Choosing between term, whole life, and final expense
Term life is the lowest-cost way to protect a mortgage or replace income for a fixed number of years. Whole life is permanent, builds cash value, and costs considerably more per dollar of death benefit. Final expense is a small whole life policy sized for funeral and burial costs.
Because carriers underwrite health conditions differently, the same applicant can receive materially different offers. Comparing several companies is the practical way to control cost, especially with blood pressure, diabetes, or a past cardiac event in the file.