Term Life Insurance

Last updated: December 9, 2025 Recently updated

Term Life Insurance Guide

Affordable coverage for a specific period (10, 20, or 30 years)

Not sure what coverage you need? Take our free 2-minute quiz to get personalized insurance recommendations.

What is Term Life Insurance?

Term Life Insurance provides essential protection for you and your family. Understanding how it works helps you make better coverage decisions.

Key Features

Coverage details and benefits
What’s typically included
Common exclusions to be aware of
Cost factors that affect premiums

Who Needs Term Life Insurance?

Learn whether this type of coverage is right for your situation and how to determine the appropriate coverage amount.

How to Choose a Policy

Tips for comparing policies, understanding terms, and finding the best value for your needs.

Having a Baby Checklist - When to get term life for growing families
Getting Married Checklist - Life insurance decisions for newlyweds

Life Insurance Needs Calculator - Determine how much term coverage you need

Whole Life Insurance - Permanent alternative with cash value
Disability Insurance - Protects income while you’re alive

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about term life insurance answered.

Data Sources

Term life insurance data in this guide come from LIMRA (opens in new tab) , ACLI (opens in new tab) , NAIC (opens in new tab) , and insurer rate filings. Learn more about our data collection methods on our Methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my term life insurance policy be?

Choose a term that covers your longest financial obligation. If you have young children, a 20-30 year term covers them until independence. If you have a 15-year mortgage, match or exceed that. Consider when your dependents will no longer need your income.

Can I convert term life insurance to permanent insurance?

Many term policies include a conversion option allowing you to convert to permanent insurance without a new medical exam. This can be valuable if your health declines. Check your policy’s conversion deadline (often before age 65 or within a certain number of years) and available permanent products.

What happens when my term life insurance expires?

When your term ends, coverage stops and you receive nothing back (term insurance has no cash value). Some policies offer renewal at higher rates (annual renewable term). If you still need coverage, you can apply for a new policy, but premiums will be based on your current age and health.