Posted: Mar 1
Life is full of significant milestones—marriage, having children, career changes—each bringing new responsibilities and financial
implications. These life events don’t just impact your day-to-day; they can also have profound effects on your disability insurance
coverage. To navigate these changes smoothly, a disability insurance broker plays a crucial role in ensuring that your policy continues to
provide the protection you need as your life evolves. Call a Vistaplan advisor today to learn more!
Major Life Events That Affect Your Disability Insurance
Certain key life events may require an update or reconsideration of your disability insurance policy. Understanding when to review your
coverage and working with a broker ensures you maintain adequate financial protection without overpaying for unnecessary coverage.
1. Marriage
Getting married is a major milestone that often involves merging finances, buying a home, and planning for the future. If you are the
primary breadwinner or share financial responsibilities with your spouse, maintaining a robust disability insurance policy becomes
essential. Should you become unable to work due to illness or injury, your policy can provide income replacement to cover essential costs
such as mortgage payments and household expenses.
Additionally, after marriage, you may need to update your policy to ensure your spouse is listed as a beneficiary, or to adjust coverage to
reflect the higher financial responsibilities you now share. Your disability insurance broker can help evaluate how your new financial
situation impacts your coverage needs.
2. Having Children
The arrival of a child is both exciting and financially demanding. With new dependents relying on your income, your financial
responsibilities significantly increase. If you become disabled and can no longer work, the cost of raising a child, including education,
healthcare, and daily expenses, can quickly become overwhelming.
At this stage, revisiting your disability insurance policy with a broker becomes critical. They can help adjust your policy to ensure it
covers sufficient income replacement to meet your family’s increased needs. A broker can also advise on any group disability coverage
available through your employer and whether you need additional private coverage.
3. Homeownership
Buying a home is often accompanied by significant debt, usually in the form of a mortgage. While life insurance is frequently considered to
protect against the loss of income from death, disability insurance can be equally important. If you’re unable to work due to an injury or
illness, disability benefits can help cover your mortgage payments and prevent financial strain.
A disability insurance broker can guide you through assessing how much coverage you need based on your mortgage size, ensuring that
disability insurance will safeguard your most significant asset—your home.
4. Career Changes or Salary Increases
If you change jobs or receive a promotion with a salary increase, your disability insurance policy may also need a review. Salary increases
can lead to higher living standards, and you’ll want to ensure that your disability insurance reflects your current income. Group disability
coverage provided by an employer may offer less coverage than required, so topping up with private insurance might be necessary.
Disability insurance brokers can help assess whether your new job or salary increase affects your current policy, and if necessary,
recommend additional coverage to align with your financial needs.
Why Work With a Disability Insurance Broker?
Life changes can be complicated and managing your disability insurance policy can become a challenging task. This is where a disability
insurance broker becomes invaluable. Here’s how a broker can help:
1. Customizing Coverage to Fit Your Needs
As your life evolves, so do your insurance needs. A disability insurance broker can evaluate your current policy to ensure it provides
adequate coverage, whether you’re newly married, expecting a child, or purchasing a home. They’ll also help you avoid over-insurance,
ensuring that your premiums stay affordable while your coverage remains sufficient for your needs.
2. Navigating Policy Options
The insurance market can be overwhelming, with many different policy types and coverage options. A broker brings a wealth of knowledge about
the disability insurance landscape, helping you find a policy that fits your lifestyle and budget. They will present options that align with
your long-term goals, ensuring you’re not paying for unnecessary extras.
3. Employer-Provided vs. Private Coverage
Many Edmontonians rely on disability insurance coverage provided by their employers. While this can be a valuable benefit, it may not always
be sufficient to meet your needs, especially if your salary or responsibilities increase. A broker can help you assess whether
employer-provided coverage is enough or if supplementing with private disability insurance makes sense.
Additionally, disability insurance brokers can explain the nuances of long-term disability insurance versus short-term policies, helping you
determine which offers the best protection.
4. Keeping Policies Up to Date
Life changes are inevitable, and it’s essential to keep your disability insurance policy current. A broker helps ensure that your policy
reflects these changes. For example, if you’ve had a child or experienced a salary increase, your broker will update your policy to maintain
appropriate levels of coverage. Keeping your policy up to date ensures you and your family are financially secure, no matter what happens.
5. Handling Claims
If the unexpected happens and you need to file a claim, your disability insurance broker will be there to guide you through the process.
They can help navigate the often complex claims process, ensuring that you receive your benefits as quickly and smoothly as possible.
How Life Changes Highlight the Importance of a Disability Insurance Broker
While it’s tempting to set up disability insurance once and forget about it, life changes such as marriage, having children, or buying a
home can drastically alter your financial situation. Working with a disability insurance broker allows you to navigate these transitions
smoothly. They bring expertise, allowing you to make informed decisions that protect your financial future.
Additionally, brokers stay up to date on market trends and policy changes that might impact your coverage. For instance, certain group plans
may change in response to company shifts or new regulations, and a broker will help ensure you’re not left with inadequate coverage during
these transitions.
The Value of a Disability Insurance Broker in Edmonton
Major life events like marriage, having children, or career changes don’t just impact your day-to-day responsibilities—they can also
significantly affect your disability insurance needs. Keeping your policy up to date is crucial to ensure you and your family are protected
financially in the event of an injury or illness that prevents you from working.
By working with a disability insurance broker, you gain access to professional advice tailored to your evolving needs. Brokers can help you
navigate the complexities of disability insurance, ensuring that your policy provides the right level of coverage without unnecessary
expense. For Edmontonians, this personalized approach offers peace of mind, knowing that your financial future is secure, no matter what
life brings your way. Call a Vistaplan disability insurance broker today!
About the Author – David Motkoski
David is a well-respected insurance advisor with over 30 years of experience helping healthcare professionals, business owners, and their
families secure their financial futures. He takes the time to make certain his clients understand the life, disability, and health insurance
products they are purchasing, so they can make the right choices for their budgets, plans, and futures.
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