Whole Life Insurance in San Francisco

Coverage with no end date

Whole life is a permanent policy. As long as premiums are paid, coverage never expires, so your beneficiary is paid whether you die at 60 or 100. The premium is locked in the day the policy is issued and doesn't rise with age.

Some of every premium goes toward cash value, which grows at a rate set in the contract. Participating policies from mutual carriers may also pay dividends, though they are not guaranteed. Later on you can borrow against that value, which some clients do to cover business needs or gaps in retirement income.

Lifelong coverage costs more. For the same benefit, the premium is much higher than term life, and that tradeoff isn't right for every goal or budget. If universal life or term life suits you better, we'll tell you and put the figures side by side.

What you get when you work with us

Starting with your goals

First we pin down the purpose: final costs, buying out a business partner, an inheritance or support for a spouse. That decides the face amount before we pick a carrier.

Comparing several carriers

Each company has its own underwriting rules. One might treat a well-managed health condition more favorably than another, so we compare before you apply.

Choices for paying premiums

You can pay for life, pay it off by 65, or pay over a fixed span like 10 or 20 years. We show how each option shifts the yearly premium.

An honest underwriting schedule

Ahead of your application, we explain what the carrier is likely to request and how long each stage usually runs. If a request for doctor records gets stuck, we tell you rather than leave you wondering.

Going over the finished policy

After issue, we review the policy with you one page at a time, covering the cash value table, loan terms and who is named as beneficiary.

Times whole life may suit you

• You want protection with no expiration

  Term coverage ends, and getting new coverage later can be expensive or out of reach after a health change. Whole life has no such cutoff.

• Someone will rely on you for life

  A spouse with no other income or a child with special needs may need support whenever you die.

• Your business needs a plan with money behind it

  Business owners frequently use permanent coverage to pay for a buy-sell agreement or guard against losing a key employee.

• Your other savings are maxed out

  Some clients value cash value's steady growth, set by contract, next to their retirement accounts. Our retirement income planning page explains how the two can fit together.

• You prefer a bill that never changes

  When a premium that stays the same helps you budget, whole life gives you exactly that.

How the process runs, step by step

1. 1

   First call

   We talk through your goals, health basics and budget by phone. If it suits you, we can meet at your office or shop instead, at a time you pick.

2. 2

   Quote comparison

   We bring back options from several carriers with the premium, cash value projection and payment schedule for each, so you can compare without pressure.

3. 3

   Application and exam

   Most whole life applications include a short paramedical exam, often done where you work. We help you book a slot that fits your day and remind you of fasting or paperwork beforehand.

4. 4

   Underwriting updates

   Carriers review records, prescriptions and the exam results. This often takes several weeks, and we check in with you as each piece clears or if the carrier asks for more.

5. 5

   Policy in force

   Once approved, you sign the delivery papers and make the first payment. You'll have a free-look period to review it and cancel for a refund if it isn't right.

What decides your whole life premium

Whole life has no standard price, since each carrier rates every applicant individually. We go over each factor ahead of your application so the offer doesn't catch you off guard.

Age when it starts

Start younger and the level premium you keep for life is lower.

Medical and family history

Your rating class reflects blood pressure, cholesterol, tobacco, medications and your family's health history.

Benefit amount

More coverage means a higher premium. We size it to what you actually need instead of a tidy round figure.

Speed of paying it off

Paying over 10 or 20 years means a bigger yearly premium than paying for life, but the payments end earlier.

Optional riders

Add-ons such as a child term rider or disability waiver of premium bring added protection and added cost.