I recommend coverage of $50,000 for critical illness up to age 65 or earlier. Some people think that this is not adequate. Insurance agents have advised them to insure for $200,000 or more.
Here are the reasons for my recommendation:
a) The cost of treatment should be covered by a medical insurance policy.
b) The loss of income should be for a period of up to 2 years. If the illness is serious, it is likely to lead to death. If not, the patient is likely to recover.
c) There is no need to insure for loss of income beyond age 65. By that time, the person is likely to have retired from work.
The cost of critical illness coverage, based on my recommendation, is quite low. This allows the bulk of the savings to be invested in a low cost investment fund, to earn a high yield. This money is needed for retirement. There is a stronger need for adequate savings for retirement (simply because more people are expected to retire, than to suffer a critical illness).
There is high cost in buying a whole life critical illness product. About two years of the savings goes to pay the marketing expenses. This should be avoided. I shall be working out a FAQ to explain the cost structure.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
A new product: BTID
1. Introduction
This is the code name of a new life insurance product called “Buy term and invest the difference”.
I hope to get a new insurance company to offer this product to the public. I am publishing the details, so that some of the existing large companies can copy it and introduce it to the public.
2. Features
The key features of this new product are:
- Good yield on the savings
- Flexible
- Adequate coverage at low cost
This can be achieved by designing simple products that
- Fair to consumers
- Easy to understand
- Have low operating cost
- Reduced marketing cost
3. Yield
The savings are invested in a diversified investment fund that have an expense ratio less than 1% per annum. It is invested in quality investments, comprising of equities and bonds, that can earn an average gross yield of 6% over the long term. After deducting expenses, the net yield should be at least 5%.
This yield will give a higher return, compared to life insurance products that currently earn 3% to 4% for consumers.
4. Flexible
The product offers the following flexibility:
- To increase or reduce the savings rate
- To make withdrawals at minimal cost
An important feature of this product is that there is no front-end load to pay for the marketing expenses. The transaction cost is low and covers the actual expenses. This makes it possible for people to make withdrawals at minimal cost or penalty.
5. Insurance Coverage
The insurance coverage will be bought in a separate policy. It covers a selected period of 20 or 25 years to provide the following payments on death or critical illness during the period of insurance:
- A lump sum payable on death
- A monthly income benefit payable on death for the remainder of the term
- A monthly income payable for the period of recovery from a critical illness
This insurance coverage should be adequate to meet the financial needs. To reduce the cost, the coverage should be taken for a period of 20 or 25 years. It should not extend beyond the age of 65, where most people are expected to retire.
These products are fairly priced, based on the actual cost of benefits plus a margin to cover expenses and profit. The cost is much lower than similar products now offered in the market.
Beyond the period of 20 or 25 years, there is no need for the insurance coverage as the invested savings will accumulate to a sufficient amount.
6. Low marketing cost
This product can be marketing at low cost through the following strategy:
- The product is easy to understand
- It offers good value to consumers
- Consumers are educated about the product
- Many consumers are willing to buy the product directly
- The product can be purchased through the internet, call center or sales office
With low marketing expenses, consumers do not have to pay a hefty front-end load.
7. Conclusion
This product will give great value to consumers. I hope that more insurance companies will offer this product, so that consumers can benefit from it.
Tan Kin Lian
This is the code name of a new life insurance product called “Buy term and invest the difference”.
I hope to get a new insurance company to offer this product to the public. I am publishing the details, so that some of the existing large companies can copy it and introduce it to the public.
2. Features
The key features of this new product are:
- Good yield on the savings
- Flexible
- Adequate coverage at low cost
This can be achieved by designing simple products that
- Fair to consumers
- Easy to understand
- Have low operating cost
- Reduced marketing cost
3. Yield
The savings are invested in a diversified investment fund that have an expense ratio less than 1% per annum. It is invested in quality investments, comprising of equities and bonds, that can earn an average gross yield of 6% over the long term. After deducting expenses, the net yield should be at least 5%.
This yield will give a higher return, compared to life insurance products that currently earn 3% to 4% for consumers.
4. Flexible
The product offers the following flexibility:
- To increase or reduce the savings rate
- To make withdrawals at minimal cost
An important feature of this product is that there is no front-end load to pay for the marketing expenses. The transaction cost is low and covers the actual expenses. This makes it possible for people to make withdrawals at minimal cost or penalty.
5. Insurance Coverage
The insurance coverage will be bought in a separate policy. It covers a selected period of 20 or 25 years to provide the following payments on death or critical illness during the period of insurance:
- A lump sum payable on death
- A monthly income benefit payable on death for the remainder of the term
- A monthly income payable for the period of recovery from a critical illness
This insurance coverage should be adequate to meet the financial needs. To reduce the cost, the coverage should be taken for a period of 20 or 25 years. It should not extend beyond the age of 65, where most people are expected to retire.
These products are fairly priced, based on the actual cost of benefits plus a margin to cover expenses and profit. The cost is much lower than similar products now offered in the market.
Beyond the period of 20 or 25 years, there is no need for the insurance coverage as the invested savings will accumulate to a sufficient amount.
