You may have considered getting life insurance but aren't quite sure about it. It's important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of life insurance so you can determine what's best for you and your family financially. Life insurance is important because no one can predict the future. You never know what life is going to throw your way.
Furthermore, nobody likes to face the inevitable reality that all life ends. But it is important to consider what could happen to your family if they lost you. Life insurance can help safeguard your family’s financial future should the unthinkable happen.
Now is the perfect time to evaluate your life insurance needs and protect your family’s future. So, use this guide to life insurance to weigh the pros and cons and determine your needs.
Advantages and disadvantages of life insurance
Before you consider taking out a life insurance policy, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of life insurance. This will help you understand the pros and cons and help you decide what type of coverage you may need.
Advantages of life insurance
All in all the advantages of life insurance outweigh the disadvantages in most cases. It's always best to be prepared for your family's sake. Here are a few benefits of life insurance:
Help protect your loved ones
One of the biggest advantages of life insurance is the financial protection it provides your family. Imagine what could happen to your family if you weren’t around to take care of them. Depending on the situation, your loved ones could quickly fall into a bind without your financial support.
Unfortunately, that could lead to additional stress as they navigate an emotionally challenging time without you. With the financial support provided by life insurance, your family can stay on track. Your thoughtfulness will continue to help provide for them while they grieve and beyond.
Peace of mind
Do you have dependents who rely on you to support their financial needs? If so, you may find it easier to see the benefits of life insurance. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your family will be taken care of financially, even after you're gone. The simple fact that your family will find financial help is enough to make anyone feel more comfortable.
It can cover funeral expenses
No one really wants to think about their funeral. But one of the leading advantages of life insurance is it can cover costly funeral expenses. The average funeral costs $7,000-$12,000! That's a lot of money that could help your family in their time of need.
Of course, what is covered will depend on the type of policy and coverage you have. So be sure you understand the terms when choosing a life insurance policy.
Disadvantages of life insurance
Although there are many advantages, let's dive into a few disadvantages of life insurance to help you decide what's best for your situation.
Certain policies are costly
In the long run, the benefits of life insurance are wonderful for your family. However, some policies can get costly depending on the type of policy you get. That's why it's important to evaluate your needs to determine what's best for you and your family.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of life insurance can help you to decide what coverage you may need, which could save some costs. Be sure to do some research before getting a policy. Learn more about Term Vs. Whole Life Insurance to determine what's best for you.
Hidden terms or exclusions
There is a lot to life insurance, and although there are benefits some policies may have specific terms you're not aware of or exclusions of what it covers. For instance, some policies may not cover loss of life for specific reasons such as extreme sports like skydiving or may require additional coverage if you participate in these types of activities.
This means if they do offer a policy it will come at a higher price. So it's important to review your policy with your agent, so you understand exactly what it will cover if something were to happen to you.
Hopefully, this assessment of the pros and cons of life insurance can help you make sound financial decisions about your future.
Do I need life insurance?
Although there are clear benefits of life insurance, you may not think you need to pursue this path. Let’s take a closer look to find out if life insurance is in your best interests.
Do you have dependents?
If you have dependents who rely on your income, then life insurance is an easy decision. You should absolutely purchase a policy that will help protect your spouse and children if something happened to you.
If you don’t have any dependents, then life insurance becomes a bit more complicated. While some people may wait until they have children to take out a life insurance policy, there are benefits to getting one earlier than that.
Namely, if you have life insurance before you have dependents, the long-term cost associated with the plan is often lower, saving you money that you can use for other bills or personal uses down the line.
Do you share financial obligations?
Beyond protecting your dependents, you should take measures to help protect anyone you share financial obligations with. Take a minute to consider any financial obligations that could become a burden to those you leave behind.
For example, many young married couples could benefit from life insurance, even if they do not have children. This is especially true if they have a substantial amount of student loans or credit card debt that requires two incomes to repay. If you left your spouse behind prematurely, could they comfortably afford the life you have built together?
Beyond shared debt between partners, you may have co-signed loans with another family member. Without life insurance, they could be put in a difficult situation if you left this world unexpectedly.
Another example is if you have a mortgage. Credit life insurance could help pay off the balance in the event of your passing.
Why shouldn’t I delay getting life insurance?
It is very easy to look at life insurance as another expense you don’t want to add to your budget. With that, it is very tempting to put off purchasing a policy until it is absolutely necessary. But if you delay it too long, it might be too late to help protect your family if something unexpected arises.
If you are looking to save money on life insurance, then you should move forward as quickly as possible. From a cost perspective, it makes more sense to purchase a life insurance policy while you are young.
That’s simply because life insurance rates are often cheapest when you are young and perceived to be very healthy. Plus, it can be a better value for your money to purchase a policy earlier in life since you can typically lock in a lower rate when you are still young and in good health.
If you think your family could benefit from life insurance, then now is the best time to act. Once you decide life insurance is a good choice for your situation, putting off the purchase could lead to higher rates.
Beyond the cost, delaying your life insurance could lead to dramatic consequences for your family if you aren’t able to finalize a policy in the event something happens to you.
Take advantage of life insurance and protect your family financially
Yes, there are advantages and disadvantages of life insurance, but it is an excellent way to help protect your loved ones from unnecessary financial stress. With a life insurance policy, you can help protect your family from the financial repercussions of your passing.
This can allow them to mourn in peace without wondering how they will be able to pay ongoing bills. Since you never know what life is going to throw your way, it is better to act as soon as possible, lock in the lowest rates today and ensure your family is protected.
Learn even more about life insurance with our completely free "Life insurance 101" course! Don't forget to tune into the Clever Girl Finance YouTube channel and Clever Girls Know podcast for more key financial tips!