Think you don't need life insurance if you don't have kids? Think again. It may seem like an unnecessary expense. But there are many reasons to have life insurance, even if you're not supporting a family.

1. Mortgage protection

Whether you live by yourself, with a spouse or significant other, you may want to buy life insurance as mortgage protection. Think about it − you don't want the person you live with to be homeless if you die unexpectedly, do you?

Term life insurance can be used to pay off an outstanding mortgage balance. Just select a term that matches the length of your mortgage payment period. Some companies even offer decreasing term insurance, which means the death benefit decreases along with your mortgage balance.

2. Income replacement

You and your significant other may have planned for a future based on two incomes − but what if one of you passes away unexpectedly? Life insurance can be used to replace the lost income so the survivor can maintain the same standard of living.

3. Final expenses

You've seen the commercials − funeral expenses, burial costs and medical bills can add up to a hefty amount. The last thing you want is for your loved ones to shoulder this extra burden.

Life insurance can be used to plan for these final expenses. Permanent life insurance is available in various amounts, so you can pick a death benefit that meets your needs.