As we age, we start to think about our future and what it will look like. How much do we want to have saved for retirement? Where do we plan to live and will we have family around for support? On top of that is the financial stress of making sure you can afford everything once you retire.
The price for living seems to go up year by year, making it difficult for some to cover all the costs. Throw in a serious illness or disability in which you can no longer care for yourself, and the costs are even higher.
Luckily there is long term care insurance that can help cover some of those costs. This type of insurance provides coverage for someone who needs services like assisted living, nursing homes or in-home care.
How do you know if you will need this type of insurance? Well, as for other forms of protection, like health and life insurance, you never really know if you will use it. However, if the time comes you do need it, you will be glad you have coverage.
If you have a retirement plan in place, or just starting one, it is a good idea to include long term care insurance. So here are a few tips for buying long term care insurance.
Consider the Company
You will be buying insurance from an insurance company, so make sure you are going to a reliable and reputable one. There are many long term care insurance companies to choose from, so don’t feel like you need to buy from the first company you see.
Consider the company ratings as this will tell you lots about the company’s performance and stability. Usually the higher the rating, the better the company, but that doesn’t mean they have the right policy for you. Shop around until you find a reliable company that can offer a flexible insurance plan that suits your needs.
Consider the Purpose of the Coverage
As with many insurance policies, you want to consider ahead of time the purpose of buying coverage. With long term care insurance, will you need the coverage for medical bills due to pre-existing medical conditions? Look at any possible hereditary conditions in which you have a chance of developing.
You also want to consider where you will be living. Do you have family close by that you can remain at home? Or will a nursing home be more suitable to provide any care you need? These are all factors that should be considered when you purchase long term care insurance.
Don’t Wait
If you are serious about getting a long term care insurance policy, don’t wait until you need it. Instead, the earlier you buy it, the more likely you will be accepted. Many companies have medical exams that include blood work and family health history checks. This can make buying insurance harder when you are older and more likely to have health issues.
So consider adding long term care insurance into your retirement plan. Having your long term life planned out now will save you any headaches down the road in case the unexpected occurs.
