When consumers purchase whole or universal life insurance, they typically are told that if they make payments of a certain size for a certain number of years, their policies will be fully paid up, with no additional payments required for a lifetime of coverage and death benefits for their heirs.

If the life insured dies during the term, the death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary. Term insurance is typically the least expensive way to purchase a substantial death benefit on a coverage amount per premium dollar basis over a specific period of time.

Most insurance companies require that the beneficiary have an insurable interest in the life of the insured at the time of application. In other words, the named beneficiary would suffer a financial loss should death of the insured occur. An insurable interest is presumed for close family members such as spouse, children, parent, grandchild, siblin