Isn’t it about Time you reviewed your Life Insurance Policy?

Life insurance may appear to be a simple matter – you pay premiums and if the ‘inevitable’ happens during the validity of the policy, the beneficiaries you have nominated will receive a lump sum payout. However, there is more to it than that. The reason for the policy is to ensure that those who are dependent on you do not suffer financially after the demise, which in itself is great suffering.

Your circumstances, as well as those of your beneficiaries, are not static – they change with time; if your life insurance policy is not modified to suit changing needs, it may not serve its purpose of providing for your dependents in the manner you want. That’s why periodic reviews of your life insurance are important and the beginning of the year is a good time to do it.

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When to modify

Any change in your life could require a modification of your insurance. When you were single you might not have needed life insurance; however, everything changes when you get married. Similarly, with the birth of each child your coverage needs to increase to protect the larger dependent family. While regular reviews are important, here are four major stages of life when you have to change your coverage.

              1.      Marriage: Even in the case of double income families, the death of a spouse does not mean that the cost of living is halved and a single income will be adequate. There ARE various expenses to meet, debts to pay off, investments that cannot be abandoned and commitments that must be kept. Your life insurance should always reflect these demands and the coverage should be enough to meet them. 

             2.      Children: Children are often the biggest reason for life insurance. After birth, it takes more than 20 years for them to be financially independent. During that time, the world would have undergone many changes and you need to guide them through proactive education and provide a worthwhile base for their life.  Planning for their future in general terms will not be enough. As they grow older and their path in life becomes clear, your insurance cushion must be enough for them to pursue that path even if you are not there.

        

             3.      The empty nest: When the children have moved out, and started their own lives, you may be able to modify your coverage, as they are no longer dependent on you. However, keep your spouse’s needs in mind and consider the role that life insurance can play in estate planning.

              4.    Retirement: Your income will change on retirement and that could require some changes in your coverage and the premiums you pay. Your insurance needs to be enough to care for your spouse and cover any obligations or debts that you may have.

A balancing act

It is not easy indeed to find the optimum balance between what you can afford to pay for life insurance and the coverage that you need. That balancing act has to be performed, keeping in mind likely changes over time. Even if you were lucky to face no major changes, small things too can add up and have an impact on your life insurance needs.

It would be best to seek the help of an experienced insurance agent to review your changing income and the changing needs and work out the right insurance for each stage of your life.