Life insurance questions? Start here.

Life insurance comes in many shapes and sizes, but the different types of policies generally fall into two broad categories: term life insurance, which provides affordable coverage for a set number of years (commonly 10, 20, or 30), and permanent life insurance, which lasts your whole life and can build cash value — including whole life, universal life, and indexed universal life. You can learn more about how life insurance works and the types available.

The type of life insurance you should buy depends on several factors — your personal situation, your health, and your financial goals. If your needs are short- or medium-term (like replacing income while the kids are young or covering a mortgage), term life is often the best fit. If your needs are permanent (such as estate planning or final expenses), a permanent policy may make more sense. A licensed agent can walk you through the trade-offs so the choice fits your life, not a sales script.

Life insurance experts often suggest coverage of about 5 to 10 times your annual salary — but your salary isn't the only factor. Think about how much your family would need to cover final expenses, plus current and future obligations such as the mortgage, college tuition, and everyday living costs. An agent can help you size coverage to your real responsibilities rather than a rule of thumb.

Yes. You may pay a higher premium, but you can almost always get some type of life or accidental death coverage. If a serious medical condition keeps you from qualifying for traditional term life, you can apply for a policy that requires no medical exam. Options like accidental death insurance and guaranteed or simplified issue coverage exist precisely for people whose health makes a fully underwritten policy hard to get.

Temporary life insurance provides you with coverage during the application and underwriting process. Most companies let you obtain it by sending your first month's premium along with your application, so your loved ones are protected if you were to die before the policy is officially issued. Important: if you're replacing existing coverage, never drop your old policy until the new one is approved and your first premium is paid.

It isn't required, but we strongly encourage it. Making your first payment along with your application is how you obtain temporary life insurance coverage during the application and underwriting process — so you're protected while your policy is being reviewed rather than waiting until it's issued.

Yes. If you change your mind at any time during the application process, you'll receive a full refund — no questions asked. And once your policy is delivered, you have a “free look” period that continues for 10 full days, during which you can still return the policy for a refund if it isn't right for you.

The exam is conducted by a licensed paramedic or medical doctor at a time and place convenient for you — usually your home or office. It generally involves a blood test, a urine specimen, a blood pressure reading, height and weight measurements, sometimes an EKG, and a series of questions about your health history and lifestyle. The whole process typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Remember, the healthier you are, the more affordable your rate is likely to be.

After your exam, the insurer evaluates your case — this review is called underwriting. An underwriter reviews the answers on your application along with your exam results to decide whether you qualify and what you'll pay. The process generally takes about 3 to 8 weeks, depending on how much information is needed. You can speed things up by returning all delivery requirements on time and completing your medical exam as soon as possible.

Insuring your child is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to establish their financial foundation and future insurability while they're young and healthy. These policies offer up to $30,000 in coverage for children and young adults and can cost as little as $1 for the first month's premium. No medical exam is required — just answer a few yes/no medical questions and you can buy a policy over the phone. Once approved, coverage starts right away and is guaranteed for life regardless of future changes in age, health, or occupation, as long as premiums are paid. Because it's a whole life policy, it also builds cash value that could help with future expenses like education or a down payment on a home. Learn more about the range of coverage we offer.

There are four great reasons to shop online. Convenience — you get the information and advice you need from the comfort of home, any time of day. Speed — you can get a quote in under two minutes, then begin the application if you choose to move forward. Savings — online quoting lets you compare many quotes side by side to find the best value. Experience — there's no substitute for it; AccuQuote agents talk with thousands of very different customers every year and know the caveats of each carrier.

Like other online brokers, we provide low-cost term life quotes online. What makes us different is that we're not a one-and-done quoting calculator. We provide extraordinary, personalized customer service — just ask our hundreds of thousands of customers — and a commitment to share our expertise throughout your lifetime. AccuQuote also offers an array of other financial products that can be part of a family's overall financial plan. In short: real people, top-rated carriers, and no sales pressure.

A life insurance policy review is an assessment of your current financial needs and how well your existing coverage still fits them. Life changes — a new child, a new home, a raise, a divorce — and your policy may need to change too. Rates have also fallen over the years, so if you bought your policy a while ago you might be surprised how much you can save. A good rule before replacing any policy: never cancel existing coverage until the new policy is approved, paid for, and delivered.