Term Life Insurance Plans

Eric Van Haaften Term Life Insurance

Are you searching for the proper term life insurance plan for your family but don’t know where to start or what options are available? Look no further!

We will explain term life insurance, how it works, and which plan is best for protecting your family.

Whether you already have a policy or are just getting started evaluating coverage, our informative article will help you understand all aspects of this protection.

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What is term life insurance?
What are the benefits of term life insurance?
How long should my term life insurance last?
How much does term life insurance cost?
How to find the right coverage for your family?
FAQ: How does term life insurance work?

What is Term Life Insurance?

A term life insurance contract is between you and an insurance company with a contractual obligation to pay a lump sum of money to your heirs if you die.

Most people think of term coverage as pure life insurance because it does not have a cash value or investment component.

It’s good to know that term life insurance pays out a death benefit for any cause of death, whether accidental or due to illness, as long as the policy is in force.

However, if the insured commits suicide within the first two years of coverage, no death benefits will be paid out.

How does term life insurance work?

When you buy a term life insurance policy, the insurance company determines the premium based on your elected term duration and death benefit.

You will also be assigned a rate classification based on your age, gender, health, driving record, smoking status, occupation, hobbies, and family history.

All this pertinent information is gathered during the application process, often including a medical exam to assess your health.

Once approved, the insurance company will immediately pay your heirs the policy’s tax-free death benefit if you pass away.

According to US News, your beneficiaries can elect to receive the proceeds in a lump sum or a series of payments and can spend the money in any way they choose.

What happens when term life insurance ends?

When your term period ends, so does your coverage unless you have options to renew or convert your coverage.

Choosing a term length that matches your expected coverage needs is a good idea, as renewal rates increase each year after the initial term.

Fortunately, numerous policies offer a conversion option, allowing you to switch to costlier permanent coverage without undergoing a new health examination.

If you still need coverage but wish to avoid renewing your current policy or switching to a permanent plan, consider buying new term coverage.

Remember that your new premiums will now reflect your present age and health condition, resulting in higher rates than your previous payments.

Term Life Insurance Benefits

Term coverage is a solid foundation that provides peace of mind while protecting your family at a reasonable cost.

There are many common reasons why term life can be beneficial in covering your family from financial disaster should you die prematurely.

Term insurance is often used to safeguard against mortgage obligations, ensuring families can remain in their homes without the stress of mortgage payments.

Moreover, term policies provide a safety net for spouses who are reliant on each other’s income until they reach financial independence.

For parents, term life policies offer a financial guarantee for their children’s higher education expenses, offering reassurance about their academic prospects.

If you think you may need coverage, go ahead and use our calculator to compare term life insurance plans from highly rated insurers in minutes.

Comparing Term Life Insurance Plans

When shopping for coverage, it is advisable to choose a level-term life insurance policy to keep your payments and death benefits consistent.

Alternative options, like decreasing and annually renewable term life insurance plans, are best suited for short-term needs rather than long-term coverage.

To safeguard your family, you should match your present and future coverage requirements with the appropriate term insurance duration.

However, be mindful that all insurance companies have age limits that affect the available term durations at various stages of life.

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10-year Term Life Plan

Since a 10-year term covers you for ten years, it is an excellent choice for people seeking the most coverage at the most affordable cost.

A 10-year plan can cover many short-term needs, such as debt repayments or funding your child’s education.

Additionally, this inexpensive policy can be bought by nearly anyone in decent health, with most insurance companies offering coverage to individuals up to 80 years old.

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15-year Term Life Insurance Plan

A 15-year life insurance plan can be a strategic choice for middle-aged individuals who want to provide a safety net for surviving spouses.

Moreover, the shorter term means potentially lower premiums than longer-term plans, making it a cost-effective option for those in the prime of their life.

Best of all, you can purchase this coverage from several insurers until age 75.

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20-year Term Life Plan

A 20-year term insurance plan offers fixed rates for twenty years, providing stability in one’s financial planning.

This may be why Forbes claims that this plan is chosen by over 40% of term insurance buyers.

Plus, with the ability to buy coverage until age 70, it’s a solid option for long-term protection for both young and older applicants.

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25-year Term Insurance Plan

A 25-year term life insurance policy presents an affordable option for coverage needs lasting a quarter of a century.

It’s ideal for those with extended financial commitments, such as mortgage protection, or parents who want to secure their children’s future into adulthood.

