Breast Cancer Awareness, Life Insurance, Family Protection

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Protecting the People We Love

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for me, this one is personal.

I lost my mom to breast cancer.

So when I see the pink ribbons every October, I don't just see an awareness campaign. I think about my mom. I think about the families who have faced breast cancer themselves. And I think about the conversations we sometimes put off because they're difficult to have.

Taking Care of Ourselves Matters

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder to pay attention to our health, understand our individual risk, and talk with our healthcare providers about appropriate screenings.

According to the CDC's breast cancer screening guidance, breast cancer screening can help find cancer before symptoms appear. Knowing your family history is important, too, because it can affect your risk and the screening recommendations that may be appropriate for you.

For me, that message carries special meaning because of my mom.

But there's another conversation I believe is worth having—one that also comes down to taking care of the people we love.

Some Difficult Conversations Are Worth Having

We plan for birthdays, vacations, careers, new homes, and retirement.

Planning for what might happen if we're no longer here is much harder.

It's easy to tell ourselves we'll deal with life insurance later. But the purpose of life insurance isn't really about focusing on death. It's about thinking about the people who depend on us and what life could look like for them financially if something unexpected happened.

Life insurance can't replace someone you love. It can't take away a family's grief.

But it can help provide financial support at a time when a family may be dealing with mortgage or rent payments, everyday living expenses, debts, childcare, education costs, and other responsibilities.

Protecting Your Family's Financial Future

There isn't one type or amount of life insurance that's right for every Virginia family.

Term life insurance provides coverage for a specified period and can be useful for temporary financial needs, such as protecting a mortgage or providing income protection while children are young. Permanent life insurance is designed to remain in force for a lifetime as long as required premiums are paid and can address longer-term financial needs.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission's life insurance resources can also help Virginia consumers understand life insurance and the questions to consider when evaluating coverage.

The important thing is understanding your options and choosing coverage based on your family's circumstances, financial obligations, and goals.

And if you already have life insurance, remember that life changes. Marriage, children, a new home, a new job, or other financial changes can be good reasons to review whether your existing coverage and beneficiaries still reflect your needs.

In Memory of My Mom

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I'm sharing this in memory of my mom and as a reminder to all of us:

Take care of yourself.

Have the difficult conversations.

And make sure the people you love are protected.

If you've never discussed life insurance, or it's been a while since you reviewed your current coverage, contact us to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance and Family Protection

Why is life insurance worth thinking about during Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us to take care of our health and have conversations we may otherwise postpone. Life insurance is a separate but important part of family preparedness. It can help provide financial support to loved ones after a death, helping them manage ongoing financial responsibilities during an already difficult time.

How much life insurance does a Virginia family need?

There is no single amount that's right for every Virginia family. Consider the income your family depends on, mortgage or rent, outstanding debts, childcare, education expenses, existing savings, and other financial responsibilities. Your needs can also change over time, which is why periodically reviewing your coverage is important.

What's the difference between term and permanent life insurance?

Term life insurance provides coverage for a specified period and is commonly used for temporary financial needs, such as income protection while children are young or while paying a mortgage. Permanent life insurance is designed for lifelong coverage as long as required premiums are paid. The appropriate option depends on your needs, goals, budget, and policy terms.

When should I review my existing life insurance coverage?

Consider reviewing your life insurance after major life or financial changes, such as marriage, having a child, buying a home, changing jobs, or taking on significant financial responsibilities. It's also worth periodically checking your beneficiaries and whether your current coverage still reflects the people and obligations you want to protect.

Still have questions about your coverage?
If you're considering life insurance or haven't reviewed your existing policy recently, contact us to discuss your options.