Ask most people what life insurance is, and they’ll tell you it’s a policy you purchase that pays money to your family if you pass away. Ask them to explain key policy features, the different kinds of policies available, and how does life insurance work – and they’ll probably try to change the subject.
But if you’re looking for life insurance those things are important. This article will help answer your questions – specifically:
Each life insurance policy is different, and each state’s laws regulating insurance policies are different. Before purchasing a life insurance policy, consider consulting with a life insurance professional. It may also be a good idea to consult your legal or tax advisor. The information provided below is general guidance only and should not be relied on in connection with any specific policy.
What is a life insurance policy, and what are its key features?
A life insurance policy is an agreement between an insurance company and a person (or legal entity). Each life insurance policy is different, and each state’s laws regulating insurance policies are different. In general, most insurance policies identify the following:
The insurer: Only certain companies can provide life insurance, and state insurance departments regulate them. Before purchasing, review ratings for all life insurance companies.
The policyholder: The person or entity (such as a family trust or a business) that owns (or “holds”) the policy. The policy can insure the holder, or it can insure another person.
The insured: The person whose life is insured.
The death benefit: The amount the insurer will pay when the insured passes away.1
The beneficiaries: The people or entities that will receive the death benefit. It can all go to a single person (e.g., a surviving spouse) or it can be divided by percentage among many different people and entities (e.g., three children could each get 30% and 10% could go to a charity).
The policy length: The time period that the insurer agrees to pay a death benefit.This can be a specific term (e.g., 10 or 20 years), or it can be permanent – a policy that lasts for the life of the insured for as long as premiums are paid.
The premium: The monthly or yearly payments needed to keep the policy in effect.
The cash value: Permanent life policies, like whole life insurance, have a cash value component that builds over time2 and can be cashed out or borrowed against. A term policy has no cash value.
What are the different kinds of life insurance policies and how do they work?
There are two basic types of life insurance: Term and permanent life insurance. A term life insurance policy provides coverage for a specific period of time, typically between 10 and 30 years. It is sometimes called “pure life insurance” because unlike the permanent policy or whole life insurance, there’s no cash value component to the policy – once the term is over, there’s nothing left.
Permanent life insurance provides coverage that lasts your entire life.4 Unlike term, it’s not a “pure life insurance” product because it includes a cash value component which helps make coverage last while the insured is alive. Premiums are paid and while providing other potential financial benefits. A portion of your premium dollars grows income tax-deferred5 over time – but the entire death benefit is immediately payable from the first day you have the policy. The cash value on the other hand, may take some years to build up to a significant amount.6
There are two main types of permanent insurance: whole and universal life. Whole life insurance is simpler – the premium remains the same for life, the death benefit is guaranteed, and the cash value grows at a guaranteed rate. Universal life insurance can be less expensive, but the premiums, death benefit, and cash value growth rate can vary, making the policy more complex.7
The following chart highlights the key differences between the three types of life insurance policies.
| no | Term life insurance | Whole life insurance | Universal life insurance |
Coverage period | Limited to a specific term (typically 10-30 years) | Permanent lifetime protection | Permanent lifetime protection8 |
Builds cash value | No | Yes | Yes |
Cost for a given death benefit9 | Less expensive than whole or universal | More expensive than term | More expensive than term |
Premiums | Can vary | Typically fixed | Can vary |
Tax-free death benefit10 | Yes, typically | Yes, typically | Yes, typically |
Primary uses | Death benefit income protection and replacement | Death benefit income protection; tax-deferred asset accumulation; tax-advantaged wealth preservation and transfer | Death benefit income protection; tax-advantaged wealth preservation and transfer |
What benefits do people get from life insurance at different stages in life?
Life insurance can be a powerful tool to help protect your financial confidence – and especially the financial confidence of the people who depend on you – so most adults may want to consider it. However, before you get a policy, you should ask yourself: what type of financial protection do you need at this point in your life?
Now that you know what it is, how do you get a policy that works for your needs?
You should know one more thing about purchasing life insurance: the longer you wait to buy it, the more expensive it typically gets. Don't put things off. If you can purchase life insurance through your employer, that's a great place to start. You can get a basic level of coverage at very attractive group rates – but it may not be enough.
Life insurance is one of the most consequential financial purchases you can make – and it's worth taking the time to look into all your options to get the coverage that best fits your needs. If you have a financial professional you trust, talk to them about your needs. If not, Guardian can connect you with a financial professional who will listen to your needs, help you meet those needs within your budget and help you decide. You can also get an online quote using our term life insurance calculator.
If you are an employee, taking advantage of your benefits at work may be a smart and cost-effective way to get the financial protection you want for yourself and your family. Contact your HR department to review your benefit details and determine how much life insurance is available from the Group life insurance company selected by your employer. Your employer may provide a term life insurance policy as a benefit. Alternatively, you may opt for additional life insurance, which allows you to pay any life insurance premiums through payroll deductions.
Learn more about how to buy life insurance.
Frequently asked questions about life insurance
The cost of a policy – for a given level of death benefit – can vary greatly depending on the type of policy (i.e., term or permanent) and all the variables that can affect your life expectancy – age, weight, health, gender, lifestyle, occupation, and risk factors such as smoking.
Almost all life insurance policies have optional features called riders that can provide valuable added benefits that tailor the policy to your needs.10 For example, Guardian has riders that can help protect family assets by paying for chronic care and end-of-life needs while the insured is still alive.
Yes, certain permanent life insurance[JM1] policies have a benefit increase rider that allows you to increase the death benefit at specific intervals (e.g., every three years) without a new medical exam or evidence of insurability. Examples of permanent life insurance are whole and universal life.
