Life Insurance for Santa Claus

I acknowledge that I am not the first to broach the subject of life insurance for Santa Claus, but I do think the subject needs updating. Christmas is around the corner and if I know Old Nicholas as well as I think I do, he must be a fairly responsible and sensible fellow who should have assessed his premiums and renewed his insurance months ago – after all, isn’t he some kind of saint?

Sadly you can’t just get an instant quote online for Santa Claus. I worked out his age to be 1738 years old and they only offer a life insurance policy if you’re born in the twentieth century. Furthermore, I would be eager to find out if Santa’s still smoking that pipe of his…that’s only going to push up the premiums for life insurance. And coupled with the fact that he is at least Class 1 obese (Body Mass Index 30 to 34.9)…things ain’t looking good.

I also wrote recently of Northern Irish police formally warning drivers of the difficulties they will face if trying to acquire car insurance after being charged for drink driving offences. It doesn’t take much to work out that if Santa keeps up his brandy consumption, alongside the mince pie scoffing, he’s playing a risky game at least when he drops in on Northern Ireland. Though in 1738 years of alcohol-fuelled gift giving it’s fair to say he’s been darn good at not getting caught. I imagine he’s built up quite a tolerance!

Keeping on the car insurance theme, what will he have to pay for that ride of his? An irreplaceable antique magic sleigh which, dare I say, must have seen some phat pimping over the years (gold trim, numerous “turn-on red” re-sprays), and not to mention the fact that it’s powered by nine reindeer (lets not get started on pet insurance). He’s going to need some specialist cover for that beast, and it will cost…even if he does only make one journey a year.

Turning again to life insurance, pilots are generally considered “high risk” by insurance companies, not due to the chances of an accident, but instead because of stress. We all know that Santa is not renowned for his high blood pressure and short temper, but having said that, let’s take into consideration the extreme circumstances he has to operate under. The average speed at which he travels at is 650 miles a second, this is to make sure he can deliver presents to each of the 380 million kids (supposing they’ve been good enough) who believe in him.

Not only is this a tight schedule (he has 31 hours to make these deliveries), but we should also take into account the physical forces at play for a Class 1 obese brandy-soaked man travelling 3,000 times the speed of sound. That’s about 5,000,000 pounds of force on Saint Nick’s body. That’s over 17,000 times stronger than gravity. From an insurers point of view, the risk of Santa being vaporized (basically, all the liquid in his body turning to gas in less than a second), is about as high as someone who is sitting atop a thermonuclear bomb during detonation.

Merry Christmas!

Life Expectancy Calculator

There are many life expectancy calculators out there and here are a selection of the most popular ones.

BBC Life Expectancy Calculator

MSN Money

Living to 100

Peter Russell

Your life expectancy is influenced by a number of factors, from your family history to your personal lifestyle.

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Life Insurance for Astronauts

Everyone knows that when it comes to buying a life insurance policy, high risk jobs such as acting, working on an oil rig or being an aircraft pilot will all push up the price quite considerably. What, then, does this mean for astronauts - those heroes among us who choose to get blasted into the atmosphere in a matter of seconds? Let's have a look at the risks.

I suppose we must at first, at least, consider the lift-off element of space travel. Humans are physically limited by the amounts of G-forces they can endure and it would be possible (but very slow) to reach space whilst undergoing just one G, therefore it is usual for lift-off to push to between five and seven Gs with the aim of reaching space in just eight minutes. It is no surprise then that one of the biggest space fatalities happened during the take-off of space shuttle Challenger in 1986.

Interestingly, once in orbit, they are moving just as fast. But risks for the astronauts actually get worse when one considers the amount of radiation in space. Not only can cosmic radiation have an effect on blood marrow, whilst weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of infection - it can also have an affect on the medicines taken along. After recent reports, NASA are currently studying the damage that radiation can do to on-board pharmaceutics. Testers have found a "significant degradation" in certain medicines including Augmentin and Bactrim.

The affect of weightlessness is also not without adverse effects - despite it seeming to be one of the most alluring factors of space travel. Tests have shown that astronauts who have experienced weightlessness for significant amounts of time have been known to develop loss of bone density, a lacking in muscle strength and endurance, postural instability and aerobic capacity. It is suggested that if an astronaut was to ever travel to Mars, his/her endured bone mass loss due to weightlessness would mean upon his arrival he or she would simply collapse.

So if space travel is so dangerous, how much does life insurance cost for astronauts? Insurance specialist Ed Hinerman claims that a person who becomes an astronaut will need to be reassessed and will most probably have to start paying a flat extra on every thousand pounds of his policy. He states that if one was to pay £2,000 a year, an astronaut may have to pay over £16,000 per year flat rate. It must really be worth it.

Visit Post Office for term life insurance quotes and to buy a simple, cost effective life insurance policy, offering you a way to pay off your mortgage or leave your family a cash sum when you die.

Post Office Life Insurance for over 50s

The Post Office has announced that it is to offer customers over the age of 50 the chance to buy life insurance over the counter.

While the Post Office already offers a multitude of over the counter products and services, including travel insurance, this marks the first time it has sold life cover in this way.

The new package, called Over-50s Life Cover, will offer instant protection from the moment it is purchased and will not require UK residents between the ages of 50 and 80 to undergo any medical checks.

Duncan Caesar-Gordon, the Post Office's head of protection, said: "In a time of such uncertainty people need peace of mind more than ever, which is why we are now offering instant protection over the counter."

Last week a survey by Barclays revealed that many people in the UK were cutting back on life insurance payments in order to save money during the credit crunch.

Life Insurance Starts at 50

It's inevitable that when you enter that bracket of the over 50s, your financial future starts to loom large. Pensions in particular are just over the horizon, and it's usually at around this time that you start to truly assess the provisions that you've put in place for such a time as when you retire (either that or you curse your lack of forethought!).

But alongside this imminent financial upheaval, there is the question that's beyond that, thankfully still out of palpable reach - life insurance.

Inevitably, ones own mortality starts to be felt in more and more of your life, and consequently, thoughts turn to providing for your nearest and dearest in the event of your death. Although it's easy to shrug off the notion of dying, it pays to consider taking out a policy, or reassessing your existing one, at this stage - potentially before any personal circumstances change. Age, sex and health are the major contributing factors to how expensive the premium on your policy will be, so of course, when you start in to your fifties, insurers will change their offers to fit that watershed, half-century moment.

