This is not my story. But it’s a story from a lady I’ve known for over 20 years that is also in the Insurance Profession. Read and know that you should not “WAIT” for an Insurance Professional to ask you these important questions. Whatever town you are in, ask the trusted professional about these issues.
Annette writes:
My family is in the midst of a nightmare and, sad to say, we are not unique. One of my younger sisters was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in June. I assure you, I will never again hear the comment that someone has cancer without feeling a deep dread in my pit of my stomach because I know what the individual and entire family will endure. My sister is a 41 year old single mom of a 14 year old boy. Immediately gripped with the fear of possibly losing her, we were also immediately thrust into making decisions. Decisions that I quickly recognized coulda, woulda, shoulda been pre-determined through a thorough Insurance & Financial Review.
What does her Group Medical provide for? Not provide for? Does she have prescription coverage? What are the benefits for Paid Sick Leave? Disability? What are her monthly bills? Does she have any savings? Does she personally own any policies? How will the family get her back and forth to Houston? How will we pay for lodging and meals during the stays? Who in the family can miss work for these trips? Who in the family can take day shifts at home between treatments? Who can take night shifts? Who can do the housework? Who can cut the grass? Who can cook meals? Who can help with her son? Obviously, the list can go on and on.
Guilt? I have felt tremendous guilt and anger with myself. Do you know how many times I have said, “Why didn’t I just ask her?” As early on as when I was a new agent and she was newly married, why didn’t I ask her to review her coverage? As we both became single mothers, why didn’t I just ask her to meet with an agent and have a cup of coffee about things? As I worked with an Attorney to complete a Will, a Living Will & Medical Power of Attorney, a Trust for my children, a Durable Power of Attorney, why didn’t I just ask her if she had prepared these? As she turned 40 years old, why didn’t I just ask her if she scheduled a base-line mammogram? We both have March birthdays: as I completed my annual mammogram, why didn’t I just ask her if she had scheduled hers?
I had obligations as her older sister and as an insurance professional to “just ask” questions, and I failed her. Now it is too late: she is forever un-insurable. She will not be able to purchase a Hospital Income policy, Disability Income policy, Mortgage Disability Income, Life Insurance, Long-Term Care insurance. Now it is too late: nothing in her life is private. I am handling sensitive medical and financial matters. My parents and all siblings are in her home day and night taking over the life she had with her son.
I feel good about my insurance & financial planning. How many times have we said that our client base deserves the same financial planning that we provide for ourselves? My sister deserves this, but now it is too late. Why didn’t I just ask? Why didn’t her insurance professional just ask? Getting insurance education is easy - ask questions before it is too late.
Annette writes:
My family is in the midst of a nightmare and, sad to say, we are not unique. One of my younger sisters was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in June. I assure you, I will never again hear the comment that someone has cancer without feeling a deep dread in my pit of my stomach because I know what the individual and entire family will endure. My sister is a 41 year old single mom of a 14 year old boy. Immediately gripped with the fear of possibly losing her, we were also immediately thrust into making decisions. Decisions that I quickly recognized coulda, woulda, shoulda been pre-determined through a thorough Insurance & Financial Review.
What does her Group Medical provide for? Not provide for? Does she have prescription coverage? What are the benefits for Paid Sick Leave? Disability? What are her monthly bills? Does she have any savings? Does she personally own any policies? How will the family get her back and forth to Houston? How will we pay for lodging and meals during the stays? Who in the family can miss work for these trips? Who in the family can take day shifts at home between treatments? Who can take night shifts? Who can do the housework? Who can cut the grass? Who can cook meals? Who can help with her son? Obviously, the list can go on and on.
Guilt? I have felt tremendous guilt and anger with myself. Do you know how many times I have said, “Why didn’t I just ask her?” As early on as when I was a new agent and she was newly married, why didn’t I ask her to review her coverage? As we both became single mothers, why didn’t I just ask her to meet with an agent and have a cup of coffee about things? As I worked with an Attorney to complete a Will, a Living Will & Medical Power of Attorney, a Trust for my children, a Durable Power of Attorney, why didn’t I just ask her if she had prepared these? As she turned 40 years old, why didn’t I just ask her if she scheduled a base-line mammogram? We both have March birthdays: as I completed my annual mammogram, why didn’t I just ask her if she had scheduled hers?
I had obligations as her older sister and as an insurance professional to “just ask” questions, and I failed her. Now it is too late: she is forever un-insurable. She will not be able to purchase a Hospital Income policy, Disability Income policy, Mortgage Disability Income, Life Insurance, Long-Term Care insurance. Now it is too late: nothing in her life is private. I am handling sensitive medical and financial matters. My parents and all siblings are in her home day and night taking over the life she had with her son.
I feel good about my insurance & financial planning. How many times have we said that our client base deserves the same financial planning that we provide for ourselves? My sister deserves this, but now it is too late. Why didn’t I just ask? Why didn’t her insurance professional just ask? Getting insurance education is easy - ask questions before it is too late.
