5 Things You Need to Know to Buy Life Insurance

Death is always a tragedy. But if the person who passed away was earning a large percentage of the family's income, it can leave the grieving family members in a difficult financial situation. A life insurance policy can help to offset the loss of income and spare those who are left behind from being forced to deal with tough economic decisions. When shopping around for the right life insurance coverage for you and your family, it's important to ask yourself the right questions.

1. How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

While you may be tempted to buy the most extensive policy that you can afford, the basic rule of thumb is to buy at least 10 times your annual salary. This is a good starting point, but for parents who have younger children, it is essential to consider the costs associated with education. Some suggest an additional $100,000 of coverage for each child. Other factors, such as outstanding debts, also need to be considered.

2. What Are the Different Types of Insurance Policies?

The most popular options for life insurance are term life, whole life, and universal life policies.

• Term life insurance coverage lasts for a certain number of years and then ends. These types of policies have the lowest premiums but offer limited protection and the fewest number of options. Many term life insurance policies let you renew the policies but at a higher premium.¹
  
  
• Whole life insurance requires you to pay the same amount in premiums for a certain number of years for a fixed amount of coverage. Once your policy is paid off, any death benefits are secured. This type of policy places part of your premiums in a tax-deferred saving plan that you can borrow against.
  
  
• Universal life insurance is the most flexible since it allows you to increase or decrease the amount of your coverage. Whole life policies usually offer the option of a fixed death benefit or an increasing benefit based on the value of the policy at the time of passing.

Each insurer has its own rules, so make sure to speak with your insurance agent to fully understand the terms and options available in your policy.

3. Which Life Insurance Policy Is Right for Me?

The decision of which type of insurance policy you choose is entirely dependent on your personal financial and family situation. But it is important to note that most people will require more life insurance as their family grows and will need less life insurance as they age. It is best to speak with your financial professional to determine the best policy for you. Don't depend on the advice of an insurance agent who typically earns more money with whole life and universal life policies.

4. Who Should My Beneficiaries Be?

Your choice of the primary beneficiary for your policy is a critical decision to make. Usually, people choose a spouse or significant other, but you may choose anyone to make your primary beneficiary. You can even assign a charity or a trust as the primary beneficiary. Besides a primary beneficiary, make sure to designate a contingent beneficiary if your primary beneficiary passes first.

5. What Other Types of Life Insurance Are Available?

Guaranteed issue life insurance is an option for people who only wish to avoid having their loved ones pay for their funeral and minor outstanding debt. This type of insurance pays out a small sum, typically under $30,000, but does not require a medical check. Accidental death insurance is an option for those who want to ensure that in the event of an untimely death due to an accident, their loved ones will have the money they need. This type of life insurance will not pay out if a person dies from natural causes.

Although it can be difficult to think about preparing for the end of life, it is a significant financial decision everyone needs to consider.

1. Investopedia.com, May 25, 2022

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.