Ideas that Endure
February 10, 2010 2010-0717
Ideas matter. The value of every statistic, every calculation, is determined by the ideas and philosophies to which the numbers are applied.
In the past several years, several trade publications have republished a short commentary on the essential elements of life insurance. Originally titled “Just a Life Insurance Policy,” this is a brief yet powerful statement of the timeless ideals that make life insurance a financially relevant product.
The article, probably written at least 50 years ago, was resurrected by Marvin Feldman, a prominent Ohio insurance agent and industry authority, in 2006. Feldman notes in an accompanying commentary that he was unable to identify the original author, and while the article can be found in a number of publications and websites, none of these sources cites an author either. Feldman also acknowledges he had to reword some of the article because the original syntax reflected a different era. Still, the financial and social concepts at the heart of life insurance remain relevant to the challenges and aspiration of today’s world.