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Five life insurance mistakes to avoid

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There’s a lot to know about life insurance. But some of the most important things to know are what not to do. Below are a few common mistakes many people make regarding their insurance needs.

 

Buying too little

When considering life insurance, many people may not buy enough coverage to ensure that their family is adequately covered. According to CNN Money, it will cost nearly $234,000 to raise a child to age 18.¹ That doesn’t include helping them through college and into their early 20s. Also consider the cost of daily living, the mortgage and other debts when adding up your expenses.

Too short a term

If you underestimate how long of a term you need, the premiums may go up quite a bit when it’s time to renew. Take a moment to map out your family’s ongoing financial needs, including food, mortgage, car expenses and education among other things, and how long you will need coverage.

Waiting too long

Don’t wait too long to buy life insurance. Should something happen to you, would your loved ones be protected financially? Another benefit when you buy sooner is that premiums will increase as you get older. It’s a good idea to lock in your term as soon as possible.

Feeling too comfortable

Do you think your insurance needs are all set because you have a policy through your employer equal to one or two times your salary? Is that amount enough to cover your family’s financial burden if you pass away? A general recommendation is to purchase coverage for 10 times your annual salary.

Too skeptical

A lot of people think they don’t need life insurance because they have adequate assets at hand. How many of these resources will be readily available to help your family should you pass away? Some assets could be tied up in partnerships or businesses and could take a while to unravel. A life insurance payout is an immediate benefit that can go to work quickly to help your family through a tough transition. In addition, the benefit is not subject to federal income taxes.

 

 

 

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Citations:

¹ CNN Money: “It costs $233,610 to raise a child” by Kathryn Vasel, January 9, 2017 http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/09/pf/cost-of-raising-a-child-2015/index.html 

This material is not intended to provide financial advice. It is intended to promote awareness and is for educational purposes only.

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