Many companies will offer a specific over 50s life insurance, with particular rates and guarantees entailed. Often there will a guarantee of acceptance without any medical check - mainly because your age has become the largest factor in deciding how much your premium will be - though it pays to be entirely honest with your insurer.

Closet smokers who are in denial will find it's too late, post-death, to convince your insurer that you only smoke occasionally - by which time the pay out may have been denied. However, due to your being over 50, the policy will be particularly easy to arrange, although it is still worth shopping around for the best offer for you.

Most insurers will incentivise their product, and it may have repercussions on the way that your bank or building society - if you decide to take out a policy with them - will treat you as customers.

Wrong Cover Life Insurance?

According to the Association of British Insurers, more than half of British households have no life insurance—and of those who do invest in some protection, a large number have too little insurance, too much, or are simply paying for the wrong type of life cover. Simply having a policy is no longer enough.

There is a large range of options for life insurance, and it’s important to choose life insurance that will meet your current needs and provide adequate protection for your family.

You could be paying too much money for the wrong cover if:

• You’ve gotten married, had children, taken out or paid off a mortgage, divorced or retired without reviewing your policy
• You haven’t reviewed your policy within the last five years
• You bought any type of life insurance without first determining exactly what type of policy you needed
• You bought the life insurance cover that a salesperson told you was necessary, rather than seeking independent financial advice.
  

Choosing the Right Policy

Choosing life cover that will suit your lifestyle and family circumstances requires some careful consideration before you start shopping for policies. Depending on whether you’re married or divorced, have young children or adult children, are working or retired, your insurance needs are quite different.

Consider the following example. Let’s say you’ve just gotten married, and you and your spouse don’t plan to have children for around ten years. For the first ten years of your married life, the type of insurance you get may very well depend mostly on what you can afford. You won’t need a long term insurance policy, because your insurance needs will change when you start having children.

As a young couple with no children, a joint term policy is both cost effective and sufficient for your needs. However, when you have children, you will most likely want to increase the value of your policy, opt for two separate policies rather than a single joint policy, and also consider switching to whole life insurance. When your children become financially independent, you’ll again want to review your cover, and you may find that your insurance needs have reduced at this time.

One important point to note is that it’s better to seek advice from an independent insurance or financial adviser. An independent broker is in a much better position to shop around and find you the best prices, whereas a broker who represents a single provider is unable to provide this benefit—and sometimes they’re more likely to pressure you into choosing a policy that won’t meet your needs. You can find a database of independent financial advisers in the UK at www.unbiased.co.uk.

If you are certain about your life cover needs, you could also consider a discount broker such as Life Saver who will rebate some or all of their commissions to reduce the premiums you pay. Many of these brokers do not offer advice so this option is not suitable if you are unsure which product is right for you.


Insuring yourself for the Right Amount

How much should you cover yourself for? This depends not only on what you can afford, but also on your current lifestyle and expenses. A good rule of thumb is to choose a policy that is worth around ten times your annual income, before tax. However, if you have young children or a mortgage, you may want to consider a higher sum—for example, you might add the value of your mortgage to the sum assured if not already covered by another policy.

Note, however, that depending on your circumstances it may be more prudent to opt for a separate policy to cover your mortgage. If you don’t have much money to spare for insurance, choosing a decreasing term mortgage policy is a good option—this keeps your premiums lower, as the amount you’re insured for decreases as the mortgage is paid.

Action Steps

1. Review your life insurance if you have had a policy for more than five years or if your personal or financial circumstances have changed.
2. Take advice from an independent adviser if you are unsure about the type, amount or term of your policy.
   

Money - What does it mean for you?

For some, money means security and having 'enough' in the bank makes us feel safe. For others, money means pleasure and the ability to easily acquire new goods and experiences. For some, money means freedom. It affords us choices and options for travel and exploration. And for some money means influence.

What about you?

Life is backwards!

If you ask me, life is all backwards, its all the wrong way around!

You should start out dead and get it out of the way. This means you can claim the money on your life insurance policy so you have a nice lump sum to play with, go buy a sports car.

You get kicked out of the old peoples home you are currently residing for being too healthy. You go and collect your pension so not only do you have the life insurance money but also a monthly pension...nice! Your loaded and getting younger...cool!

You start work with no intense training and no stressful interviews. You simply give them a gold watch on your first day and you're all set.

You work 40 years or so, each arriving with fewer and fewer stressful responsibilities, until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement where you drink alcohol, party, and are generally promiscuous as you get ready for high school.

Then you go to primary school, you become a kid. You play and have loads of fun with no responsibilities,

Finally you become a baby, and then you spend your last 9 months floating peacefully in luxury, in spa-like conditions, central heating, room service on tap, and then you finish off as blissful explosion!

This is how life should be! It is all backwards!

Famous Life Quotes

Live is a precious thing and these quotes from famous people sum it up in a few words.

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
Oscar Wilde

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
Mahatma Gandhi

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Mae West

A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.
Martin Luther King

Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.
Mark Twain

I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.
Agatha Christie

Wouldn't it be great if people could get to live suddenly as often as they die suddenly?
Katharine Hepburn

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Why Get Life Insurance?

Surfing the web has made the process of applying for life insurance a lot easier than days gone by. You can now get life insurance application processed in a matter of minutes rather than days.

Life insurance is a tricky subject as nobody wants to think the worst and especially if you are healthy and feel no need for it. However, life is very fragile. You only have to look in your daily newspaper every week to see those who have passed away and they are of all ages, not just the elderly. Life can be taken without a moments notice and leave your loved ones struggling without your financial help, especially if you have a mortgage or other financial commitments. This is why life insurance is so important.

Why Get Life Insurance?
Ignoring life insurance could put your family in a desperate financial position during a time when they are grieving at your passing. The last thing you want is for them to worry about money and paying the bills.

The massive choice of life insurance policies online can be overwhelming so here are some tips on how to decide what is the best life insurance cover for you.

1. Ensure that you know exactly what you want. If you do not define your goals before you go looking for life insurance, you may end up selecting the wrong policy.
   
