Daniel Irland

In the US, 51% of people hold life insurance, and ~1.6M policyholders surrender coverage each year, making valuation decisions widely relevant for families.
Many policyholders accept a carrier's cash surrender value without checking the secondary market, where policies can receive competitive bids instead of a default payout.
Surrender formulas focus on cash value, fees, and penalties, while secondary buyers may also weigh current health changes and market demand when valuing policies.
Policy reviews often matter during premium strain, beneficiary changes, or care needs, because comparing settlement offers with surrender values can reveal overlooked equity.
As awareness grows, more policyholders may reassess active coverage, using independent advisors and open-market comparisons to understand a policy's potential value before lapsing.

US Policyholders Explore Life Insurance Value

In the US, >95% of pets were uninsured, leaving most owners to pay veterinary bills out of pocket even as care costs kept climbing.
A 2026 survey found uninsured Gen Z owners most often cited not getting around to coverage or not knowing it existed; fewer blamed premiums.
Some owners preferred self-insuring, but an expert noted savings need time to build and may not cover a sudden $5K or $10K bill.
Waiting can make coverage pricier, limit new-policy options, and leave later conditions uncovered through waiting periods, breed rules, or pre-existing condition exclusions.
Unexpected vet costs can create major strain for some families, making pet insurance a decision about policy details, cash flow, and peace of mind.