Financial loss to beneficiaries due to death of the inusured.

Policyowners pay a periodic premium and insurers pay a stipulated death benefit if the insured dies within the coverage period. Premiums are lower than for permanent insurance, and the policies have not cash value. Annually renewable policies initially carry extremely low premiums, but these premiums rise each year and can become very expensive later in life. The insurer will limit coverage up to a certain age. Level-premium term policies charge the same periodic premium through the entire contract. These contracts may cover 10, 20, 30 or even more years, though level premiums are not always guaranteed for the entire paying preiod. Many offer conversion to permanent products without new underwriting. Some also offer continuation of the policy past the term on an annually renewable basis, but often at extremely high premiums. Prospects who qualify for preferred risk classes will pay lower premiums than those in standard risk classes.

Anyone who needs life insurance only for a cetain period. For example, young families that need protection while children are young and until retirement income is saved. Business that want to cover the life of a key employee until retirement. Those who want to supplement permanent life insurance.

Anyone who may not need life insurance, such as a single person with no dependents. Someone who needs permanent insurance.

Though potentially useful at any time in life, term insurance is most often appropriate for young families that need to protect income. The younger and healthier an insuraed is, the less term insurance will cost.

Periodic Premiums