While most of us are inclined to take out home and contents, health or vehicle insurance, for some unknown reason we are not so inclined to even consider life insurance. Therefore, life insurance rates extremely low on the list of priorities for most, leaving it as one of the most unpopular form of insurances.

Life insurance ensures that your beneficiaries are protected if something should happen to you. It means that a lump sum of agreed monies will be paid to them in the event that you die. It is assurance that they will be OK long after you are gone. So why do so many people overlook it?

Nobody likes thinking about their own mortality. Sure, it's a grim prospect, but let's face it, it is certain to happen at some point in your future. Many people in their 20s, 30s and 40s don't like facing this inevitable part of their future. They think that they are never going to die and if they do, it's a long way off. And who can blame them really? If you thought that the odds were in your favour, that you were healthy, in good shape and young, would you think that life insurance was a true necessity? The likelihood is that you would probably share the common sentimentality that it is a waste of money...and you couldn't be more wrong. If you buy life insurance when you are young, you'll pay so much less for it than when you apply for it when you are older.

Sadly, most people don't ever think about their mortality, leaving it for their family to think about once it's too late and they are gone. Thinking about it now and setting up life insurance will ensure that your family are not left out in the lurch should you leave them suddenly.

While part of the problem is that most people cannot stand the thought of preparing for the morbid reality that one day they are going to die, the other part of the problem is that it isn't something tangible that the individual can claim on now. You, individually, cannot see the fruits of your life insurance labour and for some this is a huge problem.

Let's be reasonable here. Each year, we invest our hard-earned cash in a range of insurance cover options. In addition to and home contents, health or vehicle insurance, some of us are now taking out pet and income protection insurance in amongst other packages, so why do we think our 'stuff' is more important than our life? Perhaps it is plain and simple - YOU won't have to deal with the ramifications of your own death so it's easy for YOU to ignore it. But what about everyone else around you? What about your kids, your wife and your retired parents? Don't have any, well you might in the future and planning for them now is a good idea - it will ensure your premiums are low and stay low.

Unlike home and contents, health or vehicle insurance, you cannot submit a claim for life insurance tomorrow. However, your family can and that is the reason you apply for health insurance - to protect them, not to protect you. This type of insurance cover really is assurance with a capital A.