Guide
Term vs. permanent life insurance
What each kind is for, what it costs, and why most families start with term.
Term life delivers a set benefit if death occurs within 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years at a fixed rate. When years expire, protection concludes or renews at significantly higher cost. The most affordable means to secure major protection during peak family years.
Permanent life (whole life, universal life, other variants) runs for your whole life and accumulates interior cash. Monthly rates are much steeper for equivalent death benefits, and cash builds slowly initially. Best for permanent needs: forever-dependent persons, estate taxes, or ownership transitions.
How to choose
Lead with necessity, not choice. When necessity expires—debts paid, kids grown—term works perfectly. Forever-needs call for permanent options or conversion riders; the quote tool shows conversion window details by provider. Conversions to permanent don't require fresh underwriting.
What people in Mountain View often do
Most pick 20 or 30-year term keyed to actual family needs, then revisit if life shifts. This keeps monthly payments manageable for adequate limits—the real win. Permanent solutions are available through Susman Insurance Agency if forever-coverage applies.