Life insurance is a serious business that people should think twice about before signing, because it is not an investment tool, nor a way to save for college when purchased for children. However, for those who understand what insurance is intended for, term life insurance versus whole life insurance is a consideration coming into play.

A whole life insurance company generally may provide a term life insurance quote to help you decided on the insurance to be purchased. Money is the critical factor between both insurance coverages. As an example, the first annual premium of a whole life insurance policy is typically much higher than the annual premium for a term life insurance.

Life insurance can be purchase for many purposes, including providing financial security for your spouse, children's education after your death, pay death expenses, donate the proceeds to a charitable organization, and so on. The top reason people usually buy life insurance is as an income replacement after death for their dependents.

Term life insurance is a life-only coverage policy, in which the benefits are obtained after your die. Therefore, if you are alive, there is no money for your beneficiaries. Whole life insurance offer death benefits but also a savings account, called "cash value, giving money back if you are alive after the signed term, cashing the policy before it occurs, or borrowing money against the policy.

Typically, if you require a life insurance quote before buy the policy, either the insurance company, financial institution or online services, provide it for free. Purchasing life insurance from a whole life insurance company may result in a more expensive plan than buying term insurance, because of the funds put into the cash value account.

In addition, the longer your policy term, the higher cash value to the name beneficiaries or the surviving insured due to the insurance money being paid and the cash value earned dividends, interests or both, for terms ranging from 1 to 30 years. However, any whole life insurance company or other institution can lock whole and term life insurance policies into the same monthly payment over the whole life of each policy.

When it comes to life insurance, many people consider whole life insurance as a type of retirement plan; however, they are more likely forced saving with high commissions and fees, including up front hidden commissions up to 100% of the first year's premium. On the other hand, premiums for term life insurance are cheaper for people in good health up to age 50 or so.

If you ask for a term life insurance quote, you will be able to notice how premiums become progressively more expensive after 50 years, although a whole life insurance company may apply higher premiums according to the insurer's age, and most companies do not sell life insurance to people over age 65.