Term Life Insurance to Protect the People Who Count on You
If someone depends on your income, term life insurance is how you protect them. A licensed advisor helps you figure out how much coverage you need and gets you to real pricing. Free.
Free. No obligation. No flood of calls.
Protecting the people who count on you? Here's where to start.
Life insurance isn't about you. It's about the people who would struggle without your income. Term life is straightforward and affordable, and it does one job well. It replaces your income if the worst happens.
The fundamental purpose of life insurance is risk transfer. If your family relies on your paycheck to cover the mortgage, buy groceries, and save for college, your sudden absence creates an immediate financial crisis. A term life insurance policy transfers that financial risk to an insurance company.
The life insurance industry often complicates this simple premise by pushing expensive products designed to maximize commissions. We keep it simple. We help you calculate how much coverage your family actually needs, and we help you get that coverage without paying for things you don't need.
Why term life insurance
Simple and affordable.
Term life insurance covers you for a set period at a lower cost than whole life.
Enough to replace your income.
We help you size coverage to what your family would actually need.
No pressure, no upsell.
We help you get the right amount, not the most expensive policy.
Term vs whole life, honestly
Term life insurance covers you for a defined period, usually 10, 20, or 30 years. If you pass away during that term, your family receives the death benefit. If you outlive the term, the policy expires. Because it is pure insurance without any investment gimmicks, it is affordable.
Whole life insurance is permanent. It lasts your entire life, and it includes a cash value savings component that grows over time. Because of this, it costs substantially more for the exact same death benefit. Often 10 to 15 times more per month than a term policy.
For most families, term life insurance gives far more protection per dollar. The high premiums of whole life often force families to buy less coverage than they actually need, which leaves them underinsured. The cash value component of whole life also tends to return less than traditional retirement investing. We recommend buying affordable term life insurance and investing the difference yourself.
Term Life vs. Whole Life
| Feature | Term Life Insurance | Whole Life Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Pure insurance protection for a set timeframe. | Permanent insurance bundled with a savings account. |
| Cost for same coverage | Very affordable. | Substantially more expensive (often 10x+ higher). |
| How long it lasts | 10, 20, or 30 years (you choose the term). | Your entire life, as long as you pay premiums. |
| Cash value | None. It is purely an insurance product. | Builds cash value over time, but usually at low return rates. |
| Who it suits | Families needing maximum protection while they pay off debt and raise kids. | Rarely the best choice; sometimes used for complex estate planning. |
| The honest verdict | The smartest financial choice for 99% of people. | A high-commission product that leaves most families underinsured. |
This is a general comparison. Your advisor will walk you through the specifics for your situation.
How much coverage do you actually need?
Guessing at a number is how families end up unprotected. You need to calculate the actual financial hole your absence would create. The goal is to provide a lump sum your family can invest, so they can replace your lost income with the interest it generates.
Start with your current annual income. Multiply that by the number of years your family will rely on it. Add in major impending debts. The remaining balance on your mortgage, any outstanding consumer debt, and the estimated cost to fund your children through college.
This calculation usually produces a number that feels surprisingly large. Often 10 to 12 times your annual salary. Do not let that intimidate you. Because term life insurance is so affordable, a million dollar policy often costs less per month than your internet bill. We will help you run the exact math for your household.
How long should the term be?
Your term length should match the years your family is financially vulnerable. You do not need life insurance forever. You need it until you are self-insured, meaning your house is paid off, your kids are out of college, and your retirement accounts are large enough to support your spouse.
If you have a newborn, a 20 year or 30 year term covers them until they are financially independent. If you are 50 with teenagers and 15 years left on a mortgage, a 15 year or 20 year term is likely enough. We help you align the term length with your actual financial timeline so you aren't paying for coverage you no longer need.
What affects your price
Term life insurance premiums are based on risk. The insurance company looks at the likelihood that they will have to pay out the death benefit during your term.
The primary factors are your age, your current health, your tobacco use, the amount of coverage you are buying, and the length of the term. A 30 year old non-smoker in excellent health will pay significantly less than a 50 year old smoker.
Because price rises with age, the strongest argument for buying term life insurance is to do it now. Every year you wait, the coverage gets more expensive. Lock in a rate while you are young and healthy.
Who it's for
Parents, anyone with a mortgage or debts, a single income household, or anyone whose family relies on their paycheck.
Common mistakes
- Waiting. Putting it off because it's uncomfortable to think about, then developing a health condition that makes coverage expensive or impossible to get.
- Buying whole life because it was sold to you. Paying high premiums for a permanent policy with a poor return, and ending up underinsured.
- Buying too little. Guessing at a number like $100,000 without realizing that would only replace your income for two years.
- Naming the wrong beneficiary and never updating it. Leaving the money to an ex-spouse or to a minor child, which creates legal problems, because you forgot to update your policy.
Not sure how much term life insurance you need? Start here.
See my optionsWhat to ask before you decide
- "Based on my salary and debts, what death benefit does my family actually need?"
- "How long should my term last to cover my youngest child through college?"
- "Do I need a medical exam for this policy?"
- "Can I convert this policy to permanent coverage later if my situation changes?"
- "Does this policy include an accelerated death benefit rider if I become terminally ill?"
- "If I lose my job, is there a grace period for premium payments?"
- "How should I structure my beneficiaries?"
Free. No obligation. No flood of calls.