The Biggest Mistakes People Make with Term Life Insurance
Article Written By: Lauren Hoeffel
If you’re considering term life insurance, you’re already ahead of the game. Term life is one of the most affordable and straightforward ways to protect your loved ones financially. But like any financial decision, making costly mistakes is easy if you don’t know what to watch out for.
At Family Security Plan, we hear a lot of questions about term life coverage — and we’ve seen firsthand the biggest mistakes people make when shopping for it, buying it, or managing it over time. So, in the spirit of complete transparency, let’s break them down so you can make smarter choices and feel confident in your plan.
Mistake #1: Buying Too Little Coverage
One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing a death benefit that’s too low — often just enough to cover funeral costs or a year or two of income.
Here’s the reality: If your goal is to protect your family’s lifestyle, pay off significant debts (like a mortgage), or fund future goals (like college), your policy needs to reflect that.
A quick rule of thumb: Start by multiplying your annual income by 10 to 15. Then factor in significant debts, future expenses (college, childcare, etc.), and savings.
Yes, higher coverage comes with higher premiums — but a too small policy could leave your loved ones struggling. It’s better to scale back elsewhere than to ensure your family’s future.
Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong Term Length
Let’s say you buy a 10-year term policy at age 35. What happens when that term ends, and you’re 45, still raising kids, and facing much higher premiums for a new policy?
Many people get tripped up when they choose a term that seems long enough (say, 10 or 15 years) without thinking about long-term needs.
Here’s what to consider:
• How many years until your youngest child is financially independent?
• How long will your mortgage last?
• Will your spouse need financial support if you pass away?
If you’re in your 30s or 40s, a 20- or 30-year term might make more sense — even if the premium is slightly higher — to ensure coverage through your peak earning and family-supporting years.
Mistake #3: Waiting Too Long to Buy
Let’s be honest: No one wakes up excited to shop for life insurance.
But waiting — whether out of procrastination or fear — almost always backfires.
Why? Because age and health are the two most significant factors in your rate. Every year, if you delay, the cost goes up. And if you develop a medical issue, you could be denied coverage altogether or face a significant premium increase.
We’ve seen clients who could’ve locked in great rates in their 20s or 30s — but waited until their 40s or 50s, when premiums were three to four times higher.
The best time to buy life insurance is when you don’t need it yet. Because when you do, it may be too late.
Mistake #4: Letting the Policy Lapse
This one hurts the most — because it’s 100% preventable.
Many people set up term life insurance and then forget about it. The policy may quietly lapse if their credit card expires or a payment bounces. And if something happens after that? The beneficiaries get nothing.
Most insurers offer a grace period, but not forever. The missed payment could undo years of thoughtful planning.
Pro tip: Set up automatic payments and check annually to ensure everything’s in place — especially if you’ve changed banks, cards, or addresses.
Mistake #5: Relying on Work Coverage Alone
Group life insurance through your employer is a great benefit. But it shouldn’t be your only life insurance plan.
Why?
• It often covers only 1–2x your salary — far less than most families need.
• You can lose it if you leave your job, switch companies, or get laid off.
• It may not be portable or convertible to individual coverage.
Your employer plan is a nice supplement—but not a substitute for your own policy, which you fully control and which provides coverage that meets your actual needs.
Mistake #6: Not Naming the Right Beneficiaries
It’s easy to put your spouse or child down as a beneficiary and move on. But over time, things change — marriages, divorces, births, deaths.
One of the families' most painful mistakes is a policy that pays out to the wrong person because the beneficiary wasn’t updated.
Some common issues include:
• Naming a minor child directly (which may require a court-appointed guardian).
• Forgetting to update after a divorce or remarriage.
• Not naming a contingent (backup) beneficiary.
Review your beneficiaries annually. It’s a five-minute task that can prevent massive legal and emotional complications.
Mistake #7: Failing to Convert to Permanent Coverage
Term life is excellent — for a term. But what happens when your policy is about to expire?
Some term policies allow you to convert to a permanent (whole or universal) policy without a medical exam. But many people either don’t know this or wait too long and lose the option.
If your health has changed and you still need coverage, converting your term policy might be your only chance to secure permanent insurance at a reasonable rate — or at all.
That’s why it’s crucial to understand your conversion options when you first buy your policy. Ask:
• Is conversion allowed?
• When is the deadline to convert?
• What type of permanent policy is available?
If you wait until your term is nearly over — especially if you're older or have developed health concerns — it may be too late. A quick review of your policy now can save you from scrambling (and potentially going uninsured) later.
Mistake #8: Treating Life Insurance Like a Set-It-and-Forget-It Product
Many people think of life insurance as a “one and done” purchase. You buy a policy, file it away, and forget about it.
But life changes — and so should your coverage. Major milestones like marriage, buying a home, having a child, or taking on debt are signals that it’s time to review your plan.
Ask yourself:
• Has my financial responsibility increased?
• Are my dependents still the same?
• Would my current policy still cover what’s needed if I passed away tomorrow?
An annual review — even a quick one — helps ensure your coverage evolves with your life. And if you work with a trusted advisor or insurance professional, they can help you keep everything up to date with minimal hassle.
Mistake #9: Not Asking Enough Questions
Life insurance can feel confusing or overwhelming. That’s why many people just go with whatever’s easiest — the first quote they get, or whatever their friend recommends — without really understanding what they’re buying.
But this is too important of a decision to make in the dark. You deserve to feel confident and clear about your choices.
Don’t be afraid to ask:
• How does this policy actually work?
• What happens if I miss a payment?
• Can I increase my coverage later?
• What are my conversion options?
• Are there any riders or add-ons I should consider?
A reputable insurance provider will welcome your questions and answer them in plain language. If they don’t — that’s your cue to keep shopping.
The Bottom Line
Term life insurance is a powerful, cost-effective way to protect the people you love — but only if you set it up correctly and keep it up to date.
The good news? Most of these mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to look for. And now, you do.
Here’s what you can do next:
• Take stock of your current (or future) policy. Is the coverage amount still right? Does the term make sense for your stage of life?
• Review your beneficiaries to make sure they reflect your current wishes.
• Set up reminders or talk to a professional for annual policy check-ins.
• Act sooner rather than later — the younger and healthier you are, the more options you’ll have.
You don’t need to be an expert to make a smart decision. You just need to ask the right questions — and avoid the wrong assumptions.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re thinking about term life insurance — or wondering if your current plan still fits — our team at Family Security Plan is here to help.
