Term life insurance is typically more affordable than permanent life insurance policies and is a popular choice for individuals seeking temporary coverage for specific financial responsibilities or protection during certain life stages.
Here are the standard types of term life insurance and how they work:
Level Term Life Insurance:
With level term insurance, the death benefit remains the same (level) throughout the entire term of the policy. The premiums also remain constant over the term, making it easy for policyholders to budget and plan. Common term lengths for level term insurance are 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years.
Decreasing Term Life Insurance:
In decreasing term insurance, the death benefit decreases over time, usually in fixed increments. This type of policy is often used to cover specific debts that decline over time, such as a mortgage or other long-term loans. The premiums typically remain level throughout the term.
Renewable Term Life Insurance:
Renewable term insurance allows policyholders to renew their coverage for an additional term without the need for a medical examination or proving insurability. However, the premiums may increase with each renewal, as the insured individual gets older.
Convertible Term Life Insurance:
Convertible term insurance offers the option to convert the policy into a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole life or universal life insurance, without the need for a medical exam. This can be a valuable feature if the insured's needs change, and they require lifelong coverage.
How term life insurance works:
Choosing the Policy: The policyholder selects the desired term length and the amount of coverage (death benefit) they want to purchase. Premiums are usually determined based on the insured individual's age, health, and other risk factors.
Paying Premiums: The policyholder pays regular premiums, which can be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, depending on the chosen payment schedule.
Coverage Period: The policy remains in force for the chosen term (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years). If the insured individual passes away during this term, the death benefit is paid out to the beneficiaries tax-free.
Policy Expiration: If the policyholder outlives the term, the coverage expires, and there is no payout or refund of premiums (unless the policy has a return of premium rider, which is an optional feature).
Renewal or Conversion (if applicable): Depending on the type of term policy chosen, the policyholder may have the option to renew the policy for another term or convert it into a permanent life insurance policy.
It's essential to carefully consider your financial needs and goals when selecting a term life insurance policy. Learn more about the standard types of term life insurance policies.