What is Life Insurance for Kids?

Life insurance is a crucial financial tool that can help provide a safety net for individuals and their families in times of need. While it's commonly associated with adults, the concept of life insurance for children, often referred to as "kids life insurance" or "child life insurance," is gaining attention among parents. 

If you’re planning to raise a family or in the thick of it right now, you have probably thought about getting life insurance for yourself. But what about your kids – is it worth it to get them life insurance as well? In this guide, we will explore what kids life insurance is, its benefits, and considerations for choosing the best life insurance for kids.

What is kids life insurance?

Kids life insurance, or in some cases baby life insurance, is a type of policy specifically designed to cover the lives of children. This insurance aims to help provide financial protection and support to the family in the unfortunate event of a child's death. While no one likes to think about such a tragic scenario, having a child life insurance policy can help to offer peace of mind and assist parents in covering unexpected costs during difficult times.

Key features of child life insurance

Some of the main benefits of life insurance for children include:

Financial protection: Child life insurance can provide a lump sum payment in the event of the insured child's death. This amount can help parents cover funeral expenses and other associated costs during a challenging time.

Guaranteed insurability: Many child life insurance policies offer guaranteed insurability, which typically eliminate the need for a medical or health questions. If the policy also has a convertibility feature, the child may be able to convert the policy into a larger one, possibly without the need for a medical exam when they reach adulthood. This helps to ensure continued coverage, which is especially helpful if the child develops health issues later in life.

Cash value accumulation: Some kids life permanent insurance policies typically come with a cash value component. This means that a portion of the premiums paid can accumulate as cash value over time, which may be accessed by the child later in life for various purposes, such as education or homeownership.

Affordable premiums: Child life insurance policies typically have lower premiums compared to those for adults, depending on the product selected. Starting coverage at a young age can lock in lower rates and ensure the child has coverage into adulthood.

Considerations when choosing kids life insurance

If it sounds like life insurance for kids is something you may be interested in, there are a few main factors to think about when selecting a policy.

Coverage amount: Consider the cost of potential funeral expenses, outstanding debts, and any other financial responsibilities that may arise should the unthinkable happen to your child.

Term vs. permanent life insurance: Decide whether you want a term life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specific period or a permanent life insurance policy that lasts the child's entire life. Permanent policies may come with additional benefits like cash value accumulation.

Rider options: Explore additional riders that can be added to the policy, such as a rider that allows the child to purchase additional coverage without a medical exam in the future.

Insurance company reputation: Research and choose a reputable insurance company with a strong financial standing. Look for customer reviews and ratings to ensure reliability and customer satisfaction.

Alternatives to child life insurance

While kids life insurance can provide financial protection for families in the event of a child's death, there are alternative ways to help secure their future and address various financial needs. It's important for parents to carefully assess their financial goals, risk tolerance, and specific needs when considering alternatives to life insurance for children. While working with your financial advisor, here are some additional financial products to consider:

• Savings accounts: Establishing a savings account in the child's name is a straightforward way to accumulate funds for their future needs. Parents can contribute regularly, and as the account grows, it can be used for education, a first car, or other significant life events.
• 529 college savings plans: Specifically designed for education expenses, 529 plans allow parents to invest money that can grow tax-free and be withdrawn tax-free when used for qualified educational expenses. These plans provide a tax-advantaged way to save for a child's education.
• Custodial Accounts (UGMA/UTMA): These types of accounts allow parents to save and invest on behalf of their children. The funds become the child's property when they reach the age of majority, typically 18 or 21, depending on the state.
• Educational IRAs: Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) can be used to save for a child's education. While traditional IRAs are designed for retirement savings, Roth IRAs allow contributions to be withdrawn penalty-free for qualified educational expenses.
• Personal investments: Investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can potentially provide long-term growth. Parents may choose to invest on behalf of their children and manage the funds until the child reaches adulthood.

Should I get child life insurance?

While child life insurance is not a necessity for everyone, there are certain situations where it might be considered a more suitable option. Some of these scenarios include:

• If you have limited financial resources, you may find child life insurance beneficial in covering funeral expenses and other associated costs in the unfortunate event of a child's death.
• If there are hereditary health conditions or a concern about potential health issues in the child's future, you may opt for child life insurance to secure coverage at a young age. This is especially true if the policy offers a guaranteed insurability benefit, which secures the child's ability to obtain life insurance coverage later in life without a medical exam.

Learn more about your life insurance options

Kids life insurance is a thoughtful way for parents to help secure their child's financial future and provide support during difficult times. By understanding the features and considerations mentioned above, parents can make informed decisions when choosing the best life insurance for their children. Consulting with a financial advisor can help tailor a strategy that aligns with the family's unique circumstances and objectives.

While no one likes to contemplate such scenarios, preparing for the unexpected with various types of life insurance policies can help to bring peace of mind and financial security to your family.