Talk About Insurance with Your Parents

Talking to your parents about insurance isn't always easy. Even though they claim that they already have insurance, their money might go to waste, and they might not be protected or covered.

Here are some excellent tips on how to make sure that your advice doesn't just go to waste, and that your three-hour drive to your parents' house isn't just a waste of gas:

Get ready for conflict: Be prepared for their reaction when you tell them that they're not protected enough. They will probably feel that is none of your business and that they are being disrespected. In fact, if your parents are the kind who scream at you if you try to tell them "what to do', when you are actually giving them advice, you really have to be prepared. Just tell them that you are only trying to help them with their insurance and that you aren't trying to be nosy or presumptuous, if that's the way they thought you came off in the beginning of the conversation.

Keep it private: Try not to have this conversation with your parents in a public place. You should try to keep this in a private place. Try their home or maybe yours for a good location. With a conversation this important, don't rush yourself, and don't let your parents rush you.

Be direct: At times, it is a great idea to just be down-to-earth with your parents. Instead of stretching the conversation by being afraid of getting to the point, just say, "Mom, Dad, we have to talk about...'

Discuss your own plans: You probably have plans of your own for your insurance. If you do, share them with your parents. Share what type of policies you purchased, how much you're paying, etc... You can make the subject easier if you point towards yourself once in a while.

Talk about some of these issues

• What policies don't they have, but they need?
• Do their current policies provide adequate coverage? Too much coverage?
• What are the details of their current policies?
• What policies do they have, but they don't need?
• What policies do they currently have?
• Who are their insurance agents?
• Where are their policies kept?
• Who should be responsible for paying the premiums?