Release Body = The world of finance is extremely complicated and there are
many factors to consider when choosing any financial protection product.
When looking for a policy you need to know what you are looking for and what is on
offer in order that you get the right cover for your needs.
One thing that many people find confusing is the specific use of the term“insurance” and the use of “assurance”. What are the differences between them?
In general, the term insurance refers to providing cover for an event that might
happen while assurance is the provision of cover for an event that is certain to
happen.
For the purposes of financial provisions, a life insurance policy provides cover for
a set period of time. If the worst were to happen during that time (and there are
no complications), then the insurance company will be required to pay out the agreed
sum to the beneficiary. The only time the policy has any real monetary value is if
there is a claim made for payment as a result of an event triggering that claim,
such as the death of the person covered. If the person outlives the term of the
policy, then the insurance policy will cease and no payment will be made.
Life assurance is different from insurance, and will always result in a payment.
This is achieved by combining an investment element along with and an insured sum.
This means that over time the value of the policy can increase as the investment
bonuses are added. If a person covered by life assurance were to die, then the
insured sum would be paid out, alongside the investment bonuses which would have
accrued over time. If it is necessary to cancel the policy prior to the end of any
designated term period, or the death of the life being covered, then once an
investment bonus has been added, the life assurance policy will have an encashment
value. It is therefore possible to cash in a policy earlier than its usual
termination date, in order to collect on the investment portion. It should be noted
that many insurance companies place penalties for cashing in policies early.
The distinction between the two terms has become increasingly blurred. This is
principally due to many companies offering both types of policy and grouping
insurance and assurance titles in similar contexts, sometimes interchanging the two
terms. Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Moneynet.co.uk, clarified the situation by
stating, “most life insurance companies offer a wide range of insurance and
investment services – for example pension, investment funds, investment bonds, car
insurance, home & contents insurance, life assurance, and even loans. Sometimes a‘life insurance’ company will call itself a ‘life assurance’ company but they mean
one and the same.”
More companies within the financial services industry have realised that consumers
are becoming increasingly baffled by the choice of financial products available.
Although this confusion has resulted in a certain amount of apathy, many firms are
resolving the situation by providing comprehensive information guides. This has
lead to an increase in the number of the online financial guides and glossaries that
have become available. Sites such as http://www.Moneynet/ or
http://www.Moneyfacts/, and http://www.MoneyExtra/ not only provide comparisons of
financial products, but also information to help consumers make informed decisions.
With organisations like Which? writing publications such as ‘Be Your Own Financial
Adviser’, the focus has turned to providing consumers with sufficient information
to make their own financial judgements.
Web Site = http://www.moneynet.co.uk
Contact Details = E-mail: INFO@MONEYNET.CO.UK
Telephone: 020 8313 9030
Fax: 020 8464 1971
Website: http://www.moneynet.co.uk
Address: Moneynet
Sussex House
8-10 Homesdale Road
Bromley
Kent
BR2 9LZ
Released by http://www.bigmouthmedia.com
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