According to the 2015 Insurance Barometer Study, conducted by worldwide financial services research and consulting firm LIMRA, and the nonprofit insurance education group Life Happens, 80 percent of consumers have misconceptions about the actual cost of life insurance. Millennials believe life insurance policies are more than three times more expensive than they actually are, overestimating the cost by $440. Gen Xers overestimate the cost by $240.

Putting Other Priorities Ahead of Life Insurance

Due to the concerns over life insurance costs, many people opt to spend their money in areas where they see more of an immediate financial need. The Barometer study found the following: 

23 percent of people aged 25 to 44 cited saving for vacation as a priority over purchasing some or more life insurance;28 percent of same age group said paying for recreational activities such as going out to eat, movies or shopping was a priority over purchasing some or more life insurance;49 percent of those 65 and older cited paying for expenses such as Internet, cable and cell phones as a priority over purchasing some or more life insurance, and 63% percent of Millennials said the same.

Life Insurance Can Protect Your Loved Ones

Life insurance is a controversial subject—with good reason. It is often argued that if you wisely invest the money that you are paying in premiums to your life insurance company, your estate upon your death would be worth more. However, one can’t predict the future and in the event of an untimely death, a life insurance policy could financially safeguard your family and prevent them from enduring a significant financial hardship. The true benefit of life insurance comes in knowing that you have taken all of the steps possible to protect your family and loved ones in case life doesn’t go as planned.

3 Things to Remember When Purchasing Life Insurance

If you conclude that purchasing life insurance is appropriate for your needs and the needs of your family, here are a few things to remember:   

  1. It’s important to shop around for the right provider and the right policy. Before you make any big life insurance decisions, it’s important to do your homework and speak to a licensed agent. You will want to have a solid understanding of your options and what kind of policy can best address your particular needs. There will be several factors that will affect the cost of your policy, the most obvious ones being age and health. But keep in mind that other factors such as your credit history, driving records, hobbies and lifestyle can also impact the cost of your policy. 
  2. Your premiums may increase with age. In many cases, your premiums will go up as your age goes up. The reason for this is that as you get older, you may face more health problems which in turn makes buying life insurance more expensive. It may be hard to consider paying for life insurance if you are only in your 20s or 30s, but if you have a family and loved ones to protect, it could be well worth it. The ideal time to purchase life insurance may be right now while you’re young and healthy. 
  3. Be aware that your needs may change. If you choose to purchase life insurance, be sure to review your policy on a yearly basis and when major life events occur. Milestones such as marriage, buying a new house, and having children are all factors in determining the appropriate amount of coverage.