Term life insurance provides protection for a specific time and offers flexibility. This type of insurance can be tailored to meet your individual needs, with coverage periods ranging from 10 to 30 years.
You can choose a term that matches your financial obligations, such as paying off a mortgage or raising your children. For example, a 20-year term might be suitable if you have young kids and want to ensure they're financially secure until they're grown and independent.
Term life insurance can be renewed or converted to a permanent policy, giving you peace of mind and flexibility. This means you can adjust your coverage as your needs change over time.
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What Is Term Life Insurance?
Term life insurance is the simplest form of life insurance, where you pay premiums for a set time frame, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. You can choose how long you want the coverage to last.
If you die during the term, a cash benefit is paid to your family or beneficiary. The policyholder's beneficiaries receive the death benefit if death occurs within the specified period.
A term life insurance policy can be renewed for another term, allowing you to continue coverage beyond the initial period. This can give you peace of mind, knowing you'll still have protection in place.
Term life insurance only pays out if death occurs within the coverage period, and otherwise, the policy expires with no value. This means you won't receive any payout if you outlive the term.
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Key Facts and Benefits
Term life insurance provides protection for a specific period of time, making it a valuable option for those who need coverage during a particular phase of life. This type of insurance is typically the most affordable and simple type of life insurance coverage.
You can choose a term length that meets your financial needs, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. This can be beneficial for people with growing families or ongoing debts.
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The amount of term life coverage you need is usually 10 to 12 times your annual income. This will help ensure your loved ones can cover essential expenses like a mortgage and future goals like college.
Term life insurance is attractive to young people with children because it provides substantial coverage for a low cost. The death benefit can replace lost income and help the family maintain their standard of living.
Here are some key benefits of term life insurance:
- Affordable monthly rates
- Guaranteed amount paid to beneficiaries
- Choose a length and amount of coverage
- Rates don't change over time
The maximum age for term life insurance coverage is usually around 80 to 90 years old, so it's essential to consider your age and financial goals when choosing a policy.
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Policy Types and Costs
Term life insurance policies come in various types, each with its own features and rate structures. For example, a level premium policy has a fixed premium amount for the entire term.
A level premium policy is the most common type of policy and is the simplest to understand, with your premium staying the same for the entire term. This type of policy is often the most cost-effective option.
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There are also yearly renewable term policies, which cover you for one year at a time, with an option to renew without a medical exam at the end of the yearly term. However, the cost can go up with each renewal.
Here's a breakdown of the average costs for a $1,000,000 term policy for a male and female, aged 30:
These costs are just estimates, and the actual cost of a term life insurance policy will depend on various factors, such as your age, health, and occupation.
Policy Types
Term life insurance policies come in various types, each with its own features and rate structures. Level premium policies, also known as level term, are the most common type and have a fixed monthly payment for the entire term.
One popular type of level premium policy is the yearly renewable term policy, which covers you for one year at a time with an option to renew without a medical exam. However, the cost can go up with each renewal, making it a more expensive option in the long run.
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Another type of term life insurance is the return of premium policy, which pays back all or a portion of your premiums if you live to the end of the term. However, your premiums could be 2-4 times higher than a level term policy.
Guaranteed issue policies don't require a medical exam and only ask a few simple health questions, but your premiums may be much higher and the policy might not pay a full death benefit for the first few years of coverage.
Decreasing term life insurance is a specialized type of policy in which the premium and death benefit payout gradually decrease each year, typically used to cover mortgage obligations.
Here are some key features of the different types of term life insurance policies:
These are just a few examples of the different types of term life insurance policies available. It's essential to understand the features and costs of each type to make an informed decision that suits your individual circumstances.
Policy Costs
Term life insurance is usually the least costly life insurance available, offering a death benefit for a restricted time without a cash value component like permanent insurance. Most term life insurance policies expire without paying a death benefit, which lowers the insurer's overall risk and allows them to charge lower premiums.
The cost of term life insurance varies depending on the coverage amount and term length. A healthy, non-smoking man aged 30 could get a 30-year term life insurance policy with a $250,000 death benefit for an average of $18 per month as of October 2024.
As you can see from the table below, the average cost of a term life policy increases with age. For example, at 50 years old, the premium for a $250,000 policy would rise to $67 a month for a male and $51 a month for a female.
For a $1,000,000 term policy, the average cost per month is significantly higher, ranging from $42 to $119 for a male and $34 to $96 for a female, depending on the term length.
Getting a Policy
To get a term life insurance policy, you'll need to decide how long you want coverage to last. You can choose a term that's long enough to see your children through college, for example.
Most policies require a medical exam to evaluate your health and learn more about your occupation and lifestyle. This is because certain hobbies or occupations may raise your rates.
You'll also need to consider how much you'll pay each month for a given coverage amount. The longer your term, the more you'll typically pay. However, choosing a shorter term may end up costing more in the long run, as rates will likely be higher when you apply for new coverage in the future.
