A forty-six year old woman lost her life to breast cancer. A six year old boy died in a car accident. A thirty-five year old man suffered a sudden heart attack. Men and women, moms and dads, kids, grandparents—death doesn’t discriminate; it doesn’t care about age, gender, occupation, or religion. Social media reminds us on an almost daily basis of this fleeting nature of our existence. I see tragedy striking again and again and it seems each heartbreaking notification is accompanied by a GoFundMe page. I appreciate the ability to direct my grief into a useful outlet and I know others feel the same. My hope is that those funds provide some financial comfort in such a devastating time, that the recipients can utilize the funds for a memorial, a family trip, or any resource that helps the family cope with the loss. My hope is that those funds are not needed for funeral costs, medical bills, or daily living expenses. Unfortunately, the shock of death is often compounded by the shock of bills that start adding up. Funerals cost thousands of dollars, and that doesn’t even include the burial plot, a grave marker, or flowers. No one likes to think about or talk about death, but this inevitable truth for us all can cause even more pain if we don’t prepare financially. In addition, many do not understand how easy and affordable life insurance is to obtain. Here are seven myths about life insurance. Myth #1: I’m single so I don’t need life insurance. If you don’t have a partner depending on your income, you may not think you need life insurance. However, you may not always be single and premiums will increase with age. There are also funeral expenses to consider. Legally it is the next of kin who are required to cover funeral costs. Imagine the discussion between a group of family members, each with varying occupations and annual salaries, who are asked to pay equal portions of a funeral. Now this family is battling the resulting financial stress instead of supporting each other in their grief. A life insurance policy can eliminate this potential for your family. Myth #2: I’m sure my spouse took care of that. It seems that the responsibilities of insurance and other financial obligations typically fall to one person in a relationship. However, it is extremely important to discuss these issues and ensure everyone is on the same page. A friend recently relayed that her mail carrier lost her husband to a sudden heart attack at fifty-three. Not only did he not have life insurance, she discovered he had not paid taxes on their home business for the past 6 years. Suddenly she is faced with funeral costs, medical bills, a home in foreclosure, and 50K in back taxes. While this is an extreme circumstance, decisions about finances, including insurance policies, should be thoroughly discussed and made together. Myth #3: I’m covered through work. Even if you have a life insurance policy through your employer, you may not be fully covered. Most company life insurance policies can only be claimed for the amount of an employee’s annual salary. Some companies may allow an increase in that amount, but these policies are not guaranteed. If the employee leaves the company, they risk losing the policy and facing higher premiums when purchasing a new policy. In addition, some may find themselves uninsurable due to new medical conditions. Sears recently laid off thousands of employees and did not permit them to buy out their life insurance policies. Purchasing your own policy will protect you from these risks. Myth #4: I don’t have time to research my options. Insurance brokers have already done this leg work for you and their expertise is available at no cost to you! They will provide you with options and take the time to explain these options in detail so you can make an informed decision. There is no commitment required for this information so you have nothing to lose! Myth #5: The process is too complicated. You can obtain life insurance in just two to three steps. First, you will need to submit an application, which can be completed over the phone with your broker. Next, you’ll need a health exam where they’ll collect blood and urine samples. (At times, the health exam is not required if the applicant is healthy and has little to no medical history.) Finally, submit the payment for your premium and you’re all set! Myth #6: I can’t afford it. This statement is made often, but it seems a reflection of priority rather than truth. While I would never encourage someone to purchase something they truly could not afford, many people are surprised by how easily they’re able to manage the cost. Affording life insurance can be as easy as skipping a few coffee runs each month or resisting that impulse buy. We insure our homes, cars, even our phones, so why wouldn’t we insure our lives? Myth #7: I can wait for a better time. When we are young, we tend to think of ourselves as invincible. Illness, death, funeral expenses, life insurance—those are concerns for “old people." But the truth is, there will never be a better time to purchase life insurance. The younger you are when purchasing a life insurance policy, the less you will pay in premium costs. In addition, a future illness may prevent you from getting life insurance at all. Take the guesswork out of your future and protect yourself today.

Colorado is an incredible place to live. Breathtaking mountainous scenery, more than 300 days of sunshine, and endless opportunities for outdoor activity are just a few of the reasons people are moving to Colorado in droves. Colorado is also known for being one of the fittest states in America and residents dedicate a lot of time to exploring ways they can take advantage of all it has to offer, from new hiking trails to new ski runs and everything in between. The inevitability of this lifestyle is a higher rate of accidents. Here are five reasons why it’s important to have accident insurance if you live in Colorado. First, Colorado residents face quickly changing weather patterns. “If you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes.” Many states throughout the U.S. try to claim this joke as their own but in my opinion, none can compare to Colorado. Honestly, it’s part of why I love Colorado; it keeps me on my toes and I’m never bored with the current season. I’ve played basketball with my kids in the driveway in January and I’ve tasted snow in July. However, it’s not without its challenges. Sidewalks that were dry and stable only moments before can suddenly become a sheet of ice, and now that quick jog around the neighborhood is ending with a trip to the ER. Second, Colorado residents are outdoor overachievers. Hiking, biking, white water rafting, zip lining, rock climbing, and hang gliding are just a few of the activities occurring in a typical Colorado day. And just because summer is over does not mean our activity stops or even slows down. What do we do when the lakes freeze? We go ice skating or play hockey! What do we do when the mountains are covered with snow? We go sledding, skiing, or boarding! The reality of this lifestyle means the odds of having an accident increase exponentially. Whether you catch an edge boarding and break an arm or fall while climbing, accident insurance will keep you from adding financial pain to your physical pain. Third, Colorado residents have an entrepreneurial spirit--maybe it’s all that sunshine! The constantly increasing number of self-employed residents means there is an increasing number of people trying to navigate their own insurance needs. Without the aid of employer benefits, it is even more critical for those who are self-employed to have access to the best insurance protection available. Fourth, Colorado is ranked in the top five states for having the most number of breweries. Many residents enjoy this aspect of Colorado culture. With their laid back and typically family and dog friendly atmospheres, breweries provide the perfect conclusion to a day of hiking or skiing. However, newcomers especially, may not be aware of the significant impact elevation has on alcohol tolerance. Combine a love of IPA’s and a high elevation, you’ve got a recipe for happiness as well as accidents. Fifth, Colorado residents love “The Colors.” Many residents take an annual road trip into the mountains to see the stunning aspens as they change colors in the fall. It’s no surprise that Coloradan’s want to bring this beauty into their backyards. The challenge is aspen trees that are available for landscaping do not have a root system that can support a long life. This creates a lot of dead aspen trees in just a few short years. I speak from experience when I say that an attempt to cut down an aspen tree can result in a range of accidents, anywhere from loss of limbs (pun intended) to broken wrists. This painful experience was the catalyst to my purchase of accident insurance. These are just a few reasons to have accident insurance if you live in Colorado. Make sure you’re prepared so you can fully enjoy all this beautiful place has to offer.