Individual Life Insurance for Your Family

A common rule of thumb is 10 to 12 times your annual income, but the right amount depends on your specific situation. We consider your outstanding debts (mortgage, car loans, student loans), the number of dependents, your spouse's income, future education costs, and final expense needs. We run a personalized needs analysis at no cost to determine your ideal coverage amount.

Term life covers you for a specific period (10, 20, or 30 years) and is the most affordable option. If you outlive the term, coverage expires. Whole life is permanent coverage that lasts your entire life, builds cash value, and has fixed premiums. Term is best for temporary needs like covering a mortgage. Whole life is best for permanent needs like estate planning or leaving a legacy.

Life insurance is more affordable than most people expect. A healthy 30-year-old can typically get a $500,000 term policy for $20 to $30 per month. Rates depend on your age, health, tobacco use, coverage amount, and policy type. Because we work with 50+ carriers, we can often find significantly better rates than if you only shopped one company. We provide free, no-obligation quotes.

Not always. Many carriers now offer no-exam policies with instant or accelerated underwriting for qualifying applicants. These policies use electronic health records and prescription databases instead of a physical exam. However, policies that require a medical exam often offer lower premiums. We help you decide which path makes more sense based on your health and coverage goals.

Yes. While health conditions can affect your premium rate, most people with manageable health issues can still qualify for coverage. Different carriers have different underwriting guidelines, which is why working with an independent agency like Brawner is so valuable. We know which carriers are most favorable for specific conditions. For those who cannot qualify for traditional coverage, guaranteed issue policies are available with no health questions.

In most cases, no. Life insurance death benefits are generally received income-tax-free by your beneficiaries under IRS rules. This is one of the key advantages of life insurance over other financial products. However, if the policy is part of a large estate, it could be subject to estate taxes. We recommend consulting with a tax professional for estate planning questions.