1. 5082 POINTS
    J Paul Wilson CFP, CHFC
    Certified Financial Planner, JPW Insurance Retirement Investments, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
    Life insurance creates cash at death. It is essential when death creates an economic loss that you would like to cover in the most economical way with tax free funds.(If you care that is) Once the required death benefit is decided upon, often there are additional planning opportunities for savings purposes and in corporate owned situations - executive benefits

    It may not be essential but it can make planning easier, more predictable and usually more economical

    If you have further questions, or feel that I could be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

    If you would like to work with a local life insurance broker, you could start with a Google search. For example, if you search for: life insurance broker Halifax or life insurance agent Halifax, my name, along with several others, will come up. You can use the same method to find a life insurance broker in your community.
    Answered on April 1, 2014
  2. 10968 POINTS
    Tim Wilhoit
    Owner, Your Friend 4 Life, Brentwood TN
    Life insurance is essential in almost every financial plan. The exception may be the very wealthy. Think of it in these terms. When the rich invest money and they "hedge their bets" by investing in vehicles that go in opposite directions. That way if, for example, their stock goes down, their bond goes up. This keeps them from losing all of their money. For hard working folks their best asset to invest is their ability to earn a living. Therefore, if you die to soon and no longer earn,  life insurance "hedges your bet" that your loved ones are still financially cared for. Therefore life insurance is a very essential part of the plan.
    Answered on April 1, 2014
  3. 21750 POINTS
    Jim Winkler
    CEO/Owner, Winkler Financial Group, Houston, Texas
    There are a couple of really good reasons why life insurance can be essential to your financial plans. If you are looking for a way to leave someone a tax free 'leg up' when you pass, the policy will do that in most cases. If you are concerned with ensuring that major expenses and your income are replaced for your loved ones should you pass, again a policy will do that. Lastly, if it is a concern that your family will not be able to afford your funeral, and there is a chance that it will lead to family strife, a policy can ensure that those expenses are covered. To be a good steward of your family, yes, life insurance is essential. Please contact me if you would like more information!
    Answered on April 1, 2014
  4. 3998 POINTS
    Matt Benore
    Founder, DenverWest Insurance Professionals, Inc.,
    Only you can answer this question of Life Insurance being essential.  For those of us who see the financial loss in families who lost a parent or spouse, Life Insurance relieves financial stress allowing you to take care of what is most important, your family.

    YES, I believe life insurance is essential.  Life Insurance provides you or rather your beneficiary with monies otherwise would not be available.  You need to look at what is important in your life, who depends on you, your family, perhaps your business and look at what will happen if you are not there "tomorrow".  What will happen financially and how would you relieve that financial stress.
    Answered on April 1, 2014
  5. 37376 POINTS
    David G. Pipes, CLU®, RICP®
    Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
    Life insurance is not essential unless you are required to purchase it by a legal contract or you love someone else.  If you don’t love anyone else, then you don’t care what people think about you.  Your passing will be of little consequence.  If you leave a mess, you won’t care.
    Answered on April 1, 2014
  6. 165 POINTS
    Patrick Ruprecht
    Commerical Production, HBG Insurance & Bond, Indianapolis
    Essential to whom?  Are you asking if the government requires it as they are with health care. Then the answer is no.  Is it essential to you.  Depends what your emotional feelings are about the people how are dependent on you.  If you're all by yourself and don't have any outstanding bills and don't feel the need to pass on money to loved ones then no, I wouldn't mess with it.  If you're older say in your 60's, 70's or beyond then is may be cost prohibitive.  I would need to learn more about you and your needs before such a question can be answered.  The bottom line is only you can decide if life insurance is essential.  With the help of a good agent you can get a policy that fits your specific needs.  There are so many different ways to get there.  You just need to work with someone who is asking you the right questions to help you explore the need.
    Answered on April 1, 2014
  7. 63333 POINTS
    Peggy Mace
    Most of the U.S.
    Life insurance is not essential in terms of being mandated. E.g. Auto insurance is legally required in order to drive a car. Life insurance is not legally required in order to live.

    Life insurance is essential to most people, however, in terms of being necessary. The people who it is necessary to are not the person being insured. They are those who are left behind.
    Answered on December 18, 2014
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