   
2. Life insurance isn’t restricted to family men and women alone as business partners can also take out life insurance. If you want to ensure that your business stays afloat even after your death, you can take life insurance. As long as you have a beneficiary, life insurance is definitely not a wasted effort.
   
   
3. The beauty about life insurance lies in the fact that the beneficiary will obtain a large amount of cash to continue the lifestyle he or she was living before. The life policy you buy can eventually be used by beneficiaries to pay off a mortgage on the home. Life insurance ensures that your family has the life that they have always been used to.
   

Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance policy encompasses a contractual agreement between you and an insurance company in which you agree to pay a certain amount as premiums for a number of years. If you die before your term life insurance is up in a term life insurance, your recipient will receive the amount that the policy is worth.

Whole Life Insurance
A whole life insurance is one that covers you for the duration of your life. With a whole life insurance, you get to save some cash and use the cash for useful things such as your child’s education in college. Whole life insurance gives you the opportunity to gather more money through compulsory savings.

Shop around online for life insurance using a combination of price comparison sites and independent websites to get the best product at the best price for you.

Live Longer with a Mediterranean Diet

Adopting elements of a Mediterranean-style diet, which is high in fruit and vegetables and low on red meat and dairy produce, can reduce the risk of cancer by almost a quarter, according to a major study of people's eating habits.

It has been thought for some time that making dietary changes such as eating more olive oil and less butter could lead to a significantly lower incidence of heart disease, and now comes detailed evidence of how it can dramatically cut the chances of all types of cancer developing.

The research shows that just two elements of the Mediterranean diet added to daily food intake can cut the possibility of cancer taking hold by 12 per cent. Increase that to six items a day and the prospect of the disease being diagnosed falls by a staggering 22 per cent. Adding two elements to the daily diet could simply be eating more pulses and consuming less red meat.

More than 26,000 Greek men and women were studied over eight years by the scientists who found that consuming high levels of monosaturated fats – the "good" fat found in olive oil – in relation to the "bad" saturated fats found in dairy produce had the single biggest effect in relation to lowering the cancer risk from the diet. More olive oil and less butter reduced the risk by 9 per cent.

"Of the 26,000 people we studied, those who closely followed a traditional Mediterranean diet were overall less likely to develop cancer," said the study leader, Dimitrios Trichopoulos, professor of cancer prevention and epidemiology at Harvard University. "Although eating more of one food group alone didn't significantly change a person's risk of cancer, adjusting one's overall dietary habits towards the traditional Mediterranean pattern had an important effect."

The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, monitored the prevalence of all types of cancer from stomach and bowel to liver, cervix and brain tumours. They looked at men and women, and took into account other risk factors, such as smoking and lifestyle.

The research is part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer, a unique and ongoing look at dietary habits and other biological and lifestyle characteristics of more than half a million people across Europe before they were diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses.

The scientists carried out detailed surveys of each person to study the sort of food they regularly ate and in what quantities.

The nine food groups measured were monosaturated and saturated fats, fruits, vegetables, legumes such as peas and lentils, cereals such as wholegrain bread and pasta, meat, dairy food, fish and alcohol.

"The researchers found that people who more closely followed a traditional Mediterranean diet had a lower incidence of cancer. Importantly, lower risk wasn't only seen by completely adopting the traditional Mediterranean diet, closer conformity also reduced cancer risk. And the more changes, the bigger the effect," said a spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK, which helped to fund the work.

Cancer specialists said the best advice for people to avoid getting cancer was not to smoke, to take regular exercise and eat a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and low in red meat and saturated fats. "This is an interesting study but the best advice for cancer prevention remains to eat a healthy diet, to be regularly physically active and to maintain a healthy weight," said Rachel Thompson, science programme manager for the World Cancer Research Fund. "Looking at all the evidence on diet, people looking to reduce their cancer risk should aim to eat plenty of wholegrains and fruits and vegetables and limit their intake of red meat, salt and energy-dense foods."

Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "This helps us to understand more about the simple changes a person can make to their diet to reduce their risk of cancer and improve overall health. Although we know that unhealthy diets generally and being overweight are important risk factors for a number of cancers, the link between individual foods or food types and cancer has been less clear.

"This research highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy balanced diet to reduce your risk of cancer. It shows there are a number of things you can do, and there is no one 'superfood' that can stop you developing the disease."

Younger generation should be more aware of the benefits of insurance

The younger generation has been advised to take out insurance policies as more people cut back on life insurance as a bid to save money during the financial economic crisis, it has been revealed.

According to a study conducted by Fairinvestment 24% of those who participated admitted to not having life insurance, medical insurance, home insurance, payment protection insurance or do not take out travel insurance when going on holiday.

Spokesperson Rachael Stiles, of the website found the situation quite “concerning.” She said: "As budgets get tighter, I can understand why Brits are cutting back, but insurance should be one area that is sustained.”

The study found that the older generation tend to take out life insurance policies more than the younger generation. Only 10 per cent of those aged 19-21 invested in a life insurance policy while 53 per cent of 51-55 year olds had taken out life insurance policy.

“When it comes to life insurance, young people should be more aware as you never know what is around the corner. And, if you are the main bread-winner and have a mortgage or rent to pay and something happened to you, your partner or loved ones would be left to foot the bill, whereas a life insurance policy could cover such expenses.

A 25 year old male can get a policy for as little as £6 a month, making it an affordable expense," she added.

10 Things Surprisingly Good For You

We are forever being told that this is bad for you, that is bad for you. If you are like me and are sick to death of being told what to eat, drink then you will probably like this! Here are 10 things that people tell you are bad but actually have surprisingly healthy aspects to them.

10. Ice Cream
Ice-cream is a low GI (glycemic-index) food. This means that it is a slow sugar release food that keeps you satisfied for a longer period of time than a high GI food. For that reason, you are less likely to binge after eating ice-cream. 75 grams of Ben and Jerry’s Cookies and Cream ice-cream contains only 114 calories compared to a slice of cheesecake with 511 calories.

Furthermore, ice-cream is made of milk which contains many essential nutrients and vitamins. 1 cup of milk contains up to 30% of a man’s daily recommended intake. Other nutrients in ice-cream are biotin, iodine, potassium, selenium, vitamins a, b12, D, and K. Studies show a possible link between milk consumption and a lowered risk of arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, colorectal cancer.

