I love reading these stories even though they're usually horrifying. Taking a life insurance policy out on an unsuspecting woman and then killing her for the money.

To me that is the ultimate crime: using somebody else's life for financial gain. They got a $400,000 paycheck for somebody else's life. These brothers should get the death penalty.

Once again, life insurance is for insuring against the accidental death, or death caused by uncontrollable health issues.

Life insurance is not for planned premeditated deaths. Life insurance should not be used for killing for profit.!

These types of articles are great to illustrate the wrong usage of life insurance.

Brothers in crime change plan, now say they're retarded

The brothers came to this country with a sophisticated plan. They would pose as aristocrats from Germany and, using their charm and good looks, one of them would find a woman to sweep off her feet. He would marry her and take out life insurance, and when she signed the policy, she would be signing her death warrant.

Now, 17 years later, the brothers are coming to court with another plan. They can't be put to death, they say, because they're mentally retarded.

This week, prosecutors asked the state Supreme Court to overturn a lower court judge's ruling that could help brothers Michael and Rudi Apelt avoid a death sentence.

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There's something you don't read about everyday... Acuity Awards..

Acuity presented excellence award

The Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Society recently presented Acuity its Excellence Award.

The CPCU Society is a community of credentialed insurance professionals who promote excellence through ethical behavior and continuing education. The society's more than 26,000 members hold the CPCU designation, which requires passing eight rigorous undergraduate- and graduate-level examinations, meeting experience requirements and agreeing to be bound by a strict code of professional ethics.

The CPCU designation is conferred by the American Institute for CPCU.

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YOUR EXIT STRATEGY - AND HOW IT RELATES TO BUSINESS PLANNING.
Business owners and executives are always coached to have an "Exit Strategy" with their career and their business.

An exit strategy is a structured plan as to the many scenarios a business / business person might encounter. The theory is that it should be assumed that a business is going to last for a certain period of time, and/or that a business owner is only going to want to be involved in that business for a fixed amount of time.

If a business owner is planning to exit the business in 5 years, he needs to have a bunch of answers in place to make that transition smooth:

• Am I going to close the business or sell it?
  
• Do I want to sell for cash?
  
• Will I keep some stock?
  
• What are the tax implications of taking cash or stocks?
  
• Do I want to continue on as a consultant?
  
• How do I sell the business?
  
• Who will I hire to help market the business?
  
• Who do I sell the business to?
  
• ETC

If you don't have a plan for these important questions, you're more than likely going to stumble through the process and not receive all of the benefits of exiting your business.

Death planning and life insurance are similar
Although it's not a natural or pleasurable task to plan for your death or your loved one's death, it's something that should be looked at in a business like manner.

I found this article. where this gentleman was in the life insurance business by trade and also had cancer. He went through the planning stages in a more business like fashion.

"I was looking for a quiet place to die," he tells us. Naturally, he chooses Brooklyn ? otherwise, Paul Auster would have had to give his new novel a different title. Nathan is pushing 60, divorced, alone, and likes it that way. He's sort of a Misanthrope Light. He also has cancer, which is why he figures it might be time to get ready for a transition by making a transition. Nathan made his living selling life insurance, so he knows all about actuarial tables; he might live for another 20 years, he might live for six months. Either way, Nathan will be prepared.

Having found a decent place to live in Park Slope, Nathan begins to write what he refers to as The Book of Human Folly, a roster of the disasters he has brought on in his rapidly deflating life. Since he grows weary just compiling his own stupidities, he begins writing about other people's as well. When not immersing himself in mankind's manifold failings, he takes long walks through the neighborhood.

It's refreshing to see the "matter of fact", business like approach that he's taking to getting his finances in order.

Recently, my aunt, age 74, was diagnosed with cancer. She was given 2-6 months to live. She was instructed by the doctor to get her household business and her finances in order before her death. Her situation struck me a little closer to home as she is my mother's sister.

I thought to myself.. My aunt is 74, she's got cancer, she probably feels terrible physically and emotionally, and at the same time she's got to think about selling her house and all her property she owns. She's got to think about estate taxes, and wills for her heirs etc.

