Protecting your family

Without barely a moment’s thought, you would protect your family from an immediate threat. But would you make a plan to protect them from one in the future?

It’s easy to respond to problems in the present, but it’s much more difficult to look ahead with the same urgency, especially for situations we would prefer not to think about. When an unpleasant scenario unfolds, will you be ready?

Every risk management question begins with “what if?” What if you suffer a debilitating injury? What if you are injured (or worse) in a car accident? What if your family member develops a serious illness? These are all terrible events, so obviously, no one wants to think about them. But I can tell you one thing with certainty: It’s much easier to think about it now than it is during the moment in happens.

No one can force you to adopt the mindset of risk management. That is a personal choice you must make on your own. It requires initiative and a sense of responsibility.

One way to manage risk is by getting health and dental insurance. If you have never had a serious health incident or a root canal, you might not realize how expensive health care can be. The shock of the physical discomfort is disconcerting enough; you don’t need a devastating bill to make it even worse.

Travel insurance is another overlooked part of risk management. You may visit your extended family in a foreign country without much thought, but if you require hospitalization in a foreign country, the bill could be astronomical. Travel insurance can help you roam freely with peace of mind.