Life Insurance Basics
Life Insurance Myths, Busted
Six common life insurance myths, sorted by how many people believe them and how much they can cost your family.
The sheet in words
Up is costs you more (bigger hit to your family); down is costs you less (smaller hit to your family). Left is less common (fewer people believe it); right is very common (lots of people believe it).
Work coverage is enough
It often ends when the job does
Too expensive
About 3 in 4 adults overestimate the price
Stay-at-home: no need
Replacing their work costs real money
I'm young and healthy
Rates are lowest now and rise with age
Singles don't need it
Debts and final costs still land on family
Only pays at death
Some riders can pay while you're living
Cost is usually a smaller number than people guess. Get a real quote before you decide.
Sourced figures checked October 2026.
Sources
General education only, not a recommendation. Cost perception data: Life Happens and LIMRA 2025 Insurance Barometer Study (about three-quarters of adults overestimate the true cost of life insurance). Placements are general judgments. Product features and prices vary by company, age, health and state. Sony Ho, Licensed Life Insurance Agent, NPN 18171750 · wealthprohi.com/check
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