Is that really the time you want to start thinking about that? Not really... At a time like that, you want to simply execute all of the plans you've put into place prior to that.

It's a pretty hard and emotional topic.

If you or your loved one dies before your time, these matters will have to be dealt with anyway. The least stressful way is to plan for this eventuality before hand.

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With all of the profits credit card companies make, and especially American Express Canada, it's nice to see that they're allocating some of those profits to fight against child pornography.

As I sit and think about it more and more, American Express Canada and every other credit card company must have a fund and system in place to detect and reject the purchase of other illegal products using their credit cards.

I'm sure the folks who deal with this at American Express must scratch their heads and wonder how people would try to purchase illegal items with their credit cards. Keep in mind, that if people can't purchase and illegal item from a vendor who has an account with American Express, the customer can take out cash advances on their card and buy illegal things.

It shows good conscience and good corporate moral standards for American Express Canada to get involved in this fight against child pornography.

A group of financial institutions, internet companies and organisations fighting child pornography have formed a new coalition in hopes of cutting off online payment mechanisms for web sites selling child pornography, the organisations involved announced last week.

The announcement comes just a day after the US Attorney General said that 27 people in the US, Canada, Australia and England were arrested for their alleged involvement in an internet chat room used to trade child pornography images, including live streaming video of adults sexually molesting children and infants.

The Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography is made up of 18 companies, including America Online, American Express, Bank of America, Citigroup, Visa International, PayPal and Yahoo. The companies will work with organisations around the world, including Child Focus, the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children and the International Association of Internet Hotlines.

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We get visitors on this site from all over the U.S. and Canada.

We can help out with life insurance quotes for both Americans and Canadians. This is because we work with agents in both the U.S. and Canada.

Our job is to put you in touch with licensed and qualified life insurance agents in your area.

If you're curious about the costs of life insurance and want to compare services, sign up on our quote form and we'll put you in touch with somebody in your area.

Our job is life insurance in the U.S. and Canada.

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It just goes to show you the different in reporting. One article mentioned that it was Josaphine Gordon, wife of Harry Gordon who was scamming the life insurance companies for $3.5 million. In the article below, here name is spelled Josephine and she is the daughter of Harry Gordon, and the life insurance amount is only $3 million. And... these folks are from Australia.

It amazes me even more that a business man who is apparently already a millionaire would get his daughter involved in a life insurance scam. It appears from this article that the judge decided to not charge Josephine in this situation.

What a convoluted situation. I don't think that it would be worth the money to throw away lives just for millions of dollars or any money for that matter.

The purpose of a life insurance policy is to protect loved ones or business partners against the financial problems caused by an income earners death. This seems to have greatly complicated the lives of loved ones.

READ ALSO life insurance scam article

Charges against daughter dropped in faked death life insurance scam

The daughter of a former Sydney millionaire who faked his own death several years ago has today had all charges against her dropped.

Harry Bentley Gordon, 56, has been presumed drowned in a boating accident at Port Stephens, north of Sydney in the New South Wales coast in 2000.

But was last year Gordon was charged with staging his own death to collect more than $3 million in life insurance.

Last month, he was sentenced to 15 months in jail.

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It seems that Harry Gordon and Josaphine Gordon decided they didn't want to be married any more. So... why not kill the husband in a fake boating accident and get $3.5 million out of the deal.

It turned out that Harry Gordon "moved" from Australia to New Zealand and got remarried to another woman.

They figured, "if we're going to have some turmoil in our lives, why not just get paid for it. $3.5 million worth.

Harry Gordon is in jail for 15 months and Josaphine Gordon is facing charges.

It's important to remember that the insurance companies are loaded with cash and they like to protect it. They can hire all types of investigators to figure things out if there's a fraud involved.

CHARGES have been withdrawn against a woman who was accused of helping her father fake his death as part of a $3.5 million life insurance scam.

Josaphine Gordon, 30, was facing charges of obtaining money by deception, conspiracy to commit an offence and making a false statement in relation to her father Harry Bentley Gordon's life insurance fraud.
Ms Gordon was to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court today but the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew all three charges against her.

