One of the biggest advantages of term life insurance is its lower initial cost in comparison to permanent insurance. With term life insurance, you are generally just paying for the death benefit, the lump sum payment your beneficiaries will receive if you die during the term of the policy. With most permanent policies, your premiums help fund the death benefit and can accumulate cash value.
Term insurance is often a good choice for people in their early family life, especially if they are on a tight budget, because it allows them to buy high levels of coverage when the need for protection is often the greatest. Term insurance is also a good option for covering needs that will disappear in time, such as paying for your children's college education.
When you reach the end of the term and realize that you still have a need for life insurance you may have the option of renewing your policy, but you may also face much higher costs since age is one of the key factors used to determine life insurance premiums.