Life insurance is one of those things that just about everyone needs but far too few people actually have. It’s easy to put off purchasing a policy when you’re young and relatively healthy. But the longer you wait, the greater the chance of something happening before you get yourself coverage. Maybe buying life insurance has been on your to-do list for a while but you haven’t gotten around to it yet. Here are 10 reasons why you can’t afford to wait any longer.
A financial advisor can help you put an estate plan together for your family’s needs.
1. Replace Lost Income
Life insurance works to provide financial security to your loved ones after you pass away. You have to consider what would happen if you were to die suddenly. This is especially true if your loved ones rely solely on your income. Get yourself adequate coverage. That way, you won’t leave your loved ones helpless when the monthly bills come around.
2. Cover Burial Expenses
Sadly, even a basic funeral service can run upwards of several thousand dollars. While it’s possible to pre-pay for your funeral, people don’t often think that far ahead. Pre-payment can ensure everything is in place for your loved ones after you die. However, there are risks to pre-payment. Life insurance can give you and your beneficiaries more of a guarantee, lifting a burden off of them as well as yourself.
3. Pay Off Debt
Just because you die doesn’t necessarily mean your debts will disappear. In the instance that you and your spouse have co-signed for a mortgage or other loans, your spouse may become entirely responsible for repayment. The other outcome could result in creditors trying to collect from your estate. While that gets rid of your debts, your heirs will receive the depleted remainder. Life insurance allows those you leave behind to take care of any lingering financial responsibilities.
4. College Planning
There are a number of ways to save money for your child’s education. You may not have thought that a life insurance policy would be a viable option. But insurance payouts can actually provide a good supplement to your savings. If your child ends up borrowing money to get through school, the insurance proceeds could also help wipe out pesky student loans.
5. Build Cash Value
Term life insurance, a type of life insurance, stays in place for a set period of time. But another option, whole life insurance, provides permanent coverage that only ends if you cancel the policy. Whole life insurance allows you to build up cash value over time, an attractive prospect to any person. That cash value acts as an extra cushion that you can tap at any time. This may come in handy if you have a financial emergency down the road.
6. Diversify Investments
Some people also use life insurance as an investment tool with universal life policies. These policies are tied to a specific investment product. Then policyholders receive dividend payments based on the product’s performance. Before you dive into this type of insurance, you’ll want to read the fine print. That way you’ll know the potential risks and returns before you commit.
7. Business Planning
If you own a business, it’s vital that you have life insurance. This covers your obligations so your hard work doesn’t go to waste. Are you involved in a partnership with someone else? You should both have coverage. That way, if one of you dies, the other isn’t left holding the heavy financial bag.
8. Estate Taxes
When someone passes away, their heirs often face estate and inheritance taxes on any assets they receive. If you’re worried about your loved ones getting hit with a big tax bill, a life insurance policy can help cover these added costs.
9. Coverage is Affordable
One of the excuses people tend to make for not buying life insurance is the cost. But truthfully, coverage often ends up pretty affordable for most people. Term life tends to be less expensive than whole or universal life. Plus, the younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums will be. Unless you smoke or have a preexisting health condition, you could find coverage for as little as $1 a day. Compare policies now to see your affordable options.
10. Peace of Mind
No one can truly predict the future. But having life insurance means you and your loved ones can prepare for any eventuality. Even with a small policy, you may find yourself sleeping a little easier at night knowing that your family has protection in place should something happen to you.
Bottom Line
Life insurance can provide a financial cushion for when someone passes away. The decision to get life insurance is a personal question. But generally, it can benefit your family if they depend on your income. You may want to consult with a professional to know how much it could help you.
Tips for Life Insurance
- A financial advisor can walk you through the process of getting life insurance. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- If you’re convinced that you need a life insurance policy, here’s a roundup of life insurance quotes.
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/Luke Chan, ©iStock.com/shapecharge