All term insurance policies share certain
characteristics. Term life insurance provides life insurance
coverage for a specific time period (term). The face amount
of the policy is paid if you die during the term of the
policy. If you live longer than the term of the insurance
coverage, nothing is paid.
However, within the broad category of
"term insurance," there are several variations.
Level term, decreasing term, and increasing term provide
different benefit levels at different points during the term
of the policy. Renewable term and convertible term provide
options with regard to what happens at the end of the policy
term. Depending on your situation, one type of term
insurance may be more appropriate than the others.
Level premium term
Level term is the simplest and
most common type of term insurance. It is what most people
probably think of when they hear the term "life
insurance." Like all term insurance, level premium term
provides life insurance coverage for a specific time period.
With a level premium term policy, the death benefit remains
the same throughout the term of the policy. The premium
payments also remain the same.
For example, say you purchase a $100,000
10-year level term policy. Your premium payment would be the
same every month for the entire 10 years. If you died any
time during the 10-year period the policy is in force, your
beneficiary would receive $100,000.
Level term is most appropriate when your
insurance need will remain the same throughout the policy
term. If you still need insurance at the end of the term,
premiums may be sharply higher when you apply for a new
policy.
Decreasing term
Another common type of term
insurance is decreasing term. With a decreasing term policy,
the death benefit starts out at a higher level and gradually
decreases over the life of the policy, following a schedule
set by the insurer. The premium payments typically remain
level throughout the policy term.
For example, you could buy a 20-year
decreasing term policy with an initial face value of
$100,000. The premium payment would likely be the same every
month during the 20-year term. The death benefit would
initially be $100,000. Over the 20-year term of the policy,
the death benefit would gradually decrease. At the end of
the 20 years, the death benefit would be quite low--maybe
only $10,000, or possibly even zero. If you died while the
policy was is force, your beneficiary would receive an
amount equal to the current value of the policy.
Decreasing term is often used to cover
mortgage or credit debt, because the death benefit decreases
over time as the outstanding balance on the debt is reduced.
The idea is that the beneficiary would use the death benefit
to pay off the debt in the event of the insured's death.
Increasing term
Increasing term is a rarely used
form of term life insurance. As the name suggests, an
increasing term policy provides a death benefit that
gradually increases throughout the life of the policy.
Depending on the policy, you may be entitled to freeze the
increases at any point during the life of the policy.
Premium payments on an increasing term policy generally
increase as the death benefit increases.
Convertible term
Convertible term policies contain
a provision that allows you to convert the policy to cash
value insurance (such as whole life, variable life, or
universal life). Convertible life policies typically state
that conversion must occur within a certain time after the
policy is issued, or before you reach a certain age. Once
the policy is converted, you enjoy all the benefits of cash
value life insurance, including lifetime coverage, a more
stabilized premium structure, and the tax-free buildup of
cash value.
The premiums for convertible term can be
typically higher than regular term, but one of the main
advantages of convertible term is that you are not required
to provide proof of insurability at the time of conversion.
Renewable term
Renewable term policies also allow
you to continue your coverage without providing proof of
insurability. With renewable term insurance, you are
guaranteed the option to renew the policy when your current
coverage period ends. Premiums on the renewed policy will
typically be higher, because they are based on your age at
the start of the renewed period.
Annual (or yearly) renewable term is a
very common type of coverage. This type of policy is written
to provide one year of coverage, with the option to renew at
the end of that year. If you choose to renew the policy, you
will not have to provide proof of insurability, but the new
premiums will be based on your attained age. When employers
provide life insurance as part of a benefits package, it is
typically annual renewable term or five year renewable term.
Learn More...
Life
Insurance Overview | Understanding
The Basics | Term
& Cash Value
Coverage Amounts
| Reading Policies | Planning
Concerns | Life
Calculator | Life Glossary
Please Note: The
information contained in this Web site is provided solely as a source of
general information and resource. It is a not a statement of
contract and coverage may not apply in all areas or circumstances. For a complete
description of coverages, always read the insurance policy, including
all endorsements.
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