My term life insurance is ending soon. Can I renew it, turn it into a permanent policy, or will the price go way up?

Life insuranceBuying a policyTexasChecked Nov 7, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-07 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · What is term life insurance? View original ↗

In short

A term policy ends at the end of its term unless you extend it.
Look for "renew" and "convert" in your policy now.
Conversion is often allowed only until about age 65.

What this means

A term policy pays only if you die during the term. It ends at the end of the term unless you pay to extend it [1]. The premium stays the same during the term. If you renew, it goes up, because the new price is based on your age when you renew [2]. A national regulators' guide says most term policies can be renewed, even if your health has changed, but premiums may be higher each time [3][4].

Some policies let you convert. That means you trade the term policy for a permanent one without a medical exam or health questions. Converting raises your premium, and companies usually allow it only until about age 65 [5]. Renewal lets you extend for more terms without a medical exam [6].

Most companies sell term coverage only up to a certain age, usually 70 or 80 [7]. Some of these sources are from Texas, and rules in your state may differ.

Your next step

Find the end date of your term on your policy page. Before that date, ask the insurer in writing for the renewal price and the last day you can convert. Companies usually allow conversion only until about age 65 [5]. The sources give no general deadline for your own policy.

Check it yourself

Open your policy and read the renewal and conversion parts. Check the age limit and the last date to convert. Some of these sources are from Texas, and rules in your state may differ. What your own renewal price will be is not in these sources — "Don't know yet".

Where this comes from (7)

[1] Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · What is term life insurance? · checked 2026-11-07
Term life policies pay a lump sum, called a death benefit, to your beneficiaries if you die during the policy’s term. The policy ends at the end of the term, unless you pay to extend it.
[2] Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · What is term life insurance? · checked 2026-11-07
Premiums will stay the same for the entire term. They’ll go up if you renew at the end of the term. This is because your new premium will be based on your age when you renew, not when you originally bought the policy.
[3] National Association of Insurance Commissioners · Life Insurance consumer page · Term Insurance · checked 2026-11-07
You can renew most term insurance policies for one or more terms, even if your health has changed.
[4] National Association of Insurance Commissioners · Life Insurance consumer page · Term Insurance · checked 2026-11-07
Each time you renew the policy for a new term, premiums may be higher.
[5] Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · Key features of term life policies · checked 2026-11-07
Convertibility lets you exchange your term policy for a permanent life policy without having to take a medical exam or answer questions about your health. This can be helpful if your health gets worse after you buy a term policy. Converting a policy will raise your premiums. Companies usually allow you to convert term life policies only for a time, typically until you turn 65.
[6] Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · Key features of term life policies · checked 2026-11-07
Renewability lets you extend your policy for additional terms, regardless of your health and without having to take a medical exam.
[7] Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · What is term life insurance? · checked 2026-11-07
Most companies offer term life insurance only up to a certain age, usually 70 or 80.

How we found this

We matched your question to 7 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-07.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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