Home › Guides › Term vs whole-of-life insurance

    Term vs whole-of-life insurance

    Two kinds of life cover that suit very different goals.

    By the Happy Wallets team·Updated June 2026·4 min read

    Term life

    Covers you for a set number of years and pays out only if you die within the term. It is the cheaper, most common choice — good for covering a mortgage or while children are young.

    Whole-of-life

    Covers you for your whole life and is guaranteed to pay out eventually, which makes it more expensive. Often used for estate planning.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which do most people need?+
    For protecting a mortgage or family during working years, term cover is usually the cost-effective fit.
    Accounts are coming soon — the site is in build