Can you have more than one life insurance policy? Life insurance can provide valuable financial stability for your loved ones if you die unexpectedly. There are different types of life insurance policies available depending on your family’s lifestyle, your current income, and your budget.
When you buy a life insurance policy, you can choose how much coverage you want, this is called a death benefit. But if you want even more protection, you may be wondering if you can have multiple life insurance policies. Continue reading our guide on can you have more than one life insurance policy for better understanding.
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Can You Have More Than One Life Insurance Policy?
To answer this question; can you have more than one life insurance policy? Technically, you can buy as many life insurance policies as you want. There are no laws, rules, or regulations about how many policies a person can have. You can buy two policies or 10 policies, it just depends on your coverage needs and how much money you can afford to spend.
Plus, you can buy any combination of life insurance policies you choose. For example, you can take out two term life insurance policies and one permanent life insurance policy. However, there are pros and cons to buying more than one policy, and if you choose to buy more than one, there is a strategy for doing so.
Buying Multiple Life Insurance Policies: How It Works
Having more than one life insurance policy is often referred to as scaling up. This is when you buy multiple policies to cover different needs. Term life insurance is often used for scaling up because it is cheaper than permanent life insurance and you can buy different terms.
Suppose, for example, that you are the breadwinner and want to cover your income, your mortgage payments, and the student debt of your children. Instead of buying a $1 million life insurance policy, you can buy three-term policies of varying lengths and amounts to meet every need:
- A life insurance policy of $500,000 for 10 years.
- A 20-year, $300,000 life insurance policy.
- A $200,000 life insurance policy with a 30-year term.
If you die within the first 10 years, all three policies are paid, giving your family a $1 million death benefit. These funds can help replace your income and pay off large debts such as a mortgage while your children are still at home.
If you die within the second decade, the first policy has expired but the other two have not, and your family will receive $500,000. The payment can help cover school fees or living expenses for anyone still dependent on your income.
If you die within the third decade, only the third policy will remain in effect and your beneficiaries will receive $200,000. At this point, your financial position may have reduced the amount of life insurance you need. Your children can be financially independent and the smaller life insurance policy can cover remaining costs, such as mortgage payments.
This tiered strategy can save you money if you know your coverage needs won’t change. For example, if a 30-year-old in excellent health bought all three of the above policies, they would pay a total of $10,470 in premiums after 30 years, according to Quotacy, a brokerage firm. In comparison, if the same applicant bought a 30-year policy with $1 million coverage, they would pay $16,260 after 30 years.
However, if your coverage needs aren’t that simple or predictable, it’s best to get a policy and adjust your coverage over time. Many insurers allow you to reduce coverage and pay less within certain limits. You can also purchase more coverage as your needs grow, but that may require you to complete a life insurance medical exam or answer questions about your health.
When Is Multiple Life Insurance A Good Idea?
There are several situations where it makes sense to take out multiple life insurance policies. Keep in mind that buying multiple policies at once should be strategic, and it’s a strategy that won’t make sense for everyone. Here are some of the instances where you might decide to buy two or more life insurance policies:
You Need More Coverage
The first and most common reason to buy multiple life insurance policies is to get more coverage or a higher death benefit. This is often the case for people who have low-cost group life insurance through their employer but need more coverage than their employer-sponsored policy can provide. You can choose to purchase a two-term, one-term, permanent life insurance policy, or any other combination of coverage.
You want coverage for a specific life event
Some people choose to purchase a second or third life insurance policy if they need more coverage for a specific life event. For example, if your family is growing and you want additional protection until your children are adults, you may choose to purchase a second-term life insurance policy that provides that protection for only 15 or 20 years. You can also take out another policy while paying off your mortgage or business loan.
You want to limit the risk
Most life insurance companies are financially strong, but there is no guarantee that your provider will still be active at the time of your death. If the seller goes bankrupt, there is a possibility that your beneficiaries will not be able to access your death benefit. Having multiple life insurance policies from different providers reduces risk and ensures that your loved ones receive financial support even if one company goes out of business.
What Are The Alternatives?
Buying multiple life insurance policies is not the best option for everyone. Think of it as a financial strategy. Problems can arise if the strategy is not approached properly. If you need more coverage and are discussing a second policy, consider these alternative options first.
Increase your coverage limit
The easiest way to get more life insurance coverage is to simply increase the coverage limit on your existing policy, assuming you haven’t reached your maximum policy limit. Increasing your coverage limit will increase your premium later on, but the cost of the rate increase will depend on how much additional coverage you need.
Passenger purchase
If you need more life insurance coverage, consider buying life insurance drivers. Insurance drivers are essentially supplemental coverages that provide protection in specific areas and fill gaps in coverage. Some of the most common life insurance endorsements are long-term care riders, accelerated death benefit riders, accidental death riders, and child riders.
Discover other investment opportunities
Instead of taking out multiple life insurance policies to save on your premium, consider opting for a permanent life insurance policy with an investment component. With universal life insurance and variable universal life insurance, you can use the cash value of the policy to cover all or part of your premium, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions – Can you have more than one life insurance policy?
How much life insurance do I need?
You must have enough life insurance to cover your family’s financial needs without your income in the event of your death. To determine how much coverage to buy, add your income sources and subtract your debts or recurring expenses, such as a mortgage. The remaining value is the amount of the life insurance policy that you must take out.
Can two life insurance policies be claimed?
Yes, a person can claim all life insurance policies up to the eligible sum insured that they have purchased. Consumers should be transparent with insurance companies when claiming their life insurance. While claiming on multiple insurance policies, your representative must provide all transparent and complete information about all insurance plans you have purchased. Each insurance company has a defined set of claims settlement procedures that they will follow to settle the claim.
What is the best insurance company?
The best life insurance company depends on the type of policy you want, the amount of coverage you need, your age, your general health, your budget, and more. Some of the best life insurance companies based on market share, financial strength, and customer ratings include MetLife, Prudential Financial, Haven, and MassMutual.
Is it okay to apply to multiple insurers at the same time?
It is not recommended to apply to multiple insurers at the same time. When you apply for life insurance, your application is registered with the Medical Information Bureau (MIB), which tells life insurers which coverages you qualify for. When the MIB shows multiple applications, it may appear that you are applying for more coverage than you need, which can ultimately lead to a denial of coverage.
What affects my life insurance rates?
Like most insurance rates, life insurance premiums are personalized. Life insurance companies look at factors such as your age, gender, general health, pre-existing conditions, family history of the disease, the amount of coverage you need, and riders.
Conclusion – can you have more than one life insurance policy
Can you have more than one life insurance policy? While having multiple insurance policies is an option, it’s not always the right choice for your needs. If you need more insurance, you can increase the limit on your current policy.
In any case, if you think you need more than one policy, your situation is probably a little more complicated than most. We encourage you to speak with an experienced financial professional who can answer your questions, help you weigh the factors, and guide you toward the coverage or coverages for your needs.
If you don’t have anyone to talk to about insurance, Guardian can help you find a financial representative near you who will take the time to learn about your situation and suggest options tailored to your specific needs and concerns.