How do I know if my life insurance is worth it?

Asked by: Kacie Bailey  |  Last update: December 19, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (32 votes)

In general, life insurance is worth it if your death would place a financial burden on other people. Consider getting coverage if: You want to cover your own burial costs. Funerals can be pricey and your loved ones may not have the cash to cover the bill.

At what point is life insurance not worth it?

If you have no dependents, lots of money, and no estate that needs liquidity, then you don't need life insurance unless you need it for business purposes. In general, if you have no children or others you're financially supporting, most people don't need life insurance.

How to calculate if insurance is worth it?

How to manually calculate how much life insurance you need
  1. Your annual salary multiplied by the number of years you want to replace that income.
  2. Your mortgage balance.
  3. Any other debts.
  4. Any future needs such as college fees and funeral costs.

At what point should you stop buying life insurance?

The traditional answer to this question is once your dependents no longer rely on it, that is, when your other assets could support them should you pass away. However, from a behavioral standpoint, I find it difficult to let go of my term life policy, even though my family would probably be fine without it.

How do you know if I should get life insurance?

People with young children are strongly recommended to have life insurance to protect their family. Homeowners should take out life insurance so that the death benefit can pay off the mortgage. Business owners and those who want to pass down a financial legacy are also advised to purchase life insurance.

Martin Lewis' Guide to Life Insurance - Different Types | This Morning

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What is the downside of life insurance?

Cons of life insurance

One disadvantage of life insurance is that the older you are, the more you'll pay for a policy. This is because you're more likely to pass away during the policy period than a younger policyholder and will, in turn, cost the life insurance company more money.

What age is best to get life insurance?

As we age, we're at increased risk of developing health conditions, which can result in higher mortality rates and higher life insurance rates. You'll typically pay less for life insurance at age 25 than at age 40. Waiting until age 60 may mean an even bigger rate increase and limited policy options.

Do I get my money back if I outlive my life insurance?

Do you get your money back at the end of a term life insurance policy? You can't get your premium dollars back from a standard term life insurance policy once it expires. However, if you buy a return of premium (ROP) rider, then you could get some or all of your premium back if you outlive your policy.

What age to drop life insurance?

At What Age Is Life Insurance No Longer Needed? Life insurance is no longer needed for many people once they reach their 60s or 70s. At this point they have retired, their kids have grown up, and they've paid off their mortgage and other debts.

How many years is best for life insurance?

For example, if you have a 34 year mortgage, you could take out life insurance for 34 years. If you have children, you may want to have cover in place until the youngest is likely to be financially independent, up to age 18, for example, or longer if you would like to account for higher education.

What is a good life insurance amount?

Many pundits recommend buying life insurance equal to a multiple of your salary. For example, one financial advice columnist recommends buying insurance equal to 20 times your salary before taxes.

What is the 10x rule for life insurance?

When it comes to life insurance, many people simply follow the “10x rule,” meaning they take their annual salary, multiply it by 10, and purchase that amount. But this coverage could end up being too much or too little, depending on your family circumstances, current financial situation, and long-term goals.

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for life insurance?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance. (Hence the name.)

Do I really need life insurance?

If people depend on you for support or would have to pay your debts and other expenses if you were gone, then life insurance is one of the best ways to help ensure those obligations are met. People in other situations can also use it as a tool to build, protect, and pass on wealth to the next generation.

What life insurance companies don t tell you?

7 Things Insurance Companies Don't Want You to Know
  • Profit Over Protection: The Fine Line. ...
  • The Claim Game: A Complex Web. ...
  • Hidden Exclusions: Reading Between the Lines. ...
  • Rate Hikes: The Silent Squeeze. ...
  • Underwriting Secrets: The Power of Information. ...
  • Discounts, but at What Cost? ...
  • The Myth of Total Coverage: Gaps and Ambiguities.

What reasons will life insurance not pay?

17 Common Reasons Life Insurance Won't Pay Out
  • Nonpayment of Premiums.
  • Death during the Contestability Period.
  • Misrepresentation on Application.
  • Employer Failed to Submit a Disability Waiver of Premium.
  • Problems with the Beneficiary.
  • Policy was included in a Trust or a Will.
  • Denials Due to Suicide Exclusion.

How late is too late for life insurance?

Whole life insurance policies may be easier to obtain than term life insurance, even when you're older. Many life insurance companies sell new policies to applicants up to age 85 or 90. Your need for life insurance may be less if you don't have any debt or dependents who rely on your income.

How long do you have to pay life insurance before it pays out?

If you die after two years of buying the policy, the company must pay the death benefit. They can't deny the payment unless you don't pay your premium, made a false statement, or withheld information.

How much is a $500,000 life insurance policy for a 60 year old man?

For a 60-year-old man, a $500,000 term life insurance policy might cost approximately $80 to $150 per month, depending on health and term length. Whole life insurance for this age could be significantly higher, potentially around $500 or more per month.

Which is better, term or whole life insurance?

Term life is more affordable but lasts only for a set period of time. On the other hand, whole life insurance tends to have higher premiums but never expires. Knowing the differences between term and whole life insurance will help you choose a policy that works best for you and your lifestyle.

Can you cash out life insurance while alive?

Access Cash Value: You can use the money from your policy while you're alive, which otherwise will likely go back to the insurer upon your passing. Low Interest Rate Loan: The interest rate on a loan from your cash value is typically 6-8%, much lower than the 12.38% average rate for a personal loan from the bank.

At what age should you stop paying life insurance?

Life insurance can provide peace of mind at any age, but isn't always necessary after age 60. To see if you need life insurance, assess your family's needs, your financial resources and assets, your outstanding debts and your long-term financial goals.

What to know before buying life insurance?

  • 10 Things You Should Know.
  • Review Your Insurance Needs. ...
  • Decide How Much Coverage You Need. ...
  • Assess Your Current Life Insurance Policy. ...
  • Compare The Different Kinds of Insurance Policies. ...
  • Be Sure You Can Afford the Premium Payments. ...
  • Have an Insurance Agent Help You Evaluate the Future of Your Policy. ...
  • Keep Your Current Policy.

What is the average cost of life insurance per month?

The average cost of life insurance per month is $26.

When should a person start thinking about life insurance?

In accordance with the “get a life insurance policy while you're young and healthy,” mentality, the 20's would be the ideal age.