Term and permanent life insurance that protects your family’s income, mortgage and future.
Samantha Lewis Agency is a life insurance agent in Livonia, MI, helping families, homeowners and business owners protect the people who depend on them. We compare term and permanent coverage from multiple carriers so the coverage type, amount and length match what you are trying to protect.
A life insurance agent helps you decide how much coverage you need, which type fits, and which insurer is likely to offer a good match for your health and budget. As an independent agency in Livonia, we compare policies from multiple carriers, guide you through the application and underwriting, and review your coverage as your life changes.
We start by understanding what you want to protect: a mortgage, a young family, a spouse’s retirement income, or a business succession plan. From there we compare carriers so that medical underwriting, riders and premium line up with your situation.
The four main types are term life, whole life, universal life and final expense. Term life covers you for a set number of years and typically costs the least at first. Whole and universal life are permanent coverage that can last your lifetime and may build cash value. Final expense is a smaller permanent policy meant for funeral and end-of-life costs.
| Type | How long it lasts | Cash value | Often used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term life | A set term, such as 10, 20 or 30 years | No | Replacing income while children are young or a mortgage is being paid |
| Whole life | Lifetime, as long as premiums are paid | Yes, grows on a set schedule | Lifelong protection with level premiums |
| Universal life | Can last a lifetime, depending on how it is funded | Yes, with more flexibility | Permanent coverage with adjustable premiums or benefits |
| Final expense | Lifetime | Usually small | Funeral, burial and final bills |
For many working families, term coverage provides the most protection for the premium during the years when others rely on their income. Permanent coverage can make sense for long-term goals such as leaving money to heirs, covering final costs, or planning for a business. We will explain the trade-offs honestly, including what happens if you stop paying premiums.
The right amount depends on what your family would need to cover without your income: debts like a mortgage, ongoing living costs for a number of years, future goals such as college, and final expenses, minus savings and existing coverage. There is no single formula, so we work through your numbers with you instead of using a rule of thumb.
Our guide on how much life insurance you need walks through the main pieces to consider:
Underwriting is how an insurer decides whether to offer coverage and at what price. Some policies use full medical underwriting, which may include a health questionnaire, a paramedical exam and lab work. Others use simplified issue, with health questions but no exam. Your age, health history, medications and lifestyle all play a role, and every carrier weighs them differently.
| Fully underwritten | Simplified issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical exam | Often required | Usually not required |
| Health questions | Detailed | A shorter set of questions |
| Speed | Usually takes longer | Often faster |
| Pricing | Can be lower for people in good health | Often higher for the same coverage amount |
Because carriers view health conditions differently, the same applicant can receive quite different offers. Shopping several insurers is one of the main advantages of working with an independent agent.
Name a primary beneficiary, the person or people who receive the death benefit first, and a contingent beneficiary who receives it if the primary beneficiary has died. Use full legal names, split percentages clearly, and update your choices after marriage, divorce, a birth or a death. Naming a minor directly can complicate payouts, so talk with an estate attorney first.
Beneficiary designations usually control who receives the death benefit, even if a will says something different. Reviewing them once a year takes a few minutes and can prevent real problems for your family later.
Group life insurance at work is a helpful benefit, but the amount is often limited and the coverage usually ends if you leave the job or retire. Many families in Livonia use a personal policy alongside it, so their protection does not depend on one employer. We can review your work coverage and show you where the gaps are.
Yes. Some people combine policies, for example a longer term policy for long-lasting needs and a shorter one that covers a mortgage or the years children are at home. Others pair term coverage with a smaller permanent policy. We will look at whether one policy or a combination fits your goals and budget.
Some term policies include a conversion option that lets you switch to a permanent policy without a new medical exam, usually within a set time limit. Not every policy offers it, and the rules vary by carrier. If you think you may want lifelong coverage later, we will point out which term policies include conversion.
Riders are optional add-ons that change or expand a policy. Common examples include spouse and child riders, which add smaller amounts of coverage for family members, and accidental death riders, which pay an additional benefit if death results from an accident. Availability and cost vary by carrier, so we compare riders along with the base policy.
It is worth a look once a year and any time your life changes, such as marriage, a new baby, a home purchase or refinance, a raise or retirement. At Samantha Lewis Agency we review policies annually so your coverage amount and beneficiaries keep up with your family.
Ready to see your options? Request a life insurance quote, Book a free consultation or call (734) 525-9450.
Book a no-obligation call with Samantha or call us directly.