Interesting Fact: In the 5th century BC, the ancient Greeks sold snow cones made with fruit and honey in the markets of Athens.

9. Dirt
Throw away the rubber globes! Dirt is back in vogue! Remember the days where kids played in dirt, food was served with bare hands, and straws didn’t come in individual wrappers? It turns out - they were healthier days than our modern sterile ones! Early childhood exposure to bacteria, viruses, and parasites has been found to give a massive boost to our immune systems, making us less likely to get sick when we do come in to contact with various bugs. Research has found that children with a dog in the home are less likely to suffer allergies, and regular social interaction can reduce the risk of leukemia by up to 30%. Those are statistics not to ignore - so throw away the anti-bacterial cleaners and get dirty!

Interesting Fact: There are as many as 10 times more bacterial cells in the human body than human cells! The vast majority of these are harmless.


8. Stress
Stress is universally considered a bad thing - in some cases people have successfully won lawsuits against companies for work-related stress. But, what most people don’t know is that a little stress goes a long way to making us healthier. In short doses, stress can help boost the body’s immune system. In the first stage of stress (the “alarm” stage - often known as the “fight or flight” response) the body produces cortisol - a stress fighting hormone which has many benefits to the body. Stress can give a feeling of fulfillment - when this is the case it is called “eustress” as opposed to “distress”.

Interesting Fact: The term “stress” and the mental properties of it was not known before the 1950s. Until that time it referred simply to hardship or coercion.


7. Caffeine
Not only is coffee tasty, it is a mild stimulant with many medical uses. Caffeine contains a muscle relaxant that is very beneficial to people with bronchial problems - it can alleviate the symptoms of asthma. Additionally, caffeine releases certain fatty acids in to the blood stream that become a useful source of fuel for muscles. It even seems that the only serious side-effect to too much caffeine is a small amount of body-weight loss - a danger if you are anorexic. Caffeine should be avoided by people with fecal incontinence as it loosens the anal and sphincter muscles.

Interesting Fact: Caffeine can be toxic to animals, in particular dogs, horses, and parrots. It also has a much more significant effect on spiders than humans.


6. Red Wine
Red wine contains a group of chemicals called polyphenols (once called Vitamin P) which have been found to be very beneficial for health. They reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Wine has also been found to be an effective anti-bacterial agent against strains of Streptococcus (found most often in the human mouth) which can help reduce infections. Some wine varieties have extra health benefits; Cabernet Sauvignon appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition to the benefits already listed, wine is chock full of antioxidants which play a huge role in the health of the human body. The wines found to have the greatest benefits are found in the South of France and the Sardinia region of Italy.

Interesting Fact: Wine originated in the regions of Israel, Georgia, and Iran, around 6000 BC.

5. Chocolate
As a result of recent research into chocolate and health, it appears to be something of a panacea (cure-all) - coupled with the great taste and mood enhancing properties, it might be seen as a wonder drug! Cocoa or dark chocolate improves the overall health of the circulatory system, it stimulates the brain, prevents coughs, prevents diarrhea, and may even be an anti-cancer agent.

Like coffee, chocolate is toxic to many animals. A BBC study indicates that melting chocolate in your mouth increases brain activity and the heart rate more intensely than passionate kissing, with the effect lasting four times longer after the activity ends. Eating regular small quantities of chocolate reduces cholesterol and the chances of a heart attack. Sign me up for some of that medication!

Interesting Fact: Chocolate has been used as a drink since at least 1100 - 1400 BC.


4. Cannabis
Cannabis is said to be beneficial for over 250 conditions. For this reason it is legal on prescription in a number of Western countries. Cannabis is believed to help with arthritis, asthma, depression, glaucoma, and pain. It is also reported to be a good treatment for constipation. Cannabis is also useful in dealing with the sideeffects of treatments for cancer, AIDS, and hepatitis. Cannabis has been used medicinally for over 3,000 years! Strangely, the cultivation and use of cannabis is outlawed in most countries.

Interesting Fact: Evidence of the use of cannabis as a non-medicinal drug exists as charred seeds found in Romania dating back to the 3rd millenium BC.


3. Beer
The moderate consumption of beer has been associated with the lowered risk of head disease, stroke, and mental decline. In addition, brewers yeast (used in the production of beer) contains many nutrients that are carried through to the final drink: magnesium, selenium, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, and B vitamins. For this reason, beer is sometimes referred to as “liquid bread”. In 2005 a Japanese study found that low-alcohol beer may contain strong anti-cancer properties. Contrary to popular belief, a “beer belly” or “beer gut” is not produced by the beer, but rather overeating and lack of exercise.

Interesting Fact: Beer is one of the oldest beverages - dating back to the 6th millennium BC.


2. Smoking
Often referred to as “Smoker’s Paradoxes”, there are a number of therapeutic uses of nicotine or smoking. For example, smokers are less likely to need surgery to provide extra blood to their heart after an angioplasty, the risk of ulcerative colitis is reduced, and it even interferes with the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma (a type of cancer of the lymphatic endothelium). Perhaps most surprisingly, is that there are connections to smoking and a reduction in allergic asthma. There is also a large body of evidence to suggest that smokers have a dramatically reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Nicotine is currently being investigated as a treatment for ADHD, and Schizophrenia.

Interesting Fact: Tobacco smoking has been a practice of humans since at least 5000 BC.

1. Pornography
Amidst the loud angry cries against pornography, a few serious scientific studies have been performed on the subject. It seems that men and women who view pornography, have improved sex lives, better sexual knowledge, and an overall better quality of life. Surprisingly, one study found that the more that pornography is viewed, the greater the improvements. In an extensive study performed in Australia, the majority of married respondents stated that they believed that pornography has had a positive effect on their marriage. While clearly not always linked to pornography, studies have found that men who had fewer orgasms were twice as likely to die of any cause as those having two or more orgasms a week.

Interesting Fact: Pornography (and the anti-pornography movement) as it is understood today is a concept of the Victorian era (19th century) which was extremely moralistic. Sexual imagery was not taboo before that time.

