Do You Need Life Insurance If You’re Single?

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

When it comes to life insurance, there are a lot of misconceptions out there. One of the biggest ones is that you only need life insurance if you have a family. Everyone should have life insurance, regardless of their marital status. In this guide, we will discuss whether or not you need life insurance if you’re single. We will also discuss the different life insurance policies available and how they can benefit you.

Why Single People Still Need Life Insurance 

You might want life insurance for many reasons, even if you don’t have a partner or family.

You Have Outstanding Debt 

You might consider getting life insurance if you are a new homeowner or have other personal debt.

If you pass away, your parents will still be responsible for your student loan debt if they were a cosigner. This differs from federal student loans, which are forgiven if the borrower dies.

Suppose you have a co-signer, a second borrower on a mortgage, another authorized user on a credit card, or a joint bank account. In that case, the other account holder will also be responsible for the debt.

If you want to leave your estate to your loved ones, they might not get it if you have debts. After you die, the estate has to pay your debts. If you want to ensure something stays in the family or goes to someone specific, you might want to consider an insurance policy that could help cover your debts. Life insurance can also cover any remaining debts, including social security payments.

You have people who rely on you for support

Even if you don’t have kids or are unmarried, that doesn’t mean you don’t have responsibilities. If you have elderly parents, siblings who need help, or other family members who depend on you, life insurance can help them financially.

Designating a beneficiary on a life insurance policy is easy. Most of the time, you can choose anyone you want as your beneficiary if they have an insurable interest in you. This means that they would suffer some loss if you died.

If you have a lot of people who depend on you, such as both of your parents or multiple siblings, you can designate them all as primary beneficiaries. This means they will get the death benefit if something happens to them.

You Want To Cover Funeral Expenses

Don’t forget about the costs of end-of-life care. This can include medical bills, funeral, and family members’ travel expenses. These costs can add up to a lot of money, depending on where you live.

If your friends and family receive the money from your life insurance, they will not have to worry about paying for your funeral.

You’re a Business Owner

If you have a small business with a partner, you must have life insurance if something happens to you. This will help protect your partner and the business if something happens.

Most lenders will require you to have life insurance if you want to get a business loan to help grow your company. This is so that if something happens to you, they can get their money back.

You Want to Lock In a Low Premium Rate Now

If you are young and healthy, you may be able to get a ten or 20-year life insurance policy for a lower price. The policy will help take care of you if something happens.

For example, you can apply for a term life insurance policy without having a medical exam—the rates for this start at just $10 a month. If approved, you can apply now and be covered in just a few minutes.

Do You Need Life Insurance If You Are Single

Types of Life Insurance for Single Individuals

When it comes to life insurance, there are two main types: term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance covers a specific period, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. On the other hand, permanent life insurance provides coverage for the duration of your life and has a cash value component. For single individuals, term life insurance may be the best option. It is typically more affordable and provides coverage for a specific period, which may align with your financial goals.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance covers a specific period, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. The premiums for term life insurance are typically lower than those for permanent life insurance, making it a more affordable option for many individuals. However, once the term expires, the policy ends, and you are no longer covered. If you still need life insurance coverage, you must purchase a new policy, which may have higher premiums due to increased age.

Permanent life insurance

Permanent life insurance covers your life and has a cash value component. There are several types of permanent life insurance, including whole life insurance, universal life insurance, and variable life insurance. The premiums for permanent life insurance are typically higher than those for term life insurance. Still, the policy provides coverage for your entire life and also has a cash value component that can be used to fund long-term financial goals. Therefore, it’s essential to consider your financial goals and needs when deciding which type of life insurance to purchase.

Life Insurance as a Form of Protection

Life insurance protects your loved ones from financial hardship if you pass away unexpectedly. However, life insurance can also provide a valuable safety net for single individuals. Even if you do not depend, you may still have people who rely on you financially, such as elderly parents, siblings, or other relatives. If you were to pass away, they might be left with the burden of your outstanding debts or final expenses, such as funeral costs. Life insurance ensures these expenses are covered, and your loved ones are not financially burdened.

Debts and Final Expenses

As mentioned above, life insurance can help cover the costs of outstanding debts and final expenses. For example, if you have any outstanding loans or credit card debts, your beneficiaries can use the death benefit from your life insurance policy to pay off these debts. Similarly, your life insurance policy can be used to pay for final expenses, such as funeral costs, which can be a significant financial burden for your loved ones. Therefore, having life insurance ensures that your debts are taken care of and that your loved ones are not financially burdened.

Outstanding debts

If you have outstanding debts such as student loans, credit card debt, or a mortgage, it’s essential to consider how those debts would be paid off in the event of your unexpected passing. If you don’t have life insurance, your loved ones may be responsible for paying off those debts, which can be a significant financial burden. Life insurance ensures that your debts are covered, and your loved ones are not financially burdened.

Final expenses

Funeral costs and other final expenses can add up quickly, and if you don’t have life insurance, your loved ones may be responsible for paying for those expenses. Life insurance ensures that your final expenses are covered, and your loved ones are not financially burdened. In addition, this can provide peace of mind and allow your loved ones to focus on grieving rather than worrying about financial matters.

Do I Need Life Insurance If I'M Single

Income Replacement

Another reason why single individuals may need life insurance is income replacement. Even if you do not have any dependents, you may still have people who rely on your income, such as elderly parents, siblings, or other relatives. If you were to pass away unexpectedly, your income would no longer be available to them, which could cause financial hardship. By having life insurance, you can ensure that your loved ones are taken care of financially in the event of your unexpected passing.

Long-term Financial Planning

Life insurance can also be an essential component of long-term financial planning for single individuals. If you are single, you may not have a spouse or children to consider when it comes to financial planning. However, you may still have long-term financial goals like home buying or retirement savings. Life insurance can be a valuable asset in these cases, as it can provide a source of the cash value that can be used to fund these goals.

Long-term financial goals

Life insurance can be valuable if you have long-term financial goals, such as buying a home or retirement savings. Some types of life insurance, such as permanent life insurance, have a cash value component that can be used to fund those goals. By having life insurance, you can ensure that you have a source of the cash value that can be used to achieve your long-term financial goals.

Cash value

Cash value is a component of permanent life insurance that can be used to fund long-term financial goals. As you pay your premiums, a portion goes into a cash value account, which grows over time. You can borrow or use the cash value account to pay your premiums. If you surrender your policy, you may receive the cash value as a lump sum payment. However, it’s important to note that borrowing from the cash value account or surrendering your policy may impact the death benefit.

Helpful Tip: Are you searching for an affordable way to establish a living trust and last will and testament as part of your estate plan? If so, we highly recommend the following service:

Do I Need Life Insurance If I'M Single

Get A Life Insurance Quote Today

So what’s the bottom line? If you’re single now, but you might not be later, or if you have people who depend on you, you may consider looking into life insurance.

You can get a life insurance quote right now for free. It only takes a few seconds, and our online application can be completed in minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is life insurance worth it if you’re single?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For example, you may need life insurance if you have financial obligations, such as a mortgage or student loans, that would need to be paid off in the event of your death. You may also consider purchasing life insurance to cover final expenses, such as funeral costs.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links. I may receive a commission at no cost to you if you purchase a policy. It helps us keep the lights on!

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

I’m a licensed financial professional focusing on annuities and insurance for more than a decade. My former role was training financial advisors, including for a Fortune Global 500 insurance company. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, and Women’s Health Magazine.

The Annuity Expert is an online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. My goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning or find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates for you. 

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