Chances are, if you have employee benefits, you have some type of life insurance coverage included. While great attention is paid to the details of the health insurance component, many people don't pay attention to the life coverage. It's important to know exactly what your group insurance covers, and to be sufficiently insured.

Group life insurance has it's own advantages and disadvantages. It can be cheaper because the costs are pooled. This means that everyone enrolled in the plan, regardless of gender and/or health habits will pay the same amount. As well, marketing and sales costs may be absorbed by the insurer.

However group life insurance usually has a maximum coverage amount. Most plans will offer coverage around $25,000 and may not go any higher than three times your salary. Depending on your needs, you may require additional insurance coverage. Use the insurance calculator to figure out how much you really need, and purchase additional coverage if needed.

Another important factor is whether or not your group insurance is renewable. Most group life insurance is issued as renewable term, which means the premiums can increase at a steady rate. There is usually no guarantee of renewability and/or the cost of premiums. The master policy may also be revised without consulting the employees, which means you may not consistently have the same coverage and/or rates.

Your group life insurance will usually only cover you for as long as you remain with the same employer. This means that you may find yourself without coverage when changing employers but not having the same optimal health status as when you first started. This could be reflected in higher premiums if you apply for individual life insurance coverage. This is also applicable if your employer changes their insurance carrier. If you retire, you may not be covered anymore, and at a time when life insurance is important.

It is important while you are still in good health, are planning on getting married, buying a home, etc. to know how much coverage you need. If your group benefits does not sufficiently cover you, then you may want to consider buying an additional policy to make sure all your needs are met. This can be done with either a term life or a whole life policy; talk to your broker about which is best for you. If you are planning on retiring and do not have any other life insurance, you can apply for Guaranteed Issue coverage. If you were not sick and/or injured when your group life was terminated, you will eligible to apply for the same amount of FollowMe Life coverage as you originally had. Your spouse can also apply with this program.

No one likes to think about the possibility of divorce. Unfortunately, however, it does occur, leaving emotional and financial uncertainty in it's wake. As with any major life change, attention needs to be paid to your financial plans and goals.

Due to the emotional nature of divorce, it can be hard for some people to concentrate on the financial aspects of their life. However, as hard as it may seem, some decisions need to be made regarding savings, housing, etc.

If you have children, you will need to work out a financial plan with your ex regarding support. You will also need to factor in such expenses as post-secondary education, and arrange some sort of savings plan in order to provide for future expenditures. Also consider such items as vacations, car insurance for teenagers, etc. Both parents should have life insurance in order to protect the children's financial interests should something happen to one of you.

If you are just recently separated, do not rush out and purchase a new home. Rent for a few months, and house hunt, but avoid the impulse purchase. Buying a home that you later decide you don't like, or have decided to move to another area, etc. can seriously affect your finances. Allow yourself some time to get acclimated to your new situation, and avoid making any big purchases. Wait until you are more certain of what's in store for yourself, and then make a decision on home buying. If you are planning on selling the marital home that already has a mortgage, you may find it hard to acquire a new mortgage until the first has been settled.

Obviously, you will need to make a new financial plan, based on your earnings, not the combined earnings you had. Re-evaluate your spending habits as well, they should reflect only your income. Many people find themselves deeply in debt when they keep spending the same amount, but with only half the income coming in. As well, consider your long term financial goals, with a view towards retirement. It's advisable to consult with a financial planner at this point in order to ensure a secure financial future for yourself.

Both parents can purchase term life insurance policies that are specifically designated for the care of their children in case of death. Both parents can buy term life in an amount that takes care of the children until they are adults. Disability insurance is a good idea as well, as there is only one income in the house. Should you become ill or get injured, you will need to still have money coming in to take care of the household responsiblities.

Many Canadian homes have both parents working; either by choice or financial necessity. If you are planning on having one parent stay home full time, it's important to plan for it financially and emotionally. Although reducing your family income can be a rough transition, being prepared can help you adjust to the new changes.

Don't just quit your job. It's a good idea to actually try living on one income before actually quitting your job. Do a "dry run" for 3 months living solely on the one paycheck, and bank the other. This gives you the option of changing your plans if necessary without having to look for another job, as well as some savings!

Review your financial plan. You will need to re-work your financial plan, as your yearly income will be decreased. This change in income will affect not only your short-term finances, but your long term goals as well. Expensive items, such as cars, vacations, etc. will need to be discussed and planned for. As well, long term financial goals such as retirement may need to be reworked.

