We live in an age of insecurity. We don't want to lose what most of us have worked hard for. It’s important to include life insurance among your financial options. Life insurance is an old-fashioned way to protect yourself and your family, and it is still one of the best products you can own.

No other financial instrument will do what life insurance can do. The moment your life insurance policy goes in force, you have the full death benefit guaranteed to your beneficiary from day 1 -- and for as long as you continue to keep the policy in force by paying the premiums. Financial planners call this aspect of life insurance "creating an immediate estate."

Life insurance can seem complicated. There are more products than just term and permanent life insurance. And there are many other riders and variations on the basic product types.

This is to your advantage. It means greater flexibility and many options. Therefore, a life insurance protection plan can be designed to fit the individual needs of your family.

Various types of policies can serve to protect the family's economic future.

It's important to protect your lifestyle and well being too. Disability income insurance can replace earned income (up to the amount purchased) in the event of serious illness or injury that prevents you from working.

A trained life insurance agent can help you choose from among all the specialized products. Be sure your agent represents a financially strong company. One way to check on a company is through the ratings of such independent evaluators as Moody's Investors Services, Standard & Poor's, A. M. Best and Fitch Ratings.