How does the death of a spouse affect the surviving spouse s insurance coverage?
If you re married but your spouse dies, you need to review your own insurance coverage to make sure that you have adequate protection and to determine whether any changes are needed. If your spouse handled your insurance, you may be unfamiliar with policy features, etc. In this case, you will need to educate yourself on your insurance needs. Besides revising and changing the beneficiary designations on existing policies, you have to assess your own insurance needs as a result of the changed circumstances. If you were formerly covered as a spouse under a health insurance plan, continuing coverage will have to be acquired. Appropriate coverage in your name for auto, homeowner s or renter s, and umbrella liability insurance is also necessary. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may also need to buy or increase your own disability and life insurance coverage.
