Why Single People Need Life Insurance Too

When many people think of life insurance, they think about buying it as security for the families who rely on them. While life insurance is definitely something that everyone with a family should have, this doesn’t mean that single people don’t also need life insurance. In fact, there are multiple reasons why single people should consider getting life insurance! Odds are, many single people will have one the following reasons for getting covered.

You have student loans

graduation cap on top of stacks of hundred dollar bills
If you have private student loans, then it can fall on your parents or other cosigners after your death.

Did you know that the average American owes almost $40,000 in student loan debt? When taking out a large loan such as one to pay for your education, more often than not you will need a cosigner to secure the loan. And, while federal student loans are discharged when you die, that is not the case for private loans. If you pass away, you will leave your parents or other cosigner on the hook to pay that money back. 

You have other debts with cosigners

Student loans often have cosigners, but you could also have another type of loan that a parent or someone else has co-signed. For example, when you first started out after high school or college, you probably had no credit and needed a cosigner for any loan you needed, such as for a car or house. Anyone who co-signed your loans will be responsible for those debts even after you are gone. 

This is an excellent reason to get life insurance – you don’t want your debt to turn into their debt! Term life insurance plans are a good choice, because you can take out these policies for the same amount of time that you will be paying back your loan. For example, if your loan has a payback period of 10 or 30 years, you can get a term life insurance policy to cover you during that time.

You own a business with a partner

silhouette of people shaking hands with gears in the background and the word partnership
If you own a business with someone, you can help keep the business going with your life insurance money.

If you plan to start a small business, or are currently running a business, you will probably have or need to take out small business loans to help it grow. If you have a business partner, your death would put a lot of financial strain on them, because they would need to take on the entirety of those loans. Life insurance would help keep your business going, and keep your partner out of debt, by replacing your share of the capital.

You plan on having children someday

If you know you want to have children in the future, it is best to take out a life insurance policy when you are young and healthy so you can get more coverage at a lower price. Planning ahead in this way will ensure that your future children will be taken care of. Remember, when you take out a life insurance policy, you can always add beneficiaries to it later, so you can be certain the money will go to them.

Your family has a history of health issues

If you have a family history of a serious health condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, then there is a chance you will be diagnosed with that condition in the future. Consider getting a life insurance policy when you are young and healthy, so that any pre-existing conditions will not prevent you from getting a good plan with low rates. 

You want to cover end-of-life (final) expenses

white casket with white flowers on top of it in a car
Final expense life insurance will help pay for your funeral, and other debts you may have when you are gone.

It’s a hard subject to talk about, but eventually everyone will pass away. When that time comes, it will be emotionally tough for your family, and it could also end up being financially tough for them if you do not have a way to help them pay for your final expenses. Funeral expenses can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000, an amount that many people just don’t have on hand. This will leave your family scrambling, trying to come up with the money to bury you as well as cover any other debts you might have. Final expense life insurance policies are inexpensive and can help your family at this difficult time. 

There are many different kinds of life insurance policies to consider. Final expense life insurance is best for the end-of-life expenses, and is inexpensive. Term life insurance is a great option for a single person with loans, because you can choose a term that suits your specific needs. Speak to an agent to help you decide what kind of policy is right for you, both now and in the future. Below are some of the top-rated insurance companies in the country, all of which offer affordable plans specific to your needs. Look into rates today so you can protect your future.

Is Employer-Provided Life Insurance Enough? Most Likely Not

Life insurance is something everyone should have. Fortunately, most employers offer life insurance as part of their employee benefits package. It is a valuable benefit because it is convenient, and costs little to nothing to have. But while employer-provided life insurance is a nice perk, does it provide enough coverage for you and your family? The answer to this question may vary depending on your situation, but most of the time the life insurance your employer offers is simply not enough.

Benefits Of Employer-Provided Life Insurance

red prohibition sign
One of the major benefits of employer life insurance is not needing to undergo a medical exam.

There are some benefits to having employer-provided life insurance. For one thing, it’s usually free, or only a few dollars a month at most. Another major benefit is that you do not have to undergo a medical exam in order to get coverage. If you are looking to get private life insurance, many companies will require a medical exam, and if you have any health conditions, your policy might be expensive, or you could be denied coverage.

Disadvantages Of Employer-Provided Life Insurance

Although employer-provided life insurance is convenient and costs little to nothing, there are major downsides:

  • Limited Options-The life insurance plan offered by your employer is not tailored to your specific financial needs. You will not have the ability to choose the best policy for you, as you would if you worked with an agent and purchased private life insurance. 
  • Not Enough Coverage– If you have dependents who rely on your income, then you need coverage that is at least 6 times your annual salary. Some experts even recommend getting coverage worth 10 to 15 times your salary. Employer-provided life insurance generally does not offer this much coverage.

    contract agreement being ripped in half
    When you leave your job, you will lose your life insurance policy.
  • You Can Get Dropped–  Unfortunately, if your employer decides to drop this benefit (which they can do because the contract is between the employer and the insurance company),  you will lose your policy. You can also lose your insurance coverage if you work past a specified age or when you retire
  • You Lose It When You Leave– You cannot take your life insurance policy with you when you leave your job or if you lose your job. The moment you are no longer employed, you will have to buy your own coverage, which can be difficult as you age or if you develop a health condition. 
  • Supplemental Coverage Can Be Expensive- You have the option to buy additional coverage through your employer-based policy; however, supplemental policies can cost more than buying your own individual life insurance policy. Not to mention, you cannot convert your supplemental policy when you leave the company; even if you can, expect to pay even more.

Finding An Affordable Individual Life Insurance Plan

The disadvantages of employer-provided life insurance outweigh the benefits, especially if you have a family who depends on you. An employer-provided plan might not offer enough coverage, but you can tailor an individual life insurance plan to meet your specific needs and finances. You can do all of this at a reasonable price, you simply need to speak to an experienced agent who can compare different plans available in your area. We have provided the top life insurance companies in the nation – all of which offer hassle-free assistance and the most competitive rates – below. Make sure your family is properly prepared for the unexpected by checking rates today!