Renewable Term Life Insurance

A renewable term is a clause in many term life insurance contracts that lets you extend coverage without buying a new policy.

Term life insurance guarantees a death benefit to your beneficiary for a set time, such as 10, 20 or 30 years.

If you pass away during this time, your beneficiary receives money from the life insurance company. If you die after the term ends, your beneficiary receives nothing.

When you first sign up for life insurance, you can include a renewable term clause to the contract.

This added protection will likely result in higher premiums when compared to a nonrenewable term life insurance contract.

Renewability offers significant advantages to policyholders. By allowing the continuation of existing coverage without the need for a new medical examination or re-qualification, policyholders can seamlessly maintain their insurance protection. This feature ensures uninterrupted security and peace of mind for both the insured individual and their loved ones.

It’s important to note, however, that renewing may result in an increase in life insurance costs based on your current age and other factors.

Insurance companies often limit premium hikes, but the new price is usually more expensive than your previous rate.

Renewable term life insurance can be beneficial if you need short-term coverage for a debt or other financial obligations that may be difficult to plan for.

A renewable term clause allows you to extend coverage even if your health has declined.

Insurers usually compensate for this increased risk by raising your premiums. The policy’s death benefit will remain unchanged.

You can’t be turned down for coverage if your contract includes a renewable term clause. Many policies let you keep renewing your coverage, although your premiums will likely increase each year.

A renewable term clause is different than an annual renewable term policy, which offers an initial one-year contract and the option to extend annually. You can renew each year up to a certain age.

These policies offer guaranteed insurability for a certain time, along with a level death benefit.

Annual renewable term premiums are reassessed each year, and you’re likely to pay more as you age.

Finally, a renewable term differs from convertible term life insurance. This option allows you to convert your current coverage into permanent life insurance, which never expires.

Renewable term life insurance may be attractive to many people — especially if you still have financial obligations when your insurance expires, such as a mortgage or dependent children.

Many experts agree that renewable terms can be beneficial as short-term coverage solutions.

For example, if you only have three years left on your mortgage, you may consider extending your life insurance coverage for three more years.

But if you think you need coverage for five years or more and you are relatively healthy, it may be cheaper to purchase a new level term life policy.

You may face higher premiums now that you’re older, but purchasing a shorter term — such as 10 or 15 years instead of 30 — can help save money.

Another option is converting to a permanent life insurance policy. Your rates will increase but you won’t need to take a new medical exam.

However, if you’re still in good health, it might be cheaper to get quotes for a new permanent life policy from other insurers.