Term life is the simplest type of life insurance plan. It is only good for a term or a period of time and therefore can be easily compared to renting or leasing. So while you pay your premiums to protect your beneficiaries for a term, usually 10, 15, 20 or 30 years, at the end of it if you are still alive, all the premiums you paid are gone. But term life insurance is the least expensive kind of life insurance coverage you can get to protect your loved one. It offers the most protection for the least premium.