If you're planning on purchasing life insurance cover online, you'll need to do your research. It can be easy to make a simple mistake that you'll regret for the duration of your policy. So, what do you need to consider before signing on the digital dotted line? Here are a few of our top tips.

Carefully Compare Offers and Seek Reviews

Only consider products from well-established and trusted providers. Use price comparison tools, check out review sites and talk to friends and family members about their own policies and whether or not they'd recommend you to follow the same path. If possible, exchange phone calls or emails with a shortlist of providers and ask as many questions as you can to try and find the best fit. Never be afraid to walk away if a policy doesn't seem to be what you require.

Confirm That You're Only Paying for What You Need

Does the cover you're considering offer any special features? Are those features optional? Do they cost more? Do you need them? Unless you select fixed rate or balanced cover, your premiums are likely to go up throughout the full term of the contract, so you're better off avoiding any unnecessary expenses from the start. You'll also need to be sure of the accuracy of a quote before you commit. Is it a vague estimate? You'll often need to provide detailed information, including the results of a medical examination, before your quote is confirmed. As a result, you may end up with higher premiums than originally anticipated

Whole Life or Term? Why?

Do your research about the types of cover that are generally available. For example, you may think that whole life insurance is the best way to go, but if you're only purchasing a contract to tie in with your mortgage, it's likely that you'll only need term-based cover. This decision could save you money. However, if you're looking for a policy that you can sell on in case of a diagnosis of terminal illness or anything similar, you'll need either whole life cover or a term-based product that can be converted to whole life. You can estimate the value in seconds for your life insurance policy with a viatical settlement as long as you have a policy of this kind.

Check That the Policy Suits Your Needs

Once you know the general types of cover available, you should start considering your precise requirements. It may be that your position is too complex and you require the help of a broker. Otherwise, you should look into the policies that are most suitable for individuals of your age, occupation and commitments. Who will your beneficiaries be and how would you like any payout to be arranged? Do you want your premiums to increase over time to tie in with inflation, or would you prefer a fixed or even decreasing rate option?

What Are Your Options Further Down the Road?

Can your chosen policy be renewed or reviewed? If so, under what terms? It's important to ask about the flexibility of any cover you consider. When renewing a term policy, for example, it may be that you don't have to undergo another medical examination. However, it's likely that your premiums may increase due to inflation and your age having advanced since the date you first purchased it. These are all important considerations to keep in mind.