Expert Opinion & Commentary This Valentine’s Day, show your love by buying life insurance Purchasing life insurance is one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate your love for your family. Here’s why. Written by Alison Salka | Reviewed by John McCormick John McCormick John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology. | Posted on: February 12, 2024 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. As we consider Valentine’s Day, our thoughts naturally turn to love. There are many different types of love: romantic, platonic, and familial love. Love defies a simple definition. It encompasses a broad spectrum of feelings, actions, and connections that shape the human experience. While love is often expressed through words and gestures, one of the most enduring ways to demonstrate love is through the thoughtful consideration of life insurance. How does life insurance demonstrate love? Let me count the ways: Offers financial protection for loved ones: Love often inspires a desire to protect those we care about from life’s uncertainties. Life insurance serves as a powerful tool in achieving this goal. By purchasing a life insurance policy, individuals can ensure that their loved ones are financially protected in the event of their untimely passing. The death benefit from a life insurance policy can cover living expenses, mortgage payments, education costs, and more, offering a valuable safety net during a challenging time. Provides a sense of security: Love can also involve a commitment to building a life together. This includes planning for the future, both in terms of shared experiences and financial stability. Life insurance is a proactive step in this journey, providing a tangible means to secure a stable future for loved ones. It enables couples and families to navigate life’s uncertainties with greater confidence, knowing that financial support is in place. Shows you care: Love is not only about emotions but also about responsible and caring actions. Purchasing life insurance is an act of responsibility, reflecting a commitment to the well-being of those closest to us. It demonstrates a foresight that acknowledges the potential challenges life may bring and takes concrete steps to mitigate their impact. Demonstrates a commitment to shared decision-making: Love thrives on open communication and shared decision-making. Discussing and obtaining life insurance incorporates these elements, as couples work together to assess their financial needs, determine the appropriate coverage, and make choices that align with their shared goals and values. In essence, while love itself is intangible, the actions and decisions made in the context of a loving relationship can extend into the realm of financial planning. Ensures your legacy: Love can also involve a desire to leave a legacy for future generations. Life insurance contributes to this legacy planning by providing a means to pass on financial benefits to heirs. It ensures that the love and support one provides during their lifetime extend beyond it, fostering a sense of continuity and security for the ones left behind. Show your love this Valentine’s Day Research by LIMRA and Life Happens, two industry trade associations, finds that more than 100 million people in the U.S. have a life insurance needs gap. Moreover, 38% of Americans say their household would face financial hardship within six months should a wage earner die unexpectedly — 30% would struggle financially within a month. The top reason people give for not purchasing coverage is that it is too expensive. Yet more than half of Americans overestimate the cost of life insurance three-fold. Getting life insurance isn’t difficult. Here’s how to start: Work with a financial professional to help you get the coverage you need. Start by determining the coverage amount and type of life insurance that meets your goals and needs. Obtaining quotes is the next step. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers helps identify the most appropriate coverage options and premiums. Online comparison tools can simplify this process. The next step is to select a reputable life insurance provider with strong financials. Then comes the application and any necessary exams. At this point, it is important to carefully review the policy terms, conditions, and exclusions. Once the policy is issued, keep copies of the policy, contact information, and related documents in a secure location for easy access. At its core, love is a force that binds individuals together in meaningful and reciprocal relationships. It involves deep affection, connection, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. Love extends beyond the boundaries of emotion; it is an active force that prompts individuals to prioritize the happiness and security of their loved ones. This commitment to the welfare of others is how love can be expressed through life insurance. × Get Free Life Insurance Quotes Today! Zip Code Please enter valid zip Age Age 16 – 20 21 – 24 25 – 34 35 – 44 45 – 54 55 – 64 65+ Coverage Amount Coverage Amount $50,000 – $100,000 $100,000 – $200,000 $200,000 – $300,000 $400,000 – $500,000 $500,000 – $1,000,000 $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 $2,000,000 – $5,000,000 $5,000,000+ Coverage Type Coverage Type Whole Life Term Life Final Expense Not Sure Gender Gender Male Female Non-Binary Tobacco Use Yes No Compare Quotes Alison Salka . .Alison Salka, Ph.D., is senior vice president, member benefits, at LIMRA, a leading life insurance industry research group. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by outside experts in Insure.com’s “Expert Opinion & Commentary” section reflect those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Insure.com, its parent company QuinStreet Inc. or any of its affiliates and employees. Our editors review these articles and monitor them for accuracy after they've been posted, but the insurance industry sees constant rate changes, regulatory shifts, and other changes. Readers should always check an insurance company's website or contact.