Final Note
Of course, moderation is the key! Everything in moderation! So in future when someone whines at you - you can point them in the direction of this webpage and have the last laugh!

Perhaps if you are considering life insurance and to get a cheap quote, do not smoke.

Sources:
1. Alzheimer’s disease is associated with non-smoking by Carol Thompson
2. Impact of Smoking on Clinical and Angiographic Restenosis After Percutaneous Coronary by Cohen, David J.; Michel Doucet, Donald E. Cutlip, Kalon K.L. Ho, Jeffrey J. Popma, Richard E. Kuntz
3. Smoking Cuts Risk of Cancer by United Press International
4. Caffeine: Perspectives from Recent Research by P.B. Dews
5. Using spider-web patterns to determine toxicity by R. Noever, J. Cronise, and R. A. Relwani
6. From psychological stress to the emotions: a history of changing outlooks by R. S. Lazarus
7. Effects of moderate alcohol consumption on cognitive function in women. by Stampfer MJ, Kang JH, Chen J, Cherry R, Grodstein F.
8. Beer as liquid bread: Overlapping science by Bamforth, C. W
9. A dynamic partnership: celebrating our gut flora by C. L. Sears
10. Dairy’s Role in Managing Blood Pressure by the National Dairy Council
11. Ice Cream - What’s in a Scoop? by Pat Kendall
12. The Lost Civilizations of the Stone Age by Richard Rudgely
13. Medical Use of Cannabis in California by Dale Gieringer
14. Dark Chocolate Could Help Hearts by Emma Ross
15. Chocolate can do good things for your heart, skin and brain by Marjorie Ingall
16. Chocolate better than kissing by BBC News
17. Polyphenols and disease risk in epidemiologic studies by Arts, I.C. and P.C. Hollman
18. Antibacterial Activity of Red and White Wine against Oral Streptococci by Daglia, M.; A. Papetti, P. Grisoli, C. Aceti, C. Dacarro, and G. Gazzani
19. For Life Insurance quotes, I recommend you visit the Post Office website at http://www.postoffice.co.uk
20. Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Reduces The Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease by ScienceDaily
21. From red wine to polyphenols and back: A journey through the history of the French Paradox by D. W. de Lange
22. Now that’s what you call a real vintage: professor unearths 8,000-year-old wine by David Keys
23. Vice or Virtue? The Pros of Pornography by Matthew Hutson
24. Study concludes porn can be good for you by Nick Grimm
25. Sex and Death, Are They Related? by the British Medical Journal

The Taboo Subject of Life Insurance

Life insurance is a tough subject to think about. It only takes a coastal walk along a sheer cliff-top, or a near miss on the drive home from work to realize that it probably is something one should consider sooner rather than later, especially in regards to the fact that the younger and healthier you are, the cheaper your premiums will be.

The real problem with life insurance is, well, it’s never fun.

Car insurance is equally dull. But because it is the law to be insured, the majority of drivers get on with it and make sure their policy is up to date. That said, unlike the history of life insurance, the history of car insurance is sprinkled with many humorous stories of stupid people claiming for stupid things. Some claims forms have featured such absurdities as: ‘I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.’ And: ‘On approach to the traffic lights the car in front suddenly broke.’ And my personal favourite: ‘The accident occurred when I was attempting to bring my car out of a skid by steering it into the other vehicle.’

In terms of humorous home insurance claims, there is the famous story (sadly later proved to be fiction) of the man who insured 24 particularly expensive cigars, smoked them, and then attempted to claim his insurance because they had been destroyed by fire. He succeeded in court, but once he’d cashed his cheque, the insurance company sewed him for arson.

Back to reality though, and the claim of Philip Clough. After shoving some washing into his machine before going away for the weekend, he returned to find the machine still spinning on a boil wash. The insurance company subsequently denied payment because they believed their policy didn’t cover steam damage. Luckily for Clough though, the courts saw things differently on grounds that steam is H2O, just as water is.

Although ironic, it seems to me that if the general public were to learn to laugh about life insurance, then maybe people would be able to think about it more seriously. Quite frankly, who wants to contemplate what’s going to happen after you’ve gone?

It is almost a taboo subject for some people, unless it comes up during conversations about fraud or disease, it seems barely interesting at all and thus less at the forefront of our collective imagination. But the really funny thing is that it is the only policy that is pretty much certain to be paid out.

Let’s talk about life insurance

A casual journey from the boring subject of Life Insurance to the fascinating world of Cryogenics.

Life insurance is never a fun topic to discuss. Nevertheless I have recently found that I am developing an interest in when would be the best time for me to take out a policy. As it stands there are two schools of thought on whether someone who falls in the ‘30 and under’ bracket should take out a life insurance policy. Those pro-LI folks argue that it is good to do so now due to the low premiums for people who are young and healthy. Yet, on the other side of the fence, the anti-LI guys are saying that young people will be far smarter if they put their savings into high-interest saving accounts instead.

Both arguments seem fair. However, I have now developed a morbid curiosity into what I would like to happen to me in the end. There are many options, including: church burial (which seems a little boring nowadays), sea burial (but I think I need to be a sailor for this), home burial (too weird?), cremation and burial (too indulgent?), cremation and scattering (ok), cryopreservation?

The latter may seem like a joke too many, but there have been at least 150 recorded cases of cryopreservation to date (Walt Disney isn’t one of them); and the science is still advancing with the use of vitrification as opposed to the classic practice of freezing – as perpetuated by science fiction.

But what does this have to do with life insurance? Ben Best, President of the Cryonics Society of Canada, is confident that cryonics patients are likely to be reanimated in our lifetime (within 50-100 years). Despite this, the cost of being cryopreserved is famously expensive (up to $200,000), but most cryonicists pay for the privilege with life insurance policies. Consequently, if you’ve ever considered being cryopreserved and you’re under 30, not only are you of the most likely generation to witness the technology being a reality, but you should get the necessary funds in order because – as it stands – the likelihood of cryonic reanimation does not yet preclude an insurance payout.

It’s all very interesting. Though, I’m not completely sure I would want to be cryopreserved. However, wouldn’t it be great to see a world of hover-boards, mile-high buildings and no Coldplay in the charts?

