Frequently Asked Questions

Term life covers you for a set period (like 20 or 30 years) and is much more affordable. Whole life lasts your entire lifetime and builds cash value, but costs significantly more. For most families needing income protection, term is the better fit — but the right answer depends on your goals. Let's talk through your situation.

A common starting point is 10–15 times your annual income, but the real answer depends on your debts, mortgage, kids' ages, and your spouse's income. A quick needs analysis takes about 15 minutes and gives you a number you can actually trust.

Yes. Childcare, cooking, transportation, and household management all have real replacement costs. A modest policy ensures your family can afford help if the unthinkable happens.

Often, yes. Many conditions — controlled diabetes, well-managed blood pressure, past tobacco use — are insurable at reasonable rates. Different carriers underwrite differently, which is exactly why it pays to compare across companies rather than accepting one "no."

Your coverage simply ends (though many policies let you renew at a higher rate or convert to permanent coverage without a new medical exam). That's why we pick the term length to match your actual need — like the years until your mortgage is paid or kids finish college.

HMOs are cheaper but limit you to in-network doctors and require referrals. PPOs cost more but let you see specialists and out-of-network providers freely. HDHPs have high deductibles but low premiums and pair with Health Savings Accounts. Which wins depends on how often you see doctors and what you can afford monthly.

During Open Enrollment (typically November 1 – January 15 for marketplace plans), or during a Special Enrollment Period after qualifying events like losing a job, getting married, or having a baby. Miss both windows and you may wait months — so it pays to plan ahead.

The premium is what you pay monthly to keep the plan. The deductible is what you pay out-of-pocket before insurance starts sharing costs. Copays are fixed amounts per visit or prescription. Two plans with identical premiums can cost wildly different amounts per year depending on these.

Many people are surprised to learn they qualify. Subsidies depend on household size and income relative to the federal poverty level — a single person earning around $60,000 may still qualify for help. It's worth a five-minute check.

Part A covers hospital stays, Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care, Part D covers prescriptions, and Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an all-in-one private alternative to Original Medicare. Most people also consider a Medigap supplement to cover what A and B leave behind.

Your Initial Enrollment Period runs 7 months — 3 months before your 65th birthday month, the month itself, and 3 months after. Miss it and you could face permanent late-enrollment penalties. If you're still working with employer coverage, the rules differ — worth a conversation before you turn 65.

Neither is universally "better." Medigap offers predictable costs and any-doctor flexibility; Advantage often has lower premiums but network restrictions and out-of-pocket maximums. The right choice depends on your health, travel habits, budget, and doctor preferences — exactly the kind of decision I help people work through.

Original Medicare largely doesn't — which surprises many new enrollees. Some Medicare Advantage plans include these benefits, and standalone dental/vision policies exist. Don't find out the gap the expensive way; ask before you enroll.

Liability covers damage and injuries you cause to others — it's the legal minimum. "Full coverage" adds collision and comprehensive, which repair or replace your own vehicle after accidents, theft, weather, and more. If your car is financed, the lender requires it; if it's paid off, it's a math question based on the car's value.

Your deductible is what you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in on a claim. A $1,000 deductible means you absorb the first $1,000 of damage. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums — but only choose one you could actually pay tomorrow morning.

Rates rise due to repair costs, regional claim trends, inflation, and even credit-based insurance scores depending on your state. The fix isn't always switching carriers — sometimes it's adjusting coverage, bundling, or finding discounts you weren't claiming. A periodic review costs nothing and often pays for itself.

Almost certainly. State minimums are often surprisingly low — one serious accident can exceed them, leaving your personal assets exposed. The cost of meaningful liability limits is usually far less than people expect.

Standard policies cover your dwelling, personal belongings, liability, and additional living expenses if you can't stay home after a covered loss. Common gaps: floods, earthquakes, and high-value items like jewelry — those need separate coverage. Knowing your gaps before a loss is the whole game.

Actual cash value pays what your belongings are worth today (minus depreciation) — so your 8-year-old roof gets an 8-year-old check. Replacement cost pays what it costs to actually replace or repair at today's prices. The difference after a major claim can be tens of thousands of dollars.

Almost always — it typically costs $12–20/month and covers your belongings, liability (like accidentally flooding the unit below you), and even hotel costs after a covered loss. Your landlord's insurance covers the building, not a single thing you own.

Enough to rebuild your home at current construction costs — which is not the same as its market value or your mortgage balance. Underinsuring is one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners make.

Statistically, you're far more likely to be disabled during your working years than to die prematurely — yet most people insure their car and not their income. If your paycheck funds your life, your paycheck is worth insuring.

It pays a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a covered serious condition like cancer, heart attack, or stroke. The money is yours to use however helps most — treatment travel, bills, time off work. It's a complement to health insurance, not a replacement.

It pays a set cash amount per day you're hospitalized, on top of whatever your health plan pays. That cash can cover deductibles, travel, childcare — the costs of being in the hospital that nobody reimburses.