Why Life Insurance?

 

34+ years working in Multi-Line Insurance, Auto, Home, Commercial, Work Comp, Life and Financial Services and I still get asked this question: WHY LIFE? 

For many people they will spend thousands of dollars throughout their lifetime on Auto and Home Insurance with the HOPE and the PRAYER that they will never have an accident, a fire, or a claim of any type. YET, why is it that so many people will avoid the conversation and discussion about Life Insurance WHEN it is the ONLY product that is GUARANTEED TO HAVE A CLAIM. We all are going to die, and the unfortunate reality is, that not one of us knows the time it is going to happen.  COVID for example was a prime example of this in our world as we know it, and many are forecasting it will return with a vengeance in the next couple of years or less.

Life Insurance is the greatest sign of love you can offer to those you leave behind.  To make sure your children can have the education you desire, that your spouse/partner can maintain their home and their lifestyle.  THAT YOUR LOVED ONES CAN GRIEVE WITHOUT THE ADDED FINANCIAL BURDEN TO ADD TO THE STRESS.

Also, the greatest time to seek is NOW. None of us are getting younger each day and most of us are getting less healthy and more illness, all factors that impact the price.  

Life Insurance is the only Insurance GUARANTEED to have a claim to pay as long as premiums are paid.  GoFundMe and a Car Wash are not a plan?!?!

Mom was fine until she wasn't...

Aging parents often do well living on their own in their homes. Perhaps they still garden, take care of the yard, and get along well with their lives. Then one day, Dad passed away. Mom may live on her own for years and be just fine after that.

Then suddenly, she has a fall. At first, no one thinks much about an isolated incident. Then it happens again, and then again. Suddenly, Mom's in the hospital getting a hip replacement.

Many families face a pivotal moment when a crisis hits. It's often sudden.

Before Mom leaves the hospital, doctors tell her adult kids she can't go home by herself. Someone must stay with her. She may heal and be well, but somewhere down the line, she has another incident, and it becomes obvious Mom can't live on her own any longer.

The crisis mode comes when a family must make a decision very fast. Mom was fine yesterday, she's not today.

Even when you suspect it's coming, many adult kids never want to think that the person who took care of them as a kid and has been there their entire life isn't able to take care of themselves. Now, they need you to help or make decisions on their behalf.

This is a highly emotional and taxing time for the entire family.

There can be a lot of different emotions family members encounter, and each one may experience different ones independent of others. There's raw anger, denial Mom is in the condition the doctor tells them she's in, or despair.

Still, it doesn't take long for many people to realize they don't have much control over the situation.

At this point, the chief overall concern is finding Mom the best care she can get.

This is typically when a Case Manager enters the conversation with the family. It can be an intense time. The Case Manager needs to be an intent listener and listen for the specific goals the family has for their Mom.

In doing so, it's important to recognize which adult child is bearing the most burden and has the most responsibility. Believe it or not, this person could be in their 60s, 70s, or even 80s. Most times it's a female who's been responsible to help Mom go to the doctor, getting her prescriptions, ensuring she's fed, taking her to various appointments, and making sure she isn't lonely.

The burden on this person is heavy. While Mom's care is the root of the crisis, often family squabbles become the crisis when siblings don't agree with the one who carries the most burden. The more kids there are, the more the Case Manager has to try to make everyone happy.

- Doug Myrick

Appreciation + the no + well wishes

That brilliant five-word formula: Appreciation + the no + well wishes.

Here's how it works:

"Thank you so much for thinking of me (appreciation). I actually don't have time in my schedule right now (the no). I know it will be a great event (well wishes)."

"Thanks for sharing what you're up to (appreciation). Right now, I'm not in the market for [this product] (the no). I wish you the best with this (well wishes)."

"I love that you're passionate about this (appreciation). I won't be able to make it (the no). Let me know how it goes, though; I know you'll crush it (well wishes)."

Sharing a final tip:

"If you're a chronic overexplainer, you'll notice a pull to make the no sentence long-winded," writes Myrick. "Practice keeping this super short and not providing an excuse beyond what is actually true (e.g., 'I don't have time in my schedule right now.')"

So, the next time you're tempted to overexplain, remember the formula:

Appreciation + the no + well wishes.

Doing so will lift the burden of defending your choices and give you the freedom to actually enjoy them.