“How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?”

I hate this question.

I hate this question because I have no way of knowing how much life insurance you need or if you even need life insurance.

I hate this question because this is the first question 95% of Life Insurance purchasers ask.

I hate this question because it perpetuates the misunderstanding that there is some arbitrary coverage amount that will fulfill an individual’s needs.

So, How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

Life Insurance Makes Babies Happy!

I recently had a Home/Auto client of mine call me about life insurance.

Insured: “Ryan, my wife and I would like to get some life insurance. “

Proud Insurance Agent: “Great, life insurance is important for a young family.” (We had discussed life insurance as an important part of their personal insurance program in a previous meeting).

Insured: “Run me a quote at 500k term!”

Concerned Insurance Agent: “Why 500k term?”

Insured: “That seems like a good number…”

Inquisitive Insurance Agent: “Why?”

Insured: “…………………..” (Silence)

He had asked himself, “How much life insurance do I need?”, and 500k popped into his head without thinking about his family’s needs, priorities, and goals.

Building a Life Insurance Program that Works for Your Family

The word “program” denotes Work and Complexity to many people.  Much to the contrarty, for some families a simple $150k term policy for Mom and Dad might work perfect.  Other families may have need for a whole or universal life product (permanent life products). Others yet might need/want to hold multiple policies combining the advantages of term and permanent life to satisfy their need.  However, you will not be able to determine what program works best for you and your family unless you ask the right questions…

“How much life insurance do I need?” over simplies the process.  If you are going to pay the premiums on Life Insurance why not buy something that works for you?

Questions to Discuss with your Insurance Professional

• How do I currently pay my household bills? Could my spouse pay the mortgage, heat, electric, cell-phone, cable, food, gas, and car expenses if my income was no longer available? With only one care-giver remaining how will your spouse pay for child care?
• What outside financial responsibilities do I have?  Does a parent, grand-parent, or other relative depend on me financially?  Would anyone be able to pick up the slack if my income was no longer available?
• Do I want to help my children with their primary or secondary education?
• Who will my personal debt fall upon and how will they pay that obligation after I expire?  How much Credit Card debt do I have?  What personal or business loans do I have that could fall to my spouse or dependents?
• How much will my final preparation cost?

Can you see the value in asking these questions over “How much life insurance do I need?”

Asking all these questions may not dig out all the financial and parental obligations in your life.  So be honest with your insurance professional and freely discuss your concerns.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposely only. There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered and the author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions take or not taken by the readers based upon such information.

Thank you,

Ryan H.

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