Choosing Between Term And Universal Life Insurance

Surely anyone who has been in the market to purchase a life insurance policy has run into the confusing array of plans available. The following will give you a brief summary on two of the most popular life insurance coverage choices: Choosing between term or universal life.

Term Life Insurance


The first thing to understand is that term life insurance is known as pure insurance. That means that term life is straight life insurance and does not build any cash value. You can buy this coverage for a certain amount of years, known as the term, and once the term is over you may either renew the policy for another set amount of time or simply walk away. The advantages of term life insurance is that it is the least expensive life insurance policy because it serves no other purpose other than to give your beneficiaries peace of mind knowing they are financially protected in the event of your untimely death. It is basic and to the point.

Universal Life Insurance

Universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance. Permanent life insurance policies offer death benefits and a "savings account." Unlike term life policies, permanent policies build cash value. The advantage of buying a permanent type of life insurance is that if the insured outlives the initially established term, they will be reimbursed some of--often more than--the amount set on the original premium.



In addition, universal life insurance policies are known as the flexible policy because you are allowed to vary your life insurance premium payments as well as adjust the face value of your coverage. Keep in mind that you must maintain enough premium payments so that the cash value on your account does not drop below the charges against your account. The more you put into this account the higher your cash value will be for future use. Universal life policies will have higher life insurance rates because it also serves as an investment vehicle.

Choosing Between Term and Universal Life Insurance?

There are a few things to consider when deciding to choose between term life insurance and a universal or permanent life insurance policy. For example, term life insurance is really a good choice for those who may have limited funds and not many responsibilities. Usually younger people choose term life insurance because they have a lower risk of dying in the immediate future. Younger investors feel that they can have the best of both worlds: coverage for themselves and their young families while also being able to use the money they save on cheaper insurance for other investments or assets.

While term life insurance seems to be a relatively short period solution, permanent or universal life insurance coverage is more advantageous for those who have built more assets and accumulated more money. A universal life insurance policy can be tapped into as a retirement account to allow for golden years enjoyment.


The best thing to do is contact your financial advisor for current life insurance rates on both term and universal life. Your financial advisor can also assist you in deciding which life insurance policy would best suit your current needs as well as forecast what might be needed in the future.

By: Sharon Taylor

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Sharon Taylor writes term life insurance articles and other helpful material for eQUOTE Life Insurance, providing customers with Term Life Insurance, no-obligation quotes, and other useful life insurance resource information.