Life insurance is a contract with an insurance company to purchase a lump sum payment (death benefit) to be dispersed to a beneficiary when the insured dies. The primary types of life insurance are whole (permanent lifetime coverage) and term (coverage for a certain number of years).

Life insurance works by providing a death benefit if the insured dies during the policy period. Permanent life policies offer lifetime coverage; term policies cover only a certain timeframe. In all cases, the value of the death benefit is designed to exceed the cost of the policy.

Life insurance policies vary significantly in price – from a few hundred to thousands of dollars – depending on a number of factors. The type of insurance purchased, amount of the death benefit, age and health of the insured, and options or riders all factor into cost.

Life insurance is purchased to pay off debts and/or provide financial security to loved ones after death. It's often used to cover funeral costs, replace income or pay off a mortgage. If your assets at death will not cover your expenses and you wish to care for others or leave a legacy, a life insurance policy can help.