Life Insurance Search

Hundred of strokes could be prevented if GP surgeries were open for an additional two hours every day, new research has suggested.

In news that may be of interest to people thinking of investing in a life insurance policy, a study of nine medical practices in Oxford found people tended to go to their GP surgery after suffering a minor stroke and would wait a day if it was closed.

Published in the British Medial Journal, the research suggests that longer opening hours could help as rapid treatment can stop a more major attack.

The team said if medical facilities were open from 08:00 until 20:00, more than 500 strokes could be prevented on an annual basis, the BBC notes.

Joe Korner from the Stroke Association tells the news provider: "Longer opening hours will, as the research demonstrates, ensure that more people are referred urgently for specialist assessment."

People concerned about how their family would cope if they were to develop a serious condition could well be tempted to take out level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum should the worst happen.

A new study into the neurological disease multiple sclerosis, which could well be of interest to those currently looking to invest in life insurance, is due to be launched today.

The first global study into the condition is the work of the World Health Organisation and the Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation (MSIF).

It is not yet known what causes multiple sclerosis, but it is suggested there may be many more people with the condition than the estimated 1.3 million, the BBC notes.

Peer Baneke, chief executive of the MSIF, tells the news provider: "The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is very difficult. You really need neurologists who have the knowledge to distinguish it from other things."

He also suggests there "must be many" sufferers of the condition that the foundation is not aware of.

People concerned about how their family would cope financially if they were diagnosed with a serious condition could be tempted to take out level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum should the worst happen.

Women who adopt a healthier lifestyle could halve their risk of premature death, it has been suggested.

In news that may be of interest to those looking to invest in life insurance, staff from the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School suggest 55 per cent of early deaths from chronic diseases could be avoided by keeping weight in check.

Other recommended practices include avoiding cigarettes, eating healthily and exercising on a regular basis.

Author of the report Dr Rob Van Dam comments: "It's simple dietary changes like eating more whole-grains and less red meat, walking to work and to the grocery shop, these really add up. And of course the thing to state is not to smoke."

The study is published in the British Medical Journal, the BBC notes.

People concerned about how their family would cope should they be diagnosed with a chronic illness could well be tempted to invest in level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum should the worst occur.

Mothers should keep an eye on their alcohol intake and make efforts to have two or three nights per week where they do not drink, local parenting network Netmums has said, in news that may be of interest to life insurance customers.

Siobhan Freegard, co-founder of the organisation, states that for some people, drinking can become a habit.

Continuing, she states that trouble begins if it becomes a habit that they rely on.

Ms Freegard uses the example of the summer holidays as a time when people may drink more, given the nicer weather and children being out of school.

"A lot of us would admit that by the end of the holidays we were drinking a bottle of wine every single night. That can happen again through the Christmas period, or a cold and wet period, for whatever reason. It just becomes habit," she concludes.

People concerned about how their families would cope should they develop a serious illness could well find that investing in level term life insurance, which results in a lump sum payment should the worst happen, sets their mind at ease.

A lack of sunshine in Scotland could be directly linked to the country's poor health record, a scientist has suggested.

In news which could be have an effect on life insurance customers, Dr Oliver Gillie, Scotland's chief medical officer, linked the country's "extreme" weather and a lack of sunlight to a deficiency in the vitamin D levels of its population.

As such, he is calling for urgent governmental action to encourage people north of the border to take a daily dose of vitamin D to help deal with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cancer, the BBC notes.

"Scotland has an extreme climate characterised by very little sunshine - it gets as little sunshine as some places in the Arctic Circle … Scots also have high levels of chronic illness - among the highest in the world.

"But vitamin D has received little or no attention from policy-makers in Scotland," he comments.

People concerned about how their loved ones could cope if they were to develop a serious illness may be tempted by level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum should such a situation occur.

Only around a third (35 per cent) of women regularly check their breasts for signs if cancer, new research suggests.

In news that may be of interest to those looking for a life insurance policy, a survey by charitable organisation Breakthrough Breast Cancer indicates that just under a quarter (23 per cent) seldom or never check for change.

More than a third (37 per cent) of the 2,005 women surveyed who said they did not regularly check their breasts said they did not know how to do it, or what to look for, the BBC reports.

"Checking your breasts isn't complicated and there's no need to follow a fancy routine. Just be familiar with how they look and feel normally," Dr Sarah Cant from Breakthrough, told the news provider.

Those concerned about how their families would cope with if they were diagnosed with a serious illness could be tempted to take out level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum should the worst happen.

Consumers have been urged to look at their potential life insurance needs this month.

Pennsylvania Insurance commissioner Joel Ario stated in recent days that September has been designated as Life Insurance Awareness Month, adding that the cover provides "future financial security" for loved ones.

Continuing, he notes that even people who have invested in the cover may not be protected for every stage of their life.

As such, Mr Ario recommends that people investigate the type of policy which is most suitable for them.

