A term life insurance policy offers financial security for your family in the event of an untimely death. Some term insurance policies can even provide financial security due to an illness that would require the help of long-term care assistance.
With dozens of reputable insurance companies and products to consider, finding a term life insurance policy that provides financial protection to your loved ones and a policy that can offer the features and benefits that can help while you’re alive will require research.
Could a Cincinnati term life insurance policy be that perfect life insurance option to providing financial protection to your family and offer financial protection should you ever become ill and require financial aid to handle the cost of long-term care assistance?
To help answer that question, we take a detailed look into Cincinnati Life Insurance Company’s term life insurance product, Termsetter.
In our in-depth review of the Cincinnati term life insurance policy, Termsetter fully examines the most important details of the policy, including its terms, eligibility requirements, and available policy riders.
Get ready to learn more about how the policy works, along with its pros and cons, to make a well-informed decision about your term life insurance coverage choices. But first, let’s take a minute to learn about Cincinnati Life as a company.
Cincinnati Life Insurance Company
Cincinnati Life Insurance Company is headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio, and serves customers throughout the United States. In addition, the insurance company works with locally-based independent insurance agents to deliver various insurance products and financial services.
The Cincinnati Insurance Company was founded in 1950 by a group of four insurance agents. The insurance company has quickly grown, ranking No. 92 among the top 200 U.S. Life/Health Insurers groups based on 2019 admitted assists, according to the latest Best’s Review report released July 2020.
Cincinnati Life is one of four subsidiaries of the parent organization, Cincinnati Insurance Company, which also contains its property and casualty subsidiaries, all of which rank highly amongst their competitors in those lines of insurance.
Cincinnati Financial (CinFin) oversees the company’s various financial services subsidiaries.
Cincinnati Life Ratings and Reviews
The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company has high ratings from the main independent rating agencies. Here is a closer look:
- AM Best: A+ Superior
- Fitch: A+ Stable
- S&P Global Rating: A+ Strong
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+ Accredited
The company’s financial ratings give you a better sense of its ability to meet its ongoing claims-paying abilities to its customers. They are also referred to as a company’s financial strength ratings.
For example, companies with low ratings may not be able to fulfill their financial obligations, such as paying out full death benefits upon your death.
Along with the financial ratings, we have included the company’s current BBB rating. The BBB rating indicates that the company receives minimal complaints from customers.
These ratings should give you peace of mind knowing that Cincinnati Life Insurance Company will still be around to cover your life insurance policy. The life insurance company has scored extremely high with several of the leading independent rating organizations.
Cincinnati Term Life Insurance - Termsetter
Cincinnati term life insurance is offered through the plan called “Termsetter.” The Termsetter plan provides low-cost term insurance coverage in contract lengths ranging from 10 to 30 years.
Cincinnati Life Termsetter Policy Features:
- Premiums are fixed throughout the contract length
- Guaranteed level death benefit
- Multiple contract durations to choose from
- Built-in accelerated benefit rider
- Potential for accelerated non-medical underwriting
- Renewable to age 99
- Convertible to permanent coverage
As with most term life insurance products, Termsetter has minimum and maximum coverage amounts and various eligibility requirements.
The following information offers an in-depth look at the most important features of the plan.
Cincinnati Life Termsetter Overview
Policy Features: | Termsetter |
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Issue Ages: | 0-75 |
Contract Options: | Termsetter 10-Year: 0-75 Termsetter 15-Year: 0-75 Termsetter 20-Year: 0-65 Termsetter 25-Year: 0-60 Termsetter 30-Year: 0-55 |
Renewability: | Up to age 99 |
Coverage Amount: | Minimum Amount: $25,000 Maximum Amount: $1,000,000+ |
Accelerated Underwriting: (No Medical Exam) | Rapid Review Accelerated Underwriting $100,000 to $1,000,000 for ages 18-50 |
Traditional Underwriting: (Medical Exam Required) | Medical exam will be required if an applicant does not qualify for the Rapid Review accelerated underwriting program. |
Policy Riders: | Accelerated Benefit Rider Accidental Death Benefit Rider Children's Term Life Insurance Rider Disability Waiver of Premium |
Conversion Option: | Convertible to age 70 |
State Availability: | Available in all states except New York |
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Cincinnati Term Life Insurance?
