Nobody wants to think about what will happen when you exit stage left but, as boring as it can be, preparation is always key.

So you're paying your premium monthly towards your life insurance, serious illness cover and income protection, but what happens when you or your loved ones need to claim on that policy?

You’ve just got married, and you’re already thinking about your other halves’ potential death.

How very Henry the VIII of you.

In all seriousness, getting married is a big deal. Of course, it is – there’s nothing quite like standing up in front of your friends and families and pledging your love to someone forever.

I’m not going to tell you not to smoke.

I’m not your ma.

I’m also not going to tell you about the health risks, because we all already know. After all, we’ve seen the big rotten tumour on the fag packets.

I am going to tell you that smoking makes your Life Insurance premiums more expensive.

And don’t think you’re not included in this one too, holier-than-thou-vape-smokers. While your vape may smell like cotton candy or whatever notion-y flavour you’ve gone for, the insurers will charge you more too.

I'll admit I was worried when Vhi life insurance entered the market. 

Vhi has one million customers, that's roughly 990,000 more than us.

Little Lion.ie taking on the mighty Vhi is like David taking on Goliath, Cúchulainn and Geoff Capes simultaneously!

If you've decided that now's time to get life insurance for your family, congratulations!

It's a smart move and the grown-up thing to do.

But how do you choose the right amount of years for your cover?

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.

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

So those scoundrels at Aviva, Irish Life, Royal London, New Ireland or Zurich Life have increased your premium, eh?

And you're wondering why?

Let me explain:

Life Insurance might seem like a modern invention – like a lightbulb moment that could have happened in the last century given the rise of corporate banking and massive financial companies.

It actually goes back centuries – the first Life Insurance policies were taken out in the early 18th century and the first company to offer Life Insurance was founded in London in 1706.

It was called the Amicable Society for a Perpetual Assurance Office, which is long-winded but pretty brilliant. Who wouldn’t trust an ‘Amicable Society’ with their ‘Perpetual Assurance’?

Given that was London in the 1700s, modern Life Insurance probably comes with a lot less moustache twirling and tricorn hats.

Life Insurance, as a business, has been developing for centuries – so the vast majority of people can usually get some cover. Here’s what you need to know if you think you’re ‘uninsurable’.

We very recently ran a survey about Life Insurance and one thing came to light that I want to tackle: a lot of people don’t trust the insurers to pay out.

And I get it: insurers can be tricky fellas, with watertight terms and conditions, complicated underwriting and confusing jargon. We all know someone who made a health claim that fell through or whose car insurance is sky high.

But here’s the thing: Life Insurance is a little different. Read my blog for more.