What happens to the coverage of a term life insurance policy if it is not renewed?

In the context of term life insurance, if the policy is not renewed, it simply expires. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specified period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. Once that term ends, if the policyholder does not choose to renew or convert it, the coverage draws to a conclusion. This means that there is no longer any insurance protection in place, and the insured themselves is not eligible for any death benefits after the expiration of the policy.

Term life is different from permanent life insurance products, such as whole life or universal life, which continue for the lifetime of the insured or until a cash value is withdrawn. Consequently, since there is no conversion mechanism built into a term policy unless explicitly outlined previously, and no cost implications that would cause the policy to increase in price after expiration, the most accurate response regarding what happens to term life insurance coverage that is not renewed is that it simply expires, leaving the insured without coverage.