Life insurance, without the pressure.
Most people do not need a lecture about life insurance. They need someone to help them work out how much their household would actually need, for how long, and what that would cost. That is the conversation I have.
Life insurance
What I help people with
The right answer depends on who depends on you, and for how long they will.
Term life insurance
Coverage for a set number of years — often chosen to cover the years a mortgage is being paid off or children are still at home.
Whole life and permanent life insurance
Permanent life insurance is designed to last for life and can build cash value over time. Whole life is the most familiar kind. It works differently from term, and costs differently too.
Working out the amount
We look at what your household would need to keep going: income replaced, debts cleared, the years still ahead for anyone depending on you.
Indexed universal life (IUL)
Permanent coverage whose cash value growth is tied to a market index rather than invested in it directly. Caps, participation rates and policy charges all affect what it actually credits, so we go through those honestly before it gets presented as a good idea.
Annuities
Contracts used to turn savings into predictable retirement income. Any guarantees depend on the claims-paying ability of the insurance company that issues the contract, and taking money out early can mean surrender charges. We cover both before anything is signed.
Reviewing what you have
If you already have a policy, through work or on your own, it is worth checking whether it still matches your life. Coverage from five jobs ago often does not.
When people usually look at this
There is no enrollment window for life insurance. There are just moments when it stops being theoretical.
- A new baby
- The most common reason people call. Someone new depends on your income, usually for the next two decades.
- Buying a home
- A mortgage is a promise that outlives a paycheck. Most people size coverage around it.
- Marriage
- Two incomes become one household budget, and each becomes harder to lose.
- Leaving a job
- Coverage through an employer usually does not follow you out the door. Worth checking before you need it.
- Getting older
- Age and health both affect what you qualify for. Waiting rarely makes it easier, which is the honest reason not to put it off.
What we work out together
- Who depends on your income, and for how many more years
- What would need to be paid off — mortgage, loans, other debts
- What coverage you already have, including through work
- How much coverage fits your budget without straining it
- Whether term, permanent, or a mix makes sense for your situation
Questions people actually ask
How much coverage do I need?
It depends on who depends on you. A common starting point is replacing several years of income plus clearing what you owe, but the honest answer comes from your numbers, not a rule of thumb. That is what we work out together.
I have coverage through work. Is that enough?
Often it is a good start and not the whole answer. Employer coverage is usually a multiple of salary and usually ends when the job does. It is worth knowing what you would be left with.
Will I need a medical exam?
It depends on the coverage, the amount and your age. Some options require an exam, some do not. I will tell you what to expect before you apply, not after.
Should I get term or whole life insurance?
Term costs less and covers a set number of years, which is why most families with a mortgage and young children start there. Whole life lasts for life and builds cash value, and it costs considerably more for the same amount of coverage. Some people use a mix. The right answer depends on what you need the coverage to do, and for how long.
Is there life insurance for seniors in their 60s and 70s?
Often, yes. Age and health affect the price and which options are open, and some policies for seniors ask fewer health questions or do not require a medical exam. The sooner you look, the more options you usually have.
Can we do this in Spanish?
Yes. In Spanish or English, including the application and any questions afterward.
Other coverage I help with
Let’s look at it together.
A short call, no pressure, and no cost for my help. English or Spanish.