Termsetter Issue Ages |
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0-75 |
Cincinnati term life insurance plans are available for almost any individual between the ages of 0 and 75. The company utilizes six different underwriting risk classes to determine an applicant’s overall level of eligibility.
- Preferred Plus
- Preferred
- Standard Plus
- Standard
- Preferred Tobacco
- Standard Tobacco
An applicant that does not meet the underwriting guidelines for any of the six traditional risk classifications may still receive coverage through a substandard rating.
Substandard ratings are generally reserved for applicants with high-risk pre-existing health conditions. While Cincinnati Life may offer life insurance coverage to certain individuals with select medical risks, the policies for substandard ratings come with higher premiums.
What Are the Available Cincinnati Term Contract Lengths?
Termsetter Contract Options |
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10, 15, 20, 25 and 30-Years |
The contract lengths range from 10 to 30 years. The maximum length depends on your age when applying:
- 10-year term: 0 to 75 years old
- 15-year term: 0 to 75 years old
- 20-year term: 0 to 65 years old
- 25-year term: 0 to 60 years old
- 30-year term: 0 to 55 years old
If you are 75 or older, you can only choose a 10-year or 15-year term. Individuals aged 55 and younger can choose any of the available term lengths.
What Are the Minimum and Maximum Coverage Amounts?
Termsetter Coverage Amounts |
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$25,000 - $99,999 (Standard Risk Class) $100,000 - $1,000,000+ (All Risk Classes) |
The minimum coverage amount depends on your underwriting class. For example, standard nonsmoker and standard smoker classifications can apply for a minimum death benefit as low as $25,000. However, all other classes require a minimum death benefit of $100,000.
Cincinnati Life does not list the maximum coverage amount but, the total amount of coverage requested must meet financial justification based on a multiplier of income.
For example, an applicant between the ages of 31-40 may apply for up to 25x their annual income, whereas an applicant between the ages of 51-60 would be limited to 15x their annual income.
Any amount of death benefit greater than $1,000,000 will result in a medical exam as it does not meet the Rapid Review accelerated underwriting guidelines.
If you are unsure of how much life insurance coverage you need, we highly recommend using our life insurance calculator, which can help you discover important factors that may need financial protection in the form of a life insurance policy. Feel free to also reach out to us for assistance.
Cincinnati Life Accelerated Non-Medical Underwriting – Rapid Review
Rapid Review Non-Medical Underwriting |
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$100,000 to $1,000,000 for ages 18-50 |
Rapid Review is a new accelerated non-medical exam underwriting process offered with Cincinnati term life insurance policies. The accelerated underwriting program is available to applicants between the ages of 15-50 and who are applying for coverage between $100,000-$1,000,000.
Rapid Review is available on all term lengths, but you must be willing to complete an electronic application that will consist of a telephone interview. Paper applications are not eligible for the program and will result in traditional medical exam underwriting.
The Rapid Review application process is simple. First, applicants will work with a licensed agent to complete an online ticket requesting an application for coverage. Then, shortly after the request has been submitted to Cincinnati Life, a licensed representative will contact the applicant to complete a 30-45 minute telephone application.
The questions cover a variety of health and financial topics, including:
- Medical history
- Prescription information
- Physician contact details
- Military history
- Occupation
- Avocations (hobbies and side jobs)
- Income
- Net worth
After the telephone application has been completed, the application will be sent to the underwriter to go through the Rapid Review process. The entire application review process generally takes 1-3 business days to determine if a non-medical approval can be made.
If the Rapid Review system determines that an applicant requires a medical exam, the rest of the application is completed using the traditional underwriting process.
At that point, the applicant will be contacted by the exam company to schedule a medical exam that is convenient with their schedule. Exams are often done at the home or workplace of the insured and are provided at no cost to the insured.
Any child life insurance applicant between the ages of 0 and 17 is not required to complete a medical exam. In addition, standard nonsmokers below the age of 61 and applying with a death benefit of $99,999 or less are also not required to take a medical exam.
