Why Life Insurance Matters
The Right Coverage at the Right Time
Life insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. A young family needs income replacement. A business owner needs key person coverage and buy-sell funding. A retiree may need final expense coverage or a policy to pass wealth to heirs. As an independent brokerage, we match your specific situation to the right product from the right carrier.
We offer term, whole, universal, indexed universal, final expense, and key person life insurance — and we compare options across multiple carriers to find the best fit for your health profile and goals.
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
Term Life
- Coverage for a set period (10–30 years)
- Lowest cost for highest death benefit
- No cash value accumulation
- Ideal for income replacement and debt protection
- Coverage ends when term expires
- Convertible to permanent in most cases
Permanent Life
- Lifelong coverage — never expires
- Higher premiums than term
- Builds cash value over time
- Useful for estate planning and legacy goals
- Multiple types: Whole, UL, IUL
- Cash value accessible via loans or withdrawals
Coverage Types
Life Insurance Options — Explained
Click any coverage type to expand the full explanation, highlights, and key tips.
Key Terms
Life Insurance Glossary
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does life insurance cost in Missouri?
Life insurance costs vary by age, health, coverage amount, and policy type. A healthy 35-year-old in Missouri can typically secure a $500,000 20-year term life policy for $25–$35/month. Whole life and permanent policies cost significantly more. As an independent broker, we shop multiple carriers to find the most competitive rate for your specific health profile.
What is the best type of life insurance?
The best type of life insurance depends on your goals. Term life is best for income replacement and mortgage protection — it provides the most coverage for the lowest cost. Whole life is best for permanent needs like estate planning and final expense. Indexed Universal Life (IUL) works well for those wanting permanent coverage with cash value growth potential. As an independent broker, Michael Hutchison will help you determine which type fits your situation.
Do I need a medical exam to get life insurance?
Not always. Many term life policies offer no-exam underwriting for healthy applicants. Final expense and guaranteed issue policies require no medical exam at all. The tradeoff is that no-exam policies may cost slightly more than fully underwritten policies. We compare both options to find the best value for you.
What is final expense insurance?
Final expense insurance is a small whole life policy designed to cover funeral costs, burial expenses, and other end-of-life bills. Policies typically range from $5,000–$50,000 with no medical exam required. Premiums never increase and coverage never expires. Guaranteed issue options are available for ages 45–85 regardless of health conditions.
What is Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance?
Indexed Universal Life (IUL) is a type of permanent life insurance that builds cash value linked to a market index like the S&P 500. It has a 0% floor protecting against market losses and a cap that limits gains. IUL offers flexible premiums and a death benefit that can be adjusted over time. It's popular for its potential to accumulate more cash value than whole life while protecting against market downturns.
How much life insurance do I need?
A common rule of thumb is 10–12 times your annual income, but the right amount depends on your debts, income replacement needs, number of dependents, and long-term goals. We use a needs analysis approach to calculate the right coverage amount for your specific situation — not a generic formula.
Can I get life insurance if I have health issues?
Yes, in many cases. Some carriers specialize in high-risk or impaired risk life insurance. Final expense policies with simplified or guaranteed underwriting are available for those with serious health conditions. As an independent broker, we know which carriers are most favorable for specific health conditions and can match you with the right company.
Is life insurance from an independent broker different from going direct to a carrier?
Yes. When you go directly to one carrier, you only see their rates and products. Michael Hutchison is an independent broker who works with multiple life insurance carriers, so he can compare policies side by side and find the best combination of coverage, price, and financial strength for your situation — with no loyalty to any single company.