Life – it’s a terminal condition.

My dear old Dad had a favorite saying.  One that in true dad style I grew up hearing a lot.  “There are only two certainties in life, death and taxes”.   As I’ve grown up I come to realize there are a few other things we can predictably rely on in life –but the truth remains, life is a terminal condition.

Frankly, I don’t like thinking about what my family’s life would be like if I died.  My girls are young and need me.  If I didn’t wake up tomorrow I know their hearts would be shattered.  Life would go on and they would still grow into beautiful young women – but the road would be so much harder for them and that hits me deep within …..  so, like most,  I choose not to think about it.

But life experience has taught me that death is real.  I’ve talked before about the fact that my sister passed away in a car accident when I was 15 and my father from cancer when I was 19.  It happens.  And try as I might to ignore the fact there is always a little voice in the back of my head telling me it could happen to me too – or someone else in my family.  Life is short.   Live it well.   And care for those you love with all you have.

This post is about life insurance – but don’t back away because I really believe this is important.  Did you know that most Australian families are under insured?   Did you know, that having done some research, my family is under insured!  (Right now we only have our work based superannuation policies and I’m no longer sure that’s enough).  I am a stay-at-home-mum married to a self employed business owner.     If I didn’t wake up tomorrow, putting aside to un-thinkable emotional upheaval, who replaces me and what would it cost my family?

I read somewhere recently that Life Insurance is an act of love and I’m beginning to see it that way too.  (Sorry if I’m sounding like a sales person here -  not really my intention.)    Giving your family the peace to grieve and re-adjust without the stress of organizing the practical side of life is such a meaningful and forever kind of gift – and one I’d want my family to have.    To know that my Nature Boy could spend his time being with our girls, rather than stressing over menial tasks or working longer hours to make the money to pay for the help he’d need, calms my heart a little.

Knowing that the mortgage is gone is important to me because it means my family will always have a home. But I’d also like to give my family the gift of having money for years to come.  Support that would allow the girls to continue their ballet and basketball lessons, to have nice clothes and cool birthday present and a million other big and little things that in  reality I’d have no control over anymore .   I know, it might not happen.  I might just live till I’m 100, (lets hope so) but being that life is a terminal disease I’d rather not take the chance.

I know Life Insurance gets a bad rap sometimes.  Between the sales tactics, the bad TV ads  and the fact no one really wants to think about grief.   But I guess I’ve just reached that ages when I know what’s really important.  What about you?  Do you have enough insurance?   You can visit the life insurance calculator from Life Insurance Finder and then compare life insurance plans to find the right option for you – if you need to.   I’ve already added this to my do-list for the week.

I am participating in the LIFE Awareness campaign. I received a VISA gift card for this post courtesy of Life Insurance Finder via Digital Parents Collective. I am also in the running to win an iPad3. As always, all opinions are purely my own.

Tagged as: do we need life insurance?, Lifes insurances