Having a solid life insurance policy in place is crucial for any adult who has assets, a business, or a steady income. While most adults know that having a life insurance policy is a vital piece in their financial puzzle, there are many life insurance myths out there that are still believed. This inaccurate knowledge may cause some to make uninformed decisions or discount the idea of life insurance altogether. Below are some common myths that still need to be dispelled.
Myth Number 1: Life Insurance Is Only Used When You Die
While one of the most common types of life insurance policies, term life insurance, is designed to pay your beneficiaries in the event of your death, it is not the only life insurance product available. Some life insurance policies are designed to provide you with a death benefit as well as a vessel for saving money if you outlive your retirement savings or need to supplement your plan.1
Myth Number 2: You Don’t Need Life Insurance if You’re Single and Childless
You shouldn’t wait to get married or have children to get a life insurance policy. It is not a product that is able to be bought when needed. Additionally, the longer you wait, the higher the cost of premiums will be. Premiums will get higher as you get older, and if you are young and healthy, you will be able to lock in a fantastic rate for decades. If you are single and have debt, buying a policy is even more important, as your untimely death may leave your extended family with the financial burden of repaying your debt.1
Myth Number 3: A Company Policy is Enough
Many companies offer small life insurance policies as part of their employee benefits program. These policies are often smaller and primarily designed to cover funeral expenses and a short amount of salary coverage. While these policies may be enough for young and single employees, they will likely not cover their future needs. Additionally, these policies are often terminated when you leave the company.2
Myth Number 4: Life Insurance Premiums are Expensive
Premiums vary from policy type to policy type and company to company and are often more affordable than most people realize, especially when you are younger. If you have a specific
budget in mind, companies will work with you to find the product and payout that you will be able to get based on the premium amount that you will be able to afford each month.2
Myth Number 5: Pre-existing Conditions Automatically Disqualify You
Pre-existing conditions will likely affect the amount of premium you pay for a life insurance policy but not necessarily disqualify you from obtaining a policy. While it is always better to get life insurance when you are younger and healthy, many policy underwriters will accept certain conditions and be able to structure a policy for you.2
Important Disclosures:
Content in this material is for general information and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. For information about specific insurance needs or situations, contact your insurance agent. This article is intended to assist in educating you about insurance generally and not to provide personal service. They may not take into account your personal characteristics such as budget, assets, risk tolerance, family situation or activities which may affect the type of insurance that would be right for you. In addition, state insurance laws and insurance underwriting rules may affect available coverage and its costs. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company. If you need more information or would like personal advice you should consult an insurance professional. You may also visit your state’s insurance department for more information.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
This article was prepared by WriterAccess.
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Footnotes:
1“1 Life Insurance Myths That Need To Be Debunked,” Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/in/life-insurance/10-life-insurance-myths-that-need-to-be-debunked/
2“Top 10 Life Insurance Myths Revealed,” Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/life-insurance-myths.asp