Should my spouse have life insurance too?

We strongly recommend to most families that they should buy life insurance coverage for both partners in a marriage. While the necessity for getting insured all the time might not seem important, especially to the young and healthy, accidents and tragedies, unfortunately, do occur.

In the unexpected event of the death of a husband or wife, financial pressures can certainly add up for a family (even if the deceased wasn't working). This is often why life insurance is crucial for both spouses in a marriage. The surviving member of the family may also need to take days off from work and make different career decisions that he/she would normally not be forced to form.

Very often, families take life insurance coverage only for the primary breadwinner of the family. This is because, if something unexpected were to happen to the breadwinner the family will lose their sole source of income. So, they take life coverage for the breadwinner.

You need to consider the other side of the coin as well. Let’s say, your wife is a homemaker. Though she may not contribute monetarily to the family, she does tons of unpaid labour for the smooth functioning of the family. In her absence, you will have to hire extra help - cook, housekeeper, daycare for the children, driver, etc.

It doesn’t matter whether your spouse is working or a stay-at-home partner. Life insurance coverage is a must for both the partners in a marriage. You can opt for term life plans that offer huge death benefits at a nominal premium. While you'll never be ready to fill the emotional void after your spouse’s death, life insurance will definitely help to offset his/her financial contribution.