Benjamin Smith

Most experts recommend 10–15 times your annual income, depending on dependents and debt. Some people prefer enough to cover their mortgage, final expenses, or college tuition for their children.

Many carriers offer no-medical-exam policies with instant approval, depending on age and health history. However, higher coverage amounts may still require a quick exam.

Term life covers you for a set period (like 10, 20, or 30 years) and is generally cheaper. Whole life lasts your entire lifetime and builds cash value, but has higher premiums.

Yes, many policies offer options to convert term to permanent coverage, increase coverage, or add riders for additional benefits as your needs change.

A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering costs. For example, if your deductible is $2,000, you pay the first $2,000 of covered expenses yourself.

It depends on the plan's network. Some plans restrict you to in-network providers, while others offer PPO options that allow you to see out-of-network doctors at a higher cost.

HMO plans require you to use in-network doctors and get referrals to see specialists. PPO plans offer more flexibility to see out-of-network providers without referrals but usually cost more.

You can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period or during a Special Enrollment Period if you experience qualifying life events such as marriage, birth of a child, or loss of other coverage.