Mike’s Life Insurance Advice

Hi George,

If you are thinking of starting a business or if you already own one then life insurance should be a financial priority because you have a lot more at risk than other policy holders.  That’s because there isn’t any group policy that will cover your family when they need it the most.

The cost and the responsibility of protecting your loved ones and your business is in your hands.  Even if you try to keep your business and your personal life separate you have to realize that, on a personal level, they are connected. If you think that you can just let your business continue if you die, you will leave your family in a precarious financial position. 

Many experts feel that because circumstances vary from individual to individual and because you are dealing with very complex issues, it would be in your best interest to sit down with both a very experienced insurance agent and your financial advisor when formulating a plan of action.  The three of you should talk about your business as it is today and how you envision it will grow over the years.  You should also discuss how you want to provide for your family once you’re gone.

Why You Need Life Insurance When You’re Self Employed

The main reason you need life insurance when you own your own business is the accumulation of debt.  Your insurance will have to pay off whatever liabilities you have accumulated since you started it.  Otherwise that debt can become your family’s responsibility.

You also will need to take care of your family’s personal expenses once you pass away.  These expenses include your funeral arrangements, the balance of your mortgage, education, child care, weddings, and more.

When you own a viable life insurance policy you will know that your family won’t lose everything trying to settle your outstanding business debt.  If you and your advisors choose wisely you will be able to instead provide them with an income and future business capital.  And, of course, you will have taken care of all of your family’s immediate bills.

If you can do it you will want to invest in the best coverage you can get.  The cost might look large but the price your family will pay if you don’t get it can be even greater.

One additional thing to consider is that if you have a business partner you can take out life insurance policies on each other and both list the business as a beneficiary.  This will allow the business to continue running if either of you should die.  Often a business flounders when one of the principals passes on.  By taking out these policies you can insure that your business will have enough capital to keep it going until a well qualified person can come in to help take over the reigns.