Do You Need Life Insurance?
Life insurance can be a very confusing topic, but it’s very important that you find out whether or not you need it, and if so, how much of it to get.
In order to make this as easy as possible, here are 5 questions to ask yourself in order to determine if you need life insurance and, if so, how much of it you should have
Why do you need life insurance?
Death is inevitable, but life insurance policies can help ease your financial burden when you pass. While there are a variety of reasons to buy life insurance, each situation is different—and for some people, these policies aren’t necessary. If you’re considering life insurance coverage but are unsure if it’s a smart investment for you and your family, here are three questions to ask yourself
1) Do I have dependents who would be financially burdened by my death?
2) Is my spouse currently working or planning on returning to work soon after giving birth or adopting a child?
3) Would my death prevent me from saving enough money to leave behind an inheritance for my children or grandchildren? If you answered yes to any of these questions, life insurance might be right for you.
Keep in mind that insurance isn’t always a sure thing: There are many factors that determine whether or not you will receive benefits in the event of death, including age, health status and how much time has passed since purchasing your policy.
It’s important to understand all terms before making a decision about life insurance—especially because these policies typically last until death.
How much coverage should you have?
First, figure out how much your final expenses might cost. Final expenses is a term life insurance companies use to mean all costs involved with your death – funeral costs, estate taxes and other government fees, savings withdrawn to pay for funeral or other final expenses.
Then add an additional 10 percent of that amount to provide income for those who depend on you. Now divide that amount by 40 — that’s how much life insurance you need.
For example, if your final expenses are $50,000 and there are two people who depend on you financially, then $500,000 life insurance will cover it.
Of course, if you have a spouse and children under 18 years old they should be included in these calculations as well because they will have their own living expenses after your death.
Are there exclusions for pre-existing conditions?
If you have a pre-existing condition, it’s important to understand if that condition is excluded under your policy.
Pre-existing conditions are treated differently by different companies, so it’s crucial to read your life insurance policy carefully or ask an agent or broker before buying. Some policies will exclude coverage for 12 months, while others will exclude coverage for five years.
Also keep in mind that many life insurance policies cover only critical illnesses and accidents, not chronic illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure. Make sure you understand what is covered and what isn’t before purchasing a policy.
What if you die right after buying the policy, will your beneficiaries get paid out all that money.
Before you sign up for a life insurance policy, you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the right amount of coverage.
How much coverage is enough? Well, that depends on your age and income level. For example, if you have young children or other dependents that rely on your income,
it’s a good idea to purchase at least $250,000 in coverage. On the other hand, if you are married with no kids and have an annual salary of more than $75,000, then $100,000 might be enough.
If you need help determining how much life insurance coverage is right for you, there are plenty of resources available online.
How to maximize your death benefit.
One of life’s greatest uncertainties is death, but if you buy a life insurance policy it can become one of your biggest certainties. In order to optimize your coverage you should determine how much coverage you want, where you want to be covered and what specific causes of death are unacceptable.
These factors will help you maximize your death benefit and properly prepare for financial loss in case of an accident or unexpected event. The higher your death benefit, the more money you leave behind for those who depend on you.
While life insurance may not make sense financially for everyone, if there is someone that depends on your income and/or has future expenses that would rely on your income, it might be a good idea to purchase life insurance as soon as possible.
Our society’s view on life insurance.
In some ways, our society’s view on life insurance is similar to our views on other forms of insurance. For example, if a person has a car, most everyone recommends that they get at least some form of collision insurance.
Even though most people will never be in an accident, they still purchase coverage as a way to protect themselves from any potential car damage in case they are ever involved in an accident. Similarly, life insurance policies can help protect your family and loved ones against financial hardship should you pass away unexpectedly.
While you may not think about it often, you should make sure that you have life insurance in place for yourself and your family. If not, then there’s no telling what kind of financial hardship could come your way when you pass away.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry! The best way to get started is by speaking with an insurance agent. An insurance agent can help you find out how much life insurance you need and also explain how a policy works so that you feel confident making decisions on your own going forward.
Whether or not you decide to take action today, make sure that someone in your family has had a conversation with an insurance agent about life insurance within the last year.
conclusion
It may be tempting to think life insurance is unnecessary, but when you consider that death is one of our only certainties in life, it’s clear why some kind of protection is a wise investment. Of course, there are many other factors to consider when determining whether or not life insurance is right for you and your family.
For more information on life insurance policies and what they can do for you, contact a trusted agent today. Title: How Do I Start Life Insurance Coverage?