If you’re a single mom or a single dad, life insurance is a financial protection must-have. If one parent dies in a two-parent household, the surviving parent may be able to provide income to keep up with expenses. But single parents may not have another source of financial support for their kids if they pass away unexpectedly.
A life insurance policy creates a safety net for your child’s everyday expenses, continuing education, and care. Make sure they get all of the support they need by getting the right amount of life insurance and choosing your beneficiaries carefully.
Key takeaways
Single parents need life insurance so that their children have financial support if they die unexpectedly.
Your policy should cover your debts, income, and future expenses for your child, like tuition or savings.
It’s best to name a trust as your policy’s beneficiary because minors can’t accept life insurance payouts.
How much life insurance do single parents need?
The exact amount of coverage you need depends on three main factors.
Income: Experts recommend having a death benefit of at least 10 to 15 times your annual income. This can cover everyday expenses like bills and groceries.
Outstanding debt: Your child won’t be responsible for your debts, but any co-signers will, and creditors can seize property for loans that weren’t co-signed. Your policy should last as long as your longest debt and be large enough to pay it off.
Future expenses: If you plan to send your child to private school, pay for extracurriculars, or establish a college or savings fund for them, include that in your calculations.
Add those three factors together to get a sense of how much life insurance coverage to buy. You’ll need to include end-of-life expenses for yourself, too. You may need more coverage than someone who can rely on a surviving co-parent to contribute to your child’s care.
→ Learn more about calculating how much life insurance you need
What type of life insurance do single parents need?
The best type of life insurance for single parents is term life insurance. Term policies are flexible, easy to understand, and affordable. A 35-year-old parent who doesn't smoke and only has one or two minor health conditions can buy a $1 million, 20-year term life insurance policy for $42 to $52 per month, according to Policygenius data.
Whole life insurance, a type of permanent life insurance and the most common alternative to term life, offers lifelong coverage and a savings feature. However, whole life is five to 15 times more expensive than term life. The extra features aren’t worth the cost unless you’re a high-income earner.
→ Read more about the differences between term life and whole life insurance
Should you buy a life insurance policy for your child?
No, in most cases, buying a standalone life insurance policy for children is not worth it. Life policies for children are costly and unnecessary — unless your child has an illness that will make getting their own policy difficult as an adult.
If having your kid covered would give you peace of mind, you can add a child insurance rider to your own policy for about $5 per month. Riders are policy add-ons that offer supplemental coverage under special circumstances.
Who should you name as the beneficiary of your policy?
Many parents instinctively want to make their children the beneficiary of their life insurance policy. This isn’t, however, a good idea. Minors can’t legally accept life insurance money, potentially causing the policy’s death benefit payout to get stalled in legal proceedings for months.
Instead of naming your child, set up a trust and name it as your beneficiary. You can specify how the money is distributed, how much is spent, and what it can be spent on, and a trustee will carry out your wishes.
“A will designates guardianship, but how assets are distributed is contestable," says Chris Sabey, a former Policygenius sales associate. "Whoever the guardian is would be entrusted to provide for the minor under court supervision, but a lot could go wrong. You can define exactly what you want in a revocable trust.”
Note that money in a trust can sometimes lower a child’s eligibility for financial aid. A financial advisor can help you make a comprehensive plan for your child's future.
How to protect the death benefit for your child
Single parents should share their end-of-life plans with their child's guardian and other loved ones. Tell someone you trust where to find important documents like your life insurance policy and contact information for any lawyers or financial advisors you’ve worked with.
Make sure they know how to file a life insurance claim and where to get the documents they’ll need to begin the process.
If you are the child of a single parent and know you’re the beneficiary of their life insurance policy but can’t find the details, you can search for it through your state’s insurance department.
Buying a life insurance policy is one of the best things you can do to protect your child’s financial future. A few simple safeguards can guarantee that your child has the support they need no matter what.
Frequently asked questions
Do single parents need life insurance?
Life insurance is essential for single parents. A policy guarantees financial support for your child and other loved ones when you pass away.
What is the best life insurance for a single parent?
Most parents should buy term life insurance because it’s affordable and flexible. If your child will depend on you for life, you might consider whole life insurance.
How much does life insurance cost for single parents?
It depends on how much coverage you buy and your age and health. A 35-year-old parent might pay $42 to $52 per month for a $1 million, 20-year term policy.
