What insurance is sold for a specified time period with no cash value?

Asked by: Raleigh Pouros  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (30 votes)

Term life insurance Typically offers lower monthly premiums than permanent. No cash value. If your policy includes a convertibility clause, you can convert your term policy to a permanent policy within a specified time period without additional medical underwriting.

What insurance policy has no cash value?

Term life insurance

It is sometimes called “pure life insurance” because, unlike whole life insurance, the policy has no cash value. It's designed solely to give your beneficiaries a payout if you die during the term.

Which type of insurance does not build a cash value?

As a rule, term policies offer a death benefit with no savings element or cash value. Premiums are locked in for the specified period of time under the policy terms.

Which type of permanent life insurance has no cash value?

TD Term 100 and TD Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance are types of permanent life insurance plans that do not have a cash value.

Does term life insurance have cash value?

The bad news is that term life insurance has no cash value. When your policy ends, you don't receive any money. On the bright side, it's less expensive than permanent insurance. Due to the savings on premiums, you may end up ahead financially with term coverage despite the lack of a cash value.

Is there Cash Value in EVERY Life Insurance Policy?

40 related questions found

Do all life insurance policies have a cash surrender value?

Some (although not all) insurance policies do give you that option. Whole life insurance, variable life insurance and universal life insurance typically have cash value components, which means that if you surrender your policy, you may get some money back. Term life insurance policies do not offer a cash value option.

Which is better, whole life or term?

If you're on a budget and just want to provide coverage for your family, term life plans are often the most cost-effective option. On the other hand, if you're looking for lifelong protection with more investment potential, then whole life insurance may be a better choice.

Do you get money back if you outlive term life insurance?

Can you get your money back after your term life policy expires? Once your policy ends, you can't get back the premiums you paid unless you have a return of premium rider. This optional add-on lets you receive a refund of premiums if you outlive your policy term.

Which is better, whole life or universal life?

Generally, whole life is simpler and more predictable, and universal life allows for more flexibility throughout the duration of your policy. Explore Progressive's editorial standards for Answers articles to find out why you can trust the insurance information you find here.

Which is better, life or term insurance?

If you are looking for a pure life insurance plan, then a basic term insurance plan is a good option as it offers a sum assured at an affordable premium. However, if you are looking for a more comprehensive cover and/or wealth generation along with protection, then you can look at the range of life insurance plans.

What is the life insurance that pays you back?

Return of premium life insurance is a type of term life insurance that allows you to collect your premium payments if you outlive your selected term. To make this possible, this insurance plan can be more expensive.

How do adjusters determine actual cash value?

It is determined by the replacement cost of your vehicle minus depreciation, which considers things like age and wear and tear.

What are the disadvantages of universal life insurance?

Some of the drawbacks include caps on returns and no guarantees as to the premium amounts or market returns. An IUL insurance policy may be canceled if you stop paying premiums. IUL policies are generally best for those with large up-front investments who want options for a tax-free retirement.

Can I borrow money from my American income life insurance?

Can I borrow money from my American Income Life insurance? You can borrow against a whole life insurance policy with American Income Life Insurance Company. To do so, you must contact an agent directly.

Can I withdraw money from my life insurance nationwide?

Withdrawals: Policyholders can withdraw money from their cash value at any time, for any reason. This can be useful in times of financial need or for planned expenses such as a down payment on a house. However, withdrawing money from the policy will reduce the amount of money left in the death benefit.

What type of life insurance is best?

A whole life policy is generally considered the most secure form of insurance. Whole life policies have more rigid premium payment requirements than universal life policies. As long as scheduled premium payments are paid, the cash value is guaranteed to increase each year.

What are 2 disadvantages of whole life insurance?

A more complex product than term life insurance. Higher premiums than term life insurance. Could be costly if coverage lapses early.

What does Suze Orman say about universal 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.

What is the best age to buy universal life insurance?

Again, buying a Permanent or Universal life insurance policy in your 20's will allow for accumulation of considerable sums of money (lower premiums plus a cash value) and can actually save a fortune in years to come.

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.

Can you have two life insurance policies?

You can have as many life insurance policies as you like – there is no limit. Equally, there is no right answer as to how many life insurance policies you should have. The most important factor is that you have enough financial cover for your own peace of mind.

What disqualifies life insurance payout?

Life insurance proceeds can be denied. Some denials are legitimate, like in case of policy lapses, material misrepresentations, or exclusions in the form of illegal activities or war. In other cases, bad-faith insurers use elaborate methods to reject claims so they do not have to pay the proceeds.

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.)

Do you pay taxes on life insurance?

Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.