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National Life Insurance Awareness Month:Understanding Life Insurance in Buy-Sell Agreements

Writer's picture: Kirstin HawthorneKirstin Hawthorne

Written by N'kia NLN and Xavier Mazza


September marks National Life Insurance Awareness Month, a reminder for business owners to review and update their insurance policies. Among the many important aspects to consider is the role life insurance plays in buy-sell agreements. A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract that determines what happens to an owner’s share of the business when they die, become disabled, or leave the business. This type of coverage is crucial for protecting the families of business owners and ensuring the smooth continuation of the business if an owner passes away.


Life insurance offers financial security to the deceased owner’s family. The death benefit from a life insurance policy can be used to buy the deceased owner’s interest, ensuring their family receives fair compensation for their share of the business. This provides the family with financial stability without the burden of managing the business. Life insurance also supports business continuity. When a business owner dies, the life insurance policy provides the funds needed to purchase the deceased owner’s share. This helps maintain stability, preventing disputes over ownership and keeping the business running smoothly.


There are different types of buy-sell agreements, each with its own approach to using life insurance:


  • In a cross-purchase agreement, each business owner takes out a life insurance policy on the other owners. If one owner dies, the surviving owners use the death benefit to buy that owner’s share.

  • In an entity-purchase agreement, the business itself buys life insurance policies on each owner. If an owner dies, the business uses the death benefit to buy back the deceased owner’s share and redistributes it among the remaining owners.

  • A wait-and-see agreement combines elements of both, offering flexibility by not specifying the buyer initially, allowing either the business or the remaining owners to buy the deceased owner’s shares.


To effectively incorporate life insurance into your buy-sell agreement, it’s important to consult with legal and financial advisors. They can help you draft an agreement that fits your business structure and goals. You will also need to determine the right amount of coverage by assessing the value of each owner’s share. It is equally important to regularly review and update the agreement and policies to reflect any changes in your business or ownership structure. By integrating life insurance into your buy-sell agreements, you can protect your business, provide for your family, and ensure a smooth transition in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

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