What Are the Available Policy Riders?
Termsetter Policy Riders |
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Accelerated benefit rider - (Included) Accidental death benefit rider - (Extra Cost) Children’s term life insurance rider - (Extra Cost) Disability waiver of premium rider - (Extra Cost) |
Cincinnati Term Life Insurance is available with several commonly offered policy riders, including:
- Accelerated benefit rider
- Accidental death benefit rider
- Children’s term life insurance rider
- Disability waiver of premium rider
The accelerated benefit rider is available at no charge. The other optional riders include extra costs on top of your premium.
Accelerated Benefit Rider:
The accelerated benefit rider provides advanced payment of your death benefit if you are diagnosed by a physician with having a terminal illness. The death benefit is also paid if you are confined for at least 90 days in a nursing home and expected to remain in nursing home care permanently.
The maximum lifetime benefit, the total amount paid before death, is 50% of the full death benefit, up to a maximum of $250,000. The minimum benefit is $2,500. The remaining balance of your death benefit is paid to your beneficiary upon your death.
Only one advanced payment is allowed each year.
This policy rider is included at no additional cost.
Accidental Death Benefit Rider:
The accidental death benefit rider pays an additional death benefit in the event of accidental bodily injury that results in death within 120 days of the injury. It is available for applicants between the ages of 15 and 60 years old. The issue limit is $25,000 to $500,000 and cannot exceed the face amount of your policy.
This policy rider is available at an extra cost.
Children’s Term Life Insurance Rider:
The children’s term life insurance rider allows you to purchase temporary life insurance coverage for all children and legal dependents as a policy rider. The issue amounts include either $10,000 or $20,000. The annual premiums are a flat fee of $30 for $10,000 and $60 for $20,000 regardless of the number of children named on the policy.
The parent must be between the ages of 18 and 60 when the base policy is issued. In addition, the covered child must be between the ages of 15 days and 18 years.
After the child turns 25, they can convert their insurance to a separate permanent life insurance plan. The death benefit amount can be increased up to five times the death benefit of the rider, and approval is guaranteed.
For example, if you obtain a $20,000 children’s term life insurance rider, your child may convert it into a $100,000 term life insurance policy after their 25th birthday.
This policy rider is available at an extra cost.
Disability Waiver of Premium Rider:
The disability waiver of premium rider waives the premium payments if you become totally disabled. The premiums are waived starting four months after you become disabled. After that, you do not resume paying the premiums until your situation changes.
This policy rider is available at an extra cost.
Is There a Conversion Option?
Termsetter Conversion Option |
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Convertible to age 70 |
The Termsetter plan is convertible to eligible permanent life insurance products offered by Cincinnati Life Insurance Company. The conversion must occur by the end of the guaranteed term period or after your 70th birthday, whichever occurs first.
When converting a policy, you do not need to provide the insurance company with updated proof of insurability and health information. Approval is always guaranteed.
Converting a term policy to a permanent plan will cost more than the term insurance premiums, but the rates will permanently be locked in.
In addition to Cincinnati term life insurance being fully convertible to permanent coverage, the term insurance plan is also renewable up to age 99.
For example, let’s say you purchased a 20-year term insurance policy, and your monthly premium was $15 every month for exactly 20 years. After the 20th policy year, the level period contract would expire, and the insurance company would determine a new premium payment.
Paying premiums on an expired term contract is an option, but the rates will increase with each new policy anniversary year.
Cincinnati Term Life Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know more about the basic features and conditions of the Cincinnati Life Insurance Company’s Termsetter insurance, you likely have a few follow-up questions. Therefore, we have included answers to the most frequently asked questions about the term life insurance plan.
If you still have any questions after reviewing the following responses, do not hesitate to contact us so we can expand our list below.
How Do You Apply for Cincinnati Term Life Insurance?
You can submit your application electronically or by mail after filling out a paper application. Our agency can assist with the electronic application, ensuring that you get results as soon as possible. Of course, we also have paper applications readily available if you prefer.
Through the Rapid Review system, Cincinnati Life can provide an offer within three days for qualifying individuals. During the application process, you must complete a phone interview.
