Post-Divorce Insurance Adjustments

A divorce can change your entire life almost overnight. It can change where you live, how you live, and what kind of insurance you need. If you're going through a divorce, here are some adjustments you should consider making to your insurance portfolio.

1. Change life insurance beneficiaries: If the current beneficiary of your death benefit is your soon-to-be ex-spouse, you need to consider who you want your new beneficiary to be. You can leave the benefits to a relative, close friend, your children, funeral home or a trust.
2. Get health insurance: If you're currently on your spouse’s health insurance plan then after your divorce you will qualify for COBRA coverage. However you will be limited to the options available on your ex-spouse's insurance policy and you will be subject to COBRA premiums that can include an additional administrative fee. Instead, you might consider getting your own individual health insurance policy with the coverage options you want, the network of doctors you prefer, and a premium you can easily afford.
3. Renter’s insurance: If you are not keeping the home that you and your spouse occupied and are instead moving into an apartment, then you need to consider replacing your Oklahoma City home insurance. A renter's insurance policy not only covers the risk of financial loss to the contents within your apartment (such as your electronics and furniture), but it also covers your liabilities should someone be injured when they're visiting you.
4. Long- and short-term disability: Should you become disabled after divorce you no longer have your spouse’s income to rely on. That makes it very important that you have your own long- and short-term disability policies. That way you can supplement your income after a disability without waiting for Social Security’s approval and waiting period.
5. Auto insurance coverage: Chances are good you shared an auto insurance policy with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. If that is the case then you need to quickly get an auto insurance policy for yourself. Your individual auto insurance policy will not only comply with state mandated insurance regulations but will also cover those events that concern you such as collision, theft and vandalism.

When you're going through a divorce, the last thing you want to think about is how it will change your insurance policies. But to ignore the impact divorce can have on insurance is to ignore the financial risks you face as you head into your new, single life. Give us a call at Strunk Insurance and we can work with you to make all the necessary changes with your new budget in mind.