This past summer was a big one at Glidewell. Two of our own…Lexie Schnieder and Levi Janacaro…each tied the knot. (Not to each other… though that would have been a major plot twist. Imagine the headlines.)
Weddings are full of once-in-a-lifetime moments: walking down the aisle, cutting the cake, and pretending you totally remember which side of the family your new Uncle Craig is on. But here’s what most newlyweds forget in the swirl of vows, dance floors, and awkward toast speeches: your insurance needs just changed.
Marriage isn’t just about combining last names, playlists, and that suspiciously large collection of small kitchen appliances you got as gifts. It’s also about making sure your new life together is actually protected. And that means giving your insurance a serious glow-up.
Here’s what Lexie, Levi…and any other newlywed should be thinking about right after “I do” (again, not to each other).
Good news: getting married can make your car insurance cheaper. Insurers think married couples are less risky, so rates can drop by up to 25%.
If both of you bring a car into the marriage, combine them under one policy for a multi-car discount. Haven’t shopped around in years? Now’s the perfect time. An independent advisor can find you the best coverage for the best price…so you can spend more on date nights and less on premiums.
Moving in together? Someone’s old policy needs to go, and you’ll need a joint one.
And don’t forget wedding rings and other pricey items might need extra coverage (called a rider).
Pro tip: Bundle your home/renter’s policy with your auto policy and you could save 15–20%...which you can put toward that honeymoon fund you accidentally blew on the espresso machine.
If marriage doesn’t make you think about life insurance, it should.
If something happened to you tomorrow, would your spouse be okay financially? Life insurance is how you make sure the answer is “absolutely” instead of “oh no.”
Already have a policy? Update your beneficiaries now. (Trust me, you don’t want your mom accidentally getting your payout instead of your spouse…unless you really want to start a family feud.)
Marriage gives you a special enrollment period to change your health plan.
You can:
Deadlines matter…you usually have 30 days to join a spouse’s employer plan or 60 days for an individual plan. Miss that window and you’ll be waiting until open enrollment (Nov. 1–Jan. 15).
If you’re both healthy, a high-deductible plan with an HSA might save you money and give you some nice tax perks.
The Takeaway
Lexie and Levi both started new chapters this summer. And while they didn’t marry each other (I’ll never let that joke go), the lesson is the same for any couple: when your life changes, your insurance needs change too.
Review your policies. Update your coverage. Protect each other…not just in the big romantic gestures, but in the small, practical ones too.
Because the best wedding gift isn’t crystal stemware or a fancy coffee maker. It’s knowing that if life throws a curveball, you’re both ready… and that your insurance is as solid as your vows.