Still, even if I’m not entirely convinced with cryo-technology, at least the miserable inevitability of having to deal with life insurance at some point would be much more bearable if I face up to it at a younger and cheaper age. And if I ever need to be cheered up about the subject, I can have the following thought at the back of my mind: one day, I may be just a little closer to living that Hans Solo fantasy of mine...

Unfair or Logical

Are Life Insurance companies unfair or simply being logical? Newspaper reports in the early months of 2008 that life insurance companies will start charging overweight customers up to 50% more in premiums, begs the question whether they are being unfair or simply driven by actuarial logic.

Some people might consider it "unfair" that because they are overweight, they should have to pay, for example, £1,500 a year for a £150,000 life cover whereas his leaner peers will be paying only £1,000.

But the sheer logic of the situation is that life insurance companies are in the business of assessing the risk of an early death of their policy holders. And obesity is a medical condition with attendant health problems that can lead to an early death. Obesity has been linked as a major contributor, for example, to heart and liver problems, diabetes and certain forms of cancer. Many insurers, therefore, are paying increasing attention to the critical "body mass index" (or BMI) in new proposals for life cover.

The body mass index is a simple measure, widely used in medical circles, as an indicator of obesity. It is the index derived by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by their height (in metres) and dividing that result by their height (in metres) once again. A resulting index of 30 or more is classified as "obese" and a result of 40 or more as "very obese". According to responses to press questions from Britain's largest life insurance company, some 13% of new proposals are being made by individuals reporting a body mass index in excess of 30. This appears to be the marker at which many life insurance companies are introducing higher premium rates.

The actuarial logic of the situation is not lost on the Association of British Insurers, of course, who have said that obesity increases the risk of contracting certain diseases. A spokesman commented that premium increases for the overweight should be considered in the same light as those increases already applied to smokers or to those with previous or pre-existing medical conditions. In fact, when taken together, the difference in the cost of premiums for someone of the same age and gender in the lowest and in the highest risk groups can be as high as 400% - reverting to the example used earlier, that would be the difference between £1,000 and £4,000 each year for £150,000-worth of life cover.

Just in case these figures give any encouragement to lie about your weight or height on the proposal form, there is a salutary warning from the Financial Ombudsman. The latter recently determined a disputed claim arising from the death of a 37 year-old man who had declared to his insurers a height of 6ft and a weight of 16 stone. He died some months after the start of the life cover, but his life insurance company rejected the claim when it was revealed that he was actually 5ft 9in tall and weighed 21 stone (measurements that would have increased his premium by 275%). The Financial Ombudsman ruled that the insurer had been right in rejecting the claim.

Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services helping consumers save money.

How do I save money on Life Insurance?

When shopping to buy life insurance, the best way to save money on your cover and still get everything you need is to shop around to find a provider that has what you want at a reasonable price.

Life insurance is an insurance policy that will pay out a specified amount of money to a beneficiary at the time of your death and will help your loved ones to pay for your funeral expenses as well as have some money left over for their own needs. You should consider the different types of life insurance to make sure you have the coverage you need. The various types are:

Permanent life insurance
This type of life insurance has a cash value that is paid to your beneficiary at the time of your death and this cash value increases over the life of the policy. You can benefit from having this kind of cover while you are alive because you can draw off this value and invest it for your own needs.

Term life insurance
Term life insurance has the cheapest cover because it is for a specific length of time. Once that term runs out so does your life insurance, but you can renew the policy for a further term.

Whole life insurance
Whole life insurance has a specified value in a guaranteed benefit and the premiums stay the same for the life of the policy.

Universal life insurance
Universal life insurance has an investment associated with it. Part of the premiums you pay for the cover will go towards the insurance and part will go towards an investment through which you can earn money.

Once you decide what type of life insurance you want, there are ways you can save money in the amount of premiums you have to pay. Term life insurance has the lowest premiums because the pay out is not guaranteed.

You will not be able to purchase this type of policy if you have any serious health problems, such as heart disease or cancer because this increases the likelihood that you will die during the term. You will have to undergo an examination by a physician to prove that you are in good health. If you do not smoke, you will also receive a lower premium.

If you decide that you need a second life insurance policy, you can save money by getting a rider on your existing policy. This is an addition to your policy that will expand your coverage without affecting the cash value of the plan. The older you are the more you will have to pay for life insurance cover. The best advice is to take out a policy when you are young.

A person in their mid-twenties will pay a lot less for the same amount of coverage as well a person in their mid-fifties. When you buy life insurance when you are young, you have the option of locking in a level premium, which means the premium won’t increase as you age.

Smoking and Life Insurance

Why wait to transform your finances as well as your health by quitting the fags? If the obvious health benefits haven’t convinced you yet, maybe the financial benefits will! If you give up smoking - for example at New Year, or on National No Smoking Day on 8th March or any other time- you’ll not only save thousands on not buying cigarettes but in 12 months’ time you’ll benefit from cheaper life insurance too.

Life insurers classify you as a smoker if you have used ANY tobacco products in the 12 months prior to applying for life insurance. For well-documented health reasons, smoking raises the chance of you eventually making a claim on your life insurance. Insurers weigh up the likelihood of an applicant making a claim and price the cover accordingly.

The Facts
A 35-year-old man in good health will pay £8.85 per month for £100,000 of cover over 20 years if he is a non-smoker. This rises by a staggering 78% to £15.75 if he is classed as a smoker – costing him £1,656 extra over the term of his policy.*

It does not get much better for a woman in the same circumstances; her cover would rise 72% from £7.25 to £12.45 per month.*

Honesty is the only policy - If you do smoke it is not worth trying to cover up the fact in order to pay less. If your smoking comes to light when the insurer is assessing a claim, they can easily refuse to pay out.

You may even be asked, as part of the application process, to take a saliva test to confirm that you are a non-smoker. If you have lied, your application may be declined and other insurers could then refuse to cover you.

Paying the right price - It’s simple: if you want life insurance and you are a smoker it’s going to cost more.

If the potential savings have tempted you to give up, or you are giving up anyway, then look to change your policy 12 months after using your last tobacco product, knowing that the insurer will newly classify you as a non-smoker.

If you have survived 12 months without a cigarette, don’t forget to tell your insurance company. Shop around on-line to find the best deals when renewing your policy - it is likely that the best premium will be from a different life insurance provider to the one you currently use.

