By Mike Elman

Without a doubt, life insurance is designed to help protect you and your family, making it a vital piece of your financial planning.

With life insurance evolving over the years to provide different tiers of coverage to fit an evolving set of needs, life insurance is well worth considering no matter where you are in life.

In fact, one of the main reasons people consider a life insurance purchase is due to a mortgage payment.1 But is life insurance really all that important when considering purchasing a house and making mortgage payments?

Why You Should Consider Life Insurance If You’re Looking to Buy a Home

While having life insurance isn’t strictly a necessity when purchasing a home, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good thing to have. Here are a few reasons to consider a life insurance purchase before buying a home:

  • A mortgage is most likely the biggest bill your family will have. Buying a life insurance policy that would cover your mortgage debt can help protect your interest and prevent you from having to buy additional mortgage insurance when you buy your first home.1
  • If you are the sole or primary breadwinner in your home, there is a chance that your family would not be able to continue making mortgage payments in the event of your death. A life insurance policy has the potential to provide financial security to your family in the event of your death by allowing them the possibility to keep making mortgage payments after you die.2
  • Having life insurance in place when buying a home may sway a lender to rate your application more highly. The same may apply to landlords when seeking a buy-to-let mortgage.2

While life insurance isn’t a necessity when buying a home, having a life insurance policy in place before proceeding with a house purchase has its share of benefits.

In some cases, having life insurance may help a lender rate your mortgage application more highly and give your family the financial security they need to continue living in their home long after your death.2

There are a number of life insurance options available, so it’s important to speak with a financial advisor or licensed insurance agent to help you decide which life insurance policy is best for you.

For more information about life insurance, contact one of our knowledgeable agents at 713.254.3439 or email us at info@jsuttonfinancial.com.

Sources:
1. The Balance, Who Needs Life Insurance? 10 Ways You Can Use Life Insurance, 2019, https://www.thebalance.com/who-needs-life-insurance-2645793
2. Money to the Masses, Do you need life insurance to get a mortgage?, 2019, https://moneytothemasses.com/quick-savings/insurance-2/life-insurance/do-you-need-life-insurance-to-get-a-mortgage