Coverage Type
Term Life Insurance
If something happened to you tomorrow, could your family keep the house? Could they maintain their lifestyle, pay the bills, and stay on track without your income? Term life insurance is the most affordable way to make sure the answer is yes during the years your family needs it most.
Get Your Free QuoteWhat is term life insurance?
Term life insurance covers you for a specific number of years, usually 10, 20, or 30. If something happens to you during that time, your family receives the death benefit tax-free. If you outlive the term, the coverage ends.
There is no cash value, no investment component, and no complexity. It is straightforward protection at the lowest possible cost. You pay a fixed monthly premium, and your family is covered for the full term.
Who is this for?
Term life makes sense for anyone whose family depends on their income. You might be a good fit if you have young children at home and want to make sure they are taken care of no matter what. You have a mortgage and you do not want your family forced to sell the house quickly, often for less than it is worth, just to stay on their feet. You are the primary earner and your spouse would struggle financially without your income. You have business debt you personally guaranteed. Or you simply want the most coverage you can get at the lowest cost.
If your family would be in a difficult financial position without you, term life insurance exists to solve that problem.
Why term is usually the right starting point
For most families, the need for life insurance is highest during the years when children are young, the mortgage is large, and retirement savings are still building. Term insurance is designed for exactly that window.
A healthy 35 year old can often get $500,000 of 20 year term coverage for less than $30 a month. That level of protection would be significantly more expensive through whole life or universal life insurance. For families on a budget who need real coverage now, term is almost always the right place to start.
Common reasons people get term life
- Income replacement so your family can maintain their standard of living
- Mortgage protection so your family is not forced to sell the home
- Business debt coverage for personally guaranteed loans
- College funding protection so your kids’ plans stay on track
- Supplementing employer coverage which typically ends when you leave the job
How much coverage do you need?
A common guideline is 10 to 12 times your annual income. But the real answer depends on your specific situation.
Think about your mortgage balance and how many years are left on it. How many years until your children are financially independent. How much your spouse earns on their own and whether they could cover household expenses alone. Any business or personal debt you would want cleared. And education costs you want to make sure are funded.
The goal is to replace enough income so your family can maintain their standard of living without having to make drastic changes during an already difficult time. We help you work through these numbers so you land on a coverage amount that actually fits your life, not a generic formula.
What term length should you pick?
The right term length covers the years your family would genuinely need financial protection without you.
A 10 year term works well if you are close to retirement, your mortgage is nearly paid off, or your children are older and approaching independence.
A 20 year term is the most common choice. It covers children through college and aligns with most mortgage timelines.
A 30 year term makes sense if you have very young children, recently took on a long term mortgage, or started your family later in life and want the longest runway of protection.
If you are not sure which one fits, we walk you through it based on your actual situation.
One specific variation worth knowing about: some term policies offer a return of premium option. If you outlive the term, you receive back some or all of the premiums you paid in. These policies typically cost significantly more per month than standard term. We will have a full breakdown available shortly for anyone interested in exploring that option.
One benefit most people do not know about
Some of the carriers we work with offer living benefits on their term life policies. If you are diagnosed with a terminal, chronic, or critical illness during your coverage period, you may be able to access a portion of your death benefit while you are still alive.
This can help cover medical costs, replace lost income, or simply give your family financial breathing room during an incredibly difficult time. Not all carriers offer this and the specifics vary by policy. We make sure you understand exactly what your policy includes before you move forward.
National Life Group is one carrier we work with that offers some of the strongest living benefit options available on term policies.
What affects the cost?
Several factors determine your monthly premium.
- Your age at the time you apply, since younger is always less expensive
- Your overall health history and current conditions
- Whether you use tobacco or nicotine
- Your height and weight
- Family medical history
- Your driving record
- In some cases, your occupation
The good news is that term life insurance is one of the most affordable types of coverage available. Many families are surprised at how much protection they can get for a manageable monthly cost. The best way to know what you would actually pay is to request a quote based on your real information.
Concerns we hear all the time
I think I already have coverage through work. Is that enough?
Employer-provided life insurance is a great benefit, but it typically covers one to two times your annual salary. For most families with a mortgage, children, and real financial obligations, that falls well short of what is actually needed. It also ends when you leave the job. A personal term policy stays with you regardless of where you work.
I have some health issues. Will I qualify?
Most people qualify for term coverage even with common health conditions. Rates may vary depending on your situation, but we work with multiple carriers and can often find options that work. We will tell you upfront what you are likely to qualify for before you commit to anything.
What happens when the term ends?
When your term is up, the coverage ends. At that point, some policies offer the option to convert to permanent coverage without a new medical exam. Others allow you to renew at a higher rate. We help you choose a term length that covers the years you actually need so you are not caught off guard when it expires.
I keep putting this off because I do not know where to start.
That is one of the most common things we hear. The process is simpler than most people expect. We start with a conversation to understand your situation, help you figure out how much coverage makes sense, and handle the application with you. You do not need to become an expert on life insurance to protect your family.
I am young and healthy. Do I really need this right now?
This is actually the best time to get it. You will never qualify for a lower rate than you can get today. Locking in coverage while you are young and healthy means you pay less every month for the entire term. Waiting until something changes with your health could mean higher premiums or difficulty qualifying at all.
Term or whole life: which is right for you?
Term life is designed for temporary needs, protecting your family during the years they depend on your income. Whole life is permanent coverage that never expires and builds cash value over time.
For most families who need maximum protection at the lowest cost, term is the right starting point. If you are thinking about permanent coverage or want to understand the difference in more detail, our whole life page walks through it clearly.
Learn about whole life insurance →
How we help
We compare term policies from the top carriers based on your age, health, and budget. We explain the differences in plain language and help you understand exactly what you are getting. When you are ready, we walk you through the application with the carrier most likely to approve you at the best rate.
And if term is not the right fit, or you are better off keeping what you already have, we will tell you that honestly. There is no cost to get a quote and no obligation to move forward.
Your family is counting on you, even if they have never said it.
Most people do not talk about what would happen if they were suddenly gone. But your spouse has thought about it. Your kids would feel it. The mortgage would not go away. Getting a quote is free. Our team will follow up with real options based on your situation, not a generic sales pitch.
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