Term life insurance
Straightforward protection for the years your family may need it most.
No obligation. See estimated rates before you talk to anyone.
Term life insurance provides coverage for a set period of time and can help protect the people who depend on you financially. Policy Profile makes it easy to explore estimated rates from multiple insurance companies before deciding whether you'd like help from a licensed agent.
How term life works
Coverage for a specific period of your life.
Term life insurance covers a defined period, called a term. If the insured person dies while the policy is in force and within that term, the death benefit is generally paid according to the policy terms.
People commonly use it for temporary financial responsibilities: replacing income, raising children, covering a mortgage, or helping with other debts. Unlike permanent life insurance, term life generally does not build cash value.
Common term lengths
Choose a term that relates to your life.
Think about how long the people who depend on you may need financial protection. Policy Profile's online quote experience can return these common term lengths:
- 1010-year term
- 1515-year term
- 2020-year term
- 3030-year term
Available term lengths depend on factors including your age and insurer rules. Not every term is available to every applicant.
Common reasons
When might term life insurance make sense?
People often consider term life when they have financial responsibilities that may change over time. It may be useful for:
- Replacing income for a spouse or family.
- Helping protect children financially while they are growing up.
- Covering a mortgage or other significant debt.
- Providing protection during peak earning years.
- Adding personally owned coverage beyond benefits provided through work.
Protecting a home loan specifically? Read about mortgage protection insurance. Planning mainly for end-of-life costs? Final expense insurance is designed around those needs.
Coverage amounts
The right coverage amount is personal.
Consider the income your household relies on, your mortgage and other debts, children or other dependents, education goals, and final expenses. Existing savings and life insurance coverage can also affect the amount you may want to consider.
Amounts to explore online
- $100,000
- $250,000
- $300,000
- $500,000
- $750,000
- $1,000,000
These are the coverage levels currently available to explore through Policy Profile's online Term quote experience—not every amount an insurer may offer.
Pricing
What affects the cost of term life insurance?
Rates reflect both the protection you choose and how an insurance company evaluates your application. Factors can include:
- Age
- Gender or rating sex used by insurers
- Coverage amount
- Term length
- Tobacco and nicotine history
- Height and weight
- Health history
- Medications
- Blood pressure and cholesterol information
- Insurer underwriting
Using tobacco or having a health condition does not automatically mean coverage is unavailable. Different insurance companies evaluate applicants differently.
Shop more than one company
One agency. Multiple insurance companies.
Policy Profile is a licensed insurance agency, not the insurance company issuing your policy. We work with multiple insurance companies so you can explore estimated rates before deciding whether you'd like help.
If you request it, a licensed Policy Profile agent can help compare available options and assist with the application. The issuing insurance company determines final eligibility and premiums.
Term vs. permanent
Term and permanent life insurance serve different needs.
Term life
- Coverage for a defined period.
- Typically focused on death-benefit protection.
- Generally does not build cash value.
- May be appropriate for temporary financial responsibilities.
Permanent life
- Designed to remain in force longer, subject to policy terms and premiums.
- May include cash-value features, depending on the product.
- Commonly used for different long-term planning needs.
Interested in longer-term coverage? Learn how indexed universal life insurance works.
Common questions
Common questions about term life.
Rates you see are estimates. Review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use to see how your information is handled.
How long should my term life policy last?
Consider how long others may depend on your income and when major responsibilities, such as raising children or paying a mortgage, may change. Available term lengths depend on your age and the insurer's rules.
How much term life insurance should I consider?
Consider your household income, mortgage and other debts, dependents, education goals, and final expenses, alongside existing savings and coverage. The amount is personal; a licensed agent can help you review your needs if you ask.
Can I get term life insurance if I use tobacco?
Tobacco or nicotine use can affect pricing and available options, but it does not automatically mean coverage is unavailable. Insurance companies evaluate applicants differently; eligibility depends on the insurer's underwriting.
Do I need a medical exam?
Requirements vary by insurer, product, coverage amount, age, health, and underwriting. Some applications may require an exam or additional health information. An estimated rate does not guarantee a no-exam option.
What happens when a term life policy ends?
Coverage may end when the term expires. Some policies may offer renewal or conversion options, subject to deadlines, policy terms, and insurer rules, and premiums may change. Review your policy before the term ends.
Can I have more than one life insurance policy?
It may be possible to have more than one policy, including personally owned coverage alongside workplace benefits. Insurers consider existing coverage and other information when evaluating a new application.
Are the rates I see on Policy Profile final?
No. Policy Profile shows estimated rates based on the information you provide. Final eligibility and premiums are determined by the issuing insurer after its application and underwriting process.
See your options
See what term life insurance could cost you.
Answer a few straightforward questions and explore estimated term life rates based on the information you provide.
No obligation. Ask for help only when you're ready.