The interview typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes and covers personal information, medical history, occupation, and other details that impact eligibility.
Paper applications are currently not eligible for the Rapid Review accelerated non-medical underwriting program and will require full medical underwriting.
What Determines Eligibility?
Eligibility is based on several factors, including the amount of coverage you request, your age, health, and income. For example, if you choose a large death benefit, have a history of medical conditions, or are over 50, you are more likely to require a medical exam.
Not all high-risk medical conditions will result in automatically disqualify you from buying term life insurance from Cincinnati Life Insurance Company.
You must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions. Underwriters will check your medical history using the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) and run a prescribed medication report during the application process. They may also require a review of your medical history from your personal physician by requesting a copy of your medical records.
In addition to determining your overall health risk for eligibility, Cincinnati will look at other eligibility factors, such as your driving record and credit report. To verify that information, Cincinnati Life will request your MVR and soft credit check.
Your application will likely be denied if there are any inconsistencies between your medical records and the information that you supply.
When Would a Medical Exam Be Required?
Although Cincinnati Life offers a new accelerated non-medical underwriting option with their Rapid Review program, not all applicants will qualify.
Applicants that do not meet the program’s guidelines will be required to go through a traditional underwriting process that will require a medical exam.
Traditional underwriting with a medical exam will be required for any of the following:
- All applications submitted by paper
- Applicants over age 50
- Death benefit amounts over $1,000,000
- Not meeting height and weight guidelines
- Any use of tobacco in the past year (does not include smokeless tobacco, cigar, or pipe use)
Non-medical criteria ineligible for non-medical underwriting:
- Avocation or occupation that would require an additional rating
- Aviation (other than major airlines)
- Bankruptcy in past 10 years
- Certain driving violations
- Felony conviction in the past 15 years
- Previously rated or declined for life insurance
- Substance abuse, including alcohol, recreational drugs, and prescription medications
Medical criteria ineligible for non-medical underwriting:
- Bariatric or lap-band surgeries
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Cancer, except basal or squamous cell
- Cardiac surgery, including stents
- Cholesterol above 300 or with a ratio greater than 6.5
- Crohn’s disease
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy or seizures
- Heart attack
- Hepatitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney disease
- Mental impairments, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke, cerebrovascular disease, or transient ischemic attack
- Ulcerative colitis
Juveniles and adult applicants applying for coverage amounts under $99,999 will not be required to take a medical exam.
How Quickly Is Approval for Coverage?
Individuals who qualify for a non-medical exam underwriting class through the Rapid Review system may receive an approval within one to three business days.
The traditional underwriting process takes an average of 30 days. However, some applications may require a little less or more time. The longest wait time is about two months, assuming medical records are requested from a primary care physician.
Tip: If you’re looking for something faster, be sure to check out our instant decision term life insurance providers. These providers can potentially offer approval for coverage in 15 minutes.
What Happens After You Are Approved for Coverage?
If you are approved for coverage, your agent will notify you of the status update and send you the offer for term life insurance from the Cincinnati Life Insurance Company. If you accept the offer, you start making payments on the premium, and your policy becomes active.
Cincinnati Life provides flexible payment options. You can arrange monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual payments. You may also pay using several methods:
- Pre-authorized withdrawal
- Online payments
- Phone payments
- Mail a check or money order
Pre-authorized withdrawals are directly withdrawn from your savings or checking account according to the payment schedule that you select. For example, if you choose monthly payments, the premium is automatically taken from your account each month.
Is Cincinnati Term Life Insurance Affordable?
The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company offers competitive rates compared to competitors that offer similar term life insurance plans.
At one point, Cincinnati’s term life insurance rates held the top position for the cheapest term insurance option for several years. However, many term insurance providers have readjusted their own rates over time, often placing Cincinnati Life in the middle of the pack.
To give you a sample of who good their rates are, we put together the below chart representing the cost of a Termsetter 10-year policy with a death benefit of $500,000. These rates are based on the top health class of preferred plus for both males and females.
Be sure to use our online quote tool to compare Cincinnati term life insurance coverage rates versus the other top-ranking term insurance providers.
