If you’ve been wondering whether it is too late to buy life insurance when you reach a certain stage, you are not alone. Life insurance offers a variety of benefits to policyholders who seek protection against some risk. So, if you seek answers to this question, you are in the right place.
In this article, we will provide detailed and simplified answers beyond what you ask. If you don’t want to miss out on important information, ensure you read to the very end.
What is the Age Limit to Buy Life Insurance?
Typically, the cutoff for purchasing life insurance largely depends on the type of insurance you intend to buy. Generally, there are two types of life insurance, namely, term and whole life insurance.
Is It Ever Too Late to Buy Life Insurance?
Most often than not, older adults find it difficult to get a life insurance policy. However, it is never too late to buy one if you finally realize the significance of having life insurance.
Some insurance companies may deny coverage, while others would be delighted to work with you and offer the best policy.
We recommend that you buy life insurance early enough because most insurance companies charge for their premiums based on the risk of death during the policy. This ultimately means you get to pay less, and the younger you are, the lower the risk.
How Does Term Life Insurance Work?
This is the most affordable life insurance anyone could ever think of. In term life insurance, the insurance company will pay death benefits to the relatives or beneficiaries of the policyholders during the period of time specified by the policy.
Usually, term life insurance lasts for 10, 20, or 30 years, depending on the policy and the insurance company.
How Does Whole Life Insurance Work?
In whole life insurance, the policy doesn’t expire, ultimately making it more expensive than term life insurance. Here, the policy lasts for the entire life of the policyholder and pays a death benefit to the beneficiaries when the policyholder is no longer alive.
Coming back to the question of what the age limit for life insurance is, the age limit is often flexible with whole life insurance.
In whole life insurance, an individual can get a policy at 80, 85, or even 90 years of age; some insurance companies offer life insurance for that age bracket. However, it is important to note that the older you are, the lesser the option and coverage.
For term life insurance, most insurance companies have an age limit of 65 or 70; some allow you to purchase term life insurance even if you are 75. However, there is a limitation to how long a term you can get, depending on your age. If you are 65 years of age, you would most likely be restricted to 10-year term life insurance.
How Do I Get Life Insurance If I’m Over 50 Years of Age?
If you are 50 years of age or older and you’re bothered about how you could go about getting life insurance, worry less. Highlighted below are steps on how you can get life insurance even if you’re 50 years old.
• Determine the type of insurance you need
This is one of the first things to take into consideration. Owing to your age, the ideal thing to do is to review the types of life insurance policies that would be most beneficial to you.
In your best interest, consult an insurance agent who will help you with the process of choosing the best insurance for you. Remember, you have to consider your needs when selecting any type of life insurance.
• Review your finances
Once you’ve decided on the type of insurance policy that best suits you, the next thing is to factor in your financial capability. This would determine how much life insurance you need. Here’s a way to calculate your needs: set your death benefit to 10 times your annual income.
Or better yet, sum up your current and future debts, including the amount of income your beneficiaries will need to replace. Afterwards, subtract your liquid asset; this could be converted to cash to support your relatives when you pass. The result of this number will enable you to determine how much life insurance you need.
• Shop around and compare policies
To find the best insurance company that offers life insurance for people over 50, it is advisable to compare insurance policies from different companies. Review the eligible term and duration specified by the insurance company.
• Explore Alternatives
If you happen not to get the exact type of insurance you need, don’t despair. There are other alternatives you can explore in place of a life insurance policy. For instance, building up your savings or retirement funds can ultimately help ease the financial burden on your loved ones. You can create a sinking fund that helps you save for funeral costs and other final expenses.
