Life Insurance
Insurance
WHAT IS LIFE INSURANCE?
The purpose of life insurance is to provide financial protection to surviving dependents after the death of an insured. It is essential for applicants to analyze their financial situation and determine the standard of living needed for their surviving dependents before purchasing a life insurance policy. Life insurance agents or brokers are instrumental in assessing needs and establishing the type of life insurance most suitable to address those needs. Several life insurance channels are available including whole life, term life, universal life, and variable universal life (VUL) policies. It is prudent to re-evaluate life insurance needs annually, or after significant life events like marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, and major purchases, like a house.
WHAT IS TERM LIFE INSURANCE?
Term life insurance, also known as pure life insurance, is life insurance that guarantees payment of a stated death benefit during a specified term. Once the term expires, the policyholder can either renew it for another term, convert the policy to permanent coverage, or allow the policy to terminate.
HOW TERM LIFE INSURANCE WORKS?
Term life policies have no value other than the guaranteed death benefit. There is no savings component as found in a whole life insurance product. The policy’s purpose is to give insurance to individuals against the loss of life. This cash benefit may be used by beneficiaries to settle the policyholder’s healthcare and funeral costs, consumer debt, or mortgage debt among others. Term life insurance is not used for estate planning or charitable-giving purposes. All premiums cover the cost of underwriting insurance. As a result, term life premiums are typically lower than permanent life insurance premiums.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TERM LIFE –
The basis for term life premiums is on a person’s age, health, and life expectancy, which is set by the insurer. If the person should die within the specified policy term, the insurer will pay the face value of the policy. Should the policy expire before the policyholder’s death, there is no payout. Policyholders may be able to renew a term policy at its expiration, but their premiums will be recalculated for their age at the time of renewal.
Because it offers a benefit for a restricted time and provides only a death benefit, term life is usually the least costly life insurance available.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Term life insurance guarantees payment of a stated death benefit to the insured’s beneficiaries during a specified term.
- These policies have no value other than the guaranteed death benefit and feature no savings component as found in a whole life insurance product.
- Term life premiums are based on a person’s age, health, and life expectancy, which is set by the insurer.
- If the insured dies within the specified policy term, the insurer pays the face value of the policy.
- Should the policy expire before the policyholder’s death, there is no payout.