A memory that stuck with me

I recently watched a stunning commercial of AIA Insurance.

In it, a young girl asks her father if she is allowed to visit her grandparents by herself. “Take your brother with you now that you’re a big girl,” the father responds. He gives her a folded piece of paper and instructs her to open it only if necessary before they board the train.

A train rushes by in the opposite direction as they are travelling, startling the young boy who is peeking out of the moving train. After consoling him, the girl chooses to open the paper. “Travel without fear, we are with you,” it says.

That scene really stuck with me for some reason. Perhaps it’s because, like that father, I’ve also sat quietly by my children’s sides as they face the world, wondering in private how to keep them safe.

That experience made me realize that I chose life insurance out of love, not fear.

Dreams are powerful – but fragile.

As a father and husband, I frequently think about the future. I want to provide my children with every opportunity, including a top-notch education, the chance to travel, and the flexibility to follow their dreams. However, I am also aware that things don’t always go as planned in life. What happens to those dreams if I’m not around to provide for them?

Life insurance can help overcome this thought, not only for me but for any parent. It’s a safety net that says, “My love will be there even if I can’t.”

It’s not just money. It’s peace of mind.

A common misconception is that insurance only pays out. However, it goes far beyond that. I selected a strategy that provides me with:

• Health Protection: Medical bills can be expensive, particularly for children who enjoy testing gravity and climbing trees.
• Education coverage: I want to support their aspirations to attend college, whether they decide on Melbourne, Colombo, or another location I haven’t yet determined.
• Retirement Planning: A plan to ensure that I don’t become a financial burden on them in my later years.

To ensure my family is safe at every turn, it’s like constructing a financial house, brick by brick.

Having insurance makes me feel more secure and confident.

I used to question important choices. What happens to me if I invest in a business? What happens if I take out that family loan and don’t pay it back? I feel more secure now that I have coverage in place. It’s dependable and silent, much like a backup.

We fathers don’t always discuss our anxieties. However, everyone has them. Life insurance only enables us to live courageously in the face of risk; it does not eliminate it.

The silent protector in our lives.

The father doesn’t say much in that commercial. He simply remains closer. To me, life insurance is a silent assurance. It is possible that my children will never fully comprehend what I have set up for them. And that’s all right. I don’t need applause. All I need to know is that they’re safe.

Insurance has yet to find its place in the hearts and minds of many Sri Lankans. Perhaps it’s because it’s worth isn’t always recognized. However, it is most powerful when it is invisible, just like many positive aspects of life, such as love, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Lessons I’ve learned and my recommendations.

Here’s what I’ve realized, if you’re a parent like me:

In My 40’s

My Focus : Income Protection / Education Plans

Why it Matters : My Children are young; My Responsibilities are high.

Education Plans 

Later On

My Focus : Retirement & Health

Why it Matters : I want to grow old with dignity, without burdening them.

Retirement Plan

Always

My Focus : Peach of Mind

Why it Matters : Because love means planning even for things we don’t foresee

Health Protector 

Financial advisors and insurance calculators are examples of tools that can be helpful if you’re not sure where to begin. Before deciding on my policy, I had a conversation with one, and it was crucial.

Final Thoughts: It’s essential following your dreams, but only with a companion.

My children will never outgrow my love, even though they may outgrow their toys, bedrooms, and even my advice. And that love is worthy of protection. Preparing for the worst is not the purpose of life insurance. It all comes down to giving it your all, both now and in the future.

Thus, let’s celebrate every goal we pursue as parents and every silent pledge we make.