{"id":309,"date":"2021-12-03T19:34:42","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T20:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huachen.me\/?p=309"},"modified":"2023-11-14T00:53:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T00:53:14","slug":"how-much-life-insurance-do-you-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.huachen.me\/index.php\/2021\/12\/03\/how-much-life-insurance-do-you-need\/","title":{"rendered":"How much life insurance do you need?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Life insurance<\/a> can be a difficult topic. It can seem confusing, and maybe even uncomfortable \u2014 no one wants to think about the end of their life. However, just because the topic seems hard to talk about doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t well worth doing so. In fact, life insurance is often considered an essential cornerstone of financial planning and is one of the best ways you can protect your loved ones.<\/p>\n

At Elephant Insurance, we strive to make the complicated a little less complex. So, to put things simply, life insurance can provide income replacement to your beneficiaries if you were to pass away. This is a very broad description, but don\u2019t worry \u2014 we\u2019ll go into plenty more detail below. Read on for an in-depth discussion of what life insurance is, what it covers, who needs coverage and when<\/a>, and what to consider before making a policy purchase.<\/p>\n

What is life insurance?<\/h2>\n

Just like other, more familiar types of insurance, life insurance constitutes a contract between an insurer and a policy owner<\/a>. When you purchase a life insurance policy, you agree to pay a premium to an insurance company (Elephant, for example), in exchange for the knowledge that, should you pass away, the company will then pay out that amount as a \u201cdeath benefit\u201d to your named beneficiaries. This benefit can be paid out monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or in one lump annual payment, depending on your policy and your preferences.<\/p>\n

Who needs it?<\/h2>\n

If anyone else depends on you for financial support, it\u2019s in your best interest (and theirs) for you to consider an individual life insurance policy<\/a>. To name a few examples, an individual life insurance policy might be right for you if you are:<\/p>\n

Married, with or without children<\/h3>\n

As married couples generally share their financial obligations, your spouse might need assistance if you should pass away. Your life insurance policy can help them replace lost income, keep up with rent or mortgage payments, or pay off any debts.<\/p>\n

If you are married and have children, your life insurance policy can help your spouse and kids continue to live the lifestyle they\u2019re used to after your death. This can mean helping provide for present living expenses as well as for future costs such as college tuition or marriage.<\/p>\n

A parent<\/h3>\n

As a parent, you naturally want what\u2019s best for your kids, both now and later on down the road. Whether you are a parent of minor children, a parent of a special needs adult, or a parent of adult children you would still like to help financially, a life insurance policy can help provide for your children after your death.<\/p>\n

A young adult<\/h3>\n

You may be fortunate enough to be at a point in your life where you\u2019re young and healthy, but that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not worth it to look ahead. For example, taking out a life insurance policy earlier in life can let you lock in better rates for the long term. Additionally, if you own property together with another adult, a life insurance policy can help them keep up rent or mortgage payments in the event of your passing.<\/p>\n

A stay-at-home spouse<\/h3>\n

Even if, as a stay-at-home spouse, you don\u2019t bring in any income, the support you provide your family is still immensely valuable. This includes financial value \u2014 if you were to pass away, and your spouse then had to take care of all the work you do, would they be able to do it alone? Would they be able to maintain their career at the same time? Or would they have to pay others to provide all the services you took care of?<\/p>\n

Many families only take out a life insurance policy for the spouse who works outside the home. Don\u2019t make this mistake \u2014 taking out a policy for yourself as the stay-at-home spouse can help ensure your family doesn\u2019t lack essential support should something happen to you.<\/p>\n

Someone with a pre-existing condition<\/h3>\n

A pre-existing condition refers to any health concern or condition you were dealing with before applying for insurance coverage. These may include conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, depression, cancer, obesity, autism, and epilepsy, among others.<\/p>\n

The list of pre-existing conditions varies from policy to policy, so it\u2019s worth doing your research. Regardless of your condition, there are policy options for you.<\/p>\n

What does it cover?<\/h2>\n

As we mentioned above, life insurance provides income replacement for the insured\u2019s beneficiaries during their working years. This is significantly helpful on its own, but life insurance policies can also cover funeral and burial expenses, outstanding debts, day-to-day expenses, and future large life expenses such as college tuition.<\/p>\n

What determines the cost of life insurance premiums?<\/h2>\n

When taking out a car insurance policy, the company will look at factors such as your driving record and the type of car you drive to determine how much you\u2019ll pay in monthly premiums. Life insurance companies consider many different factors to determine what you\u2019ll pay as well. Some of these include:<\/p>\n

Age<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve listed this factor first for a reason. Out of all other factors considered, your age has the greatest impact on your life insurance premium. The likelihood that your insurer will have to pay out on your policy increases as you age \u2014 therefore, so do your premiums.<\/p>\n

Gender<\/h3>\n

In the United States, women tend to live about five years longer than men. The average life expectancy for U.S. women is 81.1, versus 76.1 for U.S. men. Since women live longer, insurers are less likely to have to pay out, and so women pay less.<\/p>\n

Hobbies and habits<\/h3>\n

Anything that has the potential to lower your life expectancy will likely raise your monthly premium. For example, do you smoke? If so, you\u2019ll pay a higher rate. Are your hobbies more along the lines of skydiving or bungee jumping rather than reading or knitting? High-risk activities<\/a> come with higher premiums, too.<\/p>\n

Health<\/h3>\n

Many life insurance companies require you to undergo a medical exam and grant access to your medical records before you can take out a policy. A history of illnesses, as well as higher weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, can all lead to higher premiums.<\/p>\n

Family medical history<\/h3>\n

In much the same vein as your personal health, a history of certain illnesses within your family can also raise your rates.<\/p>\n

Driving record<\/h3>\n

We mentioned your driving record<\/a> above as a factor in car insurance rates, but it can affect your life insurance premiums as well. A more reckless driver can expect a higher rate than a more cautious commuter.<\/p>\n

Amount of coverage<\/h3>\n

In general, taking out a larger policy with more guaranteed protection for your loved ones will cost you a bit more.<\/p>\n

Tips to think about your life insurance needs<\/h2>\n

When deciding whether you need life insurance, and how much you need if you do, there are a few different things to think about.<\/p>\n