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We all know that rates are generally higher for people who smoke, vape or use cannabis. The real question is how much higher is the rate and what is considered "usage". Of course, each company has its own underwriting guidelines, but for this article, let's just consider a general overview.Insurance carriers use statistical data to view these […]

Naming a life insurance beneficiary is a big decision, but it boils down to one main question: Who would suffer financially if you were no longer here?There isn't a single "right" answer, but there are a few standard paths depending on your situation, along with a couple of critical legal traps you'll want to avoid.Common Options to Consi […]

Over my 25+ years selling life insurance I have had a lot of people ask me about medical exams. "Who pays for the exam?" and "will needles be involved?" seem to be a couple of the biggest concerns. Over the years, exam requirements have changed, so let's take a quick look and see what the medical exam is all about.The process starts […]

How long should your life insurance last? This is a common question but not one that is easy to answer. That's because there are a myriad of reasons to buy life insurance. The actual question should be, "How long do I need my policy to last?"Think of term life insurance as fulfilling a specific need for a specific time. In other words, if you […]

A common question that people ask is "How much life insurance do I actually need?" For most people with families and maybe even a business, the simple formula is the DIME method, which works as follows:Debt – Calculate your debt, and ALL of it. Car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc. If you should die before paying off these debts, your family […]

We all know that rates are generally higher for people who smoke, vape or use cannabis. The real question is how much higher is the rate and what is considered "usage". Of course, each company has its own underwriting guidelines, but for this article, let's just consider a general overview.Insurance carriers use statistical data to view these […]

Naming a life insurance beneficiary is a big decision, but it boils down to one main question: Who would suffer financially if you were no longer here?There isn't a single "right" answer, but there are a few standard paths depending on your situation, along with a couple of critical legal traps you'll want to avoid.Common Options to Consi […]

Over my 25+ years selling life insurance I have had a lot of people ask me about medical exams. "Who pays for the exam?" and "will needles be involved?" seem to be a couple of the biggest concerns. Over the years, exam requirements have changed, so let's take a quick look and see what the medical exam is all about.The process starts […]

How long should your life insurance last? This is a common question but not one that is easy to answer. That's because there are a myriad of reasons to buy life insurance. The actual question should be, "How long do I need my policy to last?"Think of term life insurance as fulfilling a specific need for a specific time. In other words, if you […]

A common question that people ask is "How much life insurance do I actually need?" For most people with families and maybe even a business, the simple formula is the DIME method, which works as follows:Debt – Calculate your debt, and ALL of it. Car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc. If you should die before paying off these debts, your family […]

In an era defined by economic fluctuations and rising living costs, financial stability often feels like a moving target. While standard health insurance is designed to cover the bulk of medical treatments, it rarely accounts for the "hidden" costs of a hospital stay. During periods of high inflation or market volatility, a surprise medical bill ca […]

Navigating the world of life insurance can be overwhelming, especially with the variety of "riders" or add-ons available to customize a policy. In a helpful overview by Surf Financial Brokers, Chris explains one of the most valuable yet often misunderstood features: the Guaranteed Insurability Option (GIO). Also known as the Guaranteed Purchase Opt […]

When most people think of life insurance, they think of a safety net for their loved ones after they are gone. While that is still true, modern policies have evolved. Today, many plans include living benefits—features that allow you to access your policy’s face value while you are still alive.If you are looking for a way to protect your financial future agai […]

Recently I met a woman who had two disability policies. She had bought one on an individual basis years earlier when she was self-employed as a realtor, but now she was working for a plumbing contractor who offered disability insurance. We had a discussion about whether or not she could collect benefits with both insurance companies in the event of a claim.A […]

When we think of Valentine’s Day or anniversaries, we usually think of rose petals, fancy dinners, or heartfelt cards. But if you really want to say "Be Mine," nothing speaks louder than a life insurance policy.It’s not the most romantic gift, but it is arguably the most selfless one. Insuring your love is the ultimate romantic gesture.Life insuran […]