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Five Insurance Policies Everyone Should Have
Protecting your most important assets is an important step 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.
More from Investopedia:
1. 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.
2. 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 how much you earn each year (and the number
of years you plan to remain employed) and purchase a policy that will replace that income in the event of your untimely demise. Factor in the cost of
burial too, as the unexpected cost is a burden for many families.
3. 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 that tops the price of a one-week stay at a luxury resort. 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.
4. Home Insurance
Replacing your home is an expensive proposition. Having the right home insurance can make the process less difficult. When shopping for a policy, look
for one that covers replacement of the structure and contents in addition to the cost of living somewhere else while your home is repaired.
5. Automobile Insurance
Some level of automobile liability insurance is required by law in most localities. Even if you are not required to have it and you are driving an old
junker that has been paid off for years, automobile liability 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 cost you everything you own. Accidents happen quickly and the results
are often tragic - having no automobile liability insurance or purchasing only the minimum required coverage saves you only a small amount of money and
puts everything else that you own at risk.
*Bonus Tip For Business Owners: In addition to the policies listed above, business owners need business insurance. Liability coverage in a litigation-happy society could be the difference between a long and prosperous endeavor or a trip to bankruptcy court.
Shop Carefully
Insurance policies come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and boast many different features, benefits and prices. Shop carefully, read the policies
and talk to the salesperson to be certain that you understand the coverage and the cost. Make sure the policies that you purchase are adequate for your
needs, and don't sign on the dotted line until you are happy with the purchase.
by Lisa Smith
