Life insurance is a contract, not a sales pitch.

Most people buy the wrong coverage because nobody explained the difference between term, whole, universal, and final expense in plain English. Here it is. Read it. Decide for yourself. Get connected with a licensed agent only if you ask.

See the four types I know what I need →

The four kinds of life insurance

Each one solves a different problem. Pick the one that matches yours.

Term Life

Coverage for a set number of years.

The simplest and cheapest. It pays out only if you die during the term (10, 20, 30 years). When the term ends, the coverage ends — whether your health held or not. Best for covering a mortgage, raising kids, or replacing income during your working years.

Watch for: the conversion deadline. Buy enough while you're healthy, and know when you can convert before the term runs out.

Whole Life

Coverage that lasts your whole life.

Premiums stay level and the policy builds cash value over time. It never expires as long as premiums are paid. More expensive than term, but it's predictable and it's there when your family eventually needs it.

Watch for: the cash value grows slowly. It's life insurance first, a savings account second — not the other way around.

Universal / Variable / Indexed

Flexible premiums, investment-linked options.

Universal life lets you adjust premiums and death benefit. Variable and indexed versions tie cash value to market performance — more upside, more complexity and more risk.

Watch for: the guarantees. Read the guaranteed column first, not the projected one. Projections assume today's rates hold — they don't always.

Final Expense / Burial

A smaller policy for end-of-life costs.

A modest, permanent policy designed to cover funeral and burial costs so your family isn't stuck with the bill. Easier to qualify for, even with some health issues.

Watch for: graded benefits. Many pay a reduced amount if you pass away in the first two years. Ask when full coverage starts.

Three questions before you buy anything

  1. What am I actually protecting? A mortgage, an income, a funeral — the answer picks the type for you.
  2. What does it cost to get out? Surrender charges, fees, and how cash value is figured belong in the conversation before the signature.
  3. What's guaranteed vs. projected? The guaranteed column is the contract. Everything else is a forecast. Read the guaranteed column first.

Educational information only. Not legal, tax, or financial advice.

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Tell us what you're looking for. We'll connect you with a licensed agent in your state. No sales call unless you ask for one.

1. What kind of life insurance are you looking for?