Life Insurance

Life insurance pays out a certain amount to your loved ones (beneficiaries) if you pass away. You make monthly or yearly payments on the life insurance policy in order to maintain it. 

When evaluating online life insurance quotes, consider that life insurance providers may offer the following types of life insurance policies:

• Term Life Insurance – The most affordable coverage for a particular time period e.g., for the next 15 or 20 years. Beneficiaries receive financial coverage upon the passing of the policyholder.

• Individual Life Insurance – An affordable option, the financial coverage for the family is given only upon the passing of the individual policyholder.

• Group Life Insurance – Life insurance that is offered by an organization or employer to a group of people. 

• Family Life Insurance – Includes all of your family members as the policyholders. 

• Whole Life Insurance – Permanent plan that earns interest throughout your life. No matter what happens and when it happens, beneficiaries will receive financial coverage upon the passing of the policyholder.

• Fixed Annuities/Fixed Income – Creates an after-retirement income stream with a single lump sum premium deposit.

• Variable Life Insurance – Permanent life insurance where the cash value of your plan is invested in stocks  or mutual funds.

• Universal Life Insurance – Premium payments can be adjusted up or down to increase or decrease life insurance coverage. It has a cash savings component which the policyholder can borrow from if needed.

Life insurance costs depend on various factors like the policyholder’s profession, age, gender, general health and whether you are a smoker. Expect to pay more for life insurance if you have a pre-existing condition or family history of heart disease or certain cancers, among other illnesses. Life insurance for seniors will likely cost more than life insurance for singles.

When searching for life insurance quotes:

• Check quotes from several insurance providers. Compare life insurance offers to choose the most affordable rates for the protection provided.

• Look at the coverage amount that your beneficiaries will receive and restrictions around that coverage. For example, the age or profession of the policyholder may impact coverage amount.

• Determine whether you can add other features to your policy through riders. In some cases these riders are free and in others, there will be an additional charge. 

• Research whether you can save money by buying multiple policies (e.g., life insurance and critical illness coverage) through the same company. 

Upon the passing of the policyholder, the beneficiaries receive the death benefit as a lump sum, typically anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 months after the claim is filed.

Typically, a life insurance term of 25-30 years is adequate. Ideally, the term should extend beyond the length of your mortgage (Learn mortgage essentials), so that if you die within that period, the insurance payout will cover any remaining payments or debts.