Guide
Term vs. permanent life insurance
What each kind is for, what it costs, and why most families start with term.
Term life pays a set death benefit if you die during the term (typically 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years) and charges a level monthly rate. After the term ends, coverage stops or renews at much higher rates. It's the most cost-effective way to buy substantial coverage during the years your family needs it most.
Permanent life (whole life, universal life and variations) stays in force your entire life and builds cash value inside the policy. Monthly premiums are significantly higher for the same death benefit, and cash value builds slowly in early years. It works well for people with needs that don't end: a dependent who'll always need support, estate planning, or business succession planning.
How to choose
Start with the need, not the product type. If your need has an end date—a mortgage being paid off, kids becoming independent—term coverage lines up perfectly. If the need is permanent, permanent coverage or a term policy with a conversion option might fit. Most carriers allow you to convert term to permanent without new medical underwriting during a window; quotes here show each carrier's conversion rules.
What people in Clovis often do
A practical strategy for most families: buy a 20- or 30-year term policy sized to your real financial obligations, and review it when major life changes happen. It keeps premiums low enough to buy adequate protection now—which is what matters. If you have needs that won't end, we can discuss permanent coverage options.