Over the last 17 years in the insurance business, I’ve helped families through major life events, from lining up a new teen driver’s first coverage to supporting a family through a devastating home fire. One event touched me so deeply that it completely reshaped how I think about life insurance and reframed how our agency approaches it to this day.

It started when a customer, a devoted wife and mother in California, flew to Guatemala to visit her family. During the trip, she was involved in an accident that left her in a coma. Her husband, back home with their children, dropped everything and got on a plane to be by her side.
When he arrived at the hospital, he was shocked to see her in such a heart-wrenching condition. Overcome, he suffered a heart attack and passed away.

She woke up two weeks later to the crushing news that her husband, the love of her life, was gone.

Despite her physical condition, the grieving woman returned to California to be with her children. During this impossibly difficult time, our agency was able to step in and bring some stability to her life, helping to get her family their life insurance benefit quickly. She was able to stay in the family home, care for her children and mourn her husband without carrying the weight of financial uncertainty.

Months later, while cleaning out her husband’s car, the woman found a letter her husband had written to her. It was full of love, hope and personal wishes in the event of his death — a gift he’d never had the opportunity to share with her before he passed.

That moment stayed with me. I was inspired to do more, to provide something heartfelt and personal for our customers beyond the expected. Life insurance is about more than delivering a check. It’s about protection, peace of mind and a legacy for our loved ones. So, I thought, what if we could help our customers leave behind something truly meaningful, too?

Ever since then, our agency has offered the option to include a personal letter, video or note that can be given to loved ones along with their policy benefits. It’s a small gesture, but it can have a huge impact on the family. 

Many people in my community don’t want to talk about life insurance. They think it’s bad luck, or they just don’t want to think about death in that way. But the truth is, it’s not about you. It’s about your family. I ask, “If something were to happen to you today, your family would be grieving and overwhelmed. But imagine their relief when they find out they don’t have to shoulder all the financial burdens of life — debts, education, funeral costs — because you took care of them when you could.” 

Life insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. We can usually find a policy that fits a customer’s budget — we’ve provided coverage for as little as $1 per day to some of our customers. At the end of the day, it’s about protecting the ones you care about most, taking steps today to keep them safe tomorrow.

As I always say, “Love doesn’t end. It prepares.”

8070416.1     07/25

The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. The information is provided by Farmers^® and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, services or related graphics, if any, contained in this article for any purpose. The information is not meant as professional or expert advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Related articles