Whole life insurance guarantees payment of a death benefit to beneficiaries in exchange for level, regularly-due premium payments. The policy includes a savings portion, called the “cash value,” alongside the death benefit. In the savings component, interest may accumulate on a tax-deferred basis.

Universal life policies work in a similar way to other permanent policies. In exchange for premiums, you typically get lifelong coverage and your beneficiaries receive a payout when you die. You also have the opportunity to build cash value and take out loans while you're still alive.

How term life insurance works: The basics. A term life insurance policy is the simplest, purest form of life insurance : You pay a premium for a period of time – typically between 10 and 30 years – and if you die during that time a cash benefit is paid to your family (or anyone else you name as your beneficiary).

Apply and Buy Life Insurance Online Today With AAA Life's ExpressTerm Life Insurance, you can apply for life insurance online. Those that qualify can receive coverage in as little as 10 minutes, but if more information is needed, a quick medical exam can be completed at a time and place that is convenient for you.