Why Do Single Parents Need Life Insurance?

In 2018, there were approximately 460,000 single-parent families in Portugal. The number has been rising gradually and steadily, year after year. Single or widowed fathers and mothers live under the same roof with their children.

Taken together, single-parent families and childless couples outnumber more traditional couples with children.

Clearly, the composition of households is changing.

In this new concept of family, if something happens (death or disability), how can you protect your children’s future?

In this article, discover all the benefits of life insurance, how to calculate the amounts, the terms, and the most important types of coverage.

Life insurance isn't just for married people

If life for a couple with children is like a relay race, in which parents pass the baton back and forth between father and mother, single parents raise the bar because they run the race alone.

All decisions and responsibilities fall on a single person: obligations related to the children’s education, health, and other day-to-day matters, such as going shopping or taking the children to swimming lessons or birthday parties.

Given that children depend on the income of a single caregiver, it becomes even more important to secure their future.

When you purchase life insurance, you can be certain that your descendants will receive the full amount of the insured principal.

Coverage Provided by Life Insurance Policies

Putting off or even refusing to purchase life insurance comes with an opportunity cost.

This means you save on the monthly premium you would pay for the policy, but you forgo compensation in the event of an unfortunate occurrence—death, disability, or serious illness.

There are cases in which life insurance is particularly important:

• When the child's other parents are absent or have passed away;
• The family network is unable to provide the same level of comfort and financial stability that it used to offer its children;
• In the event of disability, the children will have to cover the living expenses and medical costs related to the accident that caused the disability.

Given the competition in the insurance industry and the fact that EXS works with 26 insurance companies, the amount you’ll have to pay may be lower than you think.

Otherwise, even without meaning to, you may be jeopardizing your children’s future and educational plans due to a reduction in income.

What situations does life insurance cover, and how is a claim processed?

Life insurance is a contract entered into with an insurance company.

The company assumes the risk (of death, survival, or both) associated with the policyholder and agrees to pay the agreed-upon death benefit to the policyholder’s beneficiaries. In return, the policyholder pays the insurance premium.

But what happens if you need to file an insurance claim?

Refunds cover two main scenarios:

• Life Insurance: The insurance company pays the beneficiary or heir the agreed-upon death benefit if the policyholder dies during the term of the policy.
• Survivor Insurance: At the end of the contract term, if the policyholder is still alive, the insurer pays the full agreed-upon benefit amount.

This type of insurance—whole life insurance—can be viewed as a way to build savings—for yourself or for your children.

If you survive until the end of the contract, you’ll have funds to cover, for example, medical expenses or to pay for a stay in a nursing home. If you have only one child, this takes that burden off your shoulders.

Additional Coverage for Total Protection

EXS Seguros' partners offer these relevant additional coverages to help you increase your level of protection.

This may be important, since your heirs may depend solely and exclusively on what they will receive from you (reimbursement).

You can add supplemental coverage to a more traditional life insurance policy, such as:

• Unemployment;
• Serious illnesses;
• Risk of Disability (Absolute and Permanent or Total and Permanent);
• Death due to an accident and/or a traffic accident;
• Benefits in the event of hospitalization.

At this point, it is very important Carefully review the specific terms and conditions of the policy.

Age, health status, and other factors directly influence the premium you’ll pay. Therefore, the sooner you decide to purchase life insurance, the less it will cost.

Is it possible to withdraw the insured amount early?

As a general rule, the policyholder is the one who cashes out the policy.

However, the right to the amount specified in the contract is usually granted after a minimum period set forth in the contractual terms.

However, not all life insurance policies provide a cash value. If this is a concern for you, keep in mind that:

• The insurance regulatory authority has established recommended timeframes for the payment of refunds and redemptions;
• The insurance company must attach to the policy a table illustrating the amounts and penalties associated with early surrender.

How much does it cost to raise a child in Portugal?

The money spent on children—from the time they are born until they go to college or become independent—can be exorbitant.

Obviously, the amount varies from family to family. But if something were to happen to you, that would mean passing this burden on to someone else—until your child comes of age.

Studies indicate that middle-class Portuguese parents spend between 260,000 and 600,000 euros on their children—over the course of 20 or 30 years.

The data is from 2008, but the researcher recently noted that the estimates and principles from that time remain valid today.

As a single-parent family, you will have to cover this amount on your own or with help from family members.

Calculate the Amount and Term of Life Insurance

Determining the amount and duration of the insurance requires some preliminary calculations.

It is necessary list income and expenses (fixed and variable) costs, both current and those projected for the future.

• If you have debts, how much will it cost to pay off the outstanding amounts in full?
• What is the total amount that will need to be replaced to maintain the standard of living and lifestyle your children are accustomed to?
• What future expenses do you plan to cover (college, a down payment on a house, buying a car for your heirs, etc.)?
• How old are your children now, and how long do you want the coverage to last?

By creating a budget and tracking your current and expected expenses, you can also figure out how much you can set aside each month to pay for life insurance. It’s important not to strain your family’s finances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance for Single Parents

1. Can I name my child as a beneficiary?

You can name a minor child as a beneficiary, but insurance companies are prohibited from paying out the insurance proceeds (either in full or in installments) until the child reaches the age of majority or the age you specified in advance. In the event of death, the legal guardian will be responsible for the proceeds and the administration of the life insurance policy.

2. Is life insurance cheaper for single-parent families?

It depends on the insurance companies, but as a general rule, it’s more cost-effective when purchased as a package. However, EXS professionals always seek out the insurance plan best suited to each individual’s profile. If you’re a single parent, our research and communications with partner insurance companies will certainly take that into account.

3. How can health insurance help my descendants?

Taking out life insurance as a single mother or father means having peace of mind. Because you know that, should something unfortunate happen, all your debts will be paid off and your children will have the financial stability they need to achieve their life goals, even after your death or a disabling accident—one that prevents you from being the primary breadwinner.

4. What kind of life insurance should I purchase as a single-parent family?

We recommend that you speak with our professionals, who are experienced in the insurance market. At EXS, we take the time to understand your needs, your current financial situation, and other relevant information so that we can determine your profile. After this assessment, we begin a consultation process with the 26 insurance companies we work with. We seek out the most advantageous solution.