Types of insurance cover

There are several different types of cover worth thinking about if you're considering taking out insurance. Some of these include:

• Life insurance
  
  If you've got other people dependent on you, this is one of the most important types of cover to consider. If something happens to you, life insurance can help pay the bills, fund your children's future education, provide a living allowance for your partner, and keep your business up and running. Your insurance needs will change as your life changes, for example if you have children, or buy a home, and this is one of those types of cover that could become more important to you as your life goes on.
  
  
• Health insurance
  
  There's more to health insurance than just private medical care - it's also worth considering in order to protect yourself against loss of income if you are self employed, and illness stops you from being able to work. It can also help you plan for old age, and protect yourself against the eventuality of long-term illness.
  
  
• Disability insurance
  
  Your body is one of the most valuable assets you possess, and in the same way that you insure your car against breakdown, it's a good idea to consider insuring your body too. In the eventuality that injury or accident leaves you with mobility difficulties, or impairs your sight or hearing, this type of cover can provide you and your family with an income, or a lump sum to help cover the additional costs of coping with a disability.
  
  
• Travel insurance
  
  Travel insurance can cover more than the contents of your suitcase, it can also cover your costs if you are injured while you're on holiday. Particularly important for high-risk activity holidays such as skiing or climbing, travel insurance could be invaluable to cover your medical costs if you're injured while you're abroad.