Term Life Insurance

Geo depth: Class C

Term life insurance provides a death benefit to designated beneficiaries if the insured person dies within a fixed policy term, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. It has no cash-value component, which generally makes it more affordable than permanent life insurance for a comparable death benefit.

Compare Term Life Insurance rates

What is term life insurance?

Term life is typically underwritten based on your age, health, and lifestyle at the time you apply — insurers may require a medical exam or use accelerated underwriting based on health records and a questionnaire instead. Premiums are usually level (fixed) for the length of the term you select.

If you outlive the term, coverage simply ends unless you renew or convert it, often at a higher rate reflecting your then-current age; most term policies pay nothing and have no cash value if that happens. Many policies offer a conversion option to a permanent policy without new medical underwriting, within a specified window.

What affects your term life insurance cost

Typical costs vary significantly by state, provider, and personal factors — {{VERIFY: national average term life insurance premium not yet sourced}}. Rather than a single number, the factors below are what actually move your quote up or down.

Age and overall health at the time of application
Tobacco/nicotine use
Coverage amount (death benefit) requested
Term length selected (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years)
Family health history
Occupation and hobbies that carry elevated risk (e.g., aviation, certain sports)

How to compare term life insurance providers

Price is only one part of the decision. Before choosing a provider, compare each of the following side by side:

Coverage limits, and exactly what's included or excluded
Deductible options and how a higher or lower deductible changes the premium
Financial strength ratings from an independent rating agency (e.g., AM Best, S&P, Moody's) — an indicator of an insurer's ability to pay future claims
Customer service and claims-handling reputation, including complaint-ratio data where a state Department of Insurance publishes it
Available discounts and bundling options
Confirmation that the carrier is licensed to write this coverage in your state

Related calculators

Explore term life insurance by state

Coverage requirements and licensed carriers for term life insurance vary by state. Here are a few popular starting points, or browse the full state directory below.

Term Life Insurance FAQ

How much term life insurance do I need?

A common starting approach estimates what your dependents would need to replace lost income, pay off debts (including a mortgage), and cover future expenses like education — sometimes called the DIME method (Debt, Income, Mortgage, Education). A calculator or licensed advisor can help you work through your specific numbers.

What happens if I stop paying premiums?

Term life policies generally lapse if premiums aren't paid, usually after a grace period, and coverage ends with no payout. Some policies offer conversion or reinstatement options — check your specific policy's terms.

Do I need a medical exam to get term life insurance?

It depends on the insurer, your age, and the coverage amount requested. Many carriers now offer no-exam term policies for smaller death benefits, using health-record and questionnaire-based underwriting instead of a physical exam.

Ready to see term life insurance options?

Compare providers side by side using the factors above, then see options tailored to your state and situation.