New Bedford Life Insurance

New Bedford is a historic whaling community that evolved into a thriving center for the commercial fishing and seafood industry. More than 95,000 citizens live in this coastal city, located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. The median age for New Bedford residents is 37 years old; some residents have life partners (10.1%), and even more (60.2%) are raising a family. 

Whether you’re one of the New Bedford citizens who's busy taking care of a spouse and children, or you’re someone settling into those blissful retirement years, you may be considering New Bedford, Massachusetts life insurance to protect your loved ones and your financial stability. 

Picking the right insurance can be a confusing task, whether you're looking for life insurance, homeowners insurance, or auto coverage. The great news is you don’t need to do it alone. Independent insurance agents in New Bedford can help you figure out the best life policy for you and your loved ones. Find an insurance agent near you to learn more.

New Bedford, Massachusetts, Mortality Statistics

The average life expectancy in the US is 78.6 years. In the state of Massachusetts, these are the most common causes of mortality each year. 

• Cancer: 32%
• Heart disease: 30%
• Accidents: 10%
• Chronic asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema: 7%
• Stroke: 6%
• Flu and pneumonia: 4%
• Alzheimer’s disease: 3%
• Diabetes: 3%
• Kidney disease: 3%
• Septicemia: 2%

Who in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Should Buy Life Insurance? 

All New Bedford residents should consider buying a life insurance policy. The main reason is to provide financial support to their family should they pass away. 

Have you ever really thought about how your family would cope if you were no longer around to contribute financially? Would your spouse be able to cover the mortgage, car payments, and medical insurance? How would your children pay for their education? 

New Bedford, Massachusetts, Financial Stats

• Estimated median household income: $45,784
• Estimated median income per individual: $27,023
• Median home or condo mortgage: $236,200
• Median gross rent per month: $812
• Average US college education at public institutions: $17,237
• Average US college education at private nonprofit institutions: $44,551

Almost every American has some debts that will remain outstanding even after they’ve passed. It’s a popular myth that once you're gone, then any money you owe is erased. Your survivors will inherit these debts and they’ll be expected to pay down your car loan, credit cards, and other costs. Plus, your loved ones will need to pay for funeral expenses and any accumulated medical bills still due after a long illness. 

Average American Funeral Expenses

• Burial with a traditional funeral service: $15,000
• Cremation with a traditional funeral service: $10,000 to $12,000
• Cremation without a memorial service: $2,000

Life continues for your survivors, so it’s vital you leave them a life insurance policy that will ease their financial burden. 

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Types of Life Insurance Policies

Life insurance coverage is available in two basic versions. These are the two most popular types: 

• Permanent life insurance: This policy remains valid for the life of the insured. 
• Term life insurance: This policy is valid for a set amount of time, usually somewhere between 5 and 30 years. 

Permanent Life Insurance Explained

A permanent life insurance policy provides death benefits, as well as a savings/investment feature. Permanent life coverage is more expensive than a term life insurance plan because of the added investment components.  

This type of life insurance comes in two formats: 

• Whole life insurance: The premiums stay the same and there’s a guaranteed cash value accumulation. 
• Universal life insurance: The premiums, death benefits, and savings benefits are somewhat flexible. 

Permanent policies are meant to last a lifetime, which may be obvious based on the coverage name. Yet the cash value that grows on a tax-deferred basis on your permanent life policy can be used for things like paying future premiums, receiving dividend payouts, or borrowing a personal loan against the policy’s value. You can talk with an experienced independent agent in the New Bedford area for more information. 

Term Life Insurance Explained

Term life insurance plans are the most popular types of coverage because of their affordable pricing and simple design. You normally buy this life protection for blocks of time like 5, 10, 20, or 30 years. You can also buy term insurance to cover you to a specific birthday like age 55 or 65. Unlike a permanent policy, term life is only meant for death benefits and doesn’t have any type of savings benefit.  

Once your policy’s term is about to expire, you get the option of renewing the term coverage or converting it to a permanent life insurance plan. 

There are three different term life policies: 

• Level term: The premium and death benefits stay the same for the term. 
• Decreasing term: The death benefit decreases over time and so does the premium. 
• Increasing term: The death benefit increases over time and so does the premium. 

Talking with a local insurance agent can help clarify the different types of term life insurance and how each may benefit you and your loved ones. You can also talk with a New Bedford independent agent about other coverage, like business insurance and flood insurance. 

Selecting the Best New Bedford, Massachusetts, Life Insurance Policy

Most life insurance companies will ask you to complete a medical questionnaire that includes you and your family’s medical history. You may also need to go through a physical examination to check on your current health status. Life insurance coverage that doesn’t ask many questions and doesn’t ask for a medical exam is typically less expensive, but also has fewer protections (e.g., low face amount, short term, exclusion riders).  

Once you know which life insurance is best for you and your loved ones, you then must figure out the death benefit amount that’s best. This dollar amount should take into consideration your current financial needs and any future needs. 

What Can New Bedford, Massachusetts, Life Insurance Do for You? 

The answer is simple. Life insurance is meant to cover the expenses left behind when a loved one passes on. Therefore, the following need to be considered when deciding on the death benefit:

• Funeral costs, estate taxes, etc. 
• Medical bills 
• Total debts (e.g., mortgage, car loans, credit cards)
• Surviving spouse’s estimated annual living expenses
• Surviving spouse's annual income
• Surviving spouse’s current age
• College fund for surviving children
• Emergency fund amount your spouse will need
• Total investments or retirement funds available 

How a New Bedford, Massachusetts, Independent Agent Can Help

An independent New Bedford insurance agent can make shopping for life insurance a lot easier and more cost-effective. Take a look at the insurance agents in your area for help quoting different life insurance policies, a well as applying for coverage. An independent agent will be able to answer all your questions and put your mind at ease. 

It's risky to put off buying life insurance for your family's financial future. So, reach out to an independent insurance agent today for help finding a budget-friendly life insurance plan.