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How to Get
To get a policy, start by determining your needs and budget. This will help you narrow down your options and make informed decisions.
You can get a quote from multiple insurance companies to compare their rates and coverage. For example, a study found that a 30-year-old male driver can expect to pay around $150 per month for a basic policy.
Having a good credit score can also help lower your premiums. In fact, a credit score of 700 or higher can result in savings of up to 10%.
It's essential to carefully review and understand the terms and conditions of any policy before purchasing. This includes knowing what is and isn't covered, as well as any deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses.
By doing your research and taking your time, you can find a policy that meets your needs and fits your budget.
Instant Quote
Term life insurance is typically less expensive than whole life or universal life insurance. You can get an instant quote to see how much it will cost you.
Most policies require a medical exam during the application process, so be prepared to share some health information. Certain hobbies like scuba diving may raise your rates due to the perceived health risks.
The longer your term, the more you'll typically pay each month for a given coverage amount. But if you choose a shorter term, you may end up paying more in the long run when you apply for new term coverage.
Group life insurance is often a more cost-effective option than buying an individual policy, especially if your employer offers it as part of their benefits package. However, the total amount of coverage you can get may be limited, such as up to three times your salary.
Policy Options and Features
Term life insurance policies offer a range of options and features to suit different needs and circumstances.
You can choose from various term lengths, from a few years to several decades, depending on your financial goals and obligations. For example, if you have children, a popular rule of thumb is to choose a term long enough to see them out of the house and through college.
A level premium policy is the most common type, with premiums staying the same for the entire term. You can also opt for a yearly renewable term policy, which covers you for one year at a time, but be aware that the cost can go up with each renewal.
Here are some key features to consider:
Some policies also offer convertibility, which allows you to change your term insurance into a permanent whole life policy later on. This can be especially useful if you develop a serious health problem or want the asset-building cash value component of a whole policy.
Convertible
Convertible term life insurance is a type of policy that includes a conversion rider.
This rider guarantees the right to convert an in-force term policy or one about to expire to a permanent plan without going through underwriting or proving insurability.
The conversion rider allows you to maintain the original health rating of the term policy upon conversion, even if you later have health issues or become uninsurable.
The basis for the premium of the new permanent policy is your age at conversion, which means overall premiums will increase significantly since whole life insurance is more expensive than term life insurance.
You can decide when and how much of the coverage to convert, but medical conditions that develop during the term life period cannot cause premiums to be increased.
The company may require limited or full underwriting if you want to add additional riders to the new policy, such as a long-term care rider.
Convertible term life insurance offers a guaranteed approval without a medical exam, making it a good option for those who want to avoid the hassle and cost of underwriting.
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Decreasing Policy
Decreasing term policies have a death benefit that declines each year according to a predetermined schedule. This type of policy is often used in conjunction with a mortgage, with the policyholder matching the insurance payout to the declining principal of the home loan.
The death benefit of a decreasing term policy can be tailored to match the decreasing mortgage balance, which can be beneficial for those who want to ensure their loved ones are protected in case of their passing. This type of policy is designed to provide coverage for a specific period of time.
A decreasing term policy has a fixed level premium for the duration of the policy, which can be a cost-effective option for those who want to cover their mortgage obligations. The premium remains the same, but the death benefit decreases over time.
Here are some key features of decreasing term policies:
By understanding the features and benefits of decreasing term policies, you can make an informed decision about whether this type of policy is right for you.
What Is the Difference Between Whole and Partial Numbers?
Whole life insurance provides a death benefit and a cash value component, which can be borrowed against or used to pay premiums.
Term life insurance, on the other hand, only provides a death benefit during a specified term.
The two policy types can be customized to fit individual needs, but understanding their basic differences is key to making an informed decision.
One key difference between whole and partial numbers is that whole numbers are, well, whole - they're complete, undivided, and unbroken.
Partial numbers, like fractions or decimals, are, as their name suggests, only part of a whole, often representing a portion or remainder.
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Flexible Coverage
Flexible coverage is a key feature of term life insurance policies. You can choose from a range of term lengths, from a few years to several decades, to match your specific needs.
For example, if you have children, a popular rule of thumb is to choose a term long enough to see them out of the house and through college. This could be 18 to 25 years, depending on your family's situation.
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One thing to consider is that the longer your term, the more you'll typically pay each month for a given coverage amount. However, choosing a shorter term may end up costing more in the long run, as rates tend to increase with age.
To give you a better idea of the options available, here are some common term lengths and amounts:
Ultimately, the key is to choose a term that aligns with your budget and financial goals. By doing so, you can ensure that your family is protected in the event of your passing, and that you're not overpaying for coverage.
Sources
- https://www.fidelity.com/life-insurance/term-life-insurance/overview
- https://www.guardianlife.com/life-insurance/term-life/how-it-works
- https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/he/he-634-w.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/termlife.asp
- https://www.corebridgedirect.com/about-life/planning-for-life-insurance/term-vs-whole-life-insurance
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