Climate First Bank had the opportunity to catch up with Carey Earle, President of Bluestone Life – a fellow 1% For the Planet member and a Certified B Corp based in Burlington, VT with a focus on driving social impact within the insurance industry. Carey shared some of her insights on life as a socially responsible insurance firm and we talked a bit about charcuterie and rom-coms too!

CF: Tell us about Bluestone Life. How did you get started? What does your company do?

Carey: Our Founder & CEO, Nathan Irons, started Bluestone in 2015. When Nathan’s daughter was born, he realized he could only protect her by also protecting their community and our planet. It was one of those pivotal life moments that brought him back to his home state of Vermont where Bluestone Life is based. He chose the life insurance industry for a few reasons: its products are for people who care about others, the industry manages trillions of dollars in assets, and the product could be built to protect families, communities and our planet. Bluestone transforms life insurance from a dreaded “to do” to an empowering choice for positive social and environmental impact.

CF: A cornerstone of Bluestone Life is your unique model of Premiums with Purpose. Where was this idea born?

Carey: It was born from our conviction that we must protect communities and our planet if we are going to truly protect families. Our Premiums with Purpose® empowers people to create real impact with their life insurance in three tangible ways: (1) Bluestone gives a percentage of our annual sales revenue to high-impact nonprofits; (2) premiums are allocated to investments in clean energy and affordable housing; and (3) our customers choose nonprofits as beneficiaries of Bluestone’s complimentary Impact Rider benefit.

CF: What key questions and options should consumers be aware of when evaluating life insurance policies? What differentiates Bluestone Life from its competitors?

Carey: It’s important to understand that you are buying the correct amount and type of insurance to meet your needs. Some key questions and options:

• How much should I buy? People generally want about 10-15 times their annual earnings.
• How long should it last? Many people want the coverage to last until their debts are paid off and kids are self-sufficient.
• How much will it cost? When it comes to permanent life insurance with a cash value, are the fees transparent?
• Insurance companies invest your premiums – are they making socially and environmentally responsible investments?
• What will customer service will be like after you buy your policy?    

Here are some other questions that we’re commonly asked about life insurance.

The Bluestone Difference When you choose to purchase your insurance from Bluestone Life you align your finances with your values. You are supported by an employee of the company who is committed to serving you, your community and our planet. Our products are transparent, you see exactly what you are paying for.

CF: How do the values and mission of the company factor into who the company chooses to work with and invest in?

Carey: As a Certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, we are accountable to the community to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance and transparency. We actively collaborate with other B Corps and 1% for the Planet business members and nonprofits. We also work with fee-only financial advisors that place the interests of their clients first. Our life insurance and disability products are issued by the only Certified B Corp life insurance carrier in the world.

CF: Congratulations to Bluestone Life for being awarded B Labs Best for the World: Governance five years in a row! Governance is all about mission, impact, and ethics; what do you think has been key to the company’s success in these areas?

Carey: The company was founded to be a positive force for family, community and planet. If every policy isn’t making the world better, then we’re not fulfilling our mission. Our Premiums with Purpose® model creates a multi-decade pipeline of donations to nonprofits working for social and environmental progress, and investments in responsible companies.

Rapid Fire Questions

CF: Favorite meal?

Carey: I love to make a meal of small plates with a charcuterie board at the center loaded with prosciutto, fine cheeses, fresh bread, olives, fresh fruit and veggies, cornichon and savory jams.

CF: Newest hobby?

Carey: Baking bread (which I need for the charcuterie board!)

CF: Guilty pleasure?

Carey: Predictable rom-coms where I can write the ending myself just five minutes in…somehow calming and reassuring in a chaotic world.

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