Why life insurance matters
Life insurance isn’t really for you. It’s for the people you’d leave behind. A policy can pay off the mortgage, replace years of lost income, cover childcare and college, and handle final expenses so your family can grieve without financial pressure on top of everything else.
It’s also one of the few purchases that gets more expensive the longer you wait, because premiums are based largely on your age and health when you apply. For most young families and homeowners, the best time to buy is now.
Types of life insurance
Term life
Coverage for a set number of years, often 10, 20 or 30. The most coverage for the lowest premium.
Whole life
Permanent coverage with level premiums and guaranteed cash value that grows over time.
Universal life
Permanent coverage with more flexibility in premiums and death benefit.
Final expense
Smaller permanent policies designed to cover funeral and end-of-life costs.
Who should consider life insurance?
- Parents with children at home
- Homeowners with a mortgage
- Couples who rely on two incomes
- Business owners, for buy-sell agreements and key-person protection
- Anyone who wants to leave a gift to family or a favorite cause
Plain-English advice, no pressure
Life insurance can feel complicated, and it’s easy to be sold more, or less, than you need. We start with your goals, show you side-by-side options, and explain the trade-offs between cost and flexibility. If term coverage is the right answer, we’ll tell you so.
Life insurance also fits naturally alongside your home and auto coverage, so your whole family plan is reviewed in one place, by one local agent.
Review your coverage after big life events: marriage, a new baby, a new home, a job change, or retirement. Your needs change, and your policy should keep up.
Life insurance questions
How much life insurance do I need?
A common starting point is enough to replace your income for the years your family would depend on it, plus your mortgage, other debts, future costs such as college, and final expenses. Then subtract savings and any coverage you already have through work. We’ll walk through the math with you.
Is life insurance through my employer enough?
Group life insurance at work is a nice benefit, but it’s often only one or two times your salary, and it usually ends if you change jobs or retire. Most families need an individual policy that they own and control.
What’s the difference between term and whole life?
Term life covers you for a set period, such as 10, 20 or 30 years, and costs the least per dollar of coverage. Whole life and other permanent policies last your entire life and build cash value, but cost more. Many families use term to cover the years when their need is highest.
Do I need a medical exam?
It depends on your age, health and the amount of coverage. Some policies require a short exam; others use health questions and records instead. We’ll explain the process for the options you’re considering.