Is Term or Whole Life Insurance Better for You?

CHICAGO, January 24, 2022 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: If you're searching for a good life insurance policy, you've likely run across term life and whole life insurance. Each one has a unique set of features and benefits that make them suited for different life circumstances. Term life insurance might work best for someone who knows how long they need coverage for, while whole life insurance may be the right choice for those that need lifelong coverage for their loved ones. Let's dive deeper into a few pros and cons of term and whole life insurance to help you pick the best kind of policy for your needs.

The Advantages of Term Life Insurance 

Here are some key benefits of term life insurance:

• Premiums are cheap: Term life insurance typically comes with much more affordable premiums than whole life insurance. This can make it easier for policyholders to budget for this type of coverage.
• It's simple and flexible: Term life insurance policies are often much simpler than whole life policies because they don't come with additional features to manage, like cash value. Plus, you can choose from various term lengths. In many cases, you can get coverage from 10 year up to 30 years.

The Limitations of Term Life Insurance 

Term life insurance also has a few drawbacks to keep in mind:

• It doesn't last forever: Term life insurance doesn't last for your entire life — only its term length. Once the term is up, you'll lose your coverage.
• There is no cash value: Unlike whole life insurance policies, term life insurance has no cash value component. Your premiums only pay for your death benefit.

The Advantages of Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance offers many unique benefits, including: 

• Provides lifelong coverage: You're covered for life once you buy a whole life insurance policy, as long as you continue making premium payments. You don't have to worry about coverage expiring before you die.
• Has cash value: Whole life policies have a cash value component that builds with each monthly premium you pay. This cash value grows at a fixed interest rate and is tax-deferred, meaning you aren't taxed on the growth until you access it. Once you've built up enough cash value, you can borrow from it, withdraw from it, or even surrender the policy.

The Limitations of Whole Life Insurance 

Here are some drawbacks of whole life insurance:

• Premiums can be expensive: Whole life insurance policies are more expensive than term life insurance since they cover you for life and have a cash value component. That said, you may be able to lock in lower premiums if you purchase a plan when you're young and healthy.
• More complexity: Whole life policies offer more features, but this means you have to keep track of more things or you could run into trouble. For instance, your policy can lapse if you have an outstanding loan larger than your remaining cash value. This will cause you to lose coverage, despite paying premiums.

How to Choose Between Term and Whole Life Insurance

If you just need coverage for a specific period of time and want to keep costs minimal, a term life insurance policy might be best. For instance, you might have a newborn child and want temporary coverage until they're an independent adult. Seniors can also benefit from term life insurance since it's much cheaper than whole life insurance at an old age, and you're less likely to outlive the policy term.

But if you're willing to pay extra for the cash value component and the peace of mind that lifelong coverage provides, then a whole life policy could be the better route. People in complex financial situations, such as those with a higher net worth that have exhausted other investment options, may benefit from whole life insurance. Similarly, someone with several beneficiaries may consider whole life insurance to ensure they never lose coverage and provide for all their loved ones.

Ultimately, choosing between term and whole life insurance requires you to weigh your budget and tolerance for complexity against your coverage and wealth-building needs. Spending time finding the right policy can allow you and your loved ones to fully enjoy the benefits it offers.

Source: iQuanti, Inc.