• Health
  You’ll feel and look better and fitter and may live longer
  
  
• Cash
  You’ll save hundreds on your life insurance as well as the fag packets
  
  
• Warmth
  Legislation will ban smoking in the workplace and all pubs, clubs and restaurants in England by 2007 so if you want to smoke you will be out in the cold. Some already have a total ban in place.

Use this Smoking Calculator to find out how much you can save on your life insurance if you stop smoking.

Is Suicide Covered on Life Insurance?

The unfortunate and depressing issue of suicide has become a staggering piece of harsh reality in today’s world. The US rank 46th in the world with 11,000 self-inflicted deaths per year. Here in the UK we are at 7000 position.

This has become a serious issue for many countries whether the factors be family issues, health issues, money problems, or relationship failures.

We’ve all seen this scenario before, either in a movie or on the evening news. A spouse, distraught over his or her family’s crushing financial burden, decides to commit suicide so that the surviving family members can collect his or her life insurance benefits. For Jimmy Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life, his intended act of suicide was halted through the intervention of a guardian angel and everyone lived happily ever after. Unfortunately, this is not the way the story ends for families living in the real world.

What really happens to a family in the aftermath of a suicide attempt can be many times more devastating than the original circumstances that led to the attempt. If the attempt is successful, then the survivors may be left with a double tragedy. Not only have they lost a loved one, but what if the relevant life insurance policy will not pay benefits in the event of a suicide? Now the surviving family members are looking at even more debt because of funeral and burial costs and the deceased’s lost income.

If the suicide attempt is unsuccessful and there is no lasting injury, then the disturbed individual and his or her family are very lucky. There is no loss of a loved one and psychological counselling can be sought. Most health insurance policies will even pay for the treatment. If, on the other hand, a suicide attempt leaves the individual physically incapacitated permanently or for an extended period of time, this could spell even greater financial disaster for the affected family members. If the individual is also the primary wage earner, then the family has lost its major source of income (along with any attendant benefits) and must pay for physical care that may not be covered by any insurance policies.

The information that follows gives a brief overview of different insurance policies and what they will or will not cover in the case of a suicide or suicide attempt.

Suicide Coverage

The desperate soul who rushes out to buy an insurance policy and then immediately commits suicide is misguided in two respects: first, he or she should have sought help from a mental health professional for assistance in dealing with such self-destructive thoughts; and, second, the life insurance policy won’t pay if the suicide is committed immediately after its purchase.

Most life insurance policies have a suicide clause. Either death resulting from suicide is not covered at all or a death resulting from suicide is covered only after two years have passed since the date of the policy’s purchase. Why the two-year period? It’s thought that a clause that excludes suicide as a valid cause of death in the first two years of the policy’s life will stop someone contemplating suicide from buying the policy on impulse. There’s no immediate benefit, so they won’t buy the policy. Even if a person intent on committing suicide does buy a policy, the chances that they will still want to end their life after waiting two years is slim. There are life insurance policies that do not exclude suicide at all, but most of these plans are prohibitively expensive.

Coverage for Suicide Attempts

The most relevant type of life insurance coverage for someone who has survived a suicide attempt is health insurance. Obviously, someone who attempts suicide is in need of psychological help and many health insurance plans will pay for this. Some families might be hesitant to use this benefit because of the stigma attached to suicide and may be concerned that word of the family member’s mental health problems will become the subject of workplace gossip. Fortunately, those who handle and view insurance claims in an office are bound to strict rules of confidentiality and are prohibited from discussing any worker’s medical or psychological condition. The family can seek treatment and know that word of their situation will not be spread.

If someone survives a suicide attempt but sustains injuries that are permanent or that require long-term care, the situation can be pretty grim. Most health insurance companies will not cover injuries that are self-inflicted. So, things like hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, doctor’s bills, home care attendants and all other potential medical necessities would have to be paid for by the individual who attempted suicide.

How does Life Insurance work?

Life insurance actuaries look an individuals age, sex, health and habits and decide when someone with that profile is most likely to die. They then consider how much cover the buyer wants to purchase and set the premiums accordingly.

For example, smokers are (on average) likely to die sooner than non-smokers. Insurance companies know this means they will probably have to pay out a little sooner whenever they insure a smoker, and therefore charge people who smoke a higher premium to reflect this. This principle forms the basis of all life insurance.

There are two main types of plan to choose from:

• Term Life Insurance
  This is the cheapest option, and pays out only if the holder dies while the policy's fixed-length term is in force. If the holder survives until the end of the term, they get nothing back. People often time their insurance to run only until a big family commitment ‚ such as the children's education, had been cleared.
  

• Whole of Life Insurance
  As the name suggests, these policies remain in force right through the buyers life. It follows that the insurance company will have to pay out in almost every case, and premiums are therefore higher than those charged on term life insurance plans. Some policies demand that premiums be paid all the way up to the holders death. Others become paid-up at a certain age, and waive premiums from that point onwards.
  

What Does The Cover Provide?

There are a number of different types of Term and Whole of Life Insurance plans on the market. The cover which is provided will depend on the type of plan taken out. The types of plans available are as follows:


Term Life Insurance

• Level Term
  The plans potential pay out remains the same for the full term of the policy.
  
  
• Decreasing Term
  The level of cover gradually reduces over the policy term to match a reducing liability such as the amount left to repay on a mortgage loan.
  
  
• Increasing Term
  Cover offered and premiums paid gradually increase in line with inflation. Designed to ensure the amount of cover purchased remains realistic and is not eroded by the effects of inflation over time.
  
  
• Renewable Term
  Allows plan holders to extend their cover for a further term with no health check.
  
  
• Convertible Term
  Allows holders to swap their term cover for a whole of life or endowment policy with no health check.
  
  
• Family Income Benefit
  Pays the surviving family a regular income instead of a lump sum for the remaining term of the policy.
  

Whole of Life Insurance

The majority of whole of life insurance policies are unit linked which means that premiums are invested into a fund and the cost of the protection is deducted from the fund as it grows. When a plan is taken out there is a choice of 'Maximum' or 'Standard' basis.

Maximum basis gives a very high level of cover for the monthly premium. Whilst this level of cover will be guaranteed for 10 years it is very likely that there will have to be an increase in premiums after each of the regular reviews. These usually take place after 10 years then after every 5 years.

