Top 5 Life Insurance Mistakes Californians Make (By Alex Ewert)

Alex Ewert
Oct 31, 2025
2 min read

Avoid costly life insurance mistakes. Alexander Ewert, California broker, reveals the top 5 errors families make — and how to fix them fast.

As a California-based life insurance broker with over 10 years of experience, I’ve helped hundreds of families in Orange County, Los Angeles, and beyond secure the right coverage. My name is Alexander Ewert, and I’ve seen the same costly mistakes over and over — mistakes that can leave your loved ones unprotected or drain your bank account.

In this post, I’m breaking down the Top 5 Life Insurance Mistakes I see most often — and exactly how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1: Buying the Cheapest Policy Without Comparing

“I just went with the lowest premium online.” — Every regretful client ever.

Why it’s dangerous: A $9/month term policy might sound great — until you realize it excludes pre-existing conditions, has a 2-year contestability clause, or converts to an unaffordable rate at age 50.

Fix (By Alex Ewert):

Get 3+ quotes from A-rated carriers (I use TrueShield, Protective, and Banner Life).
Compare conversion options, riders, and underwriting leniency.
Schedule a free 15-minute consult with me — I’ll run side-by-side illustrations.

👉 Book a Free Quote Review with Alexander Ewert

Mistake #2: Naming Your Estate as Beneficiary

“I left it blank — isn’t it automatic?”

Reality check: If your estate is the beneficiary, your payout goes through probate (6–18 months, public record, attorney fees). Your family waits. Creditors can claim it.

Fix:

Name specific individuals (spouse, kids) or a trust.
Add contingent beneficiaries.
Update after every life event (marriage, birth, divorce).

Pro tip from Alex Ewert: Use per stirpes designation so grandkids inherit if a child predeceases you.

Mistake #3: Letting Policies Lapse During Unemployment

“I lost my job — I’ll pause premiums for 3 months.”

What happens: Most policies lapse after 31 days. Reinstatement requires new underwriting — and if your health changed, you’re denied or rated up.

Fix:

Ask about premium waiver riders.
Use automatic loan provisions (borrows from cash value).
Call me (Alexander Ewert) — I’ve saved clients from lapse with carrier grace extensions.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Life Insurance in Divorce Decrees

“We split everything 50/50 — insurance wasn’t mentioned.”

Common disaster: Ex-spouse remains beneficiary. New family gets zero.

Fix (Alexander Ewert’s Checklist):

Update beneficiaries within 24 hours of decree.
Require life insurance as child support collateral (court-ordered).
Use an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) for high-net-worth splits.

Mistake #5: Waiting Until You’re “Older” to Buy

“I’m 32 — I’ll get it when I’m 50.”

Math that hurts:

A healthy 32-year-old pays $28/month for $500k (20-year term).
Same person at 50? $215/month.
That’s $44,640 extra over 20 years.

Fix: Lock in rates now. Even a $250k policy for a young family is better than zero.

Compare Your Rate in 60 Seconds

Final Thought from Alexander Ewert

Life insurance isn’t about you — it’s about peace of mind for the people you love. One 15-minute call with me can prevent all five of these mistakes.

Ready to protect your family the right way?

Schedule a Free Policy Review with Alex Ewert No pressure. No fees. Just clarity.