How to Insure a Sword Swallower
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Candace Jenkins is a licensed insurance advisor with over a decade of experience. She is also a writer and loves to write on all things insurance. Candace writes for TrustedChoice.com on a continuous basis and is here with the facts about all your insurance inquiries.
Reviewed by
Candace Jenkins is a licensed insurance advisor with over a decade of experience. She is also a writer and loves to write on all things insurance. Candace writes for TrustedChoice.com on a continuous basis and is here with the facts about all your insurance inquiries.
Whether it's to cover funeral costs or to replace your income for your family when you're gone, life insurance is essential. But which is the right option, especially if you come with a lot of additional risks based on your profession, sword swallowing. This is where an independent insurance agent comes in handy and can do all sorts of things to help you find the right option for your needs and risks.
How to Find Life Insurance if You're a Sword Swallower
Being a sword swallower as a hobby or profession is a risky thing to insure when it comes to life insurance. All insurance carriers require a peek into your personal life when determining life insurance eligibility, and this includes your hobbies and profession.
Just because you have a high-risk occupation doesn't mean you're uninsurable, but it does mean you may have fewer options. Luckily, with an independent insurance agent, your options are a lot broader.
Sword swallowing is a 4000-year-old ancient tradition, and yes, they do use real swords, which is why it's so risky. There are only a few dozen sword swallowers today. Life insurance can stand in the gap when it comes to any hazardous occupation that may put you more in harm's way than usual.
- Life insurance: This is coverage where an insurance company promises to pay a designated amount to a preselected beneficiary upon the death of the named insured.
- Term life insurance: This is for a fixed period of time ranging from 10 to 30 years. A set premium is paid, and once the period is over, the policy ends. This policy only has a death benefit.
- Whole life insurance: This is also known as permanent life insurance and doesn't expire unless you stop paying the premiums. This type of policy has a cash value that is being contributed to in addition to the death benefit.
Various types of permanent life insurance have different functions. It's essential to check with your independent insurance agent to know which one suits your needs.
Why Does a Sword Swallower Need Life Insurance?
According to a recent study, approximately 29 deaths have occurred in the past 150 years due to sword-swallowing. Considering there may only be a few dozen who still practice the art, that's a pretty decent percentage.
You can see why life insurance is so important. The truth is you never know when it's your time, but putting yourself in harm's way to this extent certainly doesn't help.
Life insurance could mean comfort and financial peace of mind for your family and loved ones should a sword hit too close to a main artery or organ.
Option One: Whole Life Insurance for a Sword Swallower
Whole life insurance stays with you for the long haul. Unlike term, it will not end unless you stop paying premiums. What's nice about whole life insurance is that it has a cash value that works as an investment arm as well as a death benefit.
Little known fact — Walt Disney used a whole life policy that he had to fund Disney World when all the banks turned his business plan down. Just imagine a world without Disney. Whole life insurance saved the day.
The reason Walt Disney was able to use his whole life policy to fund the beginnings of the massive theme park is that you can take out a loan from the cash value amount of the policy, and you are asked to pay that loan back once possible. Otherwise, the interest charged will eat away at your death benefit, causing the policy to cancel.
Option Two: Term Life Insurance for a Sword Swallower
Term life insurance is easy, usually quick, and less expensive than a whole life policy. The only thing a term life policy offers is a death benefit to your beneficiary if you die within the term selected. Typically 10 to 30 year terms are available.
A term life policy is typically faster to process from an underwriting standpoint, and because it only has the one primary function, it has a fixed rate premium.
Option Three: Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance for a Sword Swallower
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance is just how it sounds — guaranteed. As a sword swallower, this may be your only option depending on the agent you go to and your other risk factors.
The way it works is it usually does not give you more than what it would cost for funeral expenses and a little extra for the essentials. It's not the best option, but sometimes beggars can't be choosers, and something is better than nothing.
Since coverage is guaranteed no matter your health or profession, there is only a death benefit, and it's a capped amount for everyone.
Different Types of Sword Swallowers and Their Different Needs
If you are a high rolling sword swallower with some extra cash that's burning a hole in your pocket, then a whole life insurance policy may be your jam. Since whole life is more expensive, it will be attainable for those with expendable cash flow. If you are also looking to take your investments to the next level and want a policy that does some of the work for you, a whole life's cash value is the buildup from the premium that is invested.
On the other hand, if you're not too concerned with being able to access a cash value, and if you're only wanting a life policy for say a 20-year stint while you are practicing sword swallowing, then a term policy may be a fit. Since this policy only has a preselected death benefit, your premiums are much lower.
Your only option may be a guaranteed acceptance life insurance policy. Hey, there's no shame in your sword swallowing game. If you are the type of sword swallower that plays fast and loose and has adopted the motto that anything's better than nothing, then this policy is for you. It's quick, it's guaranteed, and it will get your loved ones coverage for an unexpected loss.
Are There Other Financial Options for Sword Swallowers?
If worse comes to worst and you are unable to obtain a life insurance policy due to your profession, age, or health risk factors, then having some options is a good idea.
- Nest egg: Saving money is a wise old tradition that can help in a time of emergency.
- Final expense coverage: Final expense coverage will provide a type of insurance for funeral costs and unpaid debt. Funeral homes offer this type of coverage.
- Investments: Investing is the new black, and having a financial advisor that knows where and how to invest a monthly contribution is vital. Your independent insurance agent will either have a financial services extension or work with one closely and can give you a good referral.
The Cost of Life Insurance for a Sword Swallower
When it comes to premiums for a whole, term, or guaranteed acceptance life insurance, there is no one-size-fits-all rate. Premiums are as different as the swords you put down your gullet. Some rate-determining factors are as follows:
- Age
- Profession
- Hobbies
- Health
- Lab results
- The amount of death benefit
- Type of life policy selected
Your independent insurance agent can run the exact figures based on your specifications.
Here's How an Independent Insurance Agent Would Help
Independent insurance agents have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you. Find an independent insurance agent in your community here.