A longtime friend named
Cindy moved with her husband, Andy, and contacted me to become their financial advisor. I
completed their home and auto insurance, but Andy refused to buy life insurance, even though he
was an engineer and made enough money to protect Cindy.
I explained to Andy, 65, that Cindy, 59, did not make enough to keep the $250,000 home they had just purchased if something happened to him. Cindy pleaded for the life insurance policy, but Andy refused. I asked if we could leave this topic open and Andy reluctantly agreed.
When I called Andy a month later, he said he had no need for life insurance and hung up on me. About an hour later, Cindy called my office asking if I could drive to their home with the life insurance documents. They lived two hours away, but I agreed.
When I arrived, Andy went to a back room and did not come out. Cindy was crying. Andy again refused to buy the life insurance. I left a note for Andy to reconsider.
A week later, I called their home. Andy said Cindy had been so upset at him since my last visit that he was going to do the policy. Once again, I drove two hours to get to their home. When I arrived, Andy told Cindy, “She is here to take our money.”
I quickly turned to him and said, “I am here to help you ensure that if something happens to you, Cindy will at least keep the house.” I had the paperwork ready to go at $250,000. Andy said, “No, I will only do $100,000.” I completed the paperwork, but felt sad about Andy shortchanging Cindy. Nonetheless, $100,000 was better than zero.
Within 10 months of writing the policy, Andy’s doctor found a tumor on his head. Andy died 18 months later. At the funeral, Cindy cried and told her family I had worked hard to get the life policy she needed but Andy had reduced it considerably.
Cindy had to sell her home as she could no longer make payments on it. She moved in with her daughter and works part-time. She will never be in a position to retire.
While it upset me, I feel at peace knowing my tenacity and relentlessness to convince Andy to get a policy for at least $100,000 helped Cindy more than if she received nothing from a life policy Andy never bought.
CONTACT:
Yolie Aleman-Rodriguez
yolie.aleman-rodriguez.j8qu@statefarm.com
I explained to Andy, 65, that Cindy, 59, did not make enough to keep the $250,000 home they had just purchased if something happened to him. Cindy pleaded for the life insurance policy, but Andy refused. I asked if we could leave this topic open and Andy reluctantly agreed.
When I called Andy a month later, he said he had no need for life insurance and hung up on me. About an hour later, Cindy called my office asking if I could drive to their home with the life insurance documents. They lived two hours away, but I agreed.
When I arrived, Andy went to a back room and did not come out. Cindy was crying. Andy again refused to buy the life insurance. I left a note for Andy to reconsider.
A week later, I called their home. Andy said Cindy had been so upset at him since my last visit that he was going to do the policy. Once again, I drove two hours to get to their home. When I arrived, Andy told Cindy, “She is here to take our money.”
I quickly turned to him and said, “I am here to help you ensure that if something happens to you, Cindy will at least keep the house.” I had the paperwork ready to go at $250,000. Andy said, “No, I will only do $100,000.” I completed the paperwork, but felt sad about Andy shortchanging Cindy. Nonetheless, $100,000 was better than zero.
Within 10 months of writing the policy, Andy’s doctor found a tumor on his head. Andy died 18 months later. At the funeral, Cindy cried and told her family I had worked hard to get the life policy she needed but Andy had reduced it considerably.
Cindy had to sell her home as she could no longer make payments on it. She moved in with her daughter and works part-time. She will never be in a position to retire.
While it upset me, I feel at peace knowing my tenacity and relentlessness to convince Andy to get a policy for at least $100,000 helped Cindy more than if she received nothing from a life policy Andy never bought.
CONTACT:
Yolie Aleman-Rodriguez
yolie.aleman-rodriguez.j8qu@statefarm.com
