Buy Life Insurance from an Agent: 12 Smart Reasons
One of the smartest financial decisions to make is to buy life insurance. However, the question that’s often asked is: Should you buy it online or from an agent? Even though online tools are quick, working with an agent gives you guidance, peace of mind, and long-term support that websites can’t match.
Here are 12 reasons why you should buy life insurance from an agent.
1. Peace of Mind
Instead of picking a random policy online, an agent will understand your needs and recommend a plan that suits your family best. An agent doesn’t just sell you a policy, they explain it to you – offering you the best coverage along with peace of mind.
2. Cheaper While You’re Young
Life insurance premiums are solely based on age and health. Old age and other health factors might lead to costly premiums or straight-up no coverage at all. On the other hand, the younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums will be. An agent will help you to take advantage of this by matching you with the right type of policy and carrier, ensuring that your rates remain the lowest.
3. Permanent Protection
Using random websites without the guidance of an expert might lead you to buy the cheapest options without explaining the long-term risks. An agent can walk you through how term policies rise in cost later, and when it makes sense to choose whole life insurance that keeps you covered for life.
4. Life Insurance Is Complicated – Agents Simplify It
Your insurance policy is no less than a contract, and it mostly isn’t standardized. There are several exclusions that a common man may not understand, such as a graded death benefit. A good insurance agent will educate you and always ensure that you know what is or isn’t included in your coverage – so that you can act accordingly.
5. An Agent Is Your Advocate with the Insurance Company
Life insurance is mostly associated with tragedy and loss, during which it is often quite difficult to get in touch with the insurance company repeatedly. In the event of any delays or underwriting issues, an agent does all the communication with the insurer on your behalf.
6. Build a Relationship for Future Needs
Life insurance isn’t the only coverage you’ll need over time. Your requirements will vary, needing more coverage or different products. An agent builds an ongoing relationship and helps you adapt your coverage as your life changes.
7. Personalized Service
Scrapping out policies yourself online, you might end up with an extremely generic policy that does not fit your needs. An agent will take out the time and tailor your coverage to your exact needs in terms of your health, finances, and family needs.
8. Confidence in the Provider’s Stability
Only some insurance companies stand out to be strong, not all keep up with the standards. Agents always know which carriers have a solid financial track record, so you’re not at risk buying insurance from a company that might struggle in the future.
9. Avoiding Stock Market Volatility
The U.S. stock market may average around a 10% return over time; however, it never moves in a straight line, and big drops often happen right when people need access to their money. An agent can guide you to policies that either aren’t tied to the market at all or allow participation with guarantees that protect your downside.
10. Build Cash Value
Year after year, whole life insurance grows in value. In addition to death benefits, a part of your premium is kept to the side to build savings. Only an agent can help explain how cash value works and show you projections, so you know what to expect. For example, after 20 years, a whole life policy might build tens of thousands in value. Your agent helps you understand when and how you can access it.
11. Potential for Income
Certain policies allow you to take withdrawals or dividends while you are alive. An agent identifies which ones offer that benefit and explains how it fits into your financial plans.
12. Ability to Borrow
Some policies enable you to borrow money against your cash value, giving you an extra emergency fund. Take, for example, instead of taking out a high-interest bank loan, you can simply borrow from your own policy at a lower rate. This, too, is something your agent can help you understand and set it up for you.
Buying life insurance is not a one-time decision; it’s a lifelong plan. When you buy life insurance from an agent, you are getting access to perks you never knew about, a trusted guide to simplify the process, advocate for you, and make changes to your coverage however your life demands.
The result is endless peace of mind today, and protection for the people you love tomorrow.
Get better protection today.