ChatGPT Answers a Question About Life Insurance

Commentary January 03, 2025 at 02:58 AM
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What You Need To Know

  • Many consumers ask AIs one basic question about life insurance.
  • ChatGPT gave an accurate but shallow answer to a general version of that question.
  • Clients will get more out of AIs if advisors help them create more detailed prompts.
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Generative AI programs like ChatGPT have firmly established themselves as go-to resources for consumers seeking answers to quick questions. Financial advice is no exception.

Given ChatGPT's inconsistency in response quality, however, it's important to ensure the recommendations clients incorporate into their financial plans are accurate.

Implementing misinformed or inaccurate advice can have long-term consequences and create financial problems down the line.

To preview the information consumers may encounter with generative AI, I prompted ChatGPT to act as a financial advisor and provide guidance on life insurance, and I gauged how the responses measure up under a professional opinion:

Question and Answer

Question: What type of life insurance policy is best for a single person with no dependents?

ChatGPT Response: For a single person with no dependents, the need for life insurance is generally lower compared to someone with financial dependents.

However, there are still reasons why a single individual might consider having life insurance, such as covering final expenses, paying off debts, or leaving a financial legacy.

In such cases, a term life insurance policy may be the most suitable option. Here's why.

Term Life Insurance:

a. Affordability: Term life insurance is typically more affordable than permanent life insurance. It provides coverage for a specific term, such as 10, 20, or 30 years.

b. Temporary coverage: Since it offers coverage for a set period, term life insurance is well-suited for specific needs, like paying off a mortgage or other debts, which might be a concern for a single person.

c. Convertible options: Some term life policies offer the option to convert to a permanent policy later on if your circumstances change and you find the need for longer-lasting coverage.

d. Focus on protection: Term life insurance is designed to provide a death benefit to beneficiaries if the insured passes away during the term of the policy.

It does not accumulate cash value, making it a straightforward and cost-effective option.

For a single person without dependents, the focus is often on providing financial protection in case of premature death rather than on building cash value or leaving an inheritance.

It's essential to review your individual circumstances, consider your financial goals, and assess whether life insurance is necessary for your situation.

Consulting with a financial advisor can help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and goals.

Professional Analysis: More Detail, More Information

The response from ChatGPT is accurate, but it does not go deep enough to truly be valuable to a client.

While term life insurance is a great choice, it's not the only option for a single person with no dependents.

Creating a more in-depth prompt, while leaving out personal information, can help clients get more well-rounded answers to their questions.

For example, including general information on household expenses such as a mortgage, groceries, gas, annual income, etc., in the prompt can help the AI curate more specific, accurate advice.

If clients present fleshed-out information from ChatGPT, advisors can demonstrate their value by sharing detailed recommendations for preserving financial security.

Working together with generative AI programs can help advisors cement themselves as trusted resources, as they can create a relationship in which clients fact-check AI recommendations with their advisor before implementing them.

Protecting clients' financial plans through tailored recommendations on AI responses will help clients feel more secure in their finances and provide a much-needed safety net.

Panos Leledakis is the CEO of IFAAcademy — International Financial Architects and an expert on providing financial advice in the metaverse. He has given presentations on that topic at many events, including the Million Dollar Round Table annual meeting. He is a six-year MDRT member with Top of the Table status.


Credit: Bloomberg Finance LP

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