How does getting married change my life insurance needs?

Marriage is one of the most significant life insurance triggers. When you marry, two financial lives become intertwined — each partner's income supports the other, debts may be shared, and plans for a home and family create new obligations that did not previously exist.

Immediately after marriage, update beneficiary designations on all existing life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and financial accounts. A spouse should typically be the primary beneficiary unless your estate plan specifically directs otherwise.

For coverage amount, consider your new shared obligations: if you are buying a home, the mortgage needs to be protected. If one partner earns significantly more, income replacement for that partner becomes critical. If both earn comparable amounts, both need coverage sized to their individual contribution.

Marriage is also a good time to review whether employer group coverage is sufficient for your combined household obligations. Most professionals find it is not — supplemental individual coverage from an A-rated (A.M. Best) carrier fills the gap.

Nevada is a community property state, which means certain debts and assets acquired during marriage are shared. Life insurance helps ensure that shared financial obligations do not become an impossible burden for a surviving spouse. Agents in our network can help you coordinate coverage for a newly married household.