What is a Term Life Insurance Policy and How Does It Work??
A life insurance policy for a specific time period that stipulates the insurance company must deliver a tax-free payment if the insured person dies within that timeframe.
Many term policies only cover periods of 5, 10 or 20 years but can be renewed, usually for a higher cost, at the end of the policy.
If you are in the market for life insurance to protect the future for the ones you love, you may be considering term life.
Term insurance is the most popular type of life insurance purchased by people on a budget looking to get the best deal and the most coverage for their money.
With term insurance coverage you can provide your family with the financial security they need for their future, in case you die unexpectedly.
With term life, you select the amount of insurance coverage you need and how long (the Policy Term) you need your family’s protection to last, up to 30 years.
How Term Insurance Works
Term insurance provides you with temporary protection for a specific number of years. You can choose coverage lasting for a "term" (duration) of 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.
Term life builds no cash value inside the life insurance policy, it is "Pure Protection" not an investment. That’s why it usually costs 2 to 3 times less than permanent insurance.
Term life is by far the lowest priced life insurance for people needing temporary coverage.
Term life policies pay the beneficiary the face amount of the life insurance policy if the insured dies during the policy term.
For example, a 20-year term life policy with a face amount of $350,000 would pay $350,000 to your beneficiary if you die any time during those 20 years.
If you're alive at the end of the policy term, the coverage ends with no payout.
Features of Term Insurance Policies
Level Premiums and Coverage
The annual insurance premium for your life insurance policy stays the same each year. The face amount of life insurance coverage also stays the same. Level term life insurance policies can last up to 30 years.
Renewable Coverage
Term life insurance policies that are renewable offer the owner of the policy the option of renewing the life insurance policy at the end of the term, up to a specific age limit (usually age 65 or 70).
For example, a 15 year policy may be renewed for another 15 years when the first policy ends. If the policy is renewed, a medical exam may or may not be required. The term life insurance premium will usually increase when the policy is renewed.
Convertible Coverage
Before the end of the term for your policy, the life insurance policy owner (you) may be able to convert the term life insurance policy into a permanent life insurance policy. The owner usually has a specific number of years during the term life insurance policy to convert the policy. Your life insurance premiums will be higher for the permanent life insurance.
The Benefits of Term Insurance Policies
How Life Insurance Can Benefit Your Family
Life insurance policies can provide your family and loved ones with financial security after a parent, spouse or income-earner passes away.
Two of the major ways life insurance provides protection for your family is by providing for two of your biggest expenses:
Providing for your family’s mortgage and your child’s education may be the largest expenses you have as a family. It’s important to consider these expenses when deciding on the right amount of life insurance protection.
If you currently have these financial commitments, it would be wise to own a life insurance policy.
Using Your Life Insurance Policy to Pay Estate Taxes
You have the option of designating your life insurance death benefit proceeds to pay for your estate settlement. There may be estate taxes owed when settling your estate. Instead of your family selling their home to pay for estate taxes owed, you may want to use your life insurance policy to pay estate taxes.
Charitable Contributions
You also have the choice of making a charitable organization the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. If you pass away, the proceeds of your life insurance policy would be paid to the charitable organization.
Business as Beneficiary
If you own a business, you could choose to name the business as the beneficiary of your life insurance proceeds. The business could use the money from your policy to pay off loans, debts, or it could be invested by the business.
Advantages of Term Insurance
Premiums are usually much lower for Term life insurance compared to whole life insurance. Term life provides funds for people who depend on you for financial support.
Creates an estate to leave to your heirs, if you haven’t had a chance to build much wealth.
Level term life insurance premiums remain the same for the term of the policy. So, 20 year level term means your premiums stay the same for 20 years.
Provides the maximum life insurance protection for your dependents at the lowest cost.
Provides affordable life insurance protection to fit almost any budget.
Many term life policies offer you the option to convert your coverage to whole life insurance by some future date, (without having to prove insurability – taking a medical exam).
Disadvantages of Term Insurance
If you outlive your term insurance policy, your premiums to buy a new policy will be much more expensive.
