What Is Term Life Insurance?

Canadians often begin to consider their options for life insurance coverage when they buy a home, get married, or have their first child. Major life events such as these make us realize there might come a time when we need the financial protection that life insurance offers.

Term life insurance provides protection that is cost-effective and easy to understand. As part of a complete and thorough financial plan, term life insurance ensures that your family can rely on your insurance plan’s financial security if something happens to you.

Key takeaways

Term life insurance is a type of coverage with a limited term, typically 10 to 40 years.
Term life insurance is an affordable and accessible kind of protection that often costs less than a whole life insurance plan and does not usually require a medical exam (depending on your age and the amount you’re applying for).
Often, term life insurance plans can be renewed (at a higher premium) for as long as you require coverage, or they can be converted into permanent life insurance.
Term life insurance policies do not have a cash value or pay dividends on invested premiums.

What is term life insurance?

Term life insurance offers coverage for a specific amount of time (a “term”), often between 10 and 40 years. It’s available to people between the ages of 18 and 70 years and is an affordable and easy-to-understand kind of insurance plan. With term life insurance, you pay a monthly or annual premium for your chosen term. Should you you pass away during the term, your beneficiary will receive a death benefit payout.

When your term ends, your coverage will be automatically renewed at a higher premium until you cancel the policy. Once you cancel your policy, your beneficiaries are no longer eligible to receive the death benefit.

Because each individual is unique, term life insurance can be customized to best suit your coverage needs. The cost is based on factors including your age, sex, health, lifestyle, smoking status, the coverage amount, and the length of the term you select. Often, term life insurance will not require you to undergo a medical exam to qualify for a policy, depending on your age and the policy amount you’re applying for.

How does term life insurance work?

Term life insurance works by purchasing a policy for a set term—such as 10, 20, or 30 years— that gives you coverage ranging from $50,000 to $25 million, depending on your needs and your budget. You pay monthly or yearly premiums, and as long as you continue to pay those, your coverage will remain in place during that period. Should you die during your term, a death benefit will be paid out to your named beneficiary/beneficiaries. If no beneficiary/beneficiaries are named on your policy, the death benefit will become part of your estate.

At the end of your term, your policy will be renewed (at a higher cost due to your increase in age), but you may have the option to convert all or part of your term life insurance policy into whole life insurance. It’s wise to speak with a licensed life insurance advisor to understand what policy options best meet your needs.

When does term life insurance coverage end?

Your term life insurance coverage can end:

On the date of your death.
On the day you submit a request, in writing, to cancel your policy.
On the day you stop paying your premiums.

How much does term life insurance cost?

The cost of term life insurance is unique to each individual. Factors such as your age, sex, health and lifestyle, smoking status, chosen term length, and the amount you choose to be insured for all contribute to determining the cost of your policy. You can customize your plan to fit your specific needs. For example, you may choose to be covered until your children reach adulthood, or you might purchase coverage for as long as you plan to be paying off your mortgage. Once you’ve decided on a plan, your monthly or annual payments, depending on your insurer, will remain the same over the course of your term. Upon renewal, payments increase, according to your age, and are then once again guaranteed for the length of the new term.

How is term life insurance different from permanent life insurance?

Term life insurance offers flexible coverage periods that provide protection for specific terms, typically between 10 and 40 years. Permanent life insurance is insurance for when, not if, you die. It covers you for your entire lifetime and pays a death benefit to your beneficiary or beneficiaries at the time of your death.

Some permanent life insurance policies come with an investment feature that aims to increase your plan’s cash value and an opportunity to earn dividends. Though these policies have a guaranteed cash value component and a chance to earn dividends, the dividends are not guaranteed.

Read our term life insurance versus permanent life insurance article to learn more about the differences between the two.

Advantages and disadvantages of term life insurance

Your unique needs and goals will help determine which type of life insurance is right for you and your loved ones. Term life insurance comes with a list of appealing advantages. However, it’s wise to consider the disadvantages, too.

