by Emily Shepherd | Aug 30, 2023 | Insurance
Acquiring a life insurance policy is a crucial part of protecting your family’s future, no matter what stage of life you’re in. From buying a house to starting a family, or sending kids off to college, life insurance can be tailored to your needs and provide financial security for the ones you love. But in reality, only about half of Americans have a life insurance policy—and many more are underinsured for what they need.
As a best practice, as your family grows and changes, so should your life insurance. That way you’ll ensure that no matter what life looks like, you’ll always be able to take care of what’s important for those you love most.
Life Insurance for Newlyweds
As you start this exciting chapter in your life, it’s important to consider how life insurance can protect your future together. While it may not be the most romantic topic, having life insurance as newlyweds is a smart decision—it provides financial security and peace of mind for both of you, and can help cover expenses such as mortgage payments, student loans, and funeral costs in the unfortunate event of one partner’s passing. For young couples, an insurance policy isn’t that expensive, and it’s an investment in your future as a couple, ensuring that your loved one will be taken care of if the unexpected occurs.
Life Insurance for Parents of Young Children
When you become a parent, your responsibilities increase significantly—in a number of ways. After all, it’s not just about providing for yourself anymore; you now have little ones relying on you. So while it may be a tough topic to think about, having life insurance policies can give you peace of mind knowing that if something were to happen to you, your children will be taken care of for all their expenses, including childcare, education costs, and daily living expenses. But this is also the time to think about their policies, too—term life policies on children are typically very inexpensive, while a whole life policy that can benefit them into adulthood is cheaper than it ever will be again.
Life Insurance for Parents of Teenagers
As your children enter their teenage years, life can become even more hectic and unpredictable. While it may seem like your children are becoming more independent, they still rely on you for their well-being, financial support, and guidance. While your own life policy can once again ensure that their lifestyles are financially supported, having a policy for them can also cover what often includes riskier behaviors than before.
Life Insurance for Empty Nesters
As your children grow up and move out of the house, your priorities and financial needs change. And while you may be enjoying the newfound freedom and flexibility, it’s important not to overlook the need for a policy that can provide financial security and in some cases, pay you back in retirement.
Life Insurance for Retirees and Seniors
As you enter the phase of retirement and your golden years, it’s becomes clearer how life insurance can continue to protect your loved ones. While your financial obligations may have decreased, there are still expenses to consider, such as funeral costs and any outstanding debts, but life insurance may also serve as an inheritance for your loved ones to carry out legacy projects or cover their own needs.
Types of Life Insurance Policies to Consider
Life insurance policies come in different types, and it’s essential to understand the options available to choose the right one for your family’s needs. Two primary types of life insurance to consider are term life insurance and whole life insurance.
Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific term—typically 10, 20, or 30 years—and is ideal for individuals who want coverage during a specific period, such as when they have young children or a mortgage. Term life insurance is generally more affordable than to whole life insurance and offers a death benefit to beneficiaries if the insured passes away during the term, but on the other hand, whole life insurance provides lifelong coverage and includes a cash value component that grows over time. A whole life policy offers both a death benefit and an investment element, making it an attractive option for individuals looking for permanent coverage and potential savings, and while it’s a bit more expensive, guarantees coverage for life and allows policyholders to build cash value that can be accessed or borrowed against in the future.
Other types of life insurance policies to consider include universal life insurance and variable life insurance. Universal life insurance provides flexible premiums and death benefits, allowing policyholders to adjust their coverage as their financial needs change, while variable life insurance, offers investment options within the policy, allowing policyholders to potentially grow a cash value component.
Finding Your Best Option
When it comes to choosing the best life insurance policy for your family, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each family has unique needs and circumstances, which is why it’s important to carefully evaluate your options with thorough research and consideration.
That’s why consulting an insurance professional is highly recommended during this process. Not only can they provide guidance and walk you through your options, but they can answer any questions you may have, and help you find the best option.
At Penny Insurance, our experienced brokers are dedicated to helping families like yours find the best life insurance policy—no matter how big or small. Reach out to us today to take the first step toward securing your family’s future.
by Emily Shepherd | Aug 30, 2023 | Insurance
August is National Wellness Month, which makes it the perfect time to look into the insurance policies that can help you maintain your health and wellness. From health insurance to dental insurance, life insurance, and more, there are several types of insurance policies that can help you prioritize your own health—and that of your family and loved ones. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the five types of insurance policies that you should consider for your overall health and wellness.
1) Health Insurance: What It Covers and Why You Need It
When it comes to maintaining your health and wellness, one of the most important insurance policies you can have is health insurance, because it provides financial protection against medical expenses and ensures that you have access to quality healthcare when you need it most. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best health insurance plan for your needs?
First, it’s important to understand the difference between health and wellness in the context of insurance. While health insurance primarily focuses on covering medical expenses related to illness and injury, wellness plans are designed to promote overall health and preventive care. That means these plans often include coverage for preventive services like annual check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings, whereas a standard catastrophic or health plan may not.
