The clock is ticking. As December rushes to a close, you might be wondering if it's too late to secure a vital piece of your financial puzzle: life or disability insurance. The reality is that the new year often brings higher rates, especially if your birthday is just around the corner, and the complicated underwriting process requires time—time you are rapidly running out of. While the window isn't completely shut, but you must act as soon as you can, especially if you want to lock in your current age and health rating before the calendar flips to 2026.
Insurance isn't an instant purchase like a streaming subscription. When you apply for a comprehensive life or disability policy, you enter a process called underwriting. This involves reviewing your medical history, ordering third-party reports, and potentially scheduling a medical exam. Even in the best of times, this can take a few weeks. If you wait until the middle of December, your application will get stuck in the holiday backlog, virtually guaranteeing it won't be approved and in force until well into the new year. By starting now, you give our team the time needed to push your application through the final stages before year-end cutoffs.
Insurance rates are heavily influenced by your age. If your birthday falls early in the new year, waiting just a few weeks means you'll be rated at the older age, resulting in a permanent, higher premium for the life of the policy—a cost that can add up to thousands of dollars over 20 or 30 years. Furthermore, insurers frequently review and adjust their rates at the start of a new quarter or year. Locking in a policy today secures the current, potentially lower rates, safeguarding your family's protection against inevitable 2026 increases.
Most importantly, consider the peace of mind you secure by purchasing insurance. The holiday season is a time for family, reflection, and planning for the future. Leaving your loved ones' financial security exposed is a risk no one should take, especially when protection is within reach. Life insurance is the tax-free safety net that replaces your income, ensuring the mortgage is paid and future dreams (like college) remain intact if you pass away. Disability insurance protects your income stream while you are living, covering monthly bills if an illness or injury prevents you from working. Don't let indecision leave your family vulnerable to a financial crisis in the new year.
The simple truth is this: if you want a policy in force before 2026 to lock in your age and avoid potential rate hikes, you need to start the application process right now. Even if the final policy isn't issued until January, initiating the paperwork in December secures your current eligibility and locks in your effective date. Don't gamble with your family's security or wait until the next birthday makes coverage more expensive. Take control of your financial future today.
Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life and disability insurance coverage. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. Please subscribe to this blog!
