Vie temporaire vs vie entière : comment choisir
Prix, valeur de rachat et scénarios d’usage comparés
Term and permanent life insurance answer the same "what if I die" question with very different economics. Here is the head-to-head.
1. The price gap is huge
For the same $500k benefit, term life often costs 10-20x less than permanent. A healthy 30-year-old can get $500k of 20-year term for about $25-35/month; the same coverage as permanent runs $200-400+/month.
Term is pure protection; permanent adds a savings component (cash value) that you pay for upfront.
2. What the cash value really is
Permanent policies build cash value that grows tax-deferred. You can borrow against it or, eventually, surrender it. But in the first 10-15 years, cash value is usually far less than premiums paid.
Whole life guarantees values; universal life is more flexible but puts investment risk on you. Treating insurance as an investment should be a deliberate choice, not a default.
3. How to decide
Choose term if the goal is income replacement, mortgage protection or covering the child-raising years. Choose permanent if you have lifelong obligations (a dependent with disabilities), an estate need, or want guaranteed insurability for life.
Most advisors recommend "buy term, invest the difference" — a term policy plus a separate index fund usually beats a permanent policy for wealth building.
Questions fréquentes
Can I convert term to permanent later?＋
Most term policies include a conversion option to permanent without a medical exam during the conversion window — useful if your health changes.
Is permanent insurance a good investment?＋
Its internal returns are typically lower than a diversified index fund after fees. It shines for estate planning and guaranteed payouts, not as a growth vehicle.
What happens if I outlive the term?＋
Coverage ends (or renews at a much higher rate). That is fine if your mortgage is paid and dependents are independent — that is the point of term.