Term Life Insurance FAQs
Understanding the basics
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What is term life insurance?
Term life insurance covers you for a specific number of years, like 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. You pay a fixed amount of money (the premium) every month, six months, or year. If you pass away during this time, the policy pays the amount of money you chose (coverage amount) to the loved ones you picked (your beneficiaries).
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Is term life insurance right for me?
Term life insurance covers you for a specific number of years and a fixed amount of money. It can act as a safety net and give financial help to your loved ones if you pass away unexpectedly. Term life insurance is available for those who are 18 years old and older, US citizens, and permanent residents of the United States.
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What is the difference between term life and whole life insurance?
Term life insurance covers you for a specific amount of time you select—such as 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years—for a predetermined dollar amount. It can be an affordable way to protect those you love. Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance, which means it generally provides coverage for your entire life. Often, its premiums are fixed, and there can be a guaranteed cash value and a payout amount. Read Viewpoints: What you should know about life insurance to learn more.
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How long should I have term life insurance for?
Your expenses and financial responsibilities change throughout your life and so will your coverage needs. Fidelity offers term life insurance in increments of 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years in most states. Our quote tool can help assess your coverage needs and estimate the cost.
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How much term life insurance should I consider?
The amount of coverage you choose should match how much money you want your beneficiaries to get if you were to pass away unexpectedly. Start by thinking about your family's day-to-day needs—the total amount of money needed to run your household each month. You can also estimate how much your loved ones might need to pay off debts—loans, a mortgage, credit cards, etc. If you have a spouse or partner, it's also important to have coverage for both of you, no matter how much each person earns. You might need to cover costs like extra childcare or time off to settle the estate. Explore our term life insurance coverage calculator to find out how much you may need.
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Does a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy have cash value?
Our term life policies don't have cash value and don't pay out after the term ends. Our policies give life insurance coverage for a set time and provide your beneficiaries with the full policy amount if you pass away unexpectedly.
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What is the purpose of the Fidelity Term Life Insurance quote tool?
Our term life insurance quote tool can help you figure out how much coverage you may need and how much it could cost per month. You’ll start by sharing some basic information, such as height, weight, and current health status. Please note that the quote tool provides an estimate only. Your final price is personalized and based on your answers in the online application (e.g., health history, lifestyle, and family health history), medical information, and third-party data collected during underwriting. Get a term life quote.
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Can I have more than one Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
You can have multiple life insurance policies, and some people have coverage through workplace and individual policies. However, having multiple individual policies may limit the amount of coverage you are able to apply for. Our quote tool can help assess your coverage needs and estimate the cost.
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Can I replace an existing policy with a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
We don't currently offer replacement policies. So, if you're planning to cancel an existing policy—for instance, to pay for a new one—we won't be able to offer you a Fidelity term life policy. However, if you're planning to layer, or add to, your existing coverage, we may be able to help.
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What is a term life insurance premium?
Your premiums are based on the policy value, term, your age, sex at birth, and health status. Premium payments are level (will not change) throughout the term and will only change if you continue your coverage beyond the term. You can pay your premiums monthly, semiannually, or annually.
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Can I complete a Fidelity Term Life Insurance application on behalf of someone else?
The applicant and the insured person must be the same.
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Can I insure my spouse, child, parent, or sibling with a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
At this time, you can only apply for and buy a term life insurance policy for yourself. The best option to help get a loved one protected is to share this term life insurance overview and suggest they apply for their own policy.
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Does Fidelity Investments1 offer life insurance?
Not to be confused with other life insurance providers that contain "Fidelity" in their name, Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR, LLC, the parent company of Fidelity Investments.
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Why should I purchase term life insurance through Fidelity?
Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company is a highly rated life insurer2 that has supported families like yours since 1987. You do not have to be a customer to apply.
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What does inforce life insurance mean?
Inforce means your term life insurance policy is active, and you're covered. Being caught up on payments keeps your policy active.
Application process
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How do I apply for Fidelity Term Life Insurance, and what information will I need to provide?
You can complete our application online on your computer, tablet, or phone in about 15–20 minutes. We'll ask questions about your identity (which we will verify), contact information, job, prescriptions, medical conditions, smoking status, and activities you enjoy. Honest and complete answers help speed up the review process. Start with our term life quote tool to find out how much you may need and estimate the cost. Then select the Start application button to begin.
