Life Insurance

Term life, whole life, and everything in between

Understand the different types of life insurance, how much coverage you need, and how to get the best rates.

10-12x
Income coverage recommended
70%
Buy term over whole life
$30/mo
Avg term policy for 35yo

Recent Life Insurance Questions

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122
Life Insurance HotPinned

Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance - too good to be true?

Insurance agent is very excited about an IUL policy. Claims I can get stock market-like returns with no downside risk, tax-free retirement income, AND a death b…

@IULSkeptic8 months ago51answers
120
Life Insurance Hot

What is the difference between term life insurance and permanent life insurance?

I'm a first-time life insurance buyer and keep seeing 'term' and 'permanent' (sometimes called whole life or universal life). Can someone explain the fundamenta…

@FirstTimeBuyer348 months ago50answers
102
Life Insurance Hot

When does life insurance not pay out? What can void a policy?

Buying a $1M life insurance policy and want to understand what scenarios would cause the insurance company to deny a claim. I've heard about the contestability …

@ClaimDenialConcerns8 months ago43answers
97
Hot

Life insurance payout - how long does it take to receive the death benefit?

My husband passed away last month. Filed claim with his term life insurance ($750k policy). How long before I get the money? They said they're investigating - i…

@RecentlyWidowed9 months ago39answers
94
Life Insurance Hot

How much life insurance do I actually need? Rule of 10x income explained

I keep seeing different rules - 10x income, DIME formula, human life value approach. My income is $90k, mortgage is $250k, 2 kids ages 5 and 8. Which formula gi…

@CoverageCalculator8 months ago39answers
94
Hot

Life insurance after cancer - how long do I have to wait?

Had breast cancer 3 years ago. In full remission, clear scans. Can I get life insurance now or do I need to wait 5 years? What rates should I expect compared to…

@CancerSurvivor9 months ago37answers
91
Hot

Guaranteed issue life insurance - no medical exam but crazy expensive?

I'm 58 with diabetes and heart issues. Can't get regular life insurance. Guaranteed issue policy costs $280/month for only $25k coverage. Is this my only option…

@HighRiskApplicant9 months ago36answers
89
Life Insurance Hot

Life insurance medical exam - can I fail for marijuana use?

I use marijuana occasionally (recreationally, legal in my state). Applying for $500k 20-year term. The exam has a urine test. Will THC cause me to be denied? Ra…

@MarijuanaAndInsurance8 months ago35answers
88
Hot

Cash value life insurance loan - do I have to pay it back?

Have $80k cash value in whole life. Agent says I can borrow against it at 5% interest. What if I don't pay it back? Does it come out of death benefit?

@PolicyLoan9 months ago34answers
88
Hot

Can I get life insurance if I have diabetes type 2?

Type 2 diabetic, controlled with metformin. A1C is 6.8. Will I be denied life insurance? Or just pay higher rates? What companies are most lenient with diabetic…

@DiabeticAndWorried9 months ago34answers
88
Life Insurance Hot

Life insurance for seniors over 70 - what options actually exist?

My 74-year-old mother has no life insurance and wants to leave something for her grandchildren. She has some health issues (controlled diabetes, high blood pres…

@SeniorLifeInsurance748 months ago37answers
88
Life Insurance Hot

Life insurance for stay-at-home parent - how do you calculate the value?

My wife stays home with our 3 kids. Agent says she needs $500k in life insurance. But she has 'no income.' How do you calculate how much insurance a non-working…

@StayAtHomeParentCoverage8 months ago37answers
86
Hot

Whole life insurance for baby - investment or waste of money?

Grandparents want to buy $50k whole life policy for our newborn. Agent says it's great investment and locks in insurability. Sounds like expensive gift that doe…

@NewParentDebate9 months ago33answers
86
Life Insurance Hot

Life insurance riders worth paying for - which ones actually make sense?

Getting quotes and the agent is recommending several riders: waiver of premium, accelerated death benefit, long-term care rider, child rider, return of premium,…

@RiderValueAnalysis8 months ago36answers
85
Hot

Life insurance physical exam - what do they test for?

Applying for $750k term policy, need paramedical exam. What do they check? Blood test? Urine? Will they find out I smoke occasionally? Can I get denied after ex…

@ExamNervous9 months ago33answers
84
Hot

Variable life insurance - can I really lose money?

Variable life lets me invest cash value in stocks/bonds. Agent says potential for high returns but I could lose money. Death benefit guaranteed or can that drop…

@InvestmentRisk9 months ago32answers
83
Life Insurance Hot

How to compare life insurance quotes - what numbers actually matter besides premium?

I've gotten 6 life insurance quotes ranging from $62/month to $118/month for the same coverage ($750k, 20-year term, male, 40 years old). All claim to be A-rate…

@QuoteComparisonGuide8 months ago35answers
83
Hot

Should I get life insurance on my elderly parents?

Mom is 72, dad is 75. Want to help with funeral costs. Is it too late to get affordable life insurance? Looking at final expense policies but premiums seem high…

@CaringForParents9 months ago32answers
81
Hot

Life insurance with living benefits - can I use it before I die?

Policy offers 'living benefits' that pay out if terminally ill, chronic illness, or critical illness. This sounds amazing - why doesn't everyone have this?

@LivingBenefits9 months ago31answers
81
Life Insurance Hot

Term life insurance laddering strategy - is buying multiple smaller policies smarter?

Instead of one $1M 30-year term policy, I'm considering laddering: $500k 10-year + $500k 20-year + $500k 30-year. Logic: as kids grow up and mortgage shrinks, I…

@LadderStrategy8 months ago34answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Term life vs whole life: which should I buy?

For most people (especially those under 50), term life is the better choice. You get 10-15x more coverage for the same premium. Invest the difference in a 401k or IRA.

How much life insurance do I need?

A good rule of thumb is 10-12x your annual income. Most people find they need $500K-$2M in coverage.

What disqualifies you from life insurance?

Major disqualifiers include: terminal illness, recent heart attack or stroke, certain cancers within 5 years, hazardous occupations, dangerous hobbies, and substance abuse history.

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