The Importance of Being Protected

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Did you know that September is National Life Insurance Month?  I started thinking about life insurance back when my grandma died.  Before recently I always put it out of my mind.  I viewed it as another expense to pay monthly or something that could wait.  I was young enough not to worry about it, right?  Wrong.  When I married my husband I was relieved to hear he had planned for the future.  As an employee of the city, it is part of their planning process with their employees.  With all the recent news about police officers being murdered… it is scary and sad to think about, but imperative.

Since my husband and I own land and a home that was passed down in his family, we have been researching ways to make sure it is taken care of and preserved for our future generations.  Having a policy to handle that after our time has passed is important to us.  Protective Life has many great articles to help aid in planning.  I wasn’t aware of the Decreasing life term policy option for homeowners.  It was interesting to learn that you can purchase a policy that pays off your home if you pass during the term of your mortgage.

I was so naive to view death as something morbid to think about, instead of planning so your loved ones are not left tending to your mess.

I was able to experience first-hand how tough that can be.  When my grandmother passed away back in February 2013, her life insurance policy barely covered the cost of her casket.  Even though she had already paid for her burial plot there was not enough funds to cover the cost of a funeral.  Have you checked the prices of a funeral lately?  It’s expensive.  Like, real expensive.  As in, how can dying cost you so much?

I watched my parents spend thousands before she was even laid to rest.  When the time came to plan the actual funeral I remember stepping in and paying the $500 difference to make sure we had an indoor service instead of just graveside.  The $800 grave-marker foot-stone had to wait until months had passed.

My grandmother left behind a daughter with severe special needs.  Unfortunately, without a decent life insurance policy there was not much left to her.  My aunt was taken in by my parents and over $30,000 was spent on her medical care before a year’s time.  As a mom of a special needs daughter myself, it has taught me many lessons about being prepared.  The importance of making sure not only are my finances taken care of, my funeral planned and paid for but also that my daughter, that I leave behind, is taken care of.

My grandmother was a wonderful and caring woman.  I don’t think she even realized how unprepared she truly was.

No matter how difficult the topic is, it is one that you must face and discuss with your loved ones.

Have you experienced an event which compelled you to learn more about life insurance? Please share your story below!