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The Evolution Of Term Life Insurance

2009-09-17

Term life insurance has a long history in the United States. It was developed in 1759 under the Presbyterian Ministers' Fund of Philadelphia, which has undergone many incarnations and mergers in the last 250 years. It's currently known as Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. The original model of term life insurance was offered to Presbyterian Ministers and their families exclusively. Later in the 19th century, term life coverage was made more widely available due to the need to compete with other insurance corporations, which were branching out from fire and marine insurance markets. In addition, the Civil War had made it more prudent to purchase term life insurance policies.

During the 19th century, there were no regulations protecting the policy holders in the event of financial hardship. In the event of the policy holders being unable to pay for the policy, they would lose the entirety of their previous contributions to their policy. In order to relieve this risk, people took to auctioning off their policies before they became debunk. The new owner would take over payment of the policy and receive the money when the previous owner passed away. The dislike of these practices and the widespread popularity of term life coverage after the Civil War lead the state governments to create regulatory measures and insurance boards to protect policy against fraud and mishandling.

In the American insurance market, term life insurance rates have stayed relatively low due to competition. The insurance pay outs and rates have gone up in the last two hundred years, but this is due to changing monetary value. Insurance companies have also become increasingly diverse in their services and thus can afford to take more risks, including keeping the rates low. Life insurance is being purchased at a younger age, typically in the twenties, and can be offered with little risk at much lower rates. The younger age of the purchaser combined with the completive market have kept insurance rates affordable for the average American consumer.

The first term life insurance company in America was devoted to taking care of Presbyterian ministers and their families, but term life insurance has developed into an institution that takes care of average Americans and their families during their times of need. Average people are living longer, healthier lives. Purchasing life insurance is considered to be the most prudent purchase that an individual can make, particularly if the family is dependent upon this individual. The idea that life insurance is a responsible and necessary purchase has developed over time and has permeated American culture.

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