The main purpose of life insurance is to provide cash to your family after you die. The money your dependents will receive (the “death benefit”) is an important financial resource. It can help pay the mortgage, run the household, end ensure that your dependents aren’t burdened with debt. The proceeds from a life insurance policy could mean that they won’t have to sell assets to pay outstanding bills or taxes. Learn more here about the benefits or life insurance and how to navigate the insurance maze.
At What Age Should I Get Life Insurance?
A couple of weeks ago, a 40-something friend of mine gave me the dreaded news: She has an aggressive form of breast cancer, and her prognosis is grim. She worries about who will take care of her 6-month-old son and 4-year-old daughter and how her husband will juggle it all if she’s not there to [...]
Life Insurance vs. Disability Insurance: Do You Need Both?
Life insurance and disability insurance are both important types of insurance to consider, especially if you have family members who depend on your earnings. Consumers might want to consider weighing these two different forms of insurance to determine if they want to purchase just one or if the benefits to getting both outweigh the costs. [...]
The Insurance Implications of Divorce
No matter the circumstances, divorce can be painful—both emotionally and financially, including issues surrounding various types of insurance policies. As you work through your finances, be sure to consider the insurance implications of divorce. Auto insurance A divorced or separated couple will need to decide who will wind up with any car (or cars), and [...]
Life Insurance: When Do I Need It, and How Much Should I Buy?
For 20-somethings without mortgages, spouses or kids, life insurance may be the furthest thing from their minds. After all, most people start thinking about purchasing it when they reach one of three milestones: buying a home, getting married, or starting a family. While data shows that many Millennials are now delaying homeownership, marriage and parenthood, [...]
Common Money Myths Women Tell Themselves
According to a May 2013 Pew Research study, 40 percent of all households with children younger than 18 have mothers who are either the sole or primary source of income. The majority—63 percent—are single mothers, and 37 percent are married mothers with higher incomes than their husbands. With so many women in positions of financial [...]
Should I Choose Term or Permanent Life Insurance?
Let’s face it: few people like to talk about life insurance, let alone buy it. Benjamin Franklin, who was instrumental in creating the first life insurance company, the Presbyterian Ministers’ Fund, subsequently found that various religious authorities were outraged at the practice of putting a value on human life. Criticism cooled, however, when it was [...]
Why You Should Never Buy Permanent Life Insurance
If you want to throw your hard-earned money into a hole, then buy permanent life insurance. While life insurance is a key component of your financial planning, it shouldn't be an expensive investment vehicle. Your policy should cover enough to replace the lost income if you die, or your spouse dies, so that the remaining [...]
How to Avoid Life Insurance Scams
Life insurance can give you the peace of mind that your spouse or children will be taken care of in the event of your death. Unfortunately, there are fraudsters out there who know how to prey on your fear for your dependents and scam you out of thousands of dollars. When you’re shopping for a [...]
The Top Six Myths About Life Insurance
How much do you really know about life insurance? There are many myths surrounding it, and some of these myths may prevent people from buying a policy. As you shop for life insurance this year or consider whether you really need it, keep in mind the following six myths that many consumers believe: 1. Single [...]
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need? Tips on Estimating Coverage
You may have heard a lot about the importance of buying life insurance, but you may not be sure if it applies to you. Well I have a newsflash for you: It does. Before buying life insurance, it’s important to consider how much coverage you and your family will need. One of the biggest excuses [...]