Cincinnati Term Life Insurance Rates
Male | Termsetter 10-Year | Termsetter 20-Year | Termsetter 30-Year |
---|---|---|---|
Age 30 | $17.16 | $20.68 | $33.00 |
Age 35 | $19.36 | $24.64 | $37.40 |
Age 40 | $23.76 | $33.88 | $53.68 |
Age 45 | $29.92 | $49.28 | $85.36 |
Age 50 | $41.80 | $74.36 | $143.44 |
Age 55 | $75.68 | $130.24 | $262.68 |
Age 60 | $124.52 | $225.28 | NA |
Age 65 | $230.56 | $420.64 | NA |
Age 70 | $393.80 | NA | NA |
Female | Termsetter 10-Year | Termsetter 20-Year | Termsetter 30-Year |
Age 30 | $16.28 | $17.60 | $27.72 |
Age 35 | $19.36 | $22.88 | $31.68 |
Age 40 | $22.88 | $29.92 | $44.44 |
Age 45 | $27.28 | $41.80 | $66.88 |
Age 50 | $37.84 | $62.48 | $109.56 |
Age 55 | $52.80 | $98.56 | $191.40 |
Age 60 | $79.20 | $166.76 | NA |
Age 65 | $145.64 | $311.96 | NA |
Age 70 | $280.28 | NA | NA |
*Preferred Plus Non-Nicotine underwriting classification. Monthly Male/Female premium rates current as of 07/7/2021 representing the cost of a $500,000 Cincinnati Termsetter Term life insurance policy.
What Happens After the Level Premium Ends?
After the level premium ends, you may allow the policy to lapse, renew it, or convert it to a whole life or universal life policy.
Cincinnati term life insurance plans are renewable up to age 99. However, keep in mind, that after the level premium contract period has ended, premiums will rise each year you choose to renew.
If you need coverage after your term coverage has ended and you’re in relatively good health, it will be much more affordable to re-apply for a new term contract.
Cincinnati Termsetter plans also offer a conversion benefit. The conversion allows the original term insurance contract to be switched to a permanent life insurance plan without evidence of insurability.
The option to convert must occur at the end of the guaranteed term period or the policy’s anniversary following your 70th birthday – whichever comes first. You cannot convert the term life insurance policy after the age of 70.
Is Cincinnati Term Life Insurance Better Than the Competition?
Termsetter stands out compared to the competition for several reasons. First, the Cincinnati term life insurance plans provide flexible options that appeal to a wide range of individuals. Second, no matter your budget, you can find a coverage amount that suits your specific needs.
The prices are comparable or slightly lower than most of the term life insurance products the competition offers. However, the value of the plan depends on your underwriting class and the size of the death benefit.
For example, if you are assigned the Preferred Plus classification and choose a large death benefit, you will find some of the lowest premiums on the market.
Cincinnati term life is also available with a return of premium (ROP) option, which is seldomly offered with term life insurance plans.
Does Cincinnati Life Offer Return of Premium Term Insurance Option?
Cincinnati Life is one of the few life insurance companies to offer a return of premium (ROP) term life insurance option. Termsetter ROP offers all the same features and benefits as the traditional Termsetter plans, except for available contract lengths.
Termsetter ROP is only available in contract lengths of 20, 25, and 30 years durations. If you outlive the Termsetter ROP policy, you receive a full refund of every single premium payment paid.
However, the only drawback to these plans is that you do not receive any interest for the premium payments paid, and the cost is high compared to non-rop plans offered by Cincinnati Life.
Policy Features: | Termsetter ROP |
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Issue Ages: | 18-60 |
Contract Options: | Termsetter ROP 20-Year: 18-65 Termsetter ROP 25-Year: 18-55 Termsetter ROP 30-Year: 18-50 |
Renewability: | Up to age 99 |
Coverage Amount: | Minimum Amount: $25,000 Maximum Amount: $1,000,000+ |
Accelerated Underwriting: (No Medical Exam) | Rapid Review Accelerated Underwriting $100,000 to $1,000,000 for ages 18-50 |
Traditional Underwriting: (Medical Exam Required) | Medical exam will be required if an applicant does not qualify for the Rapid Review accelerated underwriting program. |
Policy Riders: | Accelerated Benefit Rider Accidental Death Benefit Rider Children's Term Life Insurance Rider Disability Waiver of Premium |
Conversion Option: | Convertible to age 70 |
State Availability: | Available in all states except New York |
What Is Cincinnati Life Insurance Company’s Cancellation Policy?