"Whether you are a young single person, young family, established family or empty nester, having the right tools and knowledge base in place will help you make informed decisions about your insurance-related needs," he adds.

People keen to make certain their loved ones are taken care of if they are affected by a major medical condition could consider taking out level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Parents vastly overestimate the amount of time their children spend exercising, according to new research which could well highlight the importance of life insurance.

A study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood found that parents claimed that their child took an average of more than two hours of exercise per day.

In fact, this was less than 30 minutes per day for both boys and girls.

The government recommends that people should have at least one hour of exercise per day, but experts have said it is impossible for parents to figure out precisely how much their youngsters are doing, the BBC reports.

Professor Terry Wilkin from the Peninsula Medical School, located in Devon, tells the news provider that the results are "unsurprising".

He adds: "What this shows is that parents really don't have a clue what their children are doing in terms of exercise - they spend most of their day at school, so how would they?"

People concerned about how their families would cope should they be diagnosed with a condition that may relate to a sedentary lifestyle could well find that they put their minds at rest by taking out level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum should they be diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Life insurance products are "very important" and useful for a wide range of people, according to the ABI.

Jonathan French, a spokesperson for the organisation, explains if a person or family has any financial liabilities - such as mortgage or other kind of loan - then such a policy is of great use.

Continuing, he notes that many people wish to ensure that their loved ones are provided for in the event of their untimely death and take out a life insurance policy to make sure that this happens.

Mr French also suggests that people suffering from a serious illness can also benefit from taking out such a policy.

"It is very worthwhile looking at taking out some kind of life insurance," the ABI representative concludes.

People eager to ensure their family is taken care of should the be affected by a serious medical condition may consider taking out level term life insurance, which pays out a lump sum of they are found to be terminally ill.

The ongoing effects of the credit crunch are taking their toll on the health of the nation, according to new data from Friends Provident.

A study by the financial services provider ad the Blood Pressure Association suggests nearly 29 million people - which equates to roughly two-thirds of the population - feel more stressed and prone to illness than they did three years ago.

Credit crunch concerns have resulted in a total of 37 per cent of people worrying more, 19 per cent sleeping less and 15 per cent working longer hours.

Professor Graham Macgregor, chairman of the Blood Pressure Association, comments: "Around 16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure which, uncontrolled and undetected, leads to the nation's biggest killers - strokes, heart attacks and heart failure."

Those concerned about how their family could cope should they be affected by a serious illness could well put their mind at ease by taking out level term life insurance.

Such a life insurance policy pays out a lump sum should they be found to be terminally ill.

Those considering taking out life insurance may be concerned to hear that approximately four million people in the UK may be unaware they are at high risk of developing heart disease.

A survey published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice has found one in three adults who have a high chance of developing cardiovascular disease during the next decade remain undiagnosed.

Researchers were concerned this group of people had not received advice and treatment that could help prevent them developing the disease.

Speaking to the Independent, Andrew Neil, the professor of epidemiology in charge of the study, said: "Our findings reinforce the need for a national cardiovascular risk assessment."

People who worry about how their family would cope if they were to be diagnosed with a serious illness could help put their minds at rest by taking out level term life insurance.

Those who take out level term life insurance cover will have a lump sum paid to their loved ones should they be found to be terminally ill.

A new survey has revealed people in Britain are painting an inaccurate picture of themselves in order to keep their life insurance premiums down.

Research by Axa shows that one in 14 people has knowingly misled their insurer when filling out an application form.

Some 11 per cent of women, including those looking for level term life insurance cover, have stretched the truth about their weight and approximately one in twenty people have failed to disclose a history of depression.

The most common inaccuracy on insurance forms relates to people's alcohol intake, with men are 25 per cent more likely to understate their consumption than women.

Iain Mallon from Axa said people are wrongly assuming that they need to be in perfect physical condition to qualify for life insurance.

However, he stated this was not the case and people needed to be honest or they may invalidate their cover.

Mr Mallon claimed: "Insurance policies are there to protect people in times of need, without this reassurance in place people may find themselves in a very difficult position."

Level term life insurance ensures a lump sum is paid to your loved ones if you die or are diagnosed as terminally ill.

A new survey which suggests the rising cost of living is making it more difficult for Brits to live healthily has highlighted the importance of life insurance.

The research by PruHealth has found that 60 per cent of people feel they cannot afford to look after their general health and wellbeing in the current economic climate.

Some 22 per cent of those questioned said they could not afford to eat as healthily as they would like and 12 per cent said as food prices have increased they have been forced to reduce the amount of fruit and vegetables they buy.

A further 32 per cent said lack of money was preventing them from exercising.

Katie Roswell, marketing director at PruHealth, said: "The progression from credit to health crunch may worsen as people reduce outgoings by buying less fruit and vegetables and continue to believe that all exercise is expensive."

People who are concerned about their health and how their family would cope financially were anything to happen to them may want to consider level term life insurance.

Those who take out level term cover will have a lump sum paid to loved ones should the worst happen.