Life Insurance
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What is life insurance?
Life insurance policies help provide security to either you or your beneficiaries after you pass away or after a designated period of time. With a life insurance policy from Nationwide, you can help secure your family’s financial future by paying for college, paying off a mortgage, covering any final expenses or estate taxes, and more.
Types of life insurance
There are two main types of life insurance: term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance simply covers you for a specified amount of time (10-, 20- and 30-year policies being the most common). Permanent life insurance can be broken down into three types: universal, whole and variable. You can use this tool to get a better understanding of which type of life insurance is right for you.
Common life insurance questions
Who needs life insurance?
Generally speaking, if you have dependents or are married, your family can benefit from you having a life insurance policy. Life insurance offers peace of mind by ensuring that your loved ones will be taken care of in the event of your untimely death. Plus, payouts are tax-free.
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Why should I get coverage now?
Rates tend to go up as you age. Buying a policy when you’re younger lets you lock in a lower rate.
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How much life insurance do I need?
This depends on what you want to leave when you’re gone. There are two common methods for calculating the amount of life insurance you need: lump sum and income replacement. We'll help you determine the amount of life insurance coverage you may need by calculating your expenses, your debts and your family’s future financial needs. Use a pencil, paper and this equation:
Future insurance needs – Current resources = Your life insurance needs estimate
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How much does life insurance cost?
The cost of your life insurance policy is dependent on a variety of different factors, ranging from your age, gender, location, and health.
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What is term life insurance?
“Term” refers the length of coverage that you choose. If you pass away during the term (usually 10, 20 or 30 years), your beneficiaries receive a cash payout.
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Why is term life a good option?
With term life insurance, you’re only paying for the years where the need is greatest (when your kids are younger or in college), and it is usually the most affordable type of insurance.
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Is my policy through work enough?
Life insurance through your employer is not portable, so it won’t come with you if you leave the job. Also, the amount is often not enough to meet people’s protection needs.
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What is permanent life insurance?
Permanent life insurance falls under three types of policies: whole, universal, or variable. These policies cover your entire life and usually build cash value over time, but tend to be more expensive than term life insurance.
