Permanent life insurance that lasts a lifetime.
Lifelong coverage from top-rated carriers, guided by a licensed agent.
Lifelong protection that never expires.
Permanent life insurance offers lifetime coverage — a guaranteed death benefit that stays in force no matter when you pass away, plus cash value that grows year after year.
Permanent life insurance is designed to offer lifelong protection, making it a strong choice for anyone who wants coverage that won't expire as they age. Unlike term life insurance, which provides coverage for a limited period, permanent life insurance guarantees a generally tax-free death benefit that remains in place for your entire life — as long as premiums are paid. Premiums are often level and fixed, meaning they won't increase as you get older, and there's no need to re-qualify or undergo additional health screenings later in life.
In addition to the death benefit, permanent policies build tax-deferred cash value over time, which you can borrow against or withdraw if needed. This combination of protection, predictability, and financial flexibility makes permanent life insurance a valuable tool for long-term planning — especially if you're looking to leave a legacy, supplement retirement income, or ensure ongoing support for dependents. Premiums are typically higher than term, but those costs reflect the long-term stability and added value the policy provides.
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Coverage that lasts a lifetime
Four reasons permanent life is a go-to choice for lasting, guaranteed protection.
Coverage for life
Protection that never expires — your policy stays in force for your entire lifetime, as long as premiums are paid, no matter when you pass.
Guaranteed death benefit
A generally tax-free payout your beneficiaries can count on — giving your family financial certainty whenever it's needed.
Level premiums
With many permanent policies your premium is locked in and won't rise as you age — and there's no need to re-qualify later in life.
Builds cash value
Cash value grows tax-deferred — a living asset you can borrow against or draw on for college, emergencies, or retirement income.
Three simple steps to permanent coverage
No pressure and no guesswork — a dedicated licensed agent guides you the whole way.
Tell us about you
Complete a short online form in about two minutes — just the basics we need to shop for you.
Compare with an agent
A dedicated licensed agent compares top-rated carriers side by side to find your best permanent-life value and structure.
Put coverage in place
Review your options, ask questions, and lock in lifelong coverage at a premium that fits your family and budget.
Permanent life comes in several forms
“Permanent life” is a family of policies. Here are the main types — your agent will help you choose the right fit.
Whole life
The most guaranteed form of permanent coverage: fixed premiums that never rise, a guaranteed death benefit, and cash value that grows at a guaranteed rate. Set-and-forget protection when predictability matters most.
Learn about whole life →Universal life
Permanent coverage with built-in flexibility — adjustable premiums and a death benefit you can raise or lower as life changes. Typically less expensive than whole life, and can be structured with level premiums and a guaranteed death benefit.
Learn about universal life →Indexed universal life (IUL)
Cash value growth is linked to a market index like the S&P 500, with a cap on gains and a floor that guards against market losses — upside potential without direct market exposure.
Learn about IUL →Variable universal life (VUL)
Cash value is invested in market subaccounts you choose, offering the highest growth potential of any permanent policy — along with market risk and more hands-on management.
Survivorship (second-to-die)
One permanent policy covering two people, paying out after the second passing. Often used in estate planning — and usually cheaper than two individual policies.
Learn about survivorship →Final expense
A small permanent policy designed to cover funeral and end-of-life costs. Face amounts are modest, often with no medical exam, and guaranteed-issue options can't turn you down for health.
Learn about final expense →Your cash value is a living benefit
As your cash value grows, you can borrow against it with a policy loan — typically tax-advantaged and with no credit check — or take withdrawals to help fund college, home improvements, emergencies, or retirement income. Just remember that any outstanding loans or withdrawals reduce the death benefit until repaid. (General information only; how cash value, loans, and funding work depends on your policy, carrier, and how it's structured.)
Which kind of coverage is right for you?
The short version: permanent life lasts your whole life and builds cash value; term life is affordable protection for a set number of years. Many families use both. Here's how they compare.
Lifelong, guaranteed, builds value
- Coverage that lasts your entire life, as long as premiums are paid
- Guaranteed, generally tax-free death benefit no matter when you pass
- Builds tax-deferred cash value you can borrow against or withdraw
- Often level premiums with no need to re-qualify later in life
- Ideal for estate planning, leaving a legacy, or lifelong dependents
Affordable, temporary protection
- Level, low-cost premiums for a set term — usually 10, 20, or 30 years
- Maximum death benefit for the lowest initial cost
- No cash value — it's pure, straightforward protection
- Premiums jump sharply once the level term ends
- Ideal for temporary needs like a mortgage or raising kids
Prefer lower-cost, temporary coverage? Explore term life. Ready to compare the permanent options in detail? Look at whole life and universal life, or read the full guide. Not sure? Your agent will walk you through it.
Real people, top-rated carriers, no sales pressure
Permanent life coverage from the carriers you know
Easy, painless, and fast
“The people at AccuQuote were really helpful and informative. They made getting life insurance easy!”
Israel P. — Fort Pierce, FL“Responsive, informative, caring. I couldn't ask for more.”
Steven M. — Marina Del Rey, CAPermanent life insurance, answered
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Want yours answered personally? A licensed agent is one call away.
What is permanent life insurance, and how is it different from term?
Permanent life insurance covers you for your entire life — no matter when you pass — and builds cash value over time, as long as premiums are paid. Term life, by contrast, covers you for a set period (usually 10, 20, or 30 years) with lower premiums and no cash value; once the term ends, premiums rise sharply. Permanent life is often used for lifelong needs like estate planning or leaving a legacy, while term is a good fit for temporary needs. Compare term life.
What types of permanent life insurance are there?
The main types are whole life, universal life, indexed universal life (IUL), variable universal life (VUL), survivorship (second-to-die), and final expense. They differ mainly in how flexible the premiums are and how the cash value grows — from the full guarantees of whole life to the market-linked growth of IUL and VUL. A licensed agent can help you match the type to your goals.
Does permanent life insurance build cash value?
Yes. A portion of each premium goes into a cash value account that grows tax-deferred and becomes a long-term financial asset. You can borrow against it or take withdrawals to help fund college tuition, home improvements, emergencies, or retirement income. Keep in mind that any outstanding loans or withdrawals may reduce the death benefit if not repaid.
Are the premiums fixed, or will they go up over time?
With many permanent policies — whole life in particular — premiums are level and fixed, so they won't increase as you age, and you won't need to re-qualify or take additional health screenings later in life. Some flexible policies like universal life let you adjust payments within policy limits. Your agent can show you exactly how a given policy is structured before you commit.
Is permanent life insurance more expensive than term?
Generally, yes — permanent life typically costs more than term for the same death benefit, because it lasts your whole life and builds cash value. Those higher premiums reflect the long-term stability and added value the policy provides. A licensed agent can compare real quotes for both so you see the actual difference and decide what fits your budget and goals.
Can I have both term and permanent life insurance?
Absolutely. Many people combine both policy types for a balanced strategy: a term policy provides affordable, high-coverage protection for immediate needs like a mortgage or young children, while a permanent policy builds cash value and guarantees lifelong coverage. Your agent can help you structure a mix that covers today's needs and tomorrow's.
Lock in lifelong coverage today.
It takes about two minutes to start. A licensed agent handles the rest — comparing top-rated carriers to structure permanent life coverage that protects your family for life.
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