To help you find the right insurance policy, your adviser will want to know all about you and your financial goals, and what’s most important to you. Your adviser needs this information to identify what kinds of insurance may work best for you, and the cost of each option. Here’s what you may be asked:

• Basic personal information
  This includes your name, address, age, and the same for your spouse, if you have one.
  
• Your health
  If you need health or life insurance, they may ask you your height and weight. They may ask if you smoke, or if you or anyone in your family has had any major health problems.
  
• Your job
  They will want to know what you earn and how secure your job is.
  
• Your family responsibilities
  They will want to know who depends on you for support. Someone who has a spouse, children, or aging parents to care for will likely need more life insurance than a single person.
  
• Your finances
  This includes your income and your spouse’s income. Your adviser will ask about your savings, debts, and spending habits. They’ll want to know if you have a mortgage, or any other loans.
  
• Any insurance you already have
  This includes insurance at work, through government plans, and any plans you pay for yourself.
  
• Final costs after your death
  Your adviser will ask you to think about your funeral costs and any other costs to settle your affairs. For example, will your loved ones have a lot of tax to pay on what you leave to them?
  
• Any other special needs or wishes
  Talk to your adviser if you have any special wishes, such as leaving money to a charity, or setting up a fund for your children or grandchildren.

Remember: Insurance is often a very complex product.

An adviser can help you make sure your coverage will meet your needs and your budget.