6. Low marketing cost
This product can be marketing at low cost through the following strategy:
- The product is easy to understand
- It offers good value to consumers
- Consumers are educated about the product
- Many consumers are willing to buy the product directly
- The product can be purchased through the internet, call center or sales office
With low marketing expenses, consumers do not have to pay a hefty front-end load.
7. Conclusion
This product will give great value to consumers. I hope that more insurance companies will offer this product, so that consumers can benefit from it.
Tan Kin Lian
Car Loan
Hi Mr. Tan,
I have just booked a new car and am shopping for a loan. I found that over the past few years, banks & finance companies have outsourced their car loans to car dealers. This produced an unhealthy situation in which buyers cannot get good advice from the car dealers because they
are not held responsible for the advice they give and commission bias their advice towards longer & higherloans.
My calls to banks and finance companies draw blanks as call centre staff don't have details of the deals struck with the various car dealers and are afraid of getting intoany details.
Do you know of any place that can offer a fairer simple interest loan secured by the car. Is there a government body that could look into this situation as car buyers end upbeing ill-advised.
REPLY
I am not aware that the banks and finance companies do not deal with the public anymore.I suggest that you bring this matter up with the MAS. I will ask my blog readers to tell us if they know of any financier wiling to provide a car loan.
I have just booked a new car and am shopping for a loan. I found that over the past few years, banks & finance companies have outsourced their car loans to car dealers. This produced an unhealthy situation in which buyers cannot get good advice from the car dealers because they
are not held responsible for the advice they give and commission bias their advice towards longer & higherloans.
My calls to banks and finance companies draw blanks as call centre staff don't have details of the deals struck with the various car dealers and are afraid of getting intoany details.
Do you know of any place that can offer a fairer simple interest loan secured by the car. Is there a government body that could look into this situation as car buyers end upbeing ill-advised.
REPLY
I am not aware that the banks and finance companies do not deal with the public anymore.I suggest that you bring this matter up with the MAS. I will ask my blog readers to tell us if they know of any financier wiling to provide a car loan.
Invest in Foreign Currency
Hi,
I have no experience or knowledge about investing in financial product but was keen in doing so. I wish to invest in foreign currency and like to ask you how it works and how can I start?
I have around 10k for investment and hope to have a decent return every month. Is it possible?I dont mind taking some risk if find that is worth doing it.
REPLY
Please read these FAQs
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/foreign.html
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/duali.html
I suggest that you attend the 2 day workshop that is mentioned in my blog. You can ask the lecturer to deal with your question of investing in foreigh currency.
I have no experience or knowledge about investing in financial product but was keen in doing so. I wish to invest in foreign currency and like to ask you how it works and how can I start?
I have around 10k for investment and hope to have a decent return every month. Is it possible?I dont mind taking some risk if find that is worth doing it.
REPLY
Please read these FAQs
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/foreign.html
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/duali.html
I suggest that you attend the 2 day workshop that is mentioned in my blog. You can ask the lecturer to deal with your question of investing in foreigh currency.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Existing Life Insurance Policy
Mr. Tan,
I have an existing life insurance policy (details deleted). I do not need the insurance cover any more, as I have bought a large term insurance policy. Should I continue with this policy as an investment?
REPLY
You should ask your insurance company to tell you the cash value now, the cash value in (say) 5 years time and the premium payable for the next 5 years. If the yield on the policy is more than 3% p.a. you can keep the policy as an investment.
Here is a simple way to check if the yield is more than 3%.
Take the cash valuw now and muliply by the factor of 1.1593
Multipy the monthly premium by 64.6650 or the annual premium by 5.4684.
The total of the two figures is the "target value".
If the cash value is more than the "target value", you can keep the policy.
Here is an example:
Cash value now $5,000
Monthly premium: $90
$5,000 X 1.1593 = $5,796
$90 X 64.6650 = $5,820
Total = $11,616
If the cash value is more than $11,616, you can keep the policy. If it is less, you can cancel the policy.
If you wish, you can also deduct the cost of the term insurance from the monthly premium. For example, if the cost of the term insurance is $10 a month, the calculation will now be:
$5,000 X 1.1593 = $5,796
($90 - $10) X 64.6650 = $5,173
Total = $10,969
You can get the term insurance premium from my FAQ below. I think that it is all right to ignore this item, as you are using only 3% (which is somewhat low) to calculate the target value.
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/benchmark.html
Some people think that they should take a different period (instead of 5 years) or use a different yield (instead of 3%) to calculate the target value. They are also right. It is a matter of judgement. I have adopted 5 years and 3% for simplicity.
I shall be writing a separate FAQ to give the factors for different periods and different yields.
I have an existing life insurance policy (details deleted). I do not need the insurance cover any more, as I have bought a large term insurance policy. Should I continue with this policy as an investment?
REPLY
You should ask your insurance company to tell you the cash value now, the cash value in (say) 5 years time and the premium payable for the next 5 years. If the yield on the policy is more than 3% p.a. you can keep the policy as an investment.
Here is a simple way to check if the yield is more than 3%.
