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Term life insurance for your family's biggest years.

Affordable term life coverage from top-rated carriers, guided by a licensed agent.

Since 198630+ years protecting families
40+“A”-rated carriers compared
200,000+families protected
Up to 70%saved by shopping with us
What is term life insurance?

Pure, simple protection for a set period of time.

Term life is the most straightforward coverage there is — a fixed premium, a set term, and a tax-free benefit for the people you love.

Term life insurance covers you for a set number of years — typically 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35. You pay a fixed premium for the length of that term, and if you pass away during it, your beneficiaries receive a tax-free lump-sum death benefit. It's predictable, easy to understand, and built to give your loved ones financial protection when they need it most.

Because it focuses on protection alone — with no investment component — term life delivers the most coverage for the lowest cost, especially early on. That makes it ideal for young families, homeowners, and anyone who wants dependable coverage through their most financially demanding years.

Get coverage in place today
A superhero family together — protected by term life insurance from AccuQuote
Why families choose term

Maximum protection, minimum cost

Four reasons term life is the most popular way to protect a family on a budget.

Affordable

Often 5 to 10 times cheaper than permanent coverage — high protection at a low monthly premium, ideal for families on a budget.

Simple & predictable

Transparent terms and a fixed premium for the whole term — no investment component to track and no surprises.

Immediate benefit

From day one, a modest premium translates into a significant death benefit — real protection in place right away.

Income replacement

Helps cover the mortgage, everyday living expenses, debts, and college — keeping your family's plans on track.

How it works

Three simple steps to term coverage

No pressure and no guesswork — a dedicated licensed agent guides you the whole way.

1

Tell us about you

Complete a short online form in about two minutes — just the basics we need to shop for you.

2

Compare with an agent

A dedicated licensed agent compares top-rated carriers side by side to find your best term-life value.

3

Put coverage in place

Review your options, ask questions, and choose the term and amount that fit your family and budget.

Types of term life

Not all term policies work the same way

A few common variations — your agent will help you choose the right fit.

Level term

The most common choice. Your premium stays level for the whole term (often 10, 15, 20, or 30 years). Simple to understand and a smart fit for most families.

Return of premium (ROP)

Returns 100% of the premiums you paid — income-tax-free — if you outlive the term. Usually bought as a 30-year policy for a higher premium.

Decreasing (mortgage) term

The death benefit steps down over the term, often to track a shrinking mortgage balance — a lower-cost way to cover a specific debt.

Annually renewable

Renews each year with a premium that rises annually. Useful for short-term needs where you only need coverage for a little while.

No-medical-exam term

Skip the exam and answer a few health questions instead — a decision can come in minutes. Great when you want coverage in place fast.

Learn about no-exam life

Not sure which fits?

Experts suggest 5–10 times your annual salary, but the right term and amount depend on your mortgage, debts, and how long others rely on you.

Read the life insurance guide

A quick return-of-premium example

Take a $1,000,000 policy on a 30-year term bought for about $1,496 a year. Outlive the term and you'd get roughly $44,880 in premiums refunded — income-tax-free — at the end of year 30. Not a bad way to head into retirement. (Illustration only; your rate depends on age, health, and carrier.)

Term vs. permanent

Which type of coverage is right for you?

The short version: term is affordable protection for a set period; permanent lasts a lifetime and can build cash value. Here's how they compare.

Term life

Affordable protection, set period

  • Covers a fixed term — usually 10 to 35 years
  • Fixed, budget-friendly premiums throughout the term
  • Typically 5–10× cheaper than permanent coverage
  • Pure protection — no cash value or investment component
  • Ideal for income, mortgage, and raising a family
Permanent life

Lifetime coverage, builds value

  • Whole or universal life — lasts your entire lifetime
  • Guaranteed death benefit no matter when you pass
  • Can build tax-deferred cash value over time
  • Costs significantly more than term for the same benefit
  • Often used for estate planning and long-term goals

Compare the permanent options: whole life · universal life · or read the full guide. Not sure? Your agent will walk you through it.

Why families trust AccuQuote

Real people, top-rated carriers, no sales pressure

Top-rated carriers onlyWe work with A.M. Best “A”-rated insurers — brand names you trust.
30+ years in businessHelping families secure reliable, affordable coverage since 1986.
Licensed agents, unbiasedYour agent works for you — not any single insurance company.
Save up to 70%200,000+ customers have compared and saved by shopping with us.

Term coverage from the carriers you know

Lincoln Financial Group Gerber Life Insurance Transamerica Mutual of Omaha United of Omaha Royal Neighbors of America SBLI AIG Pacific Life Aetna Fidelity Life Prudential Banner Life / William Penn Protective
From our customers

Easy, painless, and fast

★★★★★

“The best and easiest way ever to purchase life insurance. I know — I was a life insurance salesman for 9 years!”

Kerry M. — Ferguson, KY
★★★★★

“My agent took the time to help my husband save money on his policy — and found a way to get me better coverage, too.”

Silvia S. — North Las Vegas, NV
Common questions

Term life insurance, answered

Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Want yours answered personally? A licensed agent is one call away.

How much term life insurance do I need?

Experts often suggest coverage of 5 to 10 times your annual salary, but salary isn't the only factor. Think about your mortgage, other debts, how many people rely on your income, and future costs like college. A licensed agent can help you land on the amount that actually fits your family.

What term length should I choose?

A good rule is to match the term to your financial obligations — for example, the length of your mortgage or the years until your children are financially independent. Common terms run 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 years.

Is the death benefit taxable?

In most cases the lump-sum death benefit paid to your beneficiaries is income-tax-free. Your own rate for the policy may vary based on your age and health.

Can I get term life without a medical exam?

Often, yes. Many carriers offer no-exam term life, where you answer a few health questions instead and can get a decision quickly — sometimes within minutes. Rates may be slightly higher than a fully underwritten policy. Learn more about no-exam coverage.

What happens when my term ends?

When the level term period ends, coverage doesn't automatically stop — but premiums typically rise sharply, so many people drop it. Depending on your policy, you may be able to renew, or convert an existing term policy to permanent coverage. It's worth reviewing your options with an agent before the term is up.

What's the difference between term and permanent life insurance?

Term life covers a set period (often 10–35 years) with fixed premiums and pure, affordable protection. Permanent coverage — whole or universal life — lasts your lifetime and can build cash value, but costs significantly more. Which is right depends on your budget, timeframe, and goals. Read the full guide or ask your agent.

Be the hero your family counts on

Lock in affordable term coverage today.

It takes about two minutes to start. A licensed agent handles the rest — comparing top-rated carriers to find term coverage that fits your budget.

No obligation · Secure & confidential · Licensed in all 50 states