Every type of life insurance, side by side.
Term, Whole Life, Mortgage Protection, IUL, and Final Expense — compared on cost, duration, cash value, and who each is built for. See where you fit, then let one independent advisor shop 17 top-rated U.S. carriers for your lowest price.
Five ways to protect the people you love.
- Term Life — maximum coverage
- Whole Life — lifelong certainty
- Mortgage Protection — home security
- Indexed Universal Life — be your own bank
- Final Expense — peace of mind
How the five stack up.
Tap any policy to read the full breakdown, or jump straight to a free quote. Every plan is shopped across top-rated U.S. carriers.
| Feature | Maximum CoverageTerm Life | Lifelong CertaintyWhole Life | Home SecurityMortgage Protection | Be Your Own BankIndexed Universal Life | Peace Of MindFinal Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | A temporary need — covering a mortgage, raising kids, or replacing income during your working years. | Lifelong certainty — estate planning, final wishes, or leaving a guaranteed legacy. | Keeping your family in the home if something happens to you. | Tax-advantaged growth with access to your money during your lifetime. | Covering funeral, burial, and final bills so family isn't left with the cost. |
| Coverage length | A fixed term you choose — 10, 20, or 30 years. | Your entire lifetime — coverage never expires. | Matches your loan — commonly 15 or 30 years. | Your entire lifetime, with flexible premiums. | Your entire lifetime — a smaller, permanent benefit. |
| Relative cost | Lowest — the most coverage per dollar. | Higher — designed to pay out and accumulate value. | Low to moderate — sized to your balance. | Higher — flexible funding above the cost of insurance. | Low — a modest benefit at an affordable premium. |
| Cash value | None — term policies don't build a reserve. | Guaranteed cash value that grows every year. | Typically none — built for protection, not savings. | Market-linked growth with a guaranteed 0% floor. | Builds modest cash value over time. |
| Medical exam | Often no-exam for qualifying applicants. | Varies by carrier; simplified options available. | Often no-exam for qualifying applicants. | Varies by carrier; depends on coverage amount. | No exam — simplified or guaranteed-issue options. |
| When it pays | Paid if you pass away during the term. | Guaranteed to pay out whenever you pass. | Paid if you pass away during the term. | Pays out whenever you pass, while funded. | Pays out whenever you pass. |
| Get a quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
- Best for
- A temporary need — covering a mortgage, raising kids, or replacing income during your working years.
- Coverage length
- A fixed term you choose — 10, 20, or 30 years.
- Relative cost
- Lowest — the most coverage per dollar.
- Cash value
- None — term policies don't build a reserve.
- Medical exam
- Often no-exam for qualifying applicants.
- When it pays
- Paid if you pass away during the term.
- Best for
- Lifelong certainty — estate planning, final wishes, or leaving a guaranteed legacy.
- Coverage length
- Your entire lifetime — coverage never expires.
- Relative cost
- Higher — designed to pay out and accumulate value.
- Cash value
- Guaranteed cash value that grows every year.
- Medical exam
- Varies by carrier; simplified options available.
- When it pays
- Guaranteed to pay out whenever you pass.
- Best for
- Keeping your family in the home if something happens to you.
- Coverage length
- Matches your loan — commonly 15 or 30 years.
- Relative cost
- Low to moderate — sized to your balance.
- Cash value
- Typically none — built for protection, not savings.
- Medical exam
- Often no-exam for qualifying applicants.
- When it pays
- Paid if you pass away during the term.
- Best for
- Tax-advantaged growth with access to your money during your lifetime.
- Coverage length
- Your entire lifetime, with flexible premiums.
- Relative cost
- Higher — flexible funding above the cost of insurance.
- Cash value
- Market-linked growth with a guaranteed 0% floor.
- Medical exam
- Varies by carrier; depends on coverage amount.
- When it pays
- Pays out whenever you pass, while funded.
- Best for
- Covering funeral, burial, and final bills so family isn't left with the cost.
- Coverage length
- Your entire lifetime — a smaller, permanent benefit.
- Relative cost
- Low — a modest benefit at an affordable premium.
- Cash value
- Builds modest cash value over time.
- Medical exam
- No exam — simplified or guaranteed-issue options.
- When it pays
- Pays out whenever you pass.
This comparison is for general guidance only and isn't a quote or offer of insurance. Features, availability, and pricing vary by carrier, state, and underwriting.
Answer two questions, see your match.
Still not sure which type is right? This quick picker points you to the policy that fits your goals — then takes you straight to a free, no-obligation quote. It's guidance, not a contract.
Prefer to talk it through? An independent advisor will compare top-rated U.S. carriers with you and never sell you coverage you don't need.
How long do you expect to need coverage?
There's no wrong answer — it just points us toward the right kind of policy.
You don't have to choose alone.
Most families fit more than one of these — and the right answer often blends a couple of them. In one short, no-pressure call we'll match the policy type to your real obligations and your budget, then compare carriers to find your lowest price.
Common questions
What are the main types of life insurance?+
The five most common are Term, Whole Life, Mortgage Protection, Indexed Universal Life (IUL), and Final Expense. Term is the lowest-cost coverage for a set period; the others are permanent or purpose-built. The table above compares them on cost, duration, cash value, and best fit.
Which type of life insurance is cheapest?+
Term life almost always offers the most coverage for the lowest premium, because the death benefit can expire before it pays out. Final expense is also affordable, but covers a smaller, permanent benefit aimed at funeral and burial costs.
Which policies build cash value?+
Whole Life and Indexed Universal Life (IUL) build cash value you can access during your lifetime — guaranteed for whole life, market-linked with a 0% floor for IUL. Term and most mortgage protection policies don't build cash value; final expense builds a modest amount.
How do I know which one is right for me?+
It comes down to what you're protecting and for how long. In one short call we compare top-rated U.S. carriers and weigh the tradeoffs against your budget and goals — never overselling you a policy you don't need.