10-Year Term Life Insurance Explained-Best Rates & Companies

10-Year Term Life Insurance

If you're looking for more information on a 10-year term life insurance policy then you have come to the right place.

The 10-year level term life insurance policy is one of the most popular term lengths due to the fact it suits the needs for so many people. For a good deal of Americans, a ten year term policy provides the financial protection bridge needed until certain obligations are met.

Whether it being protecting your youngest child until they graduate high school or college, your spouse until retirement age, the mortgage until it's paid off, a business loan such as the meeting the SBA loan requirement or adhering to a divorce agreement requirement, a 10-year term policy is the ideal solution to meet numerous financial needs.


What Is A 10-Year Term Life Insurance Policy?

A 10-year level term life insurance policy is very straightforward. It simply means:

  • Premiums are fixed for 10 years
  • Coverage amount is fixed for 10 years
  • Rates can never increase regardless of changes in age or health
  • Cancel anytime without a penalty

How Does A 10-Year Term Life Insurance Policy Work?

A 10-year term life insurance policy works by locking in the rate and coverage amount for a year ten period once policy is activated. If you pass away during the 10 years, the policy will payout to your beneficiaries.


What Happens When The Term Expires?

When a 10-year level term life insurance policy expires, one of three options typically take place.

Continue The Policy

01

Most 10-year term policies allow you to continue the policy for the same coverage amount, however the premiums typically increase exponentially. The policy becomes an annual renewable term policy (ART) and the rates continue increase significantly each year thereafter. This is why the majority of people do not keep their policy after the term expires.

Convert The Policy

02

Many 10-year term life policies have a conversion option. This allows you convert the policy to a permanent policy without evidence of insurability. However, permanent policies are about 5x-10x more expensive so those that do choose to convert often lower the coverage amount to offset the significant price increase.

Let The Policy Expire

03

This is the most common option when a 10-year term policy comes to end. At this time, hopefully the objective of the policy was met, or if life insurance is still needed the insured will apply for a new policy based on their age and health at that time.

Pros & Cons for A 10-Year Term Life Policy

Pros

  • Locks in the rate and coverage amount for 10 years
  • Lowest priced term life insurance policy
  • Coverage from day one, no-waiting period
  • Can cancel anytime without a penalty

Cons

  • Ten years may not be a long enough term to adequately protect your needs
  • If you need life insurance after the 10-year term expires, the rates are going to higher since you are ten years older
  • If you need a new policy after the ten years and your health has changed, you're likely going to have to pay a much higher premium or may even be uninsurable

5 Frequently asked questions (faQ)Ten Year term policy

Is there a cash value on a 10-year term life insurance policy?

There is no cash value with a ten year term life insurance policy. It is pure life insurance protection.


What does a 10-year 'level' term life insurance policy mean?

A 10-year level term life insurance policy simply means the both the rate and premium are fixed for 10 years. If you die during the 10 year period, the policy amount will be paid to your beneficiary.


Can I cancel a 10-year term life insurance policy at anytime?

Yes, there is no penalty to cancel a 10-year term life insurance policy early. You can simply pay month-to-month or year-to-year.


Is a ten year term life insurance the least or most expensive policy?

The 10-year is least expensive term life insurance policy. The shorter the term the lower the premiums since there is a less of a chance you passing away and it's a lower risk for the insurance company.


Is a 10-year term life insurance policy worth it?

If you need financial protection for a ten year period or less, a 10-year level term life insurance policy is worth it. You are purchasing financial protection and peace of mind for pennies on the dollar.

How Much Does A 10-Year Term Life Insurance Policy Cost?

The table below is a 10-year term life insurance fixed rates by age chart for $100,000, $250,000, $500,000 and $1,000,000 of coverage.

Age

$100k

$250k

$500k

$1 Million

25

$7

$9

$13

$17

30

$7

$9

$13

$17

35

$7

$9

$13

$19

40

$8

$12

$17

$26

45

$11

$16

$27

$43

50

$14

$23

$39

$69

55

$20

$37

$67

$120

60

$29

$58

$109

$206

65

$52

$100

$188

$357

70

$85

$175

$313

$589

75

$149

$328

$631

$1,195

*Rates for a male in excellent health, non-smoker at the best health class. Date of birth 8/1.

10 Year Level Term Rates

The graphic shows the rates for a $500,000 10-year level term life insurance policy for a 50-year old male in excellent health, date of birth August 1st, 1974. Many of these companies will not require a medical exam or even instant-issue may be available.

Who Has The Best Rates for A 10-Year Term Policy?

There are more than 700 life insurance companies in the country and most of them are great insurers. To narrow it down, below are the three top life insurance companies we like for a 10-year level term insurance policy at the best health class for $1,000,000, $2,000,000 and $3,000,00 policy amounts. We chose these companies due to the fact they often have the absolute lowest rates in the country, are highly rated and many offer no-exam policies for large coverage amounts.

Company Name

$1 Million

$2 Million

$3 Million

$26

$46

$66

$26

$47

$68

$26

$47

$67

*Rates are for a 40-year old male in excellent health on a 10-year term. Many polices will not require a medical exam.


There are many other great companies for a 10-year term policy that will have the lowest rates for standard or substandard health classes. Also, other factors such as medical history, tobacco usage, family history and many more will determine which company will have the best rate for you.

Some of these insurers include: Banner Life, Protective Life, Transamerica, Penn Mutual, Prudential and Lincoln National among many others.

Price Difference On A 10-Year Term Life Policy Between Companies

Rates for the same policy, same coverage on a 10-year level term policy can vary as much as 63% or even more if you add in other factors such as height and weight and health history.

63%
Price difference on a 10-year term life policy 

*Price difference between two top A+ rated life insurance companies for a $1 million 10-year level term policy for a 50-year old male, non-smoker, 6'0'' 180 lbs in excellent health at each companies best health class.

How To Get The Best 10-Year Term Life Insurance Policy

Step 1 - Shop around

Life insurance rates on a 10-year term policy can vary as much as 63% for the same coverage between insurers. Receive quotes from at least three to four insurers or use a broker that can do the shopping for you.

Step 2 - Don't Hesitate 

Life insurance premiums increase each year as you get older. Also, changes in health could affect premiums or even insurability. Secure a policy once you know you need it, especially with the no-exam and electronic applications purchasing life insurance has never been less of a hassle.

Step 3 - Be Honest

When shopping around for a 10-year term policy it's vital to answer all the questions honestly. This will allow you to be placed with the best company from the start based on your specific underwriting profile. It will also provide peace of mind that the policy will payout in the event if you pass away.

Conclusion:

The 10-year term life insurance policy is the ideal life insurance policy for many Americans to meet their short term needs. It's most commonly used to protect a spouse and children, cover a mortgage, meet an SBA loan or divorce decree requirement or cover student loan debt.


Aside from being the least expensive term life policy, the 10- year term provides the perfect financial safety net in the event of a premature death for a ten year period or even sooner as there is no early cancellation penalty. 


Lastly, while the 10-year term policy is the least expensive term life policy, it is recommended to choose the ideal term length for your situation, 10-40 years since life insurance will never be as inexpensive is it as today as we only get older and also health issued could develop.


10-Year Term Life Insurance Cost Calculator

Compare rates instantly to see which life insurance companies will have the best prices for you. 


Instant personalized rate quotes from: Banner Life, Pacific Life, Symetra Life, Corebridge, Prudential, Lincoln Finanical, Penn Mutual, Protective Life, SBLI, Transamerica, Guardian, Cincinnati Life, Ameritas and more!

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