There are five important insurance policies to have in creating a solid personal financial plan. The right insurance policies will go a long way toward helping you safeguard your earning power and your possessions. In this article, we'll show you five policies that you shouldn't do without.
Five Insurance Coverages you should have:
Long-Term Disability Insurance
The prospect of long-term disability is so frightening that some people simply choose to ignore it. While we all hope that, "nothing will happen to me," relying on hope to protect your future earning power is simply not a good idea. Instead, choose a disability policy that provides enough coverage to enable you to continue your current lifestyle, even if you can no longer continue working.
Life Insurance
Life insurance protects the people that are financially dependent on you. If your parents, spouse, children or other loved ones would face financial hardship if you died, life insurance should be high on your list of required insurance policies. Think about what you would need life insurance to pay in the event of your death. Add those amounts up and purchase life insurance based on that amount. Factor in the cost of burial, too, as the unexpected cost is a burden for many families.
Health Insurance
The soaring cost of medical care is reason enough to make
health insurance a necessity. Even a simple visit to the family doctor can result in a hefty bill. More serious injuries, that result in a hospital stay, can generate a bill in the thousands. Injuries that require surgery can quickly rack up five-figure costs. Although the ever-increasing cost of health insurance is a financial burden, for just about everyone, the potential cost of not having coverage is much higher.
Homeowners Insurance
Replacing your home is an expensive proposition. Having the right
homeowners insurance can make the process less difficult. When shopping for a policy, look for one that covers replacement of the structure and the contents in addition to the cost of living somewhere else while your home is repaired.
Depending on the age of your home, and the amenities that it contains, the cost to replace it could be more or less than the price you paid for it. To get an accurate estimate, your insurance agent can run a reconstruction cost estimate which pulls in current costs to rebuild in your area. Don't forget to factor in the cost of upgrades and special features. Also, be sure the policy provides adequate coverage for the cost of any liability for injuries that might occur on your property.
Automobile Insurance
Some level of
automobile insurance is required by law in most places. Even if you are not required to have it, and you are driving an old clunker that has been paid off for years, automobile insurance is something you shouldn't skip. If you are involved in an accident, and someone is injured or their property is damaged, you could be subject to a lawsuit that could possibly cost you everything you own. Accidents happen quickly and the results are often tragic. Having no automobile insurance or purchasing only the minimum required coverage saves you only a tiny amount of money, and puts everything else that you own at risk.