Req 6 — Understanding Insurance

What Is Insurance?

Insurance is a way to protect yourself financially against unexpected bad events. You pay a relatively small, predictable amount (called a premium) on a regular basis. In return, the insurance company agrees to pay for large, unpredictable expenses if something bad happens.

Think of it like this: you probably will not get into a car accident this year. But if you do, it could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Insurance spreads that risk across thousands of people. Everyone pays a little so that the few who need help are covered.

Key insurance terms:

• Premium: The amount you pay for coverage (monthly, quarterly, or annually)
• Deductible: The amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in
• Claim: A request to the insurance company to pay for a covered event
• Coverage/Policy: The contract that spells out what is and is not covered

6a: Automobile Insurance

Why people buy it: In almost every state, car insurance is required by law. But beyond the legal requirement, auto insurance protects you from enormous costs. A single car accident can result in tens of thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs, medical bills, and legal fees.

How it works: You pay monthly premiums, and if you are in an accident, the insurance company pays for covered damages (minus your deductible).

Types of auto coverage:

• Liability: Pays for damage or injuries you cause to other people and their property. This is the part that is legally required.
• Collision: Pays to repair or replace your car after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
• Comprehensive: Covers non-collision damage to your car — theft, vandalism, hail, falling trees, hitting a deer.
• Uninsured motorist: Protects you if you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance.

6b: Health Insurance

Why people buy it: Medical care in the United States is expensive. A single emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars. A hospital stay or surgery can cost tens of thousands. Health insurance prevents a medical problem from becoming a financial disaster.

How it works: You (or your parents, or an employer) pay monthly premiums. When you visit a doctor or hospital, insurance covers most of the cost. You typically pay a copay (a small fixed fee per visit) or coinsurance (a percentage of the bill) until you reach your annual out-of-pocket maximum — after which insurance covers 100%.

Common types:

• Employer-sponsored: Most working adults get health insurance through their job, with the employer paying a portion of the premium
• Individual/Marketplace plans: Available through the Health Insurance Marketplace for people without employer coverage
• Medicaid: Government program for families with lower incomes
• CHIP: Children’s Health Insurance Program, covering kids in families that earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance

6c: Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance — why people buy it: A home is usually the most expensive thing a person will ever own. Homeowner’s insurance protects against damage from fires, storms, theft, and other disasters. Mortgage lenders require it — they will not lend you hundreds of thousands of dollars without knowing the property is protected.

How homeowner’s insurance works: You pay annual or monthly premiums. If your home is damaged by a covered event (fire, windstorm, certain water damage), the insurance company pays to repair or rebuild it. The policy also covers your personal belongings inside the home and provides liability protection if someone is injured on your property.

Renter’s insurance — why people buy it: If you rent an apartment or house, your landlord’s insurance covers the building but not your stuff. Renter’s insurance protects your personal belongings — electronics, furniture, clothes — if they are stolen or damaged. It is surprisingly affordable, typically costing $15 to $30 per month.

6d: Whole Life and Term Life Insurance

Life insurance was introduced briefly in Requirement 5. Now let’s dig into the two main types.

Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period — the “term” — usually 10, 20, or 30 years. If the insured person dies during the term, the beneficiaries receive the death benefit. If the person outlives the term, the policy expires with no payout.

• Pros: Much cheaper than whole life. Simple and easy to understand.
• Cons: No cash value. No payout if you outlive the term.
• Best for: Most families. It covers the years when dependents (children) need financial protection.

Whole life insurance provides coverage for the person’s entire life, as long as premiums are paid. It also builds cash value — a savings component that grows over time. The policyholder can borrow against this cash value or surrender the policy for its cash value.

• Pros: Lifetime coverage. Builds cash value. Guaranteed death benefit.
• Cons: Much more expensive than term life (often 5 to 15 times more). The cash value grows slowly. Better investment returns are often available elsewhere.
• Best for: People with specific estate planning needs or who want guaranteed lifelong coverage.

Why Insurance Matters for You

You might not buy insurance yourself for several years, but understanding it now helps you in two ways. First, you can have informed conversations with your family about your coverage. Second, when the time comes to buy your own insurance — and it will come sooner than you think — you will make smarter, more confident choices.