The LaBarge family knows firsthand how suddenly life can change from a comfortable middle-class life to facing mounts of financial worries. Shane just entered his first year of college when his father had died suddenly of an undiagnosed heart condition. Without his father’s income and no life insurance in place to provide financial support, they were faced with piling bills and expenses.
At 17, Yasmine lost both her parents in just three months apart. Neither parent had life insurance so she had to support herself financially working 30 hours a week as she continues to focus on her studies.
Adel Abouelnaga and his wife, Mahassen, came to the United States from Egypt in search of a better life. He focused on building a successful souvenir business to support his family of five boys, when Adel died from lymphoma. With no life insurance the family was forced to close the business to pay for the funeral and life became a struggle.
Bill’s service to his country put him in harm’s way, and was killed by a roadside bomb at 37, but wasn’t the only reason he bought life insurance. He wanted to ensure his wife, Richelle, and four young children would be okay financially. While the military offered life insurance benefits, Bill purchased additional coverage on his own. The proceeds leaves Richelle to free to remain a stay-at-home mom and cover living expenses.
Chez Ortiz lost her father, and so much more. “It’s a sad fact, but children must sometimes learn from their parents’ mistakes,” says Chez. Her father didn't have life insurance that meant backbreaking work just to keep the family above poverty level.
When Stephen Mayhle, a rookie police officer, wanted to cancel his life insurance policy, his insurance agent pushed back saying he needed more coverage, not less. That advice made a huge difference for his wife, Shandra, and their two young daughters when Stephen was killed in the line of duty. His life insurance has provided Shandra with financial stability, allowing her to remain a stay-at-home mom.
Life was drastically altered for the Kim family when Young Chang Kim, the primary breadwinner, became disabled after a stroke and lost his income. Then a few years later, he passed from stomach cancer with no life insurance. His funeral was paid for by donations from their church. “I hate how each remembrance of my father is through each bill I pay, rather than the memories of a loving father," say his daughter Esther.
Jim Winand was a beloved husband, father and member of his community. He did the right thing by planning early for the “what ifs” in life. The life insurance proceeds from his individual life insurance policies as well as coverage through work at the fire department, allow Remle time and financial security to home school their two young children.
