We also have a LTC policy. It is a difficult insurance product to evaluate - the need for it as well as the cost of it. The way we looked at it was that the ones that definitely do not need it are those that (1) cannot afford it to begin with, and (2) those that have a large enough net worth to not need the benefit to keep from significantly eroding the value of their estate to their heirs or their surviving spouse. Those in the middle need to consider it for their heirs and beneficiaries, if not for the their own needs should their LTC needs be lengthy. If the cost of LTC uses up a significant part of ones net worth for either one spouse or two, then the cost of the LTC policy most likely would be worth the investment. If you are concerned about paying the premiums and then not getting to use the benefits (because you die before going into a facility), most carriers offer a rider that will pay back unused premiums - at additional cost, of course. We felt like, as a matter of dignity, we did not want our kids to have to take care of us, if we need it. It is true that its is pricey, and the younger you are when you enroll, the better price you get. No, I'm not an insurance agent or salesman, but I spend a lot of time investigating the same questions you have about this.