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What is death benefits insurance?

Answers to the five most important questions by our financial protection expert.

Having someone die is hard, but is harder still if those left behind then also find themselves in financial difficulty. Death benefits insurance ensures that those left behind will be able to continue paying the mortgage or for a child's education.

Nadia, in a nutshell: what is death benefits insurance?

Nadia: This form of insurance pays out quickly and reliably in the event of death. If the insured person dies, the beneficiary will receive the sum of money that was agreed beforehand in the policy.


To whom would you recommend death benefits insurance?

Nadia: Basically, to anyone who wants to protect their nearest and dearest from the financial consequences of death. Beneficiaries can include family members, spouses or cohabiting partners. If someone is self-employed, they can even specify people from within their professional circle as a beneficiary.

 

Death benefits insurance

Low premiums, high protection. Protect your loved ones if the worst happens.

When is death benefits insurance crucial?

Nadia: If you have big financial commitments, you should seriously consider taking out death benefits insurance. When deciding, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Are you the main breadwinner and your family might experience financial difficulties if you were to die?
  • Are you self-employed and would like to ensure that your business can keep running if you die, and that your business partners will be protected?
  • Do you own your own home and want to protect the mortgage repayments, so that your family can continue living there after your death?

If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, then death benefits insurance is definitely a good option for you.


What types of death benefits insurance are there?

Nadia: If you die, the beneficiary will receive the agreed sum insured. This amount will depend on your chosen insurance variant.

  • Constant sum insured: If you choose this form of death benefits insurance, the amount will remain the same for the entire term of contract. This is the best option if the beneficiary will have to pay off a loan or mortgage after you die, but not in one go (i.e. in instalments).
  • Decreasing sum insured: With this variant, the amount agreed in the policy gradually decreases each year. I would recommend this option if you want to cover the regular payments for a second mortgage that is continuously amortised. Or if you want to fund your children’s education.

 

Nobody likes to think about death – it is uncomfortable and painful. And yet, it is also extremely important to protect our loved ones. As a general rule, it is always better to plan ahead than to deal with problems after the event.

Will the insurance only pay out in the event of death?

Nadia: Generali’s death benefits insurance can be taken out with supplementary cover. If the insured person is going to live for less than 12 months due to an illness or accident, and can provide a medical certificate to prove this, it is possible for them to receive an advance withdrawal of the lump-sum death benefit as a lump-sum disability benefit.

The insured person is free to decide how to use the money, whether as a gift, to settle debts, or to make their last wishes a reality.


Generali Tipp

How well protected are you and your loved ones? Find out with our pension calculator. The assessment takes less than five minutes. In just a few clicks, you will know if your nearest and dearest would face financial difficulties should you become disabled or die. Our financial protection experts will be happy to provide advice.

Nadia Abdelli

Nadia Abdelli

Pensions Expert

Nadia has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has been working in the insurance industry for over 18 years, eight of which she has spent with Generali. Since 2022, she has been working for HITS – House of Insurtech Switzerland, a subsidiary of Generali Switzerland. Nadia is an examiner at the Swiss Insurance Industry Vocational Training Association (VBV).

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