Cincinnati Life does not publicly display its cancellation policy. Yet, all states require insurance companies to offer a 10-day to 30-day “free look” period. During this period, you can cancel your policy and receive a full refund.
After the free look period ends, you may still cancel your policy. However, the company may only refund back a portion of any paid premium for the current month, quarter, or year.
Cincinnati Life Insurance Company Customer Service
Cincinnati Life Insurance Company customer support is available during standard business hours (8 AM to 5 PM) from Monday to Friday. You can also contact customer support on Saturdays between 8 AM and 12 PM. However, customer support is only intended for existing policyholders.
All inquiries are handled through an independent insurance agent if you are applying for a life insurance policy. Your agent will address your questions and assist with the application process.
How to Get a Cincinnati Term Life Insurance Quote
You can obtain a quote right now. Our company offers Cincinnati Term Life Insurance. Rates can be viewed through our online quoter. We can also assist with the electronic online application process.
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Advantages of Cincinnati Term Life Insurance
The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company has offered insurance products for over 100 years. Choosing term life insurance from Cincinnati Life comes with many advantages:
- $25,000 minimum death benefit option
- Low premiums for most underwriting classes
- Fast approval for applications that do not require a medical exam
- Wide range of coverage options
- Flexible payment options
- Free accelerate benefit rider
Cincinnati Life offers low prices for term life insurance, especially for those who receive one of the top underwriting classifications. Preferred Plus, Preferred, and Standard Plus classifications come with extremely competitive rates that you may not get from other leading insurance companies.
The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company also offers leeway when assigning underwriting classes. For example, applicants who currently use smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco or who smoke an occasional cigar may qualify as a non-smoker, resulting in a lower premium.
Approval for coverage is fast for those who do not need to complete a medical exam. Most applicants are approved within several days when using the Rapid Review system.
You also have a wide range of coverage options. The minimum death benefit is $25,000. The maximum death benefit is not listed, but you may be able to get $5 million or more in coverage if you have sufficient income. The payment options are also flexible. You can pay monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually.
A final benefit that sets the coverage over the top is the built-in accelerated benefit rider. While most companies offer a rider that can accelerate a policyholder’s death benefit in advance due to a qualifying terminal illness, most do not include the option for permanent nursing home confinement.
The accelerated benefit rider is not long-term care insurance. However, if a policyholder is ever to be permanently confined to a nursing home while they have an active Cincinnati term life insurance policy, the death benefit can be advanced to help pay for the nursing home expenses, but there are no restrictions on how the money must be used.
Disadvantages of Cincinnati Term Life Insurance
Cincinnati term life insurance does not include any major disadvantages. Yet, you may want to pay attention to a few potential concerns:
- Individuals over the age of 75 cannot apply
- Most applicants need to take a medical exam
- Traditional underwriting takes longer compared to other companies
Unless you end up with the “standard nonsmoker” underwriting class and are applying for less than $100,000 in death benefit coverage, you are likely required to complete a medical exam.
Unfortunately, the traditional process can take longer compared to other companies. However, getting started now means that you will hear back sooner.
Conclusion – Is Cincinnati Term Life Insurance Worth it?
Cincinnati term life insurance is worth it for those who want affordable premiums from a reputable insurance company. Cincinnati Life offers some of the lowest premiums, especially for those without medical issues.
Depending on your age, you can choose from a wide range of term lengths, from 10 years to 30 years. Common policy riders are offered with the plan, including the accidental death benefit rider and the disability waiver of premium rider.
If you have no medical issues and need less than $100,000 in coverage, you may also forgo a medical exam and receive expedited approval in just a few days.
Overall, Cincinnati term life insurance is a recommended option. It is available from a reputable company and should come with reasonable premiums.