Life Insurance

Life insurance is a risk transfer of all future earning potential. How much of it do you want to protect for your family?

Life insurance is a great way to help protect your loved ones in the event of your passing, providing funds for burial, debt payment, college funds, and general costs of living to help ease the loss of income. While this may seem morbid, it is an essential subject to tackle.

Life Insurance for Veterinarians

Studies have shown that veterinarians are at an increased risk for cancer of the pancreas, esophagus, colon, and brain due to exposure to animal viruses and increased exposure to radiation and chemicals. The American Veterinary Medical Association also studied mental illness in the field, concluding that one in five veterinarians received treatment for some form of mental illness, with one in six having thoughts of suicide. There are many types of life insurance, the most well-known being term life and whole life insurance.

Term life insurance is generally more affordable than other life insurance types. It has a set duration, where the premium gradually increases in price as the policyholder ages. If the policyholder dies during this period, the policy pays out a sum to the policy's beneficiary or beneficiaries. This payment can be paid as a lump sum, monthly, or as an annuity.

Whole life insurance is a permanent type of insurance that does not have an expiration date as long as the policy is in good standing. This type of insurance also has a cash value, earning equity the more it ages. The price of a whole life policy is determined at the start of the policy and never changes. These policies generally pay out less than term life and are used to cover the burial and any other costs associated with the policyholder's passing.

Another feature of whole life insurance is the ability to take out loans against the policy's cash value. This process incurs surrender fees, taxes, interest and affects the death benefit if not repaid but can be helpful in an emergency.

Term life insurance Pros and Cons

Pros

  • No hidden fees or risks
  • Can cancel without losing any value
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Coverage ends at some point, requiring shopping for a new policy
  • Premiums increase over time

Whole life insurance Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Never expires
  • Gains equity the longer you pay into it
  • Premiums never increase

Cons

  • More expensive than term
  • Canceling the policy means lost cash value
  • Lower interest rates than other investments