Many police officers stress the consequences of getting badly hurt or killed on the job because of the high degree of danger they encounter daily. It’s a good idea to get life insurance as soon as you get hired as a cop so you can provide for your loved ones if something happens to you on the job. Despite the dangers of the job, several insurance providers provide reasonable policies to protect police officers and their families.
Having life insurance gives you peace of mind that your loved ones won’t have to struggle financially in the event of your death. That’s why you need to ensure that you provide them with sufficient protection. Read on to learn more about life insurance policies for police officers.
Why should police officers get life insurance?
Over 30.9% of the 60,000 police officers assaulted in 2020 sustained injuries. Police officers risk their lives daily, and such jobs call for comprehensive coverage.
Police officers can be attacked at any moment, not just while on the run or in a high-speed pursuit. They have all kinds of encounters, from typical traffic stops to criminal investigations to calls about disturbances, and all of them can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities. In certain cases, police officers might also take part in ambush operations.
Did you know that 33% of all line-of-duty deaths between 2011 and 2020 were caused by automobile accidents? Police officers also have to direct traffic at times, respond to road accidents, and risk dealing with reckless drivers. This is all the more reason for them to make sure they’re sufficiently insured.
Is life insurance mandatory for police officers?
In most cases, a police officer’s pension will include a death benefit for the officer’s time spent in service. This is similar to life insurance in that it provides a lump sum to your beneficiaries in the event of your untimely death (provided that you were an employee when you died). The consolidated payment you get under this plan is often a multiple of your yearly income (though you should verify this with your workplace to be sure).
What kind of life insurance policy is ideal for law enforcement professionals?
Your personal situation outside of the police force will determine the appropriate kind of life insurance for you. Specifically, think about the people you would be leaving behind and the financial state they would be in if you were to die. These are your options for life insurance coverage:
Term life coverage
Time-limited policies are great if you know your financial obligations will disappear after a certain period of time (such as your mortgage getting paid or your children becoming financially strong).
Whole life coverage
If you have financial obligations that will never go away or if you just wish to leave a lump amount to your loved ones, a life insurance policy is the best option.
Family income benefit
If your loved ones would be better off with a more manageable income after your death, consider a term life insurance policy that makes payments on a monthly basis rather than in a single amount.
Are police officers considered high-risk by providers?
Despite the inherent risks of the work, police officers are not automatically classified as high-risk when applying for life insurance. It’s also worth noting that police officers don’t always confront the same amount of danger on the job. An officer’s likelihood of being injured while on the job decreases if they begin their law enforcement career in traffic enforcement since they will eventually be transferred to another division.
Moreover, some police officers minimize their vulnerability by devoting the majority of their time to educating the public and fostering good connections within the community. So, being in law enforcement does not preclude a person from being eligible for a life insurance coverage.
Get in touch with our independent life insurance agents at Franklin Life and Annuity today to learn more about your life insurance options in Houston, TX. Our team has the expertise and experience to help you make the right decision, whether that’s a life insurance or burial expense insurance policy. Simply tell us your financial and individual requirements and we’ll help you find comprehensive, reliable, and affordable coverage in no time.