Types of Life Insurance

There are several types of life insurance, including term life insurance, whole life insurance, universal life insurance, and variable life insurance. Understanding all the options will help you choose the best life insurance for your family’s needs.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance lasts for a specific term, which can range from one to 30 years. Premiums generally stay the same for the entire term. If you die before the term ends, your beneficiaries receive a payout (called a death benefit).

Benefits: More affordable than whole life, universal life, or variable life insurance; level premiums; flexible term options to fit your needs.

Drawbacks: Policy has no cash value; coverage term is limited.

Best for: Younger people who want affordable coverage for a certain period. For example, you might buy 30-year term life insurance so your family can pay off your 30-year mortgage if you die.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance. Coverage lasts your whole life (or up to age 99, depending on the policy). Premiums and death benefits typically stay the same for the duration of the policy.

Benefits: Protection lasts your whole life; you can use the accumulated cash value during your lifetime.

Drawbacks: Up to 10 times more expensive than term life insurance; unused cash value reverts to the insurance company at your death.

Best for: People who are maxing out their retirement and health savings accounts; those who can afford the premiums; those who want to leave an inheritance for family members.

Universal Life Insurance

Another type of permanent life insurance, universal life insurance (sometimes called adjustable life) provides coverage for your entire lifetime or up to 99 years, depending on your policy.

Benefits: Lifetime coverage; cash value you can access without a credit check; flexibility to adjust premiums and death benefit.

Drawbacks: More expensive than term life insurance; no guaranteed interest rate; can be complex to manage.

Best for: People who want the benefits of whole life insurance plus the flexibility to change premiums and payouts.

Variable Life Insurance

Variable life insurance is permanent life insurance that allows you to choose how the policy’s cash value is invested, typically in a range of mutual funds. It’s riskier than other types of permanent life insurance and usually involves substantial fees and other costs.

Benefits: Lifetime coverage; potential for higher returns; flexibility to control investment decisions.

Drawbacks: Risk of losing money; high fees; policy could lapse if cash value drops too low.

Best for: People who are comfortable managing complex investments.

Final Expense Insurance

Final expense insurance is whole life insurance that typically has a death benefit of $5,000 to $25,000. It’s designed to cover funeral expenses and other end-of-life costs, but payouts can be used for any purpose the beneficiary chooses.

Benefits: Low premiums; payouts can be used for any purpose; level premiums and death benefits; no medical exam required.

Drawbacks: Limited coverage amounts.

Best for: People who can’t afford or qualify for other types of life insurance but want to cover their end-of-life costs.

Other Types of Life Insurance

In addition to the life insurance options mentioned above, there are some specialized types of life insurance you may want to consider.

Group Term Life Insurance

Some employers and organizations give employees or members limited amounts of group term life insurance as a benefit, generally paying all or part of the premiums. You can typically buy supplemental life insurance to increase your coverage. Some group term life insurance is convertible to an individual policy if you leave the job or organization.

Joint Life Insurance

Usually purchased by spouses, joint life insurance is one policy that covers two people. If you’re both young and healthy, this can be more affordable than purchasing two policies. A first-to-die policy pays out when one spouse dies; the policy terminates at that point. A survivorship policy, which doesn’t pay out until both spouses die, can be used to leave money to heirs.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)

AD&D insurance pays out if you are killed or permanently injured by the risks listed in the policy. For instance, it typically covers death or loss of limbs due to car accidents.

Mortgage Life Insurance

Also called mortgage protection insurance, this coverage pays off your mortgage if you die without paying it off. Because payouts decline as you pay down your mortgage, while premiums stay the same, standard life insurance makes more sense for most people. But since no medical exam is required, mortgage life insurance can be an option for people in poor health.

Credit Life Insurance

Sometimes called credit insurance, this coverage pays some or all of your outstanding personal loans after your death. You typically purchase this coverage when getting a loan. Premiums may be rolled into the loan, which can increase the cost of borrowing. Credit life insurance is often unnecessary: Unless you’re in a community property state, your family usually isn’t responsible for personal debts when you die.

No-Exam Life Insurance

Are you in poor health or want to avoid a medical exam? You can get no-exam life insurance by answering some questions about your medical history.

Simplified issue life insurance, which also requires checking your medical records, typically offers coverage from $25,000 to $300,000.

Guaranteed issue life insurance usually provides coverage of $25,000 or less. (Burial insurance is a type of guaranteed-issue life insurance.)

Finally, there’s instant life insurance, which can generally be issued within 48 hours. Instant life insurance usually maxes out at $1 million in coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need Life Insurance?

Life insurance is essential if you have dependents who rely on your income. It can help cover living expenses, debts, and other financial obligations after your death.

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost?

The cost of life insurance varies based on factors such as age, health, and the type of policy. Term life insurance is generally more affordable than permanent life insurance.

How Do I Choose Life Insurance?

Consider your financial goals, budget, and the needs of your beneficiaries when choosing a life insurance policy. Consulting with a financial advisor can also help you make an informed decision.

The Bottom Line

Before you shop for life insurance, take a moment to check your credit score. Insurance providers in many states can consider your credit-based insurance scores when setting your premiums. These scores differ from consumer credit scores but are based on many of the same elements, including your payment history and existing debt. Lower credit-based insurance scores could mean higher life insurance premiums.

Taking action to improve your consumer credit score could boost your credit-based insurance score, too. Implement good financial habits such as paying down debt and paying bills on time, and you could save money on life insurance.