I never thought much about life insurance. When he was offered it at his job we took it because it was part of the insurance package. There were several clauses with in the policy that I couldn't take advantage of but it did help. No one thinks they will ever need it or won't until they are very old. I certainly never thought I would be cashing his in at 44 yrs old. I wish we never had to think of this type of stuff. Just one more thing that isn't right.

I haven't even started the insurance matter yet. I'm still waiting for the death certificate. I cant even get him off the medical insurance or dental insurance without that certificate. He died Aug. 21st but California is having a problem with the paper that birth certificates and death certificates are printed on. I was told I only get 3 when I need about 12. Was told the County wont give me many more either. Hugs Arlene

my wife was "un-insurable" for life insurance due to all of her health issues..so I had all of mine setup, with her as beneficiary...I dont know why, but for many years,I rather assumed, just dealing with all of the stress from her health issue, would probably "take me" first..

now i have life insurance with no beneficiary..

Arlene, I'm not sure how it works in the U.S., but here many places will accept a "proof of death" certificate provided by the funeral home, in place of a death certificate issued by government, just because the government ones can take so long. Or, they might be willing to accept a certified copy from your legal counsel, since the state will only provide you with three originals. Worth checking...
Dennis: did melodie have a favourite charity or cause she supported? Perhaps you can change the insurance to their benefit? Or have it go to your estate, and leave a will for the funds to be distributed to your preferred charities?

Shane was adamant about the insurance, and had the accident rider... the policies were the same on both of us. He never thought he was going to die, but our premiums were extremely low, and the insurance was a joke between us. He would make wise cracks in front of some of our close friends.
I never thought we would actually use these policies. Neither did he.
I put all of it in trust for the kids... it just seems like blood money. I do not want to "gain" from a loss like this.
I realize that insurance is a good thing... I am thankful, now, that it was there, and that my kids will be ok. And if I was in a position where I needed it, I would be so grateful that he thought to get it. I do not mean to sound like those that use it are bad.... quite the opposite... I just know that if some scammer came to me with the promise of a time machine, I would have signed over every cent and everything I owned for the chance to go back and change what happened... that would have been the only use I had for anything. We are young enough to start over, and not afraid of hard work. I would walk out of here with nothing but the clothes on my back and live on the street with Shane if I could change things.

My husband didn't want to pay for life insurance. I was surprised to find out that I have dependent life insurance through my work. Not much, but it will help a little bit. Just waiting for it come in.

The vehicle insurance company will send some funds too, once the medical examiner's report is complete which could take another 5 months.

Cliff had a huge accidental death policy which we paid on for years. However, he died of a heart attack at 55 so it paid zero. I didn't even get any premiums back. I had a dependent life policy from work, and it was small but it is what covered the cost of the funeral and a few bills. Nothing else. I was lucky I had taken on the dependent coverage or I would have been screwed. As it was, the funeral home had to advanced the money to the cemetery or I wouldn't have been able to bury him while I was waiting for the insurance money. Oh it sucked big time....

Cliff always said he would have to live to 125 to do everything he wanted to do, and he lived like that. Dying at 55 wasn't in his plan.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

We never give much thought to things like life insurance for many reasons. LaShawn never knew she had had a policy that she was automatically enrolled in at her place of employment. The night before she passed we had talked about her getting ahold of her HR Department to find out her benefits (we were thinking about her retirement for the future). After her passing I had to make several trips and fill out a lot of paperwork to be added as her beneficiary after her passing. Thankfully the laws recognize spouses as beneficiaries even if were not on the original document. All that said....I'm still waiting for the final cause of death to even finish the paperwork. 5 weeks since I have lost her and I'm in financial limbo for now.