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Do women need life insurance. Yes, most definitely. Why, for the same reason that men need life insurance. To replace lost income should they die, to look after their family needs such as morgages, college funds, etc. In the long run it shows a concern for the future welfare of the family in time of dire needs.

Previously, women had little or no life insurance. Until a few years ago, men had the majority of life insurance policies. But life circumstances changes and women have to look out for themselves and their family.

Ask yourself this: Do I have life insurance. If not, get some. If I do have life insurance is it enough. Adequate life insurance can replace your income, remove uncertainty and help guarantee your family's financial security.

If you're part of a two-income family: Husbands and wives are economic partners. Today's two-income families depend on both pay checks to make ends meet. How would your family replace the lost income should something happen to you.

If you're a single woman heading a house-hold: You have major financial responsibilities. You are probably living on limited finances. You are the sole breadwinner and is responsible for the care of your children. Do you need life insurance - most definitely. Your situation is the worst case. Should something happen to you what will happen to your family. In this situation you need to plan out all your financial needs.

If you're a full-time home maker: Just because you are a stay at home mom does not make your life any less important. What would happen to your family should something happen to you. How would your family cope housewise, such as chores, looking after children, etc.

If you're a single woman: You still have responsibilities. There are bills such as loans, mortgages, credit cards, etc. Even in death you still have those expenses. You do not want to burden your loved ones with these bills. Life insurance can take care of these and more.

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Below are some questions that you might want to ask if a life insurance agent recommends a term policy to you. Do not feel embarrassed, intimidated, etc. These are choices that will affect how you plan for your future.

If I want the option to renew the policy for a specific number of years or until a certain age, what are the terms of renewal?

When will my premiums increase? Annually? Or after a longer period of time, such as five or 10 years?

How long can I keep this policy?

Will I need a medical exam when I convert?

Can I convert to a permanent policy?

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Are you a young adult. Someone who is not married, no children, etc. Have you ever thought of life insurance. Probably not. According to William L. Anthes, he states that "younger people often feel invincible". Strangely enough, I believe what he says. Young adults just starting in the work force looks at insurance as an extra bill to be paid and why should they fork out money for something that they don't need. Yet it can be the unexpected that could leave them with debts that they could be paying for years to come. This is where being prepared comes in handy.

Should they decide on life insurance, what kind should they look at. Some suggest term life insurance. Why - one reason is that the premiums are much lower. As you age and your circumstances change then you can add or change based upon circumstances.

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Are you under insured with life insurance?
I was reading an article today in the Voice of San Diego about life insurance and other types of insurance.

Her article opens by saying that she feels underinsured:

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how my husband and I have four or five different kinds of insurance and still feel underinsured.

We have health, dental, car, property and life insurance. If you count the homeowner's insurance that we pay for through our homeowner's association fees, we actually have six different types of insurance. Six kinds of insurance for healthy, 30-somethings with no dependents, except a dog.

I've read enough personal-finance books to know that any expert would tell us we're missing one big one, possibly the biggest: disability insurance.

In fact, insurance and financial experts say I'm more likely to suffer a disabling injury than die prematurely. According to the Social Security Administration's disability guide, a 20-year-old has a three in 10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

I can understand that feeling. I really love to buy the insurances that cover things that I feel confident are going to break. I buy the extended warranty insurance packages for computers, for fridges with motors, dishwashers etc. Things that have a much better chance of breaking down.

I didn't buy the extended warranty for the new stove we bought because, I've never seen a stove break before. I have seen fridges break down and computers have problems etc.

I have more than adequate insurance for the family vehicles. I've been in and heard of enough accidents to know that they're going to happen. Also, I always purchase the extended warranty for car maintenance. I've owned expensive cars and even they have mechanical problems. The insurance for these products offer more instant gratification. I know I'm going to get some value out of them.

Life insurance is a lot different because you're betting against your life and your spouses life.

The only gratification you'll receive from receiving money based on the loss of a spouse / income earner is the comfort of knowing that you'll be safe financially throughout the grieving period.

The stress of the grieving process coupled with trying to pay debts and bills is more than anybody should have to go through.

The way I look at life insurance is a little bit of investment to help out in a potentially catastrophic / inevitable event.

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