Sunday Refresh Most of our friends scoff at the idea of shelling out for life insurance.
If you're young, healthy, and without dependents you probably feel the same.
That's likely one reason why only about 60% of American adults have life insurance. But the truth is, no matter who you are, life insurance has benefits.
If you die unexpectedly, there's a good chance someone will be on the hook for your funeral and burial expenses... and your debt.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of basic funeral, viewing, and burial services in 2017 was $7,360. Add to that any unpaid taxes, potential legal fees, debts, a mortgage... and the total really adds up.
That's why today, we'll cover the basics of life insurance and how to decide if you even need it...
What are the different types of life insurance?
When choosing life insurance, the two most common options are term life insurance and whole life insurance.
Term life insurance is the more popular of the two, mostly because it's more affordable and easier to understand than whole life insurance. Term life works like a lot of other types of insurance... You pay a set monthly premium in exchange for your beneficiaries receiving a set-value death benefit if you die within the life of your policy.
The downside is that if your policy is for 30 years and you die in 32 years, there's no payout.
Unlike term life, whole life insurance actually increases in value as you make payments. When you make payments to a whole life policy, you contribute to the policy's cash value. This cash value, which is additional to the death benefit, grows over time. So the longer you make payments, the greater the cash value.
The cash value grows tax-free and you can borrow against it, like a loan. And the policy lasts as long as you pay the premiums.
Lots of variables – like your age and health – determine the premiums you'd pay. But, generally speaking, you can get a term life policy for a few hundred dollars per year, while a similar whole life policy might cost you a few thousand. For most people, term life insurance gives you adequate benefits without burning a hole in your wallet.
What expenses does life insurance cover?
You can use life insurance to cover any expenses, but it's often used for debt repayment, burial costs, or everyday living expenses. It can also cover the income your family loses when you die.
These benefits are why if you have anyone depending on you, you should consider getting life insurance. But even if you don't have any dependents, life insurance is useful. As we mentioned, life insurance covers funeral costs and debt repayment. This removes the cost burden from your family.
That's one less thing for a grieving family to do after the loss of a loved one.
Now, the type of expenses covered and the duration of coverage depends on the policy. And, although it's extremely rare, an insurance company can fight a claim depending on circumstances of death, including suicide and death from a preexisting condition like cancer.
Make sure to check your policy so you know the exact terms.
My employer provides free life insurance. Is that good enough?
As a benefit, many companies offer term-life policies, typically around $50,000 for little to no cost. If you don't have debt or dependents, that might be more than enough for you. But if you have a mortgage, a spouse, and kids, $50,000 won't go far.
You should also know that if you leave your employer, you likely won't be able to keep the policy.
How much life insurance do I need?
This is one of the parts of life insurance most people have a hard time figuring out. You want to make sure you have enough to cover the expenses you want it to cover. But too much, and you'll end up paying higher premiums for a policy you don't need.
There are lots of different calculations. Three of the most common calculation methods are the capital needs analysis, the human life value, and the income replacement value. The capital needs analysis is the most thorough of the three, as it goes through your income, expenses, and assets to determine exactly what your family would need if you died.
The calculations can get complicated. Using an online calculator (like this one from Bankrate) to help you determine what you need can make the process simpler. But there are a few things you should consider – and try to calculate on your own...
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Finally, you need to take all of your assets into consideration, including money in bank accounts, retirement accounts, and property.
Write out a full list of assets as well as debts and dependents and take the time to determine how much you need before meeting with any salesmen.
If my employer's coverage isn't enough, where should I buy life insurance?
Shop around to find the best deal. Policygenius can help you decide how much you need and lets you compare insurance rates. One of our colleagues told us he likes TERM4SALE. (We're not associated with either, we simply like their easy-to-use tools.)
Once you have your policy, don't forget to share the details of it with your beneficiaries...
Each year, more than $7 billion in life insurance benefits go unclaimed. That means when the policyholder dies, no one files to collect as a beneficiary. So don't forget to review your beneficiaries annually, make any necessary changes, and let your beneficiary know.
So, is life insurance right for you?
If you have debt or other expenses that would fall on your family when you die those bills will have to be paid by someone... And having a life insurance policy helps alleviate that burden.
We've really only skimmed the surface. But we hope this information can help you figure out your own life insurance needs.
Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Send it to[email protected].
Have a great week,
Laura Bente & Amanda Cuocci
April 22, 2018