C. Thomas Thames Insurance Services
Tom Thames has been providing insurance for families and businesses since 1975.
For protection from catastrophic losses most of us have to rely on insurance. There is no other way. The key is to be sure that you are using the appropriate products, in prudent amounts, and with reasonable premiums. We can help you with that.
Life Insurance
Term Life Insurance: Term life insurance policies provide affordable temporary coverage. Term policies contain no cash value and are designed for death benefit protection only. The premiums may be level for the first 10, 15, 20 or 30 years, depending on the policy selected. Because the death benefit protection is for a limited period, the premium is often the lowest of all types of life insurance policies. However, after the level term period, premiums go up significantly and may increase annually.
Whole Life: Whole life is the traditional form of permanent life insurance. It usually has level premiums, a minimum guaranteed interest rate and a guaranteed death benefit. Over time, whole life policies can accumulate substantial cash values that be withdrawn or used as collateral for policy loans. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the company.
Universal Life: Universal life is a flexible premium adjustable life insurance product that provides you with the flexibility of choosing the policy features that are appropriate for you and adjusting those features as your financial priorities and needs change. These policies can be used to accumulate cash value that can grow on a tax-deferred basis, or they can be structured to provide a permanent death benefit with a level premium that may be more affordable in the long-run than term life insurance.
Indexed Universal Life: Indexed universal life is a version of universal life that combines death benefit protection with the opportunity to grow cash value through an account that credits interest based upon the upward movement of stock market indexes – without the risk of investing directly in the market. The Index Account features a zero percent floor which guarantees your account won't earn less than zero percent due to poor market performance.
Whole Life: Whole life is the traditional form of permanent life insurance. It usually has level premiums, a minimum guaranteed interest rate and a guaranteed death benefit. Over time, whole life policies can accumulate substantial cash values that be withdrawn or used as collateral for policy loans. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the company.
Universal Life: Universal life is a flexible premium adjustable life insurance product that provides you with the flexibility of choosing the policy features that are appropriate for you and adjusting those features as your financial priorities and needs change. These policies can be used to accumulate cash value that can grow on a tax-deferred basis, or they can be structured to provide a permanent death benefit with a level premium that may be more affordable in the long-run than term life insurance.
Indexed Universal Life: Indexed universal life is a version of universal life that combines death benefit protection with the opportunity to grow cash value through an account that credits interest based upon the upward movement of stock market indexes – without the risk of investing directly in the market. The Index Account features a zero percent floor which guarantees your account won't earn less than zero percent due to poor market performance.
Long Term Care Insurance
Let’s keep it simple. The figures vary from report to report but the general consensus is that about 70% of all people over the age of 65 will require long-term care services at some point during their lives. And some estimates show that 44% of all people over age 65 will actually be confined to a skilled nursing facility for long-term care. If the average stay is 2.5 years and the average cost is $90,000 per year, that’s a total of $225,000. That’s a lot of money, and far more than the average family has accumulated. In California we have 3 basic choices. We can pay for it out of pocket; we can have adequate long-term care insurance; or we can rely on Medi-Cal. Or we can do some combination of those, and many of us will.
What are the chances that you and/or your spouse will need long-term care? How will you pay for it? Will you be able to pay for it without ruining your retirement? There are several ways to deal with the costs of long-term care and we will be happy to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
What are the chances that you and/or your spouse will need long-term care? How will you pay for it? Will you be able to pay for it without ruining your retirement? There are several ways to deal with the costs of long-term care and we will be happy to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
Final Expense Insurance
Final expense insurance is essentially life insurance that is purchased to cover funeral and final expenses. It is generally available in lower amounts and it is often easier to buy than standard life insurance. Final expense insurance is for those who want to protect their families from funeral and final expenses but do not want or cannot afford regular life insurance. The cost per thousand dollars of death benefit may be higher than traditional life insurance but because it is issued in smaller amounts and with less rigid underwriting it is a good option for some families.
Critical Illness Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance pays a lump-sum benefit upon diagnosis of certain illnesses, diseases, or conditions. Traditional medical insurance is essential but it won’t cover everything. Co-pays and uninsured expenses create severe financial hardships for many families. Critical Illness Insurance is not meant to replace your medical or disability income insurance. It is supplemental insurance and since the benefit is paid in a lump-sum you can choose how to spend it. Critical illness insurance benefits vary by company and by policy.
Quotes and Illustrations
If you would like information and illustrations for life, disability, long-term care, final expense, or critical illness insurance, please call Tom Thames
at 916-779-4999.
Disclosure: C. Thomas Thames represents several companies, including the leading providers of fixed and indexed annuities; and he receives company paid commissions for the insurance and annuity products that he sells. California insurance license 0494276.
at 916-779-4999.
Disclosure: C. Thomas Thames represents several companies, including the leading providers of fixed and indexed annuities; and he receives company paid commissions for the insurance and annuity products that he sells. California insurance license 0494276.