If you're a small business owner, you want to know that if something horrific were to prevent you from working, that you and your family would be financially secure.

A long-term disability or income protection policy can help cover the costs of day to day living while you can focus on getting better without money worries.

But some business owners don't have income protection.

Why?

1 in 5 Irish people live in rented accommodation.

If you're one of them, you need to read this.

Or don't and just go and get some income protection asap.

Anxious that your endometriosis will stop you getting life insurance?

Don't worry.

We've arranged countless policies for our clients with endometriosis.

Remember that beautiful fully-furnished house you viewed and fell in love with?

Well, congratulations, it's your new home.

Sounds a bit empty doesn't it, a bit echoey?

That's because the feckers who sold the house took EVERYTHING, the only place to sit is the toilet and you're lucky they even left that.

Aside from the odd ‘best teacher’ mug and ‘we'll miss you’ card you might get your hands on as the summer holidays creep in, teaching is a pretty thankless job.

But know this, I see you.

Not only do you educate my semi-feral children (more homework please, especially for the 11-year-old) but you also help them to navigate the difficulties of social interactions.

For those of you who work with our teens, well, good lord I don’t know how you do it.

The mood swings, and the Kevin and Perry style ‘why’s' have me pulling my hair out.

So, battling the constant nonsensical moaning from a class of 30+ Kevins must be soul-sucking at times.

And stressful.

But what if it becomes so stressful that you need an extended break on medical grounds?

If you’re on the lookout for a new home, you should be familiar with the key clauses that make up a typical contract for sale.

You’ve probably also read about the importance of getting these right before you sign on the dotted line.

However, while many clauses are simple enough to understand, there are a few that are less straightforward — particularly those related to the purchase itself.

If you’re unclear on what each clause means, how can you know if they’re right for your situation?

Tackling a self-build, eh, you're brave...and patient...and have deep pockets, but it will be worth it in the end.

I only wish I was as brave; instead, I'm stuck with a tiny kitchen and an enormous living room. Them's the break of not designing your own gaff, I guess.

Ah well, we're lucky to have a house. I feel for those trying to buy in Ireland. What a sh1tshow it is.

But I digress.

Here are some FAQs on self-build mortgages that you might be asking too.

A life insurance trust allows you to ensure your policy pays out to the right people at the right time without waiting for grant of probate.

What's grant of probate?

A big, and lengthy, pain in the ass.

If you’re on this here blog, I can assume a couple of things:

you’ve bought or are buying a house and
you’ve either bought or are buying Mortgage Protection or Life Insurance because you have to.

I can also probably assume you’re a responsible adult – or at the very least, you’re very good at pretending, which as we all know: all the best people are.

Now, there is one thing you need to know. This one thing is either coming to you too late or just in the nick of time, depending on whether or not you now own a house.

The banks are great for mortgages, but they’re a rip off when it comes to Mortgage Protection...

You're here to figure out if life insurance is what you need, and I'm here to help by simplifying the bejaysus out of it.

So let's begin this Beginners Guide to Life Insurance