Life insurance basics
How much coverage you need, whether you need a medical exam, how taxes work, getting covered with health conditions, and finding a lost policy.
Final expense & burial
For adults roughly 45 to 85 who want funeral costs and final bills covered, with simple health questions instead of a medical exam.
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Guides
What Is Indexed Universal Life Insurance? Caps, Floors and Fees
Indexed universal life (IUL) insurance is permanent life insurance with a cash value that earns interest based on a stock market index, limited by a cap on gains and a floor, often 0%, on losses. Because caps, participation rates and policy charges can change, the growth shown in a sales illustration is not guaranteed.
Editorial Team · September 30, 2026
Life Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions: What to Expect
Many people with health conditions can still buy life insurance, but the condition usually affects which policies you qualify for and what you pay. Insurers review your answers, prescription history, and MIB records, and if a fully underwritten policy isn't available, simplified issue, group, or guaranteed issue coverage may be options.
Editorial Team · September 30, 2026
No Medical Exam Life Insurance: How It Works and What It Costs
You can buy life insurance without a medical exam through simplified issue, accelerated underwriting, or guaranteed issue policies. Skipping the exam usually means answering health questions, having your records checked, or accepting a smaller policy with a waiting period, so the right type depends on your health.
Editorial Team · September 30, 2026
Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Cost, Cash Value, Who Each Fits
Term life insurance covers you for a set period, such as 10 or 20 years, and usually costs far less for the same death benefit. Whole life insurance covers you for life and builds cash value, but its premiums are much higher, so it fits people with lifelong needs like final expenses or an inheritance.
Editorial Team · September 30, 2026
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need? DIME, Income Rules, and More
Most people need enough life insurance to pay off debts, replace their income for the years their family depends on it, and cover final expenses, minus savings and other coverage. Quick rules of thumb, like the NAIC's mention of five to eight times income, are a starting point, but adding up your real costs gives a better number.
Editorial Team · September 30, 2026
How to Find a Lost Life Insurance Policy: 7 Places to Look
To find a lost life insurance policy, submit a free search through the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator, then check state unclaimed property databases and the person's bank, mail, employer and VA records. None of these searches cost money, so be wary of anyone charging a fee to look.
Editorial Team · September 30, 2026
Is Life Insurance Taxable? Death Benefits, Estates & Cash Value
In most cases, no: the IRS says life insurance proceeds paid to a beneficiary because the insured died are not taxable income. Taxes can apply to interest on the payout, to very large estates above the federal exemption ($15 million for deaths in 2026), to policies that were sold, and to cash value you take out beyond what you paid in.
Editorial Team · September 30, 2026
Common questions
How much life insurance do I need?
A common starting point is enough to cover debts, final expenses, and several years of income your family relies on, minus savings and existing coverage. A calculator or licensed agent can help you size it for your situation.
See final expense optionsIs a life insurance payout taxable?
In most cases, death benefits paid to a beneficiary are not subject to federal income tax. Interest earned on delayed or installment payouts can be taxable, and large estates may face estate tax.
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