How could marriage affect my insurance needs?
Getting married changes your life. You make a commitment to the one you love, gain new family members and, if you’re lucky, get that four-slice toaster you’ve been dreaming about. This is a time when many newlyweds begin planning their future together. That planning often includes life insurance - and for good reason. The benefits of life insurance for newly married couples could help protect your family’s financial future as you begin this next chapter of your life.
Here are three reasons why getting married may change you or your partner’s life insurance needs.
Life insurance and married couples
1. Are you sharing debt?
Most people get married with debt. For some, this might be a small car loan. For others, it could be tens of thousands of dollars in school loans. The good news is, your spouse isn’t always responsible for your personal debt. However, in some states, if you take on debt together after your nuptials — you buy a new car together, for example — it will become the responsibility of the whole household, even if one spouse passes away.
When it comes to debt, life insurance could be helpful, as your partner might be able to use your coverage amount to help pay off a portion of your loans.
2. Do you want to add to your family?
Marriage is the first step in a lifetime journey that might involve growing your family. If you are also planning to add to your family, you likely want to make sure your dependents are set up for success, even after you’re gone.
Life insurance allows you to do this. How? Your dependents could use the money from your policy to help cover debts or funeral expenses. Your life insurance could also help cover some school expenses. That’s a big deal when on average:
- two-year public college students pay around $3,860,
- four-year public in-state college students around $10,940,
- four-year public out-of-state college students around $28,240
- and four-year private college students around $39,400 per academic year1.
3. Do you already have coverage? Is it enough for two people?
One or both of you might currently have life insurance, whether it’s a policy:
- Gifted by your parents, grandparents or another family member
- Provided as a benefit through your employer or lender
- Purchased on your own
Even if you both have coverage – and even if you don’t plan on having kids – you should make sure you have enough coverage for the two of you. As a couple, your needs will likely double. If you're unsure how much you might need together, consider using an online life insurance calculator to help you figure it out. Once you’ve done that, compare it to the total amount of life insurance you both already have. That can help you decide how much more life insurance you’ll need together based on the next chapter in your lives.
If you’re recently married or will be soon, take some time to think through these factors. Getting hitched can change your life insurance needs, and your financial future.
