I'm a licensed Life and Health insurance producer. I talk to people about insurance every day — but knowing how important it is didn't stop me from putting it off myself.

We had a life insurance carrier come in and show us their options. What caught my attention was coverage for grandchildren. I was impressed, and I planned to get policies for our grandkids.

I waited.

A couple of weeks later, we lost our grandson, Cameryn.

We now have life insurance on our other two grandkids. I can't go back and change what I waited on, but I can share my experience and be honest about why this conversation matters.

And unfortunately, that's not the only time I've learned that lesson.

I knew exactly what life insurance would cost for me. In fact, that's why I put it off. I kept telling myself I'd work it into the budget and take care of it later.

Then I was diagnosed with cancer.

Now I'm not insurable for years. And when I am eligible for coverage again, it will likely cost significantly more than it would have before.

Knowing the numbers didn't protect me. Waiting changed my options.

That's why I don't want to pressure someone into buying a policy. I want them to understand what their options are while they still have them.