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An Emotional
Purchase for Dads
Getting Peace of Mind
Through Life Insurance By Mark Stackpole
Through Life Insurance
Few things in life are more daunting than facing our own mortality. There are the simple, unavoidable signs of aging: graying hair, an aching back or throbbing knee, a few more medications or medical checkups. Then, there are the more dramatic confrontations, like a car accident or a serious illness. A parent needs to keep a clear head when dealing with health issues, big or small. At some point, emotions must be kept in check as families determine how to handle a major issue: life insurance.
Despite havinga wife and five children, John Richards, a farm owner from Gaylesville, Pa., admits he never gave his life insurance policy much thought until recently. Not too long ago, Richards had an accident on his four-wheeler. He suffered a crushed collarbone, broken shoulder, three cracked ribs and a badly broken right arm.
"I thought that death was for old people, not for people in their 20s, which we were when we bought the policy," says Richards. "With my accident, I realized that I very easily might not have lived. I realized that I am not Superman."
In addition to facing his injuries, Richards also took a look at the more practical issues that would face his family should anything more serious happen to him. "There are many things to do on the farm that someone would have to pay for: taking care of our 7-acre lawn, feeding the animals, cutting the hay," he says. "A 36-acre farm needs constant work. After seeing the high medical bills for broken bones, I have realized that we need even more life insurance."
"It is uncomfortable for people to think about, as they have to deal with the thought of their own death or the death of someone they love," says Clish. "Some can't face it head on and are therefore in denial: 'It won't happen to me.' I have had several women break down into tears when thinking about their husband's dying. Men don't seem to have the same outward reaction, but it does faze them to think about their wife passing away."