How to Talk About Life Insurance With Someone Who Doesn’t Want To Discuss It [2025]

Many people are reluctant to talk about life insurance because it’s unpleasant to contemplate one’s death or think they can’t afford life insurance. Whatever the reason, life insurance is important because it’s an affordable way to provide financial security for loved ones after your death. There are plenty of ways to save money when buying life insurance, so it’s worth looking into even if you think you can’t afford it.

So how do you talk about life insurance to someone resistant to the subject? This article will discuss tips on how to talk about life insurance even if the person you’re talking to doesn’t want to discuss it.

How to Talk About Life Insurance at the Right Time

Conversations about life insurance can go downhill if the timing and setting aren’t right. That’s why the first and most important tip for how to talk to anyone about getting quotes for life insurance is choosing the right moment.

Schedule a date and time for a talk. It doesn’t have to be a long or a formal meeting, but you want enough time, so the conversation isn’t rushed.

Also, setting a specific date makes the discussion intentional and purposeful. Bringing the subject of life insurance impromptu or too casually can make it easy for the person to dismiss it or say that it’s not the right time. 

Don’t bring up life insurance during an argument or stressful time, like around someone’s death or after losing a job. You also don’t want to bring up life insurance if someone recently received a serious medical diagnosis. If someone is worried about finances or health, they may not be in the right frame of mind to discuss life insurance.

In addition to the right moment, finding the right place to talk about insurance is important.

Pick a quiet setting with few distractions — for some, it could be their own home or office, while for others, a local coffee shop might be the perfect location. Ensure there’s a level of privacy, given that life insurance is a very personal subject. 

Engaging the subject of life insurance at the right time with the right tone can make all the difference to the listener.

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Do Some Research to Prepare Before you Talk About Life Insurance

Before talking to someone about life insurance, you should do preliminary research to understand the different coverage types and available rates. Talking about life insurance with someone hesitant to discuss it is easier when you have all the facts.

There are two main types of life insurance: term and permanent.

Term life insurance pays a death benefit if the insured passes away within the policy term. There are different types of term life insurance, like term life with living benefits to help pay for medical expenses.

Permanent life insurance has significantly more benefits than term life insurance, as it lasts for the insured’s entire life and accumulates cash value on a tax-free basis. Whole life insurance is the most common life insurance type. 

You’ll also be able to research rates online. Most insurance companies offer online term life insurance quotes or whole life insurance quotes as well as online calculators to determine how much life insurance is necessary for income replacement. With the internet, it’s pretty easy to find affordable coverage that fits different needs and budgets.

You should also have a general understanding of how life insurance proceeds get paid out after death. Did you know that life insurance proceeds will automatically be paid to the named beneficiaries and won’t be part of a deceased person’s probate estate? Did you also know that life insurance proceeds are not taxable to the beneficiary? How life insurance works is an important part of your research.

Read more: Does life insurance go through probate?

Plan How You Will Talk About Life Insurance Ahead of Time and Listen to Concerns

Now that you’ve done the research and locked in a time and place, you should think about what you plan to say. You’ll have a more fruitful discussion if you have a plan and write down some talking points.

Life insurance doesn’t have to be a hard sell. Start the conversation seeking consensus. Most people will agree that life insurance is a great way to provide financial security to family and loved ones when someone gets seriously sick or after they pass on. From there, you can talk about how life insurance works and which type would be the best fit for the person’s needs and budget. 

One of the most important tips is don’t forget to listen. Give the person you’re talking to an opportunity to share their concerns about life insurance and why they might not want to discuss it. 

If the concern is cost, term life insurance is a great option because many life insurance providers offer policies with death benefits over $100,000 for less than $20 a month.

Many people don’t want to discuss life insurance because they believe their high-risk work or medical conditions could disqualify them from coverage. They may not know about no medical exam term life insurance, which doesn’t require a medical exam.

There are several reasons why someone may be reluctant to discuss life insurance, but you’ll never be able to address their concerns if you don’t give them a chance to talk.

Case Studies: Talking About Life Insurance With Reluctant Individuals

Case Study 1: Sarah’s Financial Security

Sarah is a single mother of two young children. She works full-time and manages her household expenses. Sarah has always been hesitant to talk about life insurance, as she finds it uncomfortable to think about her own mortality.

However, her friend Anna recognizes the importance of financial security for Sarah’s children and decides to broach the subject. Anna chooses an appropriate time and place for the conversation – a casual lunch outing where they can have privacy and minimal distractions.

She begins by expressing her concern for Sarah’s children’s future and the need for a safety net in case something unexpected happens to her. Anna highlights how life insurance can provide financial support and ensure that her children are taken care of, including education expenses and daily living costs.

By framing the discussion around Sarah’s children’s well-being, Anna creates a meaningful context for the conversation and encourages Sarah to consider life insurance.

Case Study 2: John’s Misconceptions

John is a middle-aged man with a successful career and a strong aversion to discussing life insurance. He believes that life insurance is too expensive and unnecessary for someone in his situation. John’s colleague, Mike, understands the importance of protecting loved ones and wants to help John overcome his misconceptions.

Mike decides to approach John during a calm and stress-free time, outside of work hours. He starts by acknowledging John’s concerns about the cost of life insurance and emphasizes that there are affordable options available.

Mike educates John about term life insurance, which offers coverage for a specific period and can be tailored to fit individual budgets. He also mentions the availability of online tools to compare quotes from different insurance companies, ensuring that John can find the most cost-effective solution.

By addressing John’s specific concerns and offering practical solutions, Mike helps dispel misconceptions and opens up the possibility of considering life insurance.

Case Study 3: Maria’s Health Worries

Maria is a young woman who recently received a serious medical diagnosis. She feels overwhelmed and uncertain about her future, making the topic of life insurance especially challenging to discuss.

Maria’s sister, Emily, recognizes the importance of addressing this issue promptly and approaches the conversation with empathy and sensitivity.

Emily waits until Maria is in a relatively calm and stable emotional state before bringing up life insurance. She expresses her concern for Maria’s well-being and acknowledges the uncertainties surrounding her health. Emily highlights the value of life insurance as a means of providing financial security, even in the face of medical challenges.

She researches and shares information about no medical exam term life insurance, which doesn’t require a medical examination and can be a viable option for Maria. By demonstrating understanding and compassion, Emily creates a safe space for Maria to explore life insurance options and consider the potential benefits.

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The Bottom Line: How to Talk About Life Insurance

Talking about life insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. Researching the right policy and rates, finding the right setting, knowing what you want to say, and listening to your audience can make a challenging topic easier to tackle.

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