8 Insurance Policies Couples Should Never Buy Without Kids

When you’re part of a couple without children, it’s easy to feel pressure to buy every type of insurance that’s marketed to families. After all, companies love to convince consumers that more coverage equals more protection. But the truth is, not all policies make sense for your situation—especially if you don’t have dependents relying on your income. Understanding which types of insurance are unnecessary can save you thousands each year. Here are eight insurance policies couples should never buy without kids and what you should consider instead.

1. Large Life Insurance Policies

One of the most common insurance policies couples should never buy without kids is a large life insurance plan. Life insurance is designed to replace income for dependents or help cover child-related costs after one partner’s death. If you don’t have children or a financially dependent partner, the need for a hefty payout disappears. In that case, a small policy to cover funeral expenses or shared debts is usually enough. Anything beyond that is money wasted on premiums that could go toward savings or investments.

2. Child Life Insurance

It might sound odd, but many insurance companies market child life insurance to couples long before they become parents. The idea is to “lock in” low premiums early, but without kids, there’s no logical reason to purchase this type of policy. Child life insurance only makes sense once you actually have dependents. Buying it prematurely ties up your money in something you can’t use. This is one of the easiest insurance policies couples should never buy without kids because it offers zero current value.

3. High Premium Family Health Plans

Health insurance is essential—but paying for family-level coverage when it’s just the two of you is a costly mistake. Family plans come with higher premiums designed for households with dependents. Instead, opt for individual or dual-coverage health plans that suit your medical needs without unnecessary extras. As your life changes, you can always upgrade coverage later. Choosing a plan that matches your current stage of life is smarter than overpaying for hypothetical situations.

4. Education or College Savings Insurance

Education insurance products are designed to build cash value for future tuition costs. They sound appealing but are completely unnecessary for couples who don’t have children. These policies combine life insurance with investment components that are only useful when there’s a student to fund. For child-free couples, that money is better invested in retirement accounts, real estate, or market-based portfolios. It’s another example of insurance policies couples should never buy without kids because the benefits don’t apply to their financial goals.

5. Prenatal or Maternity Add-On Coverage

Some health and supplemental insurance plans include add-ons for maternity or prenatal care. While these can be valuable for expectant parents, they’re useless if children aren’t part of your immediate plans. Paying for maternity coverage before you’re ready to start a family adds up quickly and provides no short-term advantage. You can always add or modify this coverage later if your circumstances change. For now, focus on coverage that aligns with your present medical and lifestyle needs.

6. Dependent Care Coverage

Many workplace insurance benefits include dependent care options that reimburse costs like daycare or after-school programs. If you don’t have dependents, this coverage is not only unnecessary but also drains part of your paycheck through automatic deductions. It’s one of the most overlooked insurance policies couples should never buy without kids because it often hides in employer benefit selections. Double-check your enrollment forms and deselect any dependent-related options. Redirecting that money into a savings or emergency fund is a far better use of your income.

7. Mortgage Life Insurance

Mortgage life insurance promises to pay off your home if one partner dies, which might sound comforting at first. However, this policy is often redundant and expensive, particularly for couples without kids. If both partners contribute to the mortgage and maintain emergency savings, standard term life insurance or joint financial planning usually offers more flexibility. You can achieve the same level of security at a fraction of the cost. That’s why mortgage life insurance often tops the list of insurance policies couples should never buy without kids.

8. Family Income Benefit Insurance

Family income benefit insurance provides ongoing monthly payments to surviving dependents if one policyholder dies. Without children or long-term dependents, there’s no one to receive that benefit. Couples can achieve similar protection with a smaller, simpler term life policy or shared savings strategy. Paying into a benefit you’ll never use doesn’t make financial sense when other forms of coverage can accomplish your goals more efficiently. For couples without kids, streamlined coverage is almost always the smarter route.

Focus on Protection That Matches Your Lifestyle

Knowing which insurance policies couples should never buy without kids helps you spend more wisely and avoid over-insuring your life. Instead of paying for hypothetical family needs, focus on what truly protects your current household—health insurance, disability coverage, and an emergency fund. As your life evolves, you can adjust and expand coverage as needed. The goal is to create a financial safety net that reflects your reality, not societal expectations. Smart insurance choices today will free up more resources to build wealth, enjoy experiences, and prepare for whatever the future holds.

Do you think couples without kids are pressured to over-insure their lives? Which policies do you think are worth keeping—or cutting? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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