Guide
Term vs. permanent life insurance
What each kind is for, what it costs, and why most families start with term.
Term insurance covers a specific period—10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years—and pays the death benefit if you pass away during that window, with a flat monthly payment throughout. Once the term expires, coverage ends or renews at a significantly higher cost. It's the most affordable option for protecting a family through its highest-need years.
Permanent policies (whole life, universal life, and similar products) are meant to remain active your entire life and accumulate a cash value component inside the policy. Monthly costs are significantly higher than term for the same death benefit, and the cash value accrues slowly at first. These work well for people with indefinite obligations: a family member who will always depend on them, estate settlement needs, or plans for business continuity.
How to choose
Ask what you're protecting first, then choose the product that fits. When the obligation will eventually end—a mortgage will be paid, children will be self-sufficient—term coverage aligns perfectly with that timeline. If your protection need is truly forever, a permanent policy or a term policy that includes a conversion option may suit you better. Most carriers permit you to switch a term policy to permanent coverage during a set window without re-qualifying medically; the quotes here show whether each carrier offers that conversion choice.
What people in San Bernardino often do
A typical strategy is a 20- or 30-year term policy matched to the household's genuine financial obligations, with a reassessment whenever major life changes occur. This approach keeps monthly costs low enough to afford sufficient coverage today, which is the priority. If your circumstances truly call for lifelong protection, Susman Insurance Agency can walk you through permanent options.