How many term life policies can I have?

Asked by: Rollin Kihn  |  Last update: January 15, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (29 votes)

There is no limit to how many life insurance plans you can have at one time. Having more than one policy may provide the additional coverage you and your loved ones need. When deciding how much life insurance you should get, consider factors such as your income, debts, and how many dependents you have.

Can I have multiple term life insurance policies?

You can have multiple life insurance policies, as there's no limit on how many policies someone can purchase. As long as you meet an insurance company's evaluation criteria, you can buy a policy. To get started, you'll first need to complete an application, a health form, and usually a medical exam.

Can you have too much term life insurance?

There's no limit to how many policies you can own, but it is still possible to apply for too much life insurance. The total amount of benefits is what insurers will look at when they decide whether to offer a second (or third) life insurance policy.

Is there a limit to how many insurance policies you can have?

There's technically no limit on the number of life insurance policies you can have. As life changes, it may make sense to have additional policies. They can vary in the amount of death benefit, the duration of the coverage, who pays for it and the type of policy.

How many life insurance policies can you take out on yourself?

There are no legal limits as to how many life insurance policies you can own. However, be certain that the benefits you are applying for are no more than what would be reasonable for a person with your expected income level and assets.

How Much Term Insurance Do I Need?

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What not to say when applying for life insurance?

Tobacco use: Lying about smoking on a life insurance application likely constitutes a misrepresentation, even if you only smoke occasionally. Drug and alcohol use: Someone who engages in drug or alcohol misuse may omit this information.

Should I have both term and whole life insurance?

Having both at the same time can provide your beneficiaries with a large death benefit payout if something unexpected happens. Including whole life coverage also offers the potential to build a cash reserve you may withdraw from or borrow against when needed (although that could decrease your death benefit).

What is the maximum amount of term life insurance?

The maximum allowable sum assured in a term insurance policy typically depends on the policyholder's annual income. Generally, insurance providers offer a maximum sum assured that is up to 10 or 15 times the policyholder's annual income. An insurance provider generally offers their plans at different costs (premiums).

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for life insurance?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance. (Hence the name.)

How to determine which insurance is primary?

The insurance that pays first is called the primary payer. The primary payer pays up to the limits of its coverage. The insurance that pays second is called the secondary payer. The secondary payer only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn't cover.

What is the main disadvantage of term life insurance?

Cons: Drawbacks of Term Life Insurance Policies

Here are some of the key disadvantages: Temporary Coverage: Term life insurance covers a specific period (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years). Once the term ends, the policy expires, and coverage stops.

At what age should you stop paying term life insurance?

At What Age Is Life Insurance No Longer Needed? Life insurance is no longer needed for many people once they reach their 60s or 70s. At this point they have retired, their kids have grown up, and they've paid off their mortgage and other debts.

What will disqualify you from term life insurance?

Due to the added risk health problems create for insurers, some pre-existing conditions can raise your premium or even disqualify you entirely from certain types of life insurance. A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.

Can you have 3 different life insurance policies?

There is no limit to how many life insurance plans you can have at one time. Having more than one policy may provide the additional coverage you and your loved ones need. When deciding how much life insurance you should get, consider factors such as your income, debts, and how many dependents you have.

Can I cash out my life insurance policy?

You can cash out a life insurance policy. How much money you get for it will depend on the amount of cash value held in it. If you have, say $10,000 of accumulated cash value, you would be entitled to withdraw up to all of that amount (less any surrender fees). At that point, however, your policy would be terminated.

Can I have both life insurance and term insurance?

Yes, You can have multiple life insurances. But you need to disclose te existing life policy with the new insurance company. All people think, if one fails to pay another will pay the amount. But you are forgoing one thing that, if company rejects means something fishy in the claim.

What does Suze Orman say about term life insurance?

One of my key life insurance rules is this: Stick with term life insurance. Unless you have someone in your family with special needs, there is typically no need to buy whole life, or universal life, which are referred to as “permanent” policies and cost a lot more.

Why millionaires are buying life insurance?

Life insurance purchased by wealthy people and businesses is often used as a vehicle for providing liquidity, reducing financial liabilities, and reducing their tax profile.

What happens to term life insurance when you turn 80?

While some term policies could cover you past age 80, many end earlier and may cost so much that they no longer make financial sense. If your term life insurance policy is nearing its end, you may have the option to convert it to a whole life insurance policy.

What is the best age to buy term life insurance?

At what age is term insurance best? Individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 can purchase term insurance. However, as you enter your 20s, it is the ideal time to get into the insurance market and avail financial protection for your family members.

What happens if you live longer than your term life insurance?

If you die while you are insured, your beneficiaries will get the death benefit. If you outlive your term (let's hope this is the case), then typically one of two things happens: The policy will simply end, and you'll no longer owe payments or be covered, or.

What is better than term life insurance?

Whole life insurance provides many benefits compared to a term life insurance policy: it is permanent, it has a cash value component, and it offers more ways to help protect your family's finances over the long term.

When should you stop term life insurance?

For most people, a term life insurance policy should last as long as your major financial obligations, like the length of your mortgage or until your kids are old enough to support themselves financially.

What type of life insurance gives the greatest amount?

Term insurance is initially cheaper than other types of policies that offer the same amount of protection. Therefore, it gives you the greatest immediate coverage per dollar.