Can I Get Money From My Term Life Insurance Policy? 
No . Term life insurance policies are designed to provide only the promised payment on proof of death provided for in the policy . Term life policies do not build up cash value in the same way that Permanent life insurance policies -LRB- Whole or Universal Life -RRB- can do . The closest you could come to getting money back from a term life policy would be to purchase one with a `` Return of Premium Rider '' that provides for the refund of the premiums you have paid during the term -LRB- time period -RRB- the policy was in effect and then expired while the policy holder was still alive . Of course , you do pay extra for this rider so in effect you are paying the insurance company money that they can invest and earn from while the policy holder will receive only the total amount of premium paid . When you take inflation into account over a period of 10 , 20 or 30 years that term policy might be in effect you really end up losing value compared to conservatively investing that same money -LRB- for the return of premium rider -RRB- over that same time period . If you ware wanting a life insurance policy that builds up cash value that you could access at some future date then you should shop for a Whole or Universal Life insurance policy of some type . 