Standard basis gives a lower level of cover for the premium, but is more likely that this level of cover and premium will stay the same throughout the policyholders life.

Tips for Life Insurance

What should you do when shopping for life insurance? Here are our tips:

Shop Around
Don't head straight for the nearest high street bank or direct provider just because they are familiar. Most banks and high street providers are tied to one insurer and won't be able to offer potentially cheaper and better quality cover from other providers.

Use an independent insurance specialist who can compare policies and premiums. Some offer discounted premiums and free advice to help you choose the right policy and provider for your circumstances.

Comparison websites online are an excellent option as they do the hard work for you and search for the best quotes. Visit Post Office® for life insurance quotes and to buy a simple, cost effective life insurance policy, offering you a way to pay off your mortgage or leave your family a cash sum when you die.

Know What You Need
There are many different types of life insurance and policy options that are designed for various needs. To ensure you aren't disadvantaged or paying too much for cover you don't need, either research the options or take independent advice.

Work Out How Much You Need
Generally speaking, your life insurance should provide a lump sum big enough to pay off your mortgage and other debts, or to invest to provide an income to support your dependants for a sufficient time such as six months or a year.

Guaranteed Premiums
Are the premiums Guaranteed? This means the premiums are guaranteed to remain the same throughout the term of your policy. This is opposed to `Reviewable´ premiums which, as the name suggests, are reviewed usually every 5 years and can increase at the discretion of the insurance company.

Declare All Material Facts
When applying, be sure to answer all questions fully and honestly. Declare everything that you are aware of and if in doubt, declare it anyway. Failure to declare even a minor issue can result in a claim being declined. Do not give the insurance company any excuse to refuse your claim.

Write Your Policy in Trust
Even an average life insurance pay out can easily take the value of your estate on your death over the inheritance tax allowance. Anything over this threshold is liable for 40% tax when this can easily be avoided by putting the policy in trust. Its free and simply requires completion of a trust form available from the insurance company. Once in trust, the policy remains outside your estate so won't increase its value on your death.

If Unsure Take Advice
Life insurance can be as simple as insuring your car if you know what you need and your affairs are simple. However, if you're affairs are a little more complex you should take independent advice.

How Much Life Insurance?

There is no right or wrong amount of life insurance as any cover is better than none at all, but generally speaking you should insure to provide a lump sum big enough to remove the burden of any debts and, ideally, have enough left over to invest to provide an income to support your dependants for a time.

The first consideration is to clarify what you want the life insurance to protect. If you simply want to cover your mortgage then an amount equal to the outstanding mortgage debt can achieve that. However, if you want to prevent your family from being financially disadvantaged by your death and provide enough cash to support their current lifestyle, then there are a few more variables you should consider.

• What are your family expenses and how would they change if you died?
• How much would outgoings increase on things like childcare if you were to die?
• How much would the family income drop if you were to die?
• How much cover do you get from your employer or company pension scheme and for how long?
• What insurance policies do you have already and how far do they go to meeting your needs?
• How far will your savings go?
• What state benefits are there that could give extra support to meet your family´s needs?
• How would inflation affect the amount of your cover over time?
  

The amount of life insurance you choose really is up to you and will depend upon your personal situation. The main point to remember is that any amount of financial protection is better than none.

However, if you are in doubt what is right for your needs, consult an independent financial adviser who can give you specific advice.

Term Life Insurance vs Whole Life Insurance

Whether you’re simply considering purchasing a life insurance policy, or have already made the decision to purchase a life insurance policy, it’s important to know the difference between a term life insurance policy and a whole life insurance policy. Knowing these differences will help you choose the best life insurance policy for you.

The most recognizable difference between term life insurance policies and whole life insurance policies is the fact that a term life insurance policy will cover you for a certain number of years, whereas a whole life insurance policy will cover you for your entire life. If you’re only looking for life insurance coverage for a specific amount of time, a term life insurance is probably your best bet. However, if you wish to be insured for the rest of your life, you should purchase a whole life insurance policy.

Another difference between term life insurance policies and whole life insurance policies is that whole life insurance policies offer a tax-deferred accumulated cash value. This acts as an investment component. Some people are interested in the ability to invest using their life insurance policies, so they choose to purchase a whole life insurance policy. However, if you use other methods of investment, a term life insurance policy is probably the best for you.

A third difference between term life insurance policies and whole life insurance policies is the difference in price. Term life insurance policies are generally cheaper than whole life insurance policies; however, whole life insurance policies often offer fixed annual premiums, so you won’t have to worry about your rates increasing if your health begins to deteriorate. Most term life insurance companies will raise your premiums based on the current condition of your health, as well as your age.

So, when you begin your search for the perfect life insurance policy, take these differences into consideration and decide which type of policy is best for you.

Universal Life Insurance

Buying life insurance is by no means an easy task. There are several policies to choose from, each with elements that we want and need. The two most popular kinds of life insurance policies are term life insurance policies and whole life insurance policies.

If a term life insurance policy and a whole life insurance policy got married and had a child, the child would be a universal life insurance policy. Universal life insurance policies are a mix of term life insurance policies and whole life insurance policies. Just like all children do, universal life insurance policies have a few positive features and a few negative features of each parent, i.e., the term life insurance policy and the whole life insurance policy.

Like a whole life insurance policy, a universal life insurance policy offers an investment component; however, universal life insurance policies are generally less expensive than whole life insurance policies. This is a good thing for those of us who want the cash value accruement of a whole life policy but can not afford to purchase one. It should be noted, however, that earning a cash value isn’t guaranteed. Coverage can even end if your account gets low enough.

Like a term life insurance policy, a universal life insurance policy is usually not as expensive as a whole life insurance policy. However, even though an accumulation of cash value isn’t guaranteed with a universal life insurance policy, it is possible; it is not possible with a term life insurance policy.

If certain aspects of both a term life insurance policy and a whole life insurance policy appeal to you, consider purchasing a universal life insurance policy. Don’t purchase any life insurance policy, including a universal life insurance policy, without first speaking with an agent of the life insurance company. Your universal life insurance agent will be able to construct the life insurance policy that meets both your wants and needs.