What Happens When My Term Life Insurance Policy Ends?
Most everyone is familiar with the saying, “All good things must come to an end.” It’s a modified ancient English proverb, dating back as far as 1374. Fortunately, this doesn’t apply to modern day term life insurance policies!
If you’ve recently come to the end of your term life insurance policy — congratulations! Why should you be happy about that? Because you have outlived your policy, that’s why! The best type of term life insurance is the kind you never end up using, but is there if you and your family need it.
As you may know by now, term life insurance has an ‘expiration date’ in a sense. It lasts for a specific length of time, or term period. The term period is set when you purchase the policy and typically lasts for 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.
So Now What?
Well, that depends on your life insurance needs. Even though your term period has expired, your policy may still have value to you. If you find that you still need life insurance protection at this point, you do have options for extending, converting or renewing the coverage.
Extending Your Coverage
Most term life insurance policies do not technically expire until the Insured reaches age 95. This means you can keep your existing policy in force by continuing to pay the premiums.
Pros – This option may be worthwhile if you find you need the coverage for a short period of time, say 2-3 years. Also, this may be a good choice (or your only choice) if you’ve reached age 70 or for health reasons you cannot qualify for a new policy.
Cons – The cost to keep the policy in force will increase – significantly. And it will continue to increase each year as you age.
Converting Your Coverage
Nearly all term life insurance policies issued today include a conversion option, also called an exchange option. If your policy was issued more than ten years ago, be sure to check if it includes this option.
The option allows you to convert your term life policy to a permanent life policy, typically a Universal Life (UL) policy. Most companies have select UL policies available for conversion. Some companies, such as MetLife, allow conversion to any UL policy in their portfolio.
Conversions guidelines vary by life insurance company. The most common are:
Entire Term – This allows you to convert your policy at any time during the policy term (BEFORE expiration).
Period of Time – This allows you to convert your policy for a certain period of time – say, the first five years of the policy term.
Specific Age – This allows you to convert your policy up until a specific age, typically age 70.
One of the most important things to remember about conversion is you need to begin the process before your term expires. It’s best to start looking at policies and costs at least a year in advance. This will help you keep your options open at the policy end draws near.
Pros – Clearly the biggest benefit of conversion is that you do not have to provide evidence of insurability to convert to a permanent policy, provided the coverage amount remains the same or less. In other words, you do not need to show good health as you did when you first bought your term life policy. That makes conversion the go-to option for people who need the continued coverage but have developed serious medical conditions or are otherwise not in good health.
Cons – Some life insurance companies limit the number of UL policies available for conversion. So you may not necessarily get the features you would like in a permanent policy or the best available policy. You may also have to pay more than you would for a non-eligible UL policy.
Renewing Your Coverage
Perhaps the least expensive option for keeping your life insurance coverage in force is to simply apply for a new term life policy. You can either apply with the same company utilizing their Exchange or Re-Entry provision, or you can choose a different company. There are no clear advantages to staying with the same company, as for both applications you will need to take a paramed exam and show you are in good health. We always advise people to shop around for the best rate, just as you did 10, 15 or 20 years ago.
Pros – This is often the least expensive option, especially if you are under age 60 or so.
Cons – You have to prove insurability again. If your health has deteriorated, you may lose out on the cost savings or be denied coverage altogether.
Keep these options in mind as your term life insurance policy draws to a close. Consult with your life insurance advisor and together you will make an informed choice!
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Life insurance is mainly priced by mortality tables. These tables will show the average life expectancy for your gender and age.The younger and healthier you are when you apply, the less you will pay. Being able to protect your family financially is a great peace of mind if something were to happen to you.