If someone depends on your income — a spouse, kids, a mortgage in McCormick Ranch, a business partner — a term life policy is the simple version of “they are not scrambling if I die during the years it would hurt most.”
It is not an investment pitch. It is a death benefit for a set term. We will not dress it up.
Call or text (480) 860-0860 to talk through term life. Neal Insurance Agency · 10601 N Hayden Rd, Ste 112, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm · weekends by appointment
What term life is
You pick:
- A death benefit (the amount paid if you die while the policy is in force)
- A term (commonly 10, 15, 20, or 30 years — what is available depends on age and the company)
- A beneficiary
If you die during the term, the claim pays per the contract. If you outlive the term, it ends unless you convert or replace it under rules we will explain before you buy. There is no mystery cash-value story on a straight term policy.
Permanent life (whole life, universal, etc.) is a different product. Some people need it. A lot of Scottsdale households who call us need income replacement and mortgage coverage first. That is term.
We will not invent illustrated rates or “you can get $X for $Y a month” in this post. Age, health, nicotine, amount, and term drive the price. The application has to be true.
Who usually needs the conversation
- Anyone with a mortgage and another person in the house
- Parents of kids who are not yet independent
- Dual-income households that could not keep the Scottsdale or Paradise Valley payment on one salary
- Owners of a small business who also need key-person or buy-sell funding (sometimes term, sometimes not)
- People who have group life at work and think 1× salary is enough (it often is not, and it leaves when you leave the job)
If you are single, no debt, no dependents, you may still want a small policy for final expenses. Say what you are trying to solve. We will not invent a need you do not have.
Colby came through the mortgage and real estate world before running this agency. The “how many years are left on the loan” question is a normal starting point. It is not the only one. Childcare, college years, and a spouse who would stay in the house all change the number.
How much and how long
A crude starting sketch:
- Mortgage + a few years of income + any debts you do not want left behind.
- Term that lasts until the youngest is independent, or until the loan is mostly gone — whichever is the real risk.
Some people stack a 20-year and a 10-year instead of one huge 30-year. That is a design choice, not a trick.
Do not buy a number because a calculator on a national website said “10 times income.” Bring your payment, your daycare reality, and who would keep the house.
If we already insure the home and cars, we already know part of the picture: Scottsdale home insurance, Scottsdale auto insurance.
Underwriting — what we will ask
Term life is medically underwritten more often than auto.
Expect questions about:
- Age, height, weight
- Nicotine and marijuana (be honest)
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer history
- Driving record (DUI matters)
- Hazardous work or hobbies
- Other life insurance in force
- Income and net worth at higher face amounts
Some amounts and ages can use accelerated / simplified underwriting. Some need labs. We will not promise “no exam” until we see the case.
Lying on a life application is how a claim gets contested. Tell us the ugly parts in this office, not after a funeral.
How this agency handles life
We are a Farmers Insurance agency. Colby Neal is a third-generation Farmers agent. Farmers / Farmers Life is the first conversation.
If the case is not a Farmers fit, we will say so and talk about what we can actually place. We also shop property and auto in other markets when needed (Kraft Lake names such as Liberty Mutual, Travelers, Progressive, National General, Mercury, Branch, Stillwater, Foremost, Steadily, Pacific Specialty). Life is more company-specific. The phone call is where we sort it.
Amanda runs the agency. Dani handles a lot of the service file. Jordan works with us on new business. English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Licensed in Arizona, California, Oklahoma, and Texas. If you live in Scottsdale and your spouse is still on a California policy, bring both stories.
Term vs the rest of the file
Life does not replace:
- Disability insurance (paycheck if you live and cannot work)
- Scottsdale umbrella insurance (liability while you are alive)
- Business continuation planning on the commercial side (Scottsdale commercial insurance)
If you have a partner and a shop, we may need a business conversation and a personal term conversation. Different applications.
What to have ready
- Date of birth and a rough health picture
- Nicotine status
- Amount and term you are thinking about — or “I have a $___ mortgage and kids age ___”
- Beneficiary names
- Any existing group or individual life
- Whether you want a quote on your spouse the same day
No medical records required for the first call.
Call or text (480) 860-0860. We will not send you to an online “check my price” button as the primary step. Term life is a conversation, then an application.
10601 N Hayden Rd, Ste 112, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Weekdays 8:30am–5:30pm, weekends by appointment.
If a client or neighbor sends someone who places a policy, ask about our $25 referral reward.
FAQ
Is term life cheaper than whole life? For a pure death benefit over a set period, term is usually the less expensive premium. Whole life is a different contract. We will not pretend they are the same.
Can I get term life if I have a health condition? Sometimes, at a different class or amount. Sometimes not. Call (480) 860-0860 and be specific. Guessing on a blog does not help you.
Does my group life at work replace a personal policy? Group life is useful and often portable only in limited ways. It is tied to the job. A personal term policy stays if you change employers.
Do I need life insurance if I rent? If anyone relies on your income, yes, the housing type is not the test. See also Scottsdale renters insurance for the apartment.
Do you only write Farmers? Farmers first for the lines we place there. We will tell you if a case needs a different path.