If you do convert your term insurance to whole life – your premiums will be much higher for the same amount of coverage.
Premiums usually increase with age, unless you buy level term life insurance.
When your policy expires, you may not be in good health, and unable to qualify for another life insurance policy at that time.
Reasons to Buy Term Insurance Coverage
Although the reasons noted indicate a situation better suited for a permanent life insurance policy, there are several advantages of term life protection for your family, including:
With level term life insurance, you pay the same amount of money (premiums) for your insurance policy each year for the period of time you have coverage (Policy Term). In addition, the amount of life insurance provided by your policy remains the same for the entire duration of your policy.
The Most Common Reasons for Not Purchasing
a Term Insurance Policy
Who Purchases Term Insurance?
Here are some examples of people who may buy term life insurance:
Why Purchase a Term Insurance Policy?
How Much Does Term Insurance Cost?
The cost of a term life plan can vary based on several different factors.
For instance, the amount of life insurance will affect your premium, as well as, the length of time you have term life protection - 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.
In addition, rates will vary by insurer based on each insurer's pricing guidelines and their loss experience for certain types of risk, such as, senior citizens or people with diabetes, or smokers.
How Can You Find Out How Much Your Term Insurance Plan Will Cost?
You can contact a local life insurance agent or you can compare free, instant term life rate quote comparisons online from several leading insurance companies.
What Factors Determine the Cost of Term Insurance?
There are several factors that may affect your rate for term life insurance, including but not limited to:
How Much Life Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
One way to decide how much term life insurance you should buy is to consider the needs of your family if you were to pass away prematurely.
Term Life insurance may provide financial security to meet many of your family’s needs by providing a fund they can use to:
Use a life insurance needs calculator to help you determine the right amount of life insurance protection for your situation.
How Long Does Term Insurance Last?
Term life insurance by definition is "temporary" insurance for a certain number of years.
The term of the policy is the duration, how long your coverage will last.
You select a term when comparing price quotes so you can find out how much your term insurance will cost for the specific duration of your policy.
Term Options for Term Insurance
Terms Duration Options: 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.
Most term life plans offer coverage for a period from ten up to thirty years.
However, you may be able to select a duration of coverage for 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.
How Long Do I Need Term Insurance to Last?
Term insurance can last as long you need protection, usually up to a period of thirty years. You’ll want to select a term period that is in line with your actual need for protection.
So, consider what goal you want your term policy to accomplish, providing protection for your mortgage, child’s education, family’s living expenses, etc.
Then consider the length of time you need life insurance to accomplish each of your goals.
What is the longest period of time insurance is needed?
Once you know this answer you can select coverage for that "term" (length of time).
Or, you could have separate term life insurance policies with the specific amount of coverage needed and duration of coverage for each of your family’s needs. That way, you get the overall lowest cost of coverage that is designed for your specific needs.
Do I Have to Take a Physical Exam?
There are traditional term insurance policies available which do require the applicant for coverage to submit to a medical examination.
However, some insurers offer no medical exam term life policies for healthy individuals between the ages of 20 to 60.
How Long Does It Take to Get Insured?
It depends on the type of term life policy you want to purchase.
Traditional term plans require an underwriting process including a medical exam, and may take up to 3-4 weeks for approval and your policy to be issued.
Whereas, quick issue term policies offer you the option to apply for your policy online and start your life insurance coverage today, if you qualify.
Can I Apply Online for Term Insurance?
Yes, there are insurers that offer you the option to apply online (safe and secure) for your term insurance coverage. It usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes to apply over the internet.
How Can I Save Money on Term Insurance?
Tips for Comparing Term Life Insurance Quotes
Term Insurance Quotes
Top Pick – JRC Insurance Group
JRC Insurance Group helps you shop, compare and save on life insurance. Regardless of your age or health background, we'll shop our 40+ insurance companies and find you affordable life insurance you need to protect your family and fit your budget. Compare the best life insurance rates for savings up to 73%. Get Your FREE Quote.
Is Term Life Insurance Temporary Coverage?
Apply for Globe Life Insurance Online
What is a Term Insurance Policy?
Disclosure: Compensated Affiliate