Frequently Asked Questions About Term Life Insurance
Why should I choose SelectQuote?
What companies does SelectQuote represent?
Is SelectQuote licensed in my state?
How confidential is my information?
Do you just give price quotes?
How does SelectQuote get paid?
How does SelectQuote pick the companies it represents?
How much term life insurance do I need?
What does 'guaranteed' mean when you are talking about my premium?
How long do I need protection?
Should I get coverage for my spouse?
Should I get a policy for my kids?
Can I convert my term life policy to permanent insurance?
I've had some health issues. Can I still get insurance?
How do I apply for a policy?
How do I get the best price on a policy?
How long does it take to get a policy?
Do I have to take a medical exam?
How does a monthly payment plan work?
Do I have any coverage while I'm waiting for my policy?
I already have a life insurance policy. What should I do with it?
Q. Why should I choose SelectQuote?
A. Because SelectQuote offers you advantages that other online, and traditional, insurance services don't. In 1985, we pioneered an impartial, pressure-free way to buy individually underwritten term life insurance from competing insurance companies by phone, helping customers save hundreds of dollars on their policies. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have saved millions of dollars with SelectQuote.
Accurate quotes. Thanks to our years of experience and exclusive rate-calculation technology, you get an accurate quote from our insurance companies right from the start. No surprises.
Expertise and value. Your SelectQuote licensed agent knows how to cut through insurance company red tape, saving you time and money.
Continuing service. Our VIP program keeps you current with changes in insurance rates. We monitor rates and compare them to our customers' existing coverage. If we can save you even more on your existing policy, we'll let you know.
Q. What companies does SelectQuote represent?
A. Click here to learn about the highly-rated companies we represent. Availability of companies and products varies by state.
Q. Is SelectQuote licensed in my state?
A. SelectQuote is licensed to sell life insurance in every state, with the exception of South Dakota. What's more, your personal representative is fully licensed in your state, so you'll be able to speak to an expert on your state's rules and requirements whenever you need information.
Q. How confidential is my information?
A. Completely. No one has access to your information other than SelectQuote, and, once you've chosen one of our highly rated companies, the insurer you decide to use. We never sell your name, address, or personal information. Click here to view our Privacy Policy.
Q. Do you just give price quotes?
A. No. SelectQuote handles every step of the buying process, and does it all at your convenience. Unlike some online insurance services, which simply generate leads and sell your contact information to the highest-bidding agents, we are a full-service agency that helps you throughout the process.
Q. How does SelectQuote get paid?
A. SelectQuote receives a commission from an insurance company each time a policy goes in force. We may receive additional compensation from insurers based on other factors such as premium volume placed with a particular insurer. The compensation we receive may differ depending upon the product and the insurer. SelectQuote sales representatives are compensated through a combination of base salary and production incentives reflecting customer care and sales volume. We train and instruct each sales representative to find the best priced policies matching the individual underwriting characteristics and coverage needs of our clients from the insurance companies that we represent. To ensure that you receive impartial advice and get the right coverage, we do not tell our agents the details of the insurance company compensation programs, and we do not rank or present our insurance companies or their products based on compensation. Our sales representatives' recommendations will never be influenced by any differences in commissions or other compensation offered by the different insurers we represent.
Q. How does SelectQuote pick the companies it represents?
A. SelectQuote regularly monitors the products, prices and service of highly rated insurance companies that actively compete for Term Life business placed by independent agents. Different insurance companies have different standards for their underwriting classifications. Each company can be more or less competitive depending upon such factors as policy size, age range, health factors and lifestyle. SelectQuote establishes agency relationships with a select group of insurers to have highly competitive products for a broad range of underwriting factors and to establish strong personal relationships with insurance companies' underwriting and administrative staffs to facilitate prompt and responsive service. SelectQuote uses the following consumer factors to select the insurance companies it represents:
- Competitive Pricing
- Financial stability
- Varied underwriting specializations
- Excellent claim-paying record
- Efficient operations
- Experienced personnel
Q. How much Term Life Insurance do I need?
A. Since life insurance replaces lost income if something happens to you, the proceeds from your policy should be enough to cover immediate expenses as well as to provide continuous income for your beneficiaries. Most financial planners recommend coverage that's 5 to 10 times your annual income. For example, if you make $50,000, you might consider coverage between $400,000 and $600,000. If you're younger and just starting a family, you might need as much as 15 times your income to allow for salary increases. Since individual needs vary, we recommend that you speak to one of our licensed agents to help you determine what's right for you. We also recommend you consult your attorney or financial advisor for professional legal, tax and financial planning advice.
Q. What does 'guaranteed' mean when you are talking about my premium?
A. 'Guaranteed' refers to the annual premium you pay on your policy. For example, a fully guaranteed 20-year term means that your premium is guaranteed to remain the same, or level, for a full 20 years as long as you pay the premium. The coverage, or death benefit, also remains level. The insurance company cannot cancel your policy or raise your premium for the length of the term, as long as you pay the premium. The same is true for 10-year, 15-year, 25-year, and 30-year guaranteed terms.
