insurance

Life Insurance Simplified: A Guide to Your Options

David Monforton
David Monforton 4 Min Read
A young couple with a child signing papers with an insurance agent.

If you were to pass away today, could your family afford your mortgage payment and other financial obligations without your income? If the answer is no, you should consider a life insurance policy.

While the ideal time to buy a life insurance policy is when you’re young and healthy—a time when premiums are less expensive—it’s never too late to buy one. People often consider them after certain life milestones, such as marriage or the birth of a child, to help protect their loved ones’ financial future.

To help you better understand life insurance and which type might be right for you, here are some common options and how they work:

Term life insurance

This is a popular type as it usually is the least expensive option, but it only provides protection for a specified time, such as 10, 20 or 30 years. It’s typically bought in five-year increments, and can be considered similar to paying rent: It doesn’t build cash value or equity. After the term is up, the coverage will end and if you want to get another policy it will be based on your health and age at that time.

With some policies you can add options such as riders to help you customize your policy. One option with life insurance through AAA is a Return Of Premium rider, where you can get all premiums paid back (this option isn’t available on a 10-year term). Automatically included is a conversion option that allows you to convert your Term Life to a permanent policy.

Riders and endorsements on life insurance policies offer additional coverage and benefits.

Read more

Good for: If you need extra coverage for a specific period of time, such as while paying off a mortgage or when you have children at home.

Whole life insurance

Generally more expensive than Term Life, Whole Life is considered a permanent life insurance option—or a policy that doesn’t expire.

Whole Life insurance provides death benefits for covered claims as well as cash value accumulation, which you can borrow during the life of the policy. You can also use the cash value to help pay your monthly premium. You’ll need to repay any loans against your policy to ensure your death benefit isn’t reduced.

Good for: Lifelong coverage, and if you want the flexibility to use the cash value later in life.

Universal life insurance

Similar to Whole Life—it’s also a permanent life insurance option—Universal Life offers greater flexibility. You can put in a target premium or a lump sum. After your initial target premium payment, you can make additional premium payments at any time and in any amount—so you could choose to pay for the policy over several years or over your lifetime. Like Whole Life, you can borrow the cash value off your policy like a loan or use it to help pay for premium payments.

Good for: Lifelong coverage, but with flexibility in how you pay for the policy.

Annuities

Annuities are helpful as a supplement for retirement planning. An annuity produces a series of regular income payments for either a period of time or for life. It allows you to earn interest now (based on fixed rates) and pay taxes only when the earnings are distributed. If redeemed early, it’s important to know there is a surrender charge or early withdrawal penalty that can be up to 10 percent.

There are different kinds of annuities that are designed to meet different needs and stages of life.

  • Deferred annuity delays income payments until you elect to receive them. You also place money into the annuity over time—think of it as saving for retirement.
  • Immediate annuity has you contribute a lump sum to the account, and then you can start receiving benefits immediately. These work well if you’ve received a large amount of capital, such as an inheritance or winning the lottery.

Good for: Retirement saving and if you want to have guaranteed retirement income.

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Life Insurance Disclosure

This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. The Auto Club Group does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.

Life insurance underwritten and annuities offered by AAA Life Insurance Company, Livonia, Michigan. AAA Life Insurance Company is licensed in all states except NY. CA Certificate of Authority #07861. Products and their features may not be available in all states.

AAA Life and its agents do not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult your professional advisor prior to the purchase of any policy or contract.

This is a summary of product provisions and does not contain all of the benefits and exclusions. For complete terms of the insurance coverage or annuity, please contact your agent or refer to the policy/contract.

Annuities - LA

Annuities are not short-term products. During the surrender charge period, withdrawals exceeding 10% will be subject to a surrender charge that may be higher than fees associated with other types of financial products and may reduce principal. Withdrawals prior to 59½ may be subject to IRS penalties, separate from the annuity’s schedule of surrender charges.

EliteGuarantee Deferred Annuity - LAEG Contract Form Series: ICC11-4101/DA-4101 (In OR: ICC11-4101)

Platinum Bonus Annuity - LAPB Contract Form Series: ICC11-4111/DA-4111 (In OR: ICC11-4111)

Guaranteed Income Annuity - LAGI Contract Form Series: ICC14-4120/SPIA-4120 (In OR: ICC14-4120)

The payout amount you will receive is based on your individual circumstances, the options you select at the time of application and your initial premium payment.

Term Life Insurance - LT

Premiums are guaranteed. They are level for the term period and increase annually thereafter. Any sample premiums are examples only and may vary based on your personal health history and underwriting guidelines. The answers provided to the health questions are used to determine eligibility for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Product and its features may not be available in all states. Coverage ends at age 95.

If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.

ExpressTerm - LTE Policy Form Series: ICC19-1601/1601 (In OR: 1CC19-1601)

Traditional Term - LTT Policy Form Series: ICC19-1801/1801 (In OR: ICC19-1801)

Group Direct Term Policy Form Series: GT8200

Individual Direct Term Policy Form Series: ICC16-1501

Universal Life Insurance – LULG

Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.

Lifetime Universal Life Insurance - LUL Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.

Policy Form Series: ICC19-4701/4701 (In OR: ICC19-4701)

If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (7% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.

Accumulator Universal Life Insurance - LULA Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.

Policy Form Series: ICC19-3701/3701 (In OR: ICC19-3701)

If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (5% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole Life Insurance (for coverage amounts of $30,000 or more) - LWL Policy Form Series: ICC18-5601/5601 (In OR: ICC18-5601)

Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.

If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.

Rapid Issue Whole Life Insurance (for coverage amounts of $25,000 or less) - LRIWL Policy Form Series ICC20-7001/7001 (In OR: ICC20-7001)

Responses to the application will be used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify.

This Whole Life policy is referred to as graded benefit whole life insurance. If you suffer a non-accidental death within the first two years of coverage, your beneficiaries will get 100% of the base premiums you paid, plus 35%. After two years, the total amount of your coverage is paid for death due to any cause.

After the first two years of coverage, if insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.

Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance - LGIWL Policy Form Series: ICC16-6301/GWL6301 (In OR: ICC16-6301)

The maximum amount of Guaranteed Issue Whole Life insurance coverage per insured is $25,000.00. Subject to age requirements and policy limit restrictions.

This Guaranteed Issue Whole Life policy is referred to as graded benefit whole life insurance. If you suffer a non-accidental death within the first two years of coverage, your beneficiaries will get 100% of the level monthly premiums you paid, plus 30%. After two years, the total amount of your coverage is paid for death due to any cause.

If you are a California resident 65 years of age or older, we are required to advise you of the following. The sale or liquidation of any stock, bond, IRA, certificate of deposit, mutual fund, annuity, or other asset to fund the purchase of this product may have tax consequences, early withdrawal penalties, or other costs or penalties as a result of the sale or liquidation. You may wish to consult independent legal or financial advice before selling or liquidating any assets and prior to the purchase of any life or annuity products being solicited, offered for sale, or sold 

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