Traditionally, buying life insurance involved steps like visiting a life insurance agent in person and waiting weeks or months for paperwork processing. But in a world where you can buy anything from clothes to cars online, many people aren’t willing to spend that kind of time getting covered. That’s why direct term life insurance exists.
So what is a direct term life insurance policy? Also known as “direct-to-consumer,” there’s no intermediary involved when you purchase direct term life insurance, meaning you purchase straight from a life insurance company or agency. Typically, you can buy direct term life insurance online or by phone. It’s an easy way to get covered when it’s convenient for you.
At Fidelity Life, our direct term options are part of our promise to make life insurance simpler, more affordable, and more convenient for families. We offer policies online or by phone that you can buy immediately, without the hassle of scheduling an in-person appointment or waiting for medical exam results.
If you’re looking for fast, affordable coverage, direct term life insurance may be the right fit. Here’s what to know as you decide whether direct term is right for you and your family.
How do direct term life insurance policies work?
Direct term is a kind of term life insurance policy, which covers you for a specific length of time (usually 10 to 30 years). If you die while the policy is active, your family receives a cash payout based on your coverage amount that they can use to cover any short- or long-term financial needs. Term life insurance is the most affordable, flexible, and straightforward type of coverage available, making it the best choice for many families.
Because of its simplicity, term life is also a good candidate for buying directly from a life insurance company, rather than working with an independent agent or other intermediary to get a life insurance quote. There are plenty of resources available for term life insurance online to help you make the right choice. Here are a few places to start:
- Learn who needs term life insurance and how the buying process works.
- Decide how much term life insurance you need with our term life calculator and on our blog.
- Get in touch with one of our agents to learn more about options for your family.
What are the advantages of direct term life insurance?
For the typical time-strapped family, direct term offers a way to gain financial security and peace of mind without the hassles that can come with buying insurance. Some of the advantages include:
- It’s convenient. Have a few minutes at 11 p.m.? Direct term is there waiting for you. Online purchasing means you can shop on your own time, from the safety and comfort of your own home.
- It’s quick. With direct term life insurance, there’s no waiting for an in-person appointment with an insurance agent. At Fidelity Life, you can buy coverage by phone or online the same day. Even better, your plan will start immediately – we offer the option to delay a medical exam up to six months or even skip it completely, in some cases.
- Help is there if you need it. You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to buying life insurance, and there’s no hard sell from an insurance salesman. But if you get stuck or have questions, you’re not alone. Fidelity Life has agents to answer questions by phone and help you make the best choice for you and your family, if you need.
Comparing direct term life insurance vs. whole life
While term life insurance provides coverage for a set period of time, whole life insurance lasts your entire lifetime. It also comes with a cash value component you can tap into while you’re living. You can buy term life or whole life directly.
Term life is much more affordable and flexible than whole life, which is why many families choose it. That said, whole life can make sense if you want lifelong coverage to leave a legacy or provide a guaranteed payout to your loved ones. To determine the best fit, consider how long you’ll need coverage, your budget for premiums, whether you’ll need access to cash from the policy during your lifetime.
| Term Life | Whole Life | |
| LENGTH OF COVERAGE | You choose a term length (10, 15, 20, 30 years) based on your needs. | Your coverage lasts your lifetime, as long as you pay your premium. |
| PREMIUM | Term life premiums are usually the most affordable, and rates stay the same for the duration of your term. | Whole life premiums are more expensive than term premiums for the same coverage. |
| MEDICAL EXAM | A medical exam is not always required. | A medical exam is usually required – but not with Fidelity Life. |
| GUARANTEED PAYOUT | Yes, a payout is guaranteed for the duration of your term as long as premiums are paid. | Yes, a payout is guaranteed for the life of your policy as long as premiums are paid. |
| CASH VALUE | A term life policy does not build a cash value, but you can invest savings on affordable premiums to grow assets. | Tax-deferred cash value grows over time, and you can use it to pay for anything you need. |
Secure your family’s future with direct term life insurance
Term life insurance is a flexible, affordable option for everyday families – and direct term life insurance makes the buying process that much easier.
Still wondering if direct term life insurance is a good choice for you?
We’re here to help. Get in touch with our team or start your quote online today.
At Fidelity Life, our goal is to make life insurance simple, affordable, and understandable for everyday families. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Each post is carefully fact-checked, reviewed, and updated regularly to ensure the information is as relevant as possible.
