Sometime back a potential client in average health called me from New Jersey. At 41, he had suffered through a history of high blood pressure and depression for quite a while. A non-smoker and otherwise in good shape, this family law attorney got married a couple of years back and now his wife was pregnant with their first child.

But his heart was set on a policy with a lifetime of coverage. He also wanted to come back in a few years when his practice would begin to do better and convert the term policy into a permanent life insurance plan.  This is where it becomes tricky. Since there are always multiple insurance carriers fighting for your business, it is not always a good idea to go with the one that offers the lowest premium. In his case, for a few dollars more, I found him an A+ rated solid carrier with excellent options to convert to a whole life or guaranteed universal life in future.

The lowest premium term life insurance policy may not be the best option for you.

In my experience, most people who buy a term life insurance policy do it because they could not afford the higher premium of a permanent policy. Since our needs and affordability change over time, it is always a good idea to talk to your insurance advisor before accepting a life insurance carrier. You want to make sure that if you cannot purchase a lifetime of coverage today, you do have reasonable options to pick one in future.

Conclusion

Since most of us do not live beyond the age of 120, a permanent life insurance policy guarantees a financial cushion or in many cases a financial legacy for your loved ones. If purchased at the right time in life, a lifetime of life insurance coverage can be surprisingly affordable.