08 Sep 2024

Level term life insurance

Life insurance is less complicated than it sounds, and level term life insurance is no exception.

But what is level term life insurance and how do other types of policy compare?

Find out more in our helpful guide, as we explain in detail how this type of life insurance policy can help to financially support your loved ones if you pass away.

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What is level term life insurance?

Level term life insurance is where the amount you pay and your cover stay the same during a policy term unless any changes are made to the policy. This is regardless of whether the insured person passes away on the day the policy starts or the day before the policy ends. In other words, the amount of cover is ‘level’. Legal & General Life Insurance is an example of a level term life insurance policy.

Is a level term life insurance policy right for me?

A level term life insurance policy can suit a wide range of circumstances and needs. If your loved ones would struggle to meet ongoing living costs without you, the certainty of knowing the amount of a potential payout from a life insurance policy provides peace of mind.

Taking out level term life insurance could be a financial lifeline for your family if you pass away during the policy term. A level term payout could help cover not just the mortgage, but other expenses like educational costs, household bills and children's activities, helping your family to stay in their home and maintain their lifestyle.

What are the drawbacks of level term life insurance?

While your level term life insurance comes with the possibility of a fixed cash sum payout, it’s worth bearing in mind that the amount won’t increase with inflation, so the value of the payout won’t keep pace with rising living costs.

Your life insurance policy could also form part of your estate, so could be subject to Inheritance Tax – read more about life insurance and tax.

In summary - Legal & General Life Insurance

Let's look at some features of Life Insurance from Legal & General:

Minimum age 18
Maximum age 77 (Life Insurance), or 67 (with Critical Illness Cover). Policy must end by 90th birthday (Life Insurance) or 75 (with Critical Illness Cover)
Minimum term 1 year (Life Insurance), 2 years (Critical Illness Cover)
Maximum term 50 years (Life Insurance), 50 years (with Critical Illness Cover)
Payment frequency Monthly
Percentage of applications offered on standard terms 80%

It's worth remembering that other eligibility criteria may apply, and you can read more in your Policy Summary and Policy Booklet.

Alternatives to level term life insurance

What life insurance could you consider if not level term? Decreasing Life Insurance can help protect a repayment mortgage. The amount you pay stays the same, but the level of cover reduces roughly in line with the way a repayment mortgage decreases. Decreasing life insurance can help your loved ones stay in the family home and avoid any further disruption if you were to pass away.

Level term versus decreasing life insurance

Many people will ultimately choose between level term insurance and decreasing life insurance. Here are three key facts about each type of policy to help you decide which is best:

Life insurance illustration

Level term life insurance

  • Help your family meet various ongoing living costs if you die while covered by the policy.
  • Can be used to pay off a mortgage, household bills or education costs.
  • The amount of cover stays the same during the policy term.
Decreasing life insurance

Decreasing life insurance

  • Designed to protect a repayment mortgage if you were to pass away during the policy term.
  • The amount of cover decreases roughly in line with the way a repayment mortgage decreases.
  • Could allow your loved ones to keep the family home if you were to pass away.

Should I get level term life insurance?

Every household is different, and whichever type of life insurance you take out, the important thing is that your loved ones' financial future is protected. With premiums from just £5 a month, depending on circumstances, Legal & General Life Insurance caters to a range of budgets.

Please note, life insurance doesn't have a cash value unless a valid claim is made.

Want to learn more about Life Insurance?

Lisa Redman

Lisa Redman

Senior Propositions Manager, Retail Protection

Lisa works in UK Retail Protection Proposition Development team and is responsible for identifying and assessing new product and proposition enhancements to meet customer needs, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance ensuring all required governance is completed.

More about Lisa

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