Term life insurance, also called temporary insurance, covers a person against death for a limited time, the term. For example, the term might be until children are grown, or until college is paid for, or until retirement. You pay for the policy period and at the end of the term, the contract or policy expires. If no claims are made against the policy during the term, you don't receive any benefits after the policy expires, just like auto or homeowners insurance.

Term life insurance policies offer insurance protection for a specified term or period of time - typically, one, five, 10, 15, 20 or 30 years, or until a specific age (such as 65). Premiums may increase each year (annually renewable term) or remain level for a set period (level term), and the insurance is generally less expensive than permanent (cash value) life insurance.

At the end of the term period the policy may contain a provision permitting it to be renewed without a medical exam, although the premium rate probably will be higher. Some term life insurance policies include an option to convert to a permanent life insurance policy.

Term life insurance is typically purchased by individuals who need insurance coverage for a temporary period of time (e.g. mortgage coverage) - or who need a large amount of life insurance at the lowest possible cost.

Traditional term life insurance provides a death benefit only; the policies do not offer an opportunity to build cash values. A new product concept known as "return of premium term" returns at the end of the level-premium period the amount of the cumulative premiums paid, if the policy is inforce, and in some cases the contract builds cash value. This is an alternative to traditional term life and permanent insurance products.