4 Types of Term Life Insurance Explained: An Expert's Guide

Learn about 4 types of term life insurance explained by an expert: leveled term life insurance, decreasing term life insurance, high-level term life insurance and premium-back life insurance.

4 Types of Term Life Insurance Explained: An Expert's Guide

When it comes to life insurance, there are two main types: term at the level and term decreasing. Nowadays, most people opt for fixed-term insurance. The terms “level” and “decreasing” refer to the amount of the death benefit over the life of the policy. A fixed-term policy pays the same amount of benefit if death occurs at any time during the term.

There are several types of term life insurance, and the best option will depend on your individual circumstances. The most popular type is leveled term life insurance, which provides a fixed premium and a death benefit for the life of the policy. This policy is easy to manage because you don't have to worry about making major changes during its term. You can also be sure that, if you die unexpectedly, your beneficiaries will receive the amount of coverage you took out for as long as you've paid your policy premiums.

Level term life insurance policies are often the most affordable and offer the simplest security. Decreasing term life insurance is a renewable policy in which coverage decreases over time, but premiums remain constant. High-level term life insurance is the best option for most people because it offers simple and affordable coverage. The amount of coverage stays the same throughout the term of the policy, and the death benefit matches what you pay. However, there is no one-size-fits-all term life insurance policy, so it's important to talk to a financial advisor or planner to get a policy that fits your specific needs. You may be able to renew a term policy when it expires, but premiums will be recalculated based on your age at the time of renewal. If you survive the term of your life insurance policy, your beneficiaries will not receive any death benefits.

However, if you're a business owner, want to expand your family, or buy a larger home in the future, increasing term life insurance can help protect your investments. Unlike permanent life insurance, term policies offer coverage for a specific period of time, usually between 10 and 30 years. The additional clause guarantees the right to convert an existing term policy or one that is about to expire into a permanent plan without the need to subscribe to it or demonstrate insurability. However, the company may require a limited or full subscription if it wants to add additional clauses to the new policy, such as an additional clause for long-term care. While renewable term living is more expensive than a standard policy, renewable rates are still cheaper than raising term life insurance quotes.

Most term life insurance policies can be converted into permanent coverage for the period of validity up to a certain age. Premium-back life insurance is also called refundable life insurance and can be offered as an additional clause to the insurance rather than a specific policy. For example, insurers will add a clause to your term life insurance policy and adjust your monthly rates to cover the cost of returning your money at the end of the term. Converting from term life insurance to permanent life insurance will also increase your rates depending on your age at the time of conversion.

Pattie Fritzler
Pattie Fritzler

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