Your insurance checklist after having a baby
A new child changes your life insurance needs most dramatically — and also affects health and disability coverage.
What changes with your insurance
Having a child is the most common trigger for buying or increasing life insurance. If you have a newborn depending on your income, you need enough life insurance to cover income replacement, mortgage, childcare, and education costs through their independence. Your health insurance needs an update within 30 days of birth to add the baby to your plan. Long-term disability insurance becomes more important when someone depends on your income. Review your estate documents as well — beneficiary designations and a will are important once you have children.
What you might be overpaying for
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Inadequate life insurance
Most new parents significantly underestimate their life insurance needs. Education costs alone can add $100,000+ per child to the calculation.
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Missing health insurance enrollment window
Birth is a qualifying event. Add your child within 30 days — or you wait for open enrollment and face a coverage gap.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
This is an estimate for informational purposes only based on national and state averages. Actual rates vary by insurer and individual circumstances. For an accurate quote, contact a licensed insurance agent.
Relevant calculators
Life Insurance Calculator
Recalculate how much life insurance you need now that you have a dependent child.
Use calculator →HSA Contribution Calculator
Maximize your HSA contributions for tax-free medical expense savings for your family.
Use calculator →Disability Insurance Calculator
Estimate how much disability coverage you need to protect your family income.
Use calculator →