Some companies offer term policies that are partially guaranteed. We recommend that you consider only policies that are fully guaranteed, so that your rates cannot change for the length of your policy.
Q. How long do I need protection?
A. The number of years' coverage you need depends on several things, but the most basic consideration is how long you expect your beneficiaries to be dependent upon your income. If your spouse is your beneficiary, you should consider being covered until you plan to retire. If it's your children, you'll probably want to protect them until they're 18 or finish college. To cover a mortgage, choose a policy that will be in place for at least the length of the loan. Depending on your age, you can purchase policies guaranteed for 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years.
Q. Should I get coverage for my spouse?
A. The need for Term Life coverage applies equally to income-earning spouses, and there are strong arguments for acquiring life insurance for a partner who is not drawing an income as well. For instance, losing a stay-at-home spouse can lead to dramatically increased child-care costs, time away from work for the surviving spouse, final expenses, the settling of outstanding debts, and these are just the financial aspects of such a serious loss. The rule of thumb is to get at least 50 percent of the term life coverage for a stay-at-home spouse as for the primary breadwinner.
Q. Should I get a policy for my kids?
A. None of the companies we represent offers separate policies for children, but many do have inexpensive 'child riders'.Usually, for one flat fee applied to the parents' coverage, each of your children (current and future) can be covered for up to $25,000. Ask your personal representative about the options available in your state.
Q. Can I convert my term life policy to permanent insurance?
A. All of the term policies we sell at SelectQuote are convertible to permanent insurance, also called whole life or universal life insurance, at various times during the term of the policy. This conversion takes place without you having to take another medical exam or reapply, no matter what may have changed in your health. This option provides reassurance and flexibility should your health or insurance needs change after your original purchase through SelectQuote.
A. All of the term life policies we sell give you the option of renewing the coverage on a year-to-year basis once the initial guarantee period expires. Most importantly, the coverage is renewed without you having to take another medical exam or reapply, so you can continue your coverage even if there have been changes in your health. Premium charges will increase when the initial guarantee period expires, and can increase annually thereafter.
Q. I've had some health issues. Can I still get insurance?
A. There's a very good chance you can. SelectQuote represents many companies that specialize in insuring people with less than perfect health. Since 1985, our agents have helped hundreds of thousands of people, including cancer survivors and those with diabetes or heart disease, get the coverage they need at the best price available.
Q. How do I apply for a policy?
A. With SelectQuote, three steps are all it takes.
- Step One: Get your application started. You can call one of our personal representatives toll-free at 1-800-963-8688 and complete the process in a matter of minutes, or you can fill out our online application request form. A personal representative will then review your profile and get your application started.
- Step Two: We'll have a representative from the insurance company you've selected call you to verify your information and schedule your free medical exam.
- Step Three: Complete the short paramedic exam in your home or office, at your convenience and at no cost to you. This exam,an insurance company requirement, includes blood and urine samples and should take no more than 15-20 minutes. Of course, all information is confidential, and you will have access to the results. The medical examiner will collect your application and send it to the insurance company.
Q. How do I get the right price on the best policy for me?
A. It's easy. Simply answer all of the questions on your application honestly, complete your medical exam (at no cost to you) and promptly return any forms required by the insurance company. We'll take care of everything else.
Q. How long does it take to get a policy?
A. Typically, it takes 4-7 weeks after your application is submitted to get the policy in your hands.
Q. Do I have to take a medical exam?
A. Yes. Almost every one of our companies require applicants to take a brief paramedic exam, which includes blood and urine samples. In some cases, you may also be required to have additional tests at the request of the insurance company. The exam is at no cost to you and takes place at your home or office when it's convenient for you. It usually takes less than 20 minutes.
In most states, we also offer an express underwriting policy, which does not entail a medical exam. The cost for such coverage is somewhat higher than the cost of a comparable fully underwritten policy.
Q. How does a monthly payment plan work?
A. You can choose to pay your premium monthly rather than annually. The insurance company will establish an automatic draft linked to your checking account, and deduct the monthly premium on the date that you specify. Small service charges, approximately 3-3.5 percent of your annual premium, will be added to your payment and vary by company. Annual, semi-annual and quarterly payment modes are also available. Annual payments have the lowest 12-month charge of these alternatives.
Q. Do I have any coverage while I'm waiting for my policy?
A. Very often you do. Once your application, initial premium, and completed medical exam have been sent to the insurance company, you may be eligible for temporary conditional insurance while your policy is being approved. Terms and conditions vary by company and state, but are explained in detail on your insurance application. Your SelectQuote personal representative will explain how it works.
Q. I already have a life insurance policy. What should I do with it?
A. If you wish to replace a life insurance policy with one through SelectQuote, you should not cancel your old coverage until you have received, reviewed and accepted your new policy. Cancel your old policy after all final requirements for the new one are complete and you have received notification from the insurance company that your policy is inforce.
Please make sure to consult your legal or tax advisor. The surrender of cash value policies may involve surrender penalties and tax consequences. New policies have contestability and suicide period provisions.
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