This insurance policy is available from multiple providers, but only Transamerica allows you to sign up until age 65.

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30-year Term Insurance Plan

A 30-year term life insurance policy is popular for younger and middle-aged buyers because it locks in a predictable fixed rate for three decades.

This coverage spans your peak earning years, offering protection for commitments like replacing income, safeguarding mortgage payments, and funding educational expenses for children.

Remember, you must buy this plan from most insurance companies before age 56 to ensure eligibility.

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40-year Term Life Insurance

With premiums guaranteed for four decades, 40-year term life insurance provides a lasting layer of protection, no matter what happens in the years ahead.

Forty-year policies are ideal for younger individuals seeking comprehensive protection without the financial commitment of a permanent plan.

For those exploring insurance options, it’s worth noting that only Banner and Protective Life offer forty-year term plans. However, these plans are only available to individuals up to the age of 45.

Cost of Term Life Insurance

Buying a term life policy is a straightforward way to guarantee financial protection for your family in the event of your passing away.

It is important to consider the costs associated with getting the right coverage, and research is helpful before making any decisions.

As you examine all of your options, here is a look at the cost of various term life insurance plans to help guide your considerations.

Term Life Insurance Plans

	$500k	$750k	$1mm
	10	10	10
Age 30	$16	$20	$22
Age 40	$19	$25	$29
Age 50	$44	$64	$75
	20	20	20
Age 30	$21	$27	$33
Age 40	$29	$41	$52
Age 50	$73	$108	$142
	30	30	30
Age 30	$34	$47	$58
Age 40	$53	$76	$99
Age 50	$125	$185	$252

* The monthly term life insurance rates for non-smoking males

Many people adopt a laddering strategy to save money. This strategy combines two different term durations to accommodate changing needs.

For example, you could buy a more expensive 30-year policy to cover long-term obligations like a mortgage.

Then, secure another cheaper ten-year term to protect your children until they graduate from college. As your kids become financially independent, you can let the shorter-term policy expire.

This method allows you to customize your coverage over time and reduce expenses by maintaining only essential protection at each life stage.

Our insurance calculator can help implement this cost-saving strategy by comparing different term insurance plans from many top insurance companies.

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Tips for Buying Term Life Insurance

Your first step is to determine the amount of coverage you need, which will depend on your current financial situation and the lifestyle you want your family to have if you should die.

Longer duration term insurance plans are the best choice for providing financial security for a surviving spouse by replacing lost income.

The industry has many term life insurance calculators, but a simple rule of thumb to follow is to choose a death benefit equal to 7-10 times your annual income.

Bear in mind that the maximum death benefit that you can purchase is based on a multiple of your income.

How much Term life insurance can you buy?

Ages < 40	Annual income x 30
Ages 41 – 50	Annual income x 25
Ages 51 – 60	Annual income x 20
Ages 61 – 70	Annual income x 15

Next, you should evaluate term insurance rates from highly rated life insurance companies. Our expert agents are here to help you select a policy and guide you through the application process.

In the term insurance sector, Lincoln, Protective, Pacific Life, Banner, Corebridge, and Transamerica are consistently the top choices in the U.S. market.

The next step is completing the application process, which typically involves a short phone interview or a brief medical examination.

It is important to be patient because the insurance underwriting process usually takes several weeks to one month to complete.

Remember, choosing the perfect term insurance plan is easier with an independent agent’s help. So, don’t hesitate to seek our assistance for a smoother experience.

FAQs: Term Life Insurance Plans

What riders come with a term life policy? The terminal illness rider is included with most term coverage and allows you to access part of your death benefits early when diagnosed with a terminal illness.

What is the main disadvantage of term life insurance? Term life provides protection for a specific period, not a lifetime. If the policy expires before your death, no death benefit will be paid to your beneficiaries.

Can you cash out term life insurance? You cannot cash out term life insurance policies as they do not accrue any savings. However, specific term policies may offer the option to convert into a permanent policy that does provide cash values.

Do you get money back after your term coverage ends? Regular-term life insurance policies do not refund premiums if you survive the policy term. Only specific policies, such as return-of-premium plans, offer this feature.

Can senior citizens buy term life insurance? Insurance companies typically have an upper age limit for term life policies, usually around 80. However, most seniors would be better off buying universal or whole-life insurance coverage.