Protect and Serve

History of Insurance

Insurance in general is an ancient business and one that has closely followed the path of human development. The insurance industry can trace its roots back to China in the third millennium BC to Merchants who transported goods on the dangerous Yangtze River.
Records show that the Greeks and Romans introduced life insurance in AD600, but it was the great fire of London in 1666 which was the catalyst for the British insurance industry's creation. By 1688, Lloyd's Coffee House in Tower Street was known as the meeting place for ship-owners and merchants who wished to insure their ships and cargoes, and those willing to underwrite such ventures. This continued until 1771, when a group of Lloyd's customers formed their own association of underwriters, Lloyd's of London, and took up residence at the Royal Exchange. A century later the company was incorporated by Parliament to promote marine insurance. Today, the UK insurance industry is the largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world.

Mortgage Insurance

Mortgage insurance is sometimes referred to as Life Insurance and its purpose is to cover home loan repayments in the event of death or sometimes illness. It provides piece of mind for families so mortgage payments would no longer be a burden if tragedy were to strike.

Most people buying Mortgage Insurance usually hear this term for the first time when they have just entered into a mortgage loan agreement with a lending institution. When you are buying a home, there are a few different types of mortgage insurance and mortgage protection products that you need to consider. Mortgage lenders often offer mortgage insurance cover and whilst this may seem the easy option, it may not necessarily be the best or the cheapest.

Which Mortgage Insurance do I need?

Its difficult enough trying to find a good mortgage deal these days never mind worrying about all of the mortgage insurance and related products you also have to consider and factor into your budget. At a minimum your mortgage provider will expect you to arrange life insurance or mortgage insurance and home insurance as you are required to insure the structure of the property even if you choose not insure your contents.

Optional mortgage insurance and insurance products you might like to consider are: Serious Illness Insurance (which can be built into your mortgage protection cover), Contents Insurance (usually built into your house insurance cover), Mortgage Repayment Protection Insurance. If you are buying with a partner and you are not married, you should take out inheritance tax cover. (If you get married, you can subsequently cancel the insurance)

What is mortgage insurance?

In a nutshell a mortgage Insurance policy is designed to pay off your mortgage if you die during the term of your mortgage. The cheapest form of mortgage protection is 'Decreasing Term Assurance'. This cover reduces in line with the reducing balance of your mortgage. You also need to bear in mind that if you take out a joint mortgage, you are required to take out a policy to cover both you and your partner, so that the mortgage would be completely paid off if either of you died.

Conclusion
Mortgage Insurance is there to protect you and your family from loosing your home if the unthinkable should happen. It pays to shop around and seek advice before you buy into a mortgage insurance policy. Choose a good mortgage insurance policy with affordable monthly premiums for peace of mind as choosing the wrong mortgage insurance policy could mean you might end up paying far more than you need too and might it might let you down when you need it most.

UK Life is based in the North East of England and was founded by Alan Lynch. The company is one of the largest insurance brokers in the UK specialising in life insurance. UK Life service tens of thousands of clients each year, with the aim of providing the best service they can, absolutely free of charge.