life insurance in simple terms?

Question

what is the simplest way to understand what the difference is between WHOLE or TERM life insurance?

Answer 1

i posted a blog about this. check it out at http://obe231.blogspot.com

Answer 2

Sara is wrong...Term is a form of life insurance that does not have a cash value and only has a death benefit which is non-taxable money to the beneficiary in the term of the policy. It can be 10 years 20,or 30 years. When this term is over, you have to apply for new life insurance, keep in mind you may have medical problems by then and may not be eligible for life insurance. Some policies can be converted into permanent policies after so many years, however if the term is over, then you apply as a new applicant and have to go through the blood test, etc... This product was developed for people that can not afford permanent insurance, yet still need life insurance. Like a newly married couple that has not had time to save up for permanent life insurance...

Whole life, is a policy that does not have any term limits and also builds up cash value which you can borrow against, in the future. The death benefit is usually permanent up to 100 years of age, and the interest in some policies can increase the death benefit over time. This is why some people describe this as permanent life insurance. (no term limits)

Answer 3

Term Life
Life insurance that covers you for a specific period of time. If you die during the term, the life insurance company pays up. If not, then the company usually pays nothing.

Whole Life (also called Permanent Life)
Life insurance that pays when you die, whenever that occurs (there are restrictions, such as suicide, etc.). That means that if you die after three years or after 60 years, the life insurance company will pay up.

I’ve included a link to a short article that explains these insurance types simply.

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You can find MostChoice here:
http://www.mostchoice.com/life-insurance.cfm

Hope this helps,
Barnes@MostChoice

Answer 4

Whole life insurance is a plan of insurance for life, with premiums payable for a person's entire life.

Term life insurance, provides coverage for a specific period of time, usually from one to thirty years. Term policies provide a death benefit only if the insured dies during the term.

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Answer 5

Term - Valid for the "term" of the policy. 10 yr term policy is good for 10 yrs.

Whole life covers a person for their entire life

Answer 6

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RE :Life insurance in simple terms?
what is the simplest way to understand what the difference is between WHOLE or TERM life insurance?
Follow 7 answers

Answer 7

term -> they pay your family a fixed amount if you die, like $10K
whole -> a "savings plan" that you pay into and they give to your family when you die

Answer 8

Here is a complete explanation for yu:

Term life insurance is designed to help people buy life insurance protection they need when they can't afford to purchase all permanent insurance, or when they only need life insurance protection for a specific period of time. Term insurance provides you with a guaranteed death benefit, but no cash value.

The life insurance premiums will increase at pre-determined intervals such as 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or 20 years. This depends on the type of term life policy you select. A term life policy is often the choice when your life insurance protection needs are higher for a period of time, then drop down to lower levels in later years, such as when your family is growing.

Term insurance can also be an effective way to provide supplemental coverage in addition to permanent insurance during years you need higher levels of protection, such as when your family and other financial responsibilities are beyond your current income.

In these situations, term coverage allows you to purchase important death benefit protection without going beyond your budget. Also, if the coverage is convertible (the coverage can be "converted" to a comparable permanent life insurance policy, without the need to provide evidence of insurability), you can get the coverage you need today — with the ability to purchase permanent insurance coverage in the future.

The Real Cost of Term Life Insurance

However, term insurance has its disadvantages. It isn’t right under all circumstances. Among its drawbacks, be sure to note the following:


You do have to "die to be paid." As unpleasant as that sounds, it's true. Term life insurance provides a death benefit only, for a specific period of time. So, if you outlive your policy period, there is no payout to your beneficiaries. When the term coverage expires, your protection ends, too. And, if you stop paying your life insurance premiums, the coverage ends. Period.

Here’s an example for you - Let's say you own a $250,000 term life insurance policy. You've kept the coverage in force for twenty years, and the policy expires at midnight on June 30. If you die at 11:59 p.m. on June 30, your beneficiary receives the full $250,000 in death benefit proceeds. However, if you die at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, your beneficiary receives nothing under the term insurance policy, since the policy has expired.

Purchasing term insurance is often compared to renting an apartment. When you rent, you get the full and immediate use of the apartment and all that goes with it, but only for as long as you continue paying your rent. As soon as your lease expires, you must leave your apartment. Even if you rented the apartment for 10 years, you have no "equity" or cash value that belongs to you.

There is the Very Real Risk of becoming uninsurable when the term insurance coverage expires. While many term policies are convertible to permanent insurance coverage, others may not be. And, even if the term policy is convertible, there are time limits. If the policy is allowed to expire, you may be required to re-apply for life insurance coverage, and prove insurability by taking a medical exam. If you are found to be uninsurable at that time, you will be without life insurance coverage.

Since premiums increase at each renewal, the long-term cost of term can be very costly. Many people buy term insurance coverage when they are in their 20s or 30s because it appears more affordable when compared to a cash value or permanent life insurance policy with the same death benefit amount. By the time they're in their 40s or 50s, the coverage seems a little more expensive, as the rate goes up. In their 50s, the cost may be comparable to the cost of permanent coverage. Finally, in their 60s, if not sooner, they may decide to drop the policy — not because they no longer need the protection, but because they usually can't afford it. However, the person who paid more for a permanent life insurance policy in their 20s may still be paying the same premium. That's why the term policy's conversion privilege is so important. This valuable feature is usually available in the first few years of the policy, and allows you to convert to permanent insurance without submitting evidence of insurability.

Converting to a permanent policy lets you "lock in" a fixed premium, and your life insurance coverage can never be canceled, provided you pay your life insurance premiums.

The Value of Permanent Life Insurance

Cash value or Permanent life insurance is often the best long term solution for many people. The reasons:

Permanent life insurance provides you with lifetime insurance protection, provided you pay your premiums. Usually, once you’ve been approved for coverage, your policy cannot be canceled by the insurer. Regardless of your health, the insurance will remain in force.

Despite higher initial premiums, permanent life insurance can be less expensive than term life insurance in the long run. Many permanent life insurance policies are eligible for dividends, which are not guaranteed, if and when they are declared by the insurance company. Many companies offer the option to apply current and accumulated dividend values towards payment of all or part of your life insurance premiums. If dividend values are sufficient, out-of-pocket premium payments may be reduced after several years, yet coverage continues for your entire life. So, while life insurance premiums must be paid under both, the permanent and term life insurance plans, long-term out-of-pocket cost of permanent insurance may be lower compared to the total cost for a term life insurance policy.

Permanent insurance can eliminate the potential problem of future insurability. Cash value life insurance policies do not expire after a certain period of time. And, some policies contain guaranteed purchase options, which allow you to buy additional life insurance coverage at specified times, regardless of your health.

Cash Value Life Insurance builds cash value within the policy. This amount, part of which is guaranteed under many policies, can be used in the future for any purpose you wish. If you choose, you can borrow cash value for a down payment on a home, to help pay for your children's college education, or to provide income for your retirement. (Note: Borrowing cash value from your permanent life insurance policy requires the payment of loan interest and will affect your total policy values.) Also, if you decide to stop paying premiums and surrender or cancel your permanent insurance policy, the guaranteed policy values are yours.

Recommendation

When purchasing life insurance coverage — renewing or converting a term policy — look at more than just the premium. Consider the financial rating of the insurance company. Consider your long term goals and needs for protection. A professional insurance agent can discuss your life insurance goals, analyze your insurance needs and review the pros and cons of the various life insurance policy options available.

I hope that helps! Take care and best of luck.

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