Advantages of term life insurance

It’s affordable: Term life insurance is generally less costly than whole life insurance. This is because your coverage period is tied to a specific, limited time period, and your policy does not include a cash value component.
It’s easy to understand: Because there’s no investment component, term life insurance plans are straightforward and simplified.
It offers flexibility: Terms can be anything from 10 to 40 years of coverage to provide protection that best suits your needs.
It can be convertible: Your term life insurance policy can be converted to a permanent policy without providing updated medical information.
Guaranteed renewal: At the end of your policy, your term life insurance is guaranteed to be renewed, as laid out in your policy schedule. The length of the renewal can vary between insurers and policies, and there is usually no requirement for additional medical information.

Disadvantages of term life insurance

The policies don’t have a cash value: Because premiums are applied directly to your coverage, there’s no additional cash value for investment or balance to borrow against.
Renewing can be costly: Term life insurance is guaranteed to be renewed at the end of your policy term. The renewed premium will increase with your age, and any renewed premium increases will be laid out in your policy schedule.

Who is term life insurance for?

Term life insurance policies are designed to provide temporary coverage that meets the needs of those seeking protection for a defined, limited amount of time. It’s also for people not planning to use their life insurance policy as an investment vehicle. This kind of life insurance is a great choice if:

Your spouse or your child depends on you financially.
You want to take advantage of a lower rate, while you’re still young and healthy.
You have debts that need to be paid off in the event of your death.

How to choose the term life insurance policy that’s best for you

If you’re ready to select a term life insurance policy, make sure you choose an insurance provider that offers:

A reputation for stability and trustworthiness.
Experienced advisors who are available to schedule a conversation with you and advise you on your specific needs.
An online application option for those who don’t have time or aren’t able to visit an insurance provider’s location.

How much term life insurance do I need?

The amount of term life insurance you need depends on your specific circumstances. If you’re trying to calculate the right amount of coverage, consider:

Your current financial obligations.
The financial needs of your dependents, including support for housing and post-secondary education.
Additional life insurance or financial products you may already have (for example, through your employer).

Consulting with a qualified life insurance advisor can help you determine the right coverage.

How do I get a term life insurance quote?

There’s no standard, one-size-fits-all price, since your unique situation will determine the amount of your term life insurance policy quote. You can access RBC Insurance’s online Life Insurance Calculator for an estimate or speak to a qualified advisor to get your personalized quote.

Term life insurance FAQ

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about term life insurance policies.

Is there a cash value in term life insurance?

With a term life insurance plan, you pay lower premiums that go directly toward your coverage. There is no cash value. Only the higher premiums paid into a participating whole life insurance plan offer a cash value and the additional value that stems from investment dividends.

Can I borrow money from my term life insurance?

Because there is no cash value or investment component tied to term life insurance policies, you cannot borrow against your insurance.

What if I live beyond my term?

Once your initial term ends, you can renew (at a higher premium, due to your increased age) or convert your policy to a permanent life insurance plan. If you live beyond your term without renewing, your beneficiary or beneficiaries will not receive the death benefit payout.

How much does term life insurance cost?

Your unique circumstances (for example, your age, sex, lifestyle, income, coverage amount, and health status) will determine the cost of your plan. Try our Life Insurance Calculator for insight into how much term life insurance coverage you may need and how much your personalized plan will cost.

Do I need a medical exam for term life insurance?

Depending on your term life insurance policy, a medical exam may not be required. Your insurer will have the right to request additional medical information based on the answers you provide in your policy application.

Can I switch my term life insurance policy to a whole life insurance policy?

Some term life insurance policies can be converted into whole life insurance policies, depending on the term life insurance policy you select and your contract with your insurance company. RBC Insurance term life insurance policies do offer this choice. Ask your insurance advisor for guidance if you’re interested in this option.

Your financial situation is unique to you and your family. Connecting with a licensed insurance advisor can help you ask the right questions and develop a personalized plan that will ensure you make the best choice.

*Home and auto insurance products are distributed by RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. and underwritten by Aviva General Insurance Company. In Quebec, RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. Is registered as a damage insurance agency. As a result of government-run auto insurance plans, auto insurance is not available through RBC Insurance in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.

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