Term and permanent, in plain terms
Term life covers you for a set number of years, often 10, 20, or 30. It's built for the years when people depend on your income the most, like while you're paying off a mortgage or raising kids.
Permanent life, such as whole life, is meant to last your lifetime and builds cash value over time. It costs more for the same amount of coverage, and it fits people who want lifelong protection or have longer range planning goals.
Many families use a mix of both. I'll lay out the options side by side so you can see the tradeoffs.
Life events worth a look
- Buying a home or taking on a bigger mortgage.
- Getting married.
- Welcoming a baby.
- Starting a business or signing for business debt.
- Kids heading toward college.
- Getting closer to retirement.
Estimate your coverage need
This is a quick way to get a ballpark. Fill in what you know and leave the rest blank. Nothing you type here leaves your device.
A rough starting point for a conversation, not a quote or recommendation. Coverage and pricing depend on underwriting.
Where the gaps usually hide
- Relying only on coverage through work, which may end if you leave the job.
- A policy bought years ago that hasn't kept up with a bigger mortgage or a growing family.
- Beneficiaries that were never updated after a marriage, divorce, or birth.
- A stay at home parent with no coverage, even though replacing what they do would cost a lot.
What I check in a free coverage review
I look at what you have through work and on your own, who your beneficiaries are, and how your coverage lines up with your mortgage, debts, and goals for your kids.
Then I'll let you know where you stand and what your options are, with no pressure. It takes about 30 minutes, at your home, my office on Main Street, or online.
Who this fits
Parents, homeowners with a mortgage, business owners, and anyone whose family would feel it if their paycheck stopped.