But in general, health insurance covers a wide range of services, including hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, and surgical procedures, and also often includes coverage for mental health services, maternity care, and rehabilitation services.
With the rising costs of healthcare, having health insurance ensures that you have access to the care you need without having to worry about the cost. Without health insurance, you never know when a medical emergency or even a routine doctor’s visit could quickly become a major financial burden.
2) Dental Insurance: Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
When it comes to maintaining our health and wellness, dental care often takes a back seat, because while we tend to prioritize other aspects of our well-being, such as physical fitness and mental health, we often neglect the importance of a healthy mouth. Unfortunately, Poor oral health has been linked to various systemic health issues, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. That’s where dental insurance comes in, providing us with the necessary coverage to keep our teeth and gums in tip-top shape.
Dental insurance typically covers a range of services, including preventive care such as regular check-ups, cleanings, and X-rays. These routine visits are essential for maintaining oral health and preventing dental issues from arising.
Still, it’s important to note that dental insurance may not cover all procedures. Orthodontic care, for example, is often considered an elective treatment and may require additional coverage or out-of-pocket expenses, so if you or your family members require braces or other orthodontic treatments, it’s essential to review your dental insurance policy and explore options for additional coverage. The same may be said for major dental surgeries or procedures, which may require additional coverage. These procedures can be costly, but with the right dental insurance policy, you can minimize your out-of-pocket expenses and receive the necessary treatment to maintain your oral health.
3) Disability Insurance: A Safety Net for When You’re Unable to Work
While health and dental insurance are often the first insurance policies that come to mind when you think about health and wellness, disability insurance should not be overlooked, because it acts as a safety net when you’re unable to work due to a disability or illness.
So, why might you need disability insurance? Because accidents or disabilities can happen to anyone, at any time. In fact, according to the Council for Disability Awareness, one in four individuals will become disabled during their working years, whether due to an illness, injury, or accident.
There are two main types of disability insurance: short-term disability and long-term disability.
Short-Term Disability
Short-term disability insurance provides coverage for a limited period, typically up to six months, when you’re unable to work due to a temporary illness or injury, and usually offers a higher benefit amount for a shorter period of time and has a lower premium cost. This type of insurance is ideal for covering immediate expenses during a temporary disability.
Long-Term Disability
On the other hand, long-term disability insurance offers coverage for an extended period, often until retirement age, if you are unable to work due to a more serious or permanent disability. It provides a lower benefit amount over a longer period and has a higher premium cost. It offers more comprehensive coverage and is designed to provide financial support for an extended period of time if you are unable to work.
4) Accident Insurance: Financially Recovering from Unexpected Mishaps
Just like disabilities or longer-term illnesses, accidents can happen at any time and to anyone. Whether it’s a slip and fall, a car accident, or even a sports injury, unexpected mishaps can lead to serious health and financial consequences. That’s where accident insurance—a type of supplemental insurance—comes in.
Accident insurance is different from other types of insurance, such as health insurance, because it specifically covers accidents. While health insurance may cover some medical expenses related to accidents, accident insurance is designed to provide more comprehensive coverage by filling in the gaps left by your primary health insurance and covering expenses that aren’t typically covered, like deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs.
So why might you need accident insurance? Well, accidents can be costly. Even with health insurance, the expenses can add up quickly. From ambulance rides and emergency room visits to surgeries and follow-up care, the bills can be overwhelming. Accident insurance can help alleviate the financial burden by providing a lump-sum payment for covered injuries and treatments. This money can be used to pay for medical bills, transportation, childcare, or any other expenses that may arise as a result of an accident.
5) Life Insurance: Protecting Your Loved Ones’ Health and Finances
When it comes to insurance policies that promote health and wellness, life insurance may not come to mind, but it plays a crucial role in protecting your loved ones’ health and finances—especially in the event of an untimely death. While it may not directly impact your own health, it can provide peace of mind knowing that your family’s well-being will be taken care of when you’re no longer around.
There are various types of life insurance policies available, but two of the most common options are term life insurance and whole life insurance.
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance provides coverage for a specified period, usually 10, 20, or 30 years, and offers a higher coverage amount for a lower premium, allowing you to protect your loved ones without breaking the bank. It provides temporary financial security during a specific time period when your dependents may still be reliant on your income. By securing term life insurance, you can ensure that your family will have the necessary financial resources to continue living a healthy and comfortable life.
Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance offers coverage for the entirety of your life, including an investment component that can accumulate cash value over time, which can be particularly beneficial for maintaining your lifestyle in older age. With a whole life insurance policy, you can access the cash value for emergencies, healthcare expenses, or even as a source of retirement income. While the premiums for whole life insurance are typically higher, it offers a long-term financial security blanket for both you and your loved ones.
When considering any health or wellness-related insurance policy, it’s essential to first evaluate your current health, financial situation, and long-term goals. At Penny Insurance, we’re more than happy to help you sit down and look over all your options and find solutions. To schedule a free consultation, reach out and contact us.