Take the cash valuw now and muliply by the factor of 1.1593
Multipy the monthly premium by 64.6650 or the annual premium by 5.4684.
The total of the two figures is the "target value".
If the cash value is more than the "target value", you can keep the policy.
Here is an example:
Cash value now $5,000
Monthly premium: $90
$5,000 X 1.1593 = $5,796
$90 X 64.6650 = $5,820
Total = $11,616
If the cash value is more than $11,616, you can keep the policy. If it is less, you can cancel the policy.
If you wish, you can also deduct the cost of the term insurance from the monthly premium. For example, if the cost of the term insurance is $10 a month, the calculation will now be:
$5,000 X 1.1593 = $5,796
($90 - $10) X 64.6650 = $5,173
Total = $10,969
You can get the term insurance premium from my FAQ below. I think that it is all right to ignore this item, as you are using only 3% (which is somewhat low) to calculate the target value.
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/benchmark.html
Some people think that they should take a different period (instead of 5 years) or use a different yield (instead of 3%) to calculate the target value. They are also right. It is a matter of judgement. I have adopted 5 years and 3% for simplicity.
I shall be writing a separate FAQ to give the factors for different periods and different yields.
Regular premium investment-linked policy
Mr. Tan,
My insurance agent advised me to invest monthly in an ILP policy, as I can benefit from dollar averaging. He said that if I invest a lump premium, which does not benefit from averaging. Is this a correct approach?
REPLY
The agent is probably telling you only one side of the story. You should ask the agent the following question:
"If I invest a regular premium, how much of my premium is invested? How much is taken away to pay expenses?"
"How much commission do you earn from a regular premium policy, compared to a single premium policy?
Most regular premium ILP in the market takes away up to 24 months of your savings. During the first year, a small proportion of your premium is invested, and the rest is taken away to pay commission to the agent and other expenses. The agent usually avoid explaining this charge to you, but is is disclosed in the policy illustration.
If you save $300 a month, the charges of 24 months amount to $7,200. This is a lot of money to give away, just by investing in a regular premium ILP. This is the most expensive part of an ILP policy.
Some insurance companies have a lower front-end charge. You should ask the insurance agent about it.
If you wish to do dollar averaging, it is better to invest in a unit trust. You do not have to incur this heavy front-end charge.
Read this FAQ:
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/ilp.html
My insurance agent advised me to invest monthly in an ILP policy, as I can benefit from dollar averaging. He said that if I invest a lump premium, which does not benefit from averaging. Is this a correct approach?
REPLY
The agent is probably telling you only one side of the story. You should ask the agent the following question:
"If I invest a regular premium, how much of my premium is invested? How much is taken away to pay expenses?"
"How much commission do you earn from a regular premium policy, compared to a single premium policy?
Most regular premium ILP in the market takes away up to 24 months of your savings. During the first year, a small proportion of your premium is invested, and the rest is taken away to pay commission to the agent and other expenses. The agent usually avoid explaining this charge to you, but is is disclosed in the policy illustration.
If you save $300 a month, the charges of 24 months amount to $7,200. This is a lot of money to give away, just by investing in a regular premium ILP. This is the most expensive part of an ILP policy.
Some insurance companies have a lower front-end charge. You should ask the insurance agent about it.
If you wish to do dollar averaging, it is better to invest in a unit trust. You do not have to incur this heavy front-end charge.
Read this FAQ:
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/ilp.html
Large increase in motor insurance premium
Dear Mr. Tan,
Last year, I insured my new car with NTUC as the premium is cheaper. I have just received the renewal notice, and found that the premium increased by about 20%. This is a shock to me. Why should the premium increased by so much? Is NTUC still trying to keep the premium lower than the market, or will it be more expensive, due to the big advertising expenses?
I do not want to stay with NTUC. Can you recommend any other insurance company that charge lower premium?
REPLY
I read that the claims on motor insurance have gone up last year, not only for NTUC Income but for other insurance companies as well. I am not sure if the increase for NTUC Income is due to higher expenses and lax claim control.
I suggest that you telephone a few insurance compamies directly and see if you can get a lower premium rate. Read this FAQ:
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/motord.html
Someone sent me an e-mail a few days ago. By telephoning a few insurance companies for a quote, he was able to get a premium that was 30% lower. He said that it was time consuming but worth the trouble.
Last year, I insured my new car with NTUC as the premium is cheaper. I have just received the renewal notice, and found that the premium increased by about 20%. This is a shock to me. Why should the premium increased by so much? Is NTUC still trying to keep the premium lower than the market, or will it be more expensive, due to the big advertising expenses?
I do not want to stay with NTUC. Can you recommend any other insurance company that charge lower premium?
REPLY
I read that the claims on motor insurance have gone up last year, not only for NTUC Income but for other insurance companies as well. I am not sure if the increase for NTUC Income is due to higher expenses and lax claim control.
I suggest that you telephone a few insurance compamies directly and see if you can get a lower premium rate. Read this FAQ:
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/motord.html
Someone sent me an e-mail a few days ago. By telephoning a few insurance companies for a quote, he was able to get a premium that was 30% lower. He said that it was time consuming but worth the trouble.
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