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Term Life Insurance is Affordable, Simple & Flexible

Term life insurance offers cost-effective premiums, straightforward processes, and customizable coverage to protect loved ones and adapt to changing needs.

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What Is a Term Life Insurance Policy?

Term life insurance is affordable coverage that lasts for a specified period of time, such as 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. Since term life insurance is temporary coverage that does not build cash value, premiums tend to be less expensive than permanent life premiums.

Term life protection can be beneficial if you need coverage for only a specific period of time – perhaps to cover your mortgage, spouse or family member – whereas permanent life insurance offers coverage for your entire lifetime as long as premiums are paid on time.

Benefits of Term Life Insurance

Affordable

For many people, the main advantage of a term policy over a permanent life policy is it's more affordable. Since permanent life insurance can last longer, those policies typically start out charging a higher premium than term life insurance.

Flexible

A term life policy gives you the flexibility to choose the length of coverage, generally between 10 and 30 years. During this time, your premiums will stay the same.

Simple

Term life insurance is relatively simple to understand. You pay a level premium, and then your beneficiary receives the death benefit if you pass away as long as premiums have been paid.

Types of Term Life Insurance

Level Term Life Insurance

A level term policy is a popular choice because the premium stays the same for the entire policy term length. With no price increases during this term, it offers an economical way to purchase life insurance. When the term is over, coverage ends.

Convertible Term Life Insurance

You can typically convert your term policy into a whole life insurance policy without any additional underwriting or undergoing another medical exam unless you increase your coverage.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance

Decreasing term life insurance will provide your family with a monthly payout to help cover a mortgage payment or replace your income if you pass away. This type of coverage declines monthly until the last 5 years of the policy and insurance premium rates are guaranteed to never increase.
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What Affects the Cost of a Term Life Insurance Policy ?

The cost of a term life insurance policy depends on a number of factors. Here are some examples:

  • The length of the term: Longer terms are typically more expensive than shorter ones.
  • Your age when applying: Life insurance usually gets more expensive as you get older.
  • Health issues or dangerous hobbies: These could increase the cost or even render you uninsurable.
  • The size of the policy value: Policies with higher pay out values are usually more expensive.
  • Extra benefits: Known as life insurance riders, these extra coverage add-ons tend to increase the cost.

 How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Answer a few questions about your life situation to estimate how much coverage you might need.

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Common Term Life Insurance Questions

How does term life insurance work?
Term life insurance pays a benefit if you pass away during the insurance coverage period. This period, or policy term, generally lasts 10, 15, 20 or 30. The premium must be paid in a timely manner for the policy to stay active and in force. Among the various types of life insurance, term life is traditionally viewed as one of the most economical options.

How long is a policy term?
The policy term generally lasts 10, 15, 20 or 30 years.

How do you decide the number of years to choose for your policy?
You may want to start by deciding if you want insurance coverage for your entire life (permanent life) or for a limited time period (term life). If you choose term life, consider the appropriate term for your financial situation. Perhaps you want to have coverage until your home mortgage is paid off 20 years from now or until your youngest child turns 21 in another 15 years.

What does a term life policy death benefit cover?

Your beneficiary can use the death benefit to cover a variety of expenses, including:

  • Final expenses: expenses to be paid after your death, including funeral, cemetery and burial costs
  • Mortgage payments: monthly bank payments to pay off the remaining loan on your home
  • Education expenses: tuition and educational costs for private schools/college for your children
  • Debt: payments for car loans, personal loans and credit card bills
  • Medical bills: health care expenses for hospitals, doctors, surgeries and procedures
  • Necessities: everyday living expenses like gas, groceries and utilities

How does a payout work?
When you sign up for term life insurance, your policy will have a death benefit. While you're alive, the policy will not pay you anything. If you die during the covered term, the life insurance company will pay your beneficiaries the entire death benefit in one lump sum or in monthly payments outlined in your policy as long as it wasn't an excluded cause of death and premiums are paid.

What happens at the end of a term life insurance policy?
At the end of the term, your life insurance coverage will end. However, you may have options to continue your life insurance. First, some policies let you convert term life insurance into permanent life insurance. You may also be able to renew your policy for another term. Since you're renewing at an older age, your premiums may be more expensive after the extension.

Can you cash out a term life insurance policy?
No, you cannot cash out a term life policy while you're still alive. It only pays out a death benefit to your beneficiaries if you die while insured.

Examples of How Term Life Insurance Coverage Works

Once you understand the basics of how term life insurance works, it can be helpful to see how this type of policy can be used in the real world. Here are examples of how individuals can take advantage of term life:
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Sarah is a 22-year-old college grad starting her first job. While her company offers life insurance, her coverage ends if she changes jobs. She has student loans to pay off and wants to make sure that her parents — who co-signed on her loans — won't have to dip into their retirement savings if something happens to her. She decides to buy a 10-year term policy to cover the time remaining to pay off her student loans.
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Nicolette and Brad are newlyweds, both in their early 30s. They have taken out loans on two cars, just purchased a house and plan to start a family soon. They have each purchased a 30-year term policy to ensure one another and their future children are protected in case one of them passes away unexpectedly.

Get Your Term Life Insurance Quote Today

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Could Term Life Insurance Be Right For You?

Western & Southern’s term life insurance policies can be tailored to fit your specific needs.
Benefits Whole Life Universal Life Term Life
Guaranteed Lifetime Coverage Coverage that lasts throughout your entire life as long as premiums are paid
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Instant Online Quotes Preliminary instant quotes available to access your potential premium payouts and coverage if you qualify
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May Build Cash Value Cash that grows tax-deferred and may be used during your lifetime
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Fixed Premiums Same amount owed every time a payment is due
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Flexible Premiums Adjustable premium and death benefit amounts when your needs change
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May Earn Dividends Potential income from company profits at recurring times throughout the year. Dividends are not guaranteed
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  Whole Life Universal Life Term Life

Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance

Term life insurance is temporary coverage, so it only lasts for a set number of years. If you outlive this period, your coverage will end. With whole life insurance, you're covered for your entire lifetime, as long as you maintain the policy, rather than a set term. Whole life insurance can build cash value over time but term life insurance does not.

Term Life vs. Permanent Life Insurance

Term life insurance is temporary coverage. It will only last during the policy's stated term, and your coverage will end if you outlive this period. On the other hand, permanent life insurance could last your entire life as long as you keep up with the premiums.

Learn More About Term Life Insurance

Benefits of Term Life Insurance

30-Year Term Life Insurance

20-Year Term Life Insurance

15-Year Term Life Insurance

10-Year Term Life Insurance

Life Insurance Guide

Why Choose Western & Southern?

When you’re looking for affordable short-term insurance options, you want life insurance from a company with a history of financial strength. With our financial ratings and a heritage of financial strength, Western & Southern has become one of the strongest life insurance groups, offering you stability you can count on. We have knowledgeable financial representatives available to help you with your insurance needs. 

Financial Strength

established 1888

Longevity & Stability

96 comdex ranking

Financial Ratings

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

These policies and benefits may not be available in all states, and benefits may vary by state.

Payment of benefits under the life insurance policy is the obligation of, and is guaranteed by, the issuing company. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer. Products are backed by the full financial strength of the issuing company.

Life insurance policies contain certain exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact a financial representative for complete details.