Make a new budget that reflects the change in income. Your new budget should cover all the household expenses as well as savings based on the one salary. It is recommended that 60% of your gross income goes to committed expenses, i.e. taxes, mortgage, utilities, credit cards, etc. 10% should be saved as an emergency fund (ideally this fund covers 3-6 months of living expenses). 20% should be committed to your long term plans and retirement fund. The remaining 10% of your income should be spending money to cover expenses that are not considered a necessity. Each spouse should have their own bank account, in which they each receive 5% of the "fun" money each month to spend as they please. This gives both partners some financial independence.

Review your insurance before quitting your job. The stay-at-home parent needs to maintain adequate insurance. Life insurance not only covers lost income in case of death, but the costs required to maintain the family. Should the stay-at-home parent die, expenses such as daycare, home maintenance, etc will need to be covered. Disability insurance at this stage is also recommended in case the working parent suffers an accident or illness. It is also important to review health insurance policies to ensure that the working parent has sufficient coverage that covers the whole family. If the parent who is quitting their job has been the sole provider of health coverage through their employer, other insurance is available. HealthQuotes.ca offers FollowMe, which does not require a medical questionnaire if applied for within 60 days of discontinuation of group insurance. This policy provides health and dental insurance at an affordable rate.

As family finances change, it is important that all financial goals are reconsidered. Your insurance coverage needs to reflect these changes in order to best provide for your family. Before making any major decisions, consult with your insurance broker in order to ensure you have the correct coverage, and to make the necessary changes.

People buying a home in Toronto in 2008 will have to pay a land transfer tax levied by the city. This municipal tax is in addition to the provincial land transfer tax already in place. First time home buyers will be exempt from this tax on the first $400,000 of their property purchase. This tax is paid through your lawyer as part of the closing costs.

This new tax will not be applicable to people who have a Purchase and Sale agreement on or before December 31, 2007, regardless of the actual closing date. As well, home buyers who have a Purchase and Sale agreement signed after December 31, 2007 but with a closing date before February 1, 2008 will be exempt from the tax. For those who have a Purchase and Sale agreement signed after December 31, 2007 with a closing on or after February 1, 2008, you will be required to pay the full Toronto Land Transfer Tax.

The amount you will pay depends on the value of the home you are purchasing. The Toronto Land Transfer Tax has been broken down to these percentages:

• Homes valued up to and including $55,000 will pay one-half of one percent of the purchase price
• Homes valued over $55,000 up to and including $400,000 will pay one percent of the purchase price
• Land containing one and/or two single family residences exceeding $400,000 will pay two percent of the purchase price
• Commercial properties, including multi-residential units exceeding $400,000 up to $40 million will pay one and a half percent of the purchase price
• Anything over $40 million will pay one percent of the purchase price

This new tax poses an additional financial burden on people in Toronto who are planning on buying a home in the new year. One way to save money when buying your new home is to use term life insurance instead of the mortgage insurance offered by the lending institutution. A term life policy in an amount that covers your mortgage can be significantly cheaper. As well, the value of a term life policy never decreases; mortgage insurance usually only covers the existing balance owing, not the original value. A term life policy also gives the homeowner an extra advantage by giving him/her the power to name the beneficiary. This allows the beneficiary to decide how best to spend the money should something happen. Consult with your broker about this option before committing to mortgage insurance.

Life-Quotes.ca is pleased to announce a new insurance product available for Ontario and Quebec residents. Ontario Blue Cross has released a life insurance policy that can be combined with Long Term Care and Critical Illness Benefits. Until now, life insurance and LTC insurance policies were purchased separately.

Tangible offers the policy holder some very unique options in their insurance planning. With a hybrid policy, you have insurance that reflects your different needs throughout your life. You have life insurance coverage with a level and guaranteed premium. Coverage starts at $5,000 and goes up to $1,000,000 in increments of $1,000, so you can choose the amount that best suits your individual needs. It also gives you payment options such as whole life, 20 years, paid up at 65, and the rates are affordable.

As well as having life insurance coverage, you have the option of combining Long Term Care coverage. By having this hybrid policy, should the need arise; your policy can be converted to suit your changing needs. By having this plan, you can avoid the traditionally more expensive LTC rates, as this plan only converts if and when needed. The rates are leveled and guaranteed, so you can avoid purchasing a separate LTC policy with rates that are subject to being raised. If you suddenly find yourself needing LTC, you can convert either 2 or 5% of the initial amount. Benefits are paid monthly and are tax-free. Critical Illness coverage can also be purchased with this policy, thereby covering every possibility that may occur in your lifetime.

There are some health questions needed in order to be eligible for this type of coverage. If you currently suffer from such conditions as HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, Angina, have suffered a stroke and/or heart attack, you are not eligible. Be advised as well that for people with a family history of certain genetic hereditary conditions, you may still qualify for these valuable benefits, at an adjusted premium. Please call Life-Quotes.ca for more information, or consult with a broker to see if this coverage is right for you.