Every kind of policy, explained like a human would.

Term policies cover you for a fixed window — typically 10, 20, or 30 years. If something happens during that term, your family receives the full payout. If not, the policy expires. It's the simplest and most affordable way to protect a mortgage, replace income, or cover the years your kids are at home.

• Lowest cost per dollar of coverage
• Level premiums for the full term
• Convertible to permanent in many cases

Whole life lasts as long as you do. Premiums stay level for life, and a portion of every payment builds tax-deferred cash value you can borrow against. More expensive than term, but it's a contract that never expires and grows quietly in the background.

• Lifetime guarantee
• Builds cash value you can use
• Predictable, fixed premiums

Universal life is permanent like whole life, but with adjustable premiums and death benefits. Indexed and variable variants can grow cash value tied to market performance. Powerful in the right hands — which is why I walk you through it slowly.

• Adjustable premiums and benefit
• Cash value growth potential
• Several flavors: GUL, IUL, VUL

Final expense (sometimes called burial insurance) is a small whole-life policy designed to cover end-of-life costs — funeral, medical bills, lingering debts. Most policies have no medical exam and pay quickly so families aren't waiting on funds.

• No exam, easy approval
• Coverage from $5K to $50K
• Fast payout to beneficiaries