Life Insurance on your parents is an intricate part of your planning especially if it hasn’t been purchased by your parents already. It will also open up conversation related to senior planning such as wills and long-term care. The good news is you can purchase life insurance on your parents if these criteria are met.
Consent
Your parents will have to consent first before purchasing a life insurance policy on there lives.
There is two ways to buy life insurance on your parents.
- They can buy their own policy. If they choose this way, they will be the owners, payor, and get to name the beneficiaries. If they choose you as the beneficiary, the death benefit is tax-free and can be used for burial expenses or any debt that remains.
- If your parents can’t afford to buy life insurance on their own, then you can buy insurance on them. Like we mentioned before you will have to get their consent. You will have an insurable interest before you purchase a policy. You would be owner, payor, and beneficiary of the policy.
What is an Insurable Interest?
I mentioned earlier that you had to have an insurable interest before you can purchase a policy on your parents. I bet you’re wondering what an insurable interest is? You would be considered having an insurable interest if your parent’s death caused you financial loss (pay for funeral, pay mortgage off, pay debts, etc.).
It is not difficult to prove an insurable interest on your parents dying, but the more insurance you want to purchase the more documentation you will have to show. A policy with a face amount of $50K will draw less scrutiny than a $500K policy. When your parents own things like property with mortgages or any big debt is when you would have an insurable interest.
The amount of the death benefit must be around the same amount that you may lose when your parents die.
What is the cost?
Reasons to buy a policy on your parents
There probably are numerous reasons to purchase life insurance on your parents. Make sure to factor in all the narratives surrounding your parents personal financial situation. Knowing your objectives can help you when choosing what type of policy and coverage best fits your parents needs. The main reasons for buying life insurance on your parents are:
- They don’t have any at all
- Funeral Expenses
- Medical Bills
- Debt
- Most of all Peace of Mind
Which Life Insurance is best for my Parents?
I have put a chart together to show you the different types of policies.
What Factors Play a Part in Obtaining Life Insurance on my Parents?
The 2 biggest factors that will play a part in how much life insurance and what type of product they are able to qualify for. Those factors are age and overall health. I have listed some factors below:
- Age of applicant
- Gender
- Height and weight
- Health history
- Marital status
- Tobacco or nicotine usage
- Alcohol usage
- Drug usage
- Hobbies
These factors are used by the life insurance carrier to assess the risk of insuring your parents. If the risk is low, then they would qualify for the best rates, but if the risk is high, you are looking at a higher premium and maybe a decline.
When is the best time to buy?
The best time to buy a life insurance policy on your parents is sooner than later. The reason I say this is as we mentioned before, life insurance premiums biggest factors are age and health status.
The longer you wait, the older your parents get, and more likely to health problems. So if you think you need protect yourself in the event that your parents pass away, then stop procrastinating.