Life

When should I buy life insurance?

How much coverage a household actually needs, and how term and permanent policies differ.

3 minute readLife

Quick answer

When someone else would feel the financial loss of your income — typically at marriage, a first mortgage, or a first child. Buying earlier is cheaper because pricing is based on age and health, and both only move one direction.

What you need to know

Health locks in the price

A policy issued while you are healthy holds its rate class even if your health changes later.

Conversion and renewability

Convertible term lets you move to permanent coverage later without new medical underwriting.

Do not wait for a life event to finish

Applications take weeks. Starting before closing on a home or a baby's arrival avoids a gap.

Common mistakes

  • Relying only on employer coverage, which is small and not portable.
  • Waiting to buy, when age and health only make pricing worse.
  • Insuring the earner and not the parent doing unpaid household work.
  • Leaving outdated beneficiaries on the policy.
  • Buying a term length that expires before the need does.

When to talk to an agent

Talk to an agent when someone becomes financially dependent on you, when you take on a mortgage, when your health or income changes, or when you want a real number instead of a guess.

Frequently asked

This article is general information, not a policy or a promise of coverage. What your policy pays depends on its specific terms, limits and exclusions. Ask us to review your actual policy before making a decision.

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