Top Ten Reasons to Buy Life Insurance

LIFE INSURANCE GUIDE
PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER MOST

10 Reasons to Consider Life Insurance

Life insurance can help create financial protection for the people and responsibilities that matter most to you. The right coverage can provide more than a death benefit—it can provide confidence about the future.

March 04, 2019

Life insurance is easy to postpone, especially when you're young and healthy. But life can change unexpectedly, and waiting can mean leaving important financial responsibilities unprotected.

Whether your priority is protecting your family's income, paying debts, supporting your children's education or creating a financial legacy, life insurance can be an important part of a broader financial protection strategy.

AT A GLANCE

Why do people buy life insurance?

Most people purchase life insurance because they want to make sure their loved ones have financial resources available if they die. Depending on the type of policy, life insurance may also provide additional financial features while the policy is in force.

10 REASONS TO CONSIDER COVERAGE

Protection for real-life responsibilities

01

Replace Lost Income

If your family depends on your income, your death could create an immediate financial challenge. Life insurance can provide a death benefit that may help your loved ones continue paying everyday expenses, maintain their lifestyle and adjust to the loss of your income.

02

Help Cover Final Expenses

Funeral and other final expenses can place a financial burden on a family during an already difficult time. Life insurance proceeds can provide funds that may be used toward eligible final expenses and other financial obligations.

03

Help Pay Off Debt

Mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and other financial obligations may continue to affect your family after your death. Life insurance can provide funds that beneficiaries may use to help address outstanding debts and financial responsibilities.

04

Support Your Children's Future

Many parents save for their children's education and future needs. Life insurance can provide an additional source of financial support for your family if you die unexpectedly, potentially helping your children continue toward their educational and financial goals.

05

Build Cash Value

Some permanent life insurance policies can build cash value over time. Depending on the policy, this value may provide an additional financial resource while the policy is active. However, cash value growth, access and guarantees vary by policy and should be carefully reviewed before purchase.

06

Add Another Financial Resource

Certain permanent life insurance products may have financial features beyond the death benefit. These policies can be more complex than term insurance, so it is important to understand premiums, guarantees, fees, cash value, potential risks and how the policy is designed to perform.

07

Protect a Business

Business owners may use life insurance as part of a business continuity or succession strategy. Coverage can help address financial obligations and may be used in certain buy-sell arrangements when properly structured.

08

Support Estate Planning

Life insurance can sometimes be incorporated into an estate strategy to provide liquidity or help address certain financial obligations. Estate and tax rules can be complex, so appropriate professional advice is important when considering these strategies.

09

Coverage May Be More Affordable Than You Think

Cost is one of the biggest reasons people postpone life insurance. In many cases, term life insurance can provide substantial protection at a lower premium than permanent coverage. Your age, health, coverage amount, policy type and other factors can all affect the cost.

10

Gain Peace of Mind

No one knows exactly what the future holds. Having appropriate life insurance in place can give you confidence that your loved ones will have financial resources available if something happens to you.

UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS

Term or permanent life insurance?

Term Life

Provides coverage for a specified period. It is often considered when someone wants straightforward protection for income replacement, a mortgage, children's years at home or other temporary financial responsibilities.

Permanent Life

Designed to provide longer-term coverage and may include cash value depending on the policy. Permanent policies can have more features and complexity, so understanding the policy's costs and guarantees is especially important.

BEFORE YOU BUY

Think about the people and responsibilities you want to protect.

✓ Household income
✓ Mortgage or rent
✓ Outstanding debts
✓ Children's education
✓ Final expenses
✓ Business obligations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Life insurance questions people often ask

How much life insurance coverage do I need?
There is no single amount that works for everyone. Consider your income, mortgage, debts, future education costs, final expenses and the financial needs of the people who depend on you. Your current savings and existing coverage should also be considered.
What is the difference between term and permanent life insurance?
Term life insurance generally provides coverage for a specific period. Permanent life insurance is designed to provide longer-term coverage and may build cash value depending on the policy. The best choice depends on your goals, budget and financial situation.
Is life insurance only for people with children?
No. Life insurance can be useful for anyone who has people or financial responsibilities that could be affected by their death. Spouses, business owners and people with mortgages, debts or other obligations may all have reasons to consider coverage.
Is term life insurance cheaper than permanent life insurance?
Term life insurance is often less expensive than permanent life insurance for the same initial death benefit, although pricing depends on many factors. Permanent policies can include additional features that affect their cost.
Can life insurance help pay for my children's college?
Life insurance can provide a death benefit to your beneficiaries, and those funds can generally be used according to their needs. Parents may consider the potential cost of future education when determining how much coverage to purchase.
Does every life insurance policy build cash value?
No. Term life insurance generally does not build cash value. Certain permanent life insurance policies may accumulate cash value, but the amount, growth and access to that value depend on the specific policy.
When is the best time to buy life insurance?
The right time depends on your circumstances and financial responsibilities. In general, applying while you are younger and in good health may provide access to more favorable rates, but the most important consideration is whether your family or financial responsibilities need protection today.
Can I have more than one life insurance policy?
In many situations, people can have multiple life insurance policies. For example, someone may combine employer-sponsored coverage with an individual policy. The appropriate amount of total coverage depends on financial needs, underwriting and the insurer's guidelines.
Can a business owner use life insurance for business planning?
Yes. Life insurance can sometimes be incorporated into business succession planning, key-person protection or a buy-sell agreement. These strategies can have legal, tax and ownership considerations, so professional guidance is recommended.
LIFE INSURANCE IS ABOUT PEOPLE

It's not just about a policy. It's about protecting the people who depend on you.

The right life insurance strategy depends on your family, income, debts, goals and budget. Understanding your options is the first step toward making a confident decision.

REVIEW YOUR LIFE INSURANCE OPTIONS

Protect their tomorrow with a plan for today.

Let's look at your family's needs, compare available options and help you understand how much coverage may make sense for your situation.

Tran & Lee Insurance Agency
Independent insurance guidance for Houston and communities across Texas.