“What Value to Place on a Key Person”
To be sure, any business operation would feel displaced upon losing its key person — especially when considering how to replace him/her with someone just as competent. In small firms, it is usually the founder who holds responsibility for keeping the books, managing employees, handling key customers and running all basic operations. Losing the key person leaves any company with much uncertainty and instability. There is no easy formula for determining the value of a key employee as each circumstance is unique. The company must consider anticipated profit losses, replacement costs and a compensation-multiple formula. These are typical methods of estimating a loss and subsequent policy value. The best thing to do is to shop for rates from several different life insurance agents as they can help you estimate how much of a policy to buy. You may also get term life insurance quotes online. Most agents agree that buying term life insurance instead of a whole or variable life is better as the premiums will be much lower. You do not want to overlook the importance of an investment such as key person term life insurance. It can mean the survival or closure of your business legacy.
Sole Proprietorships
Keep in mind that one-man operations do not need to take out key person term life insurance. If you are a business with zero employees there is no need to worry as your assets transfer to your family (family employees do not count). If your family depends on the income from your business, it is advisable that you take out personal life insurance.