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Why am I asked to log in to my Fidelity account or to create an account when I apply for Fidelity Term Life Insurance?
We ask you to log in to your Fidelity account for enhanced security. If you don't have an existing account, we'll prompt you to create one, which you can also use to access Fidelity's suite of digital planning tools.
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Can I skip any medical questions on my Fidelity Term Life Insurance application?
You'll need to answer all required fields, including your medical history, prior to submitting your application. It's a good idea to have your medical details ready before you start.
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Can I still get a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy if I have a history of medical conditions?
You might still qualify for a term life policy even if you have medical conditions. Medical history is just one factor in deciding if you can get coverage and how much it will cost. We'll figure out your eligibility through the application and underwriting process.
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What is underwriting?
Underwriting is a process where we review your application, medical information, and other third-party data to determine your "risk class." This helps us give you a personalized cost for the coverage you chose.
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Why do I need a medical exam when applying for a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy? Who does it?
Usually, you'll need a medical exam so we can understand your health and give you a personalized rate. A paramedic will do the 30-minute exam. It's safe, secure, and free. You can choose a convenient time and place. They'll check your blood pressure, weight, and height. They'll also take blood and urine samples.
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What can I expect after I submit my Fidelity Term Life Insurance application?
In some cases, we may approve your application right away and display your policy offer onscreen. More often, though, we'll need more information, starting with a medical exam. Look for an email and text from us, usually within 3–5 business days of submitting your application, with instructions on how to set up your appointment. Following your medical exam, your application and exam results will be sent to underwriting for review, which generally takes 4–6 weeks. If your application is approved, we'll send you your policy offer by email. You do not pay anything until you decide to proceed. If your application is declined, you'll receive a letter in the mail explaining why.
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How can I check the status of my Fidelity Term Life Insurance application?
Log in to your Fidelity account and use our online tracker to view the status of your term life insurance application 24/7. You'll also find any actions you may need to take to move your application forward and, if your application is approved, how to activate your coverage. You can also access the tracker from our term life insurance overview page.
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How will I be informed what my Fidelity Term Life Insurance premium amount (cost) will be?
If your application is approved, we'll let you know your premium cost in one of two ways—usually by email within 4–6 weeks or sometimes onscreen right after you submit your application. Once you accept the offer and make your first payment, your policy will start, and you are protected.
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Is there an option to save my progress on my Fidelity Term Life Insurance application and continue later?
In most cases, we save your progress, and your application is available for you to complete within 30 days from when you started. We'll email you a secure, personalized link to return to where you left off. If you live in California, Florida, or South Carolina, this feature is not yet available, and you'll need to complete the application in one session. Right now, Fidelity Term Life Insurance policies are not for sale in New York.
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Are Fidelity Term Life Insurance policies available in all states?
Right now, Fidelity Term Life Insurance policies are not for sale to residents of New York. Policies are available to residents in all other states.
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What does it mean to have been "rated" for term life insurance?
If you have applied for life, health, or disability insurance before, you might have received a "rating." This is a health classification based on your application details. If you have complex health conditions or high-risk hobbies, you might have received a rating.
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How do high-risk activities affect my Fidelity Term Life Insurance application?
If you plan to do any high-risk activities listed on the application, we may have follow-up questions. We consider ballooning, parachuting, hang gliding, vehicle racing, scuba diving, mountain climbing, and similar sports to be high-risk activities.
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How did Fidelity determine my health rating for term life insurance?
Health ratings are based on several risk factors. After you complete the application, we may ask for an additional medical exam. Our underwriting team will review all the information you submitted, along with the medical records from your doctor.
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Why is the price for my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy higher after underwriting than what I was quoted?
Our quote tool gives you an idea of what to expect based on a few health-related questions. Your final price is based on your application answers and everything else reviewed during underwriting, which may include your medical exam results.
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I ran into technical issues while filling out my term life insurance application. What should I do?
We're sorry you're having trouble filling out your application. Not to worry—in most cases, we securely saved your progress, and you can finish your application within 30 days. Please check the email we sent you from FidelityTermLife@Fidelity.com to try again later. If you live in California, Florida, or South Carolina, you’ll need to complete the application in one session.
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I am having issues signing my Fidelity Term Life Insurance application. What should I do?
We can help! Please call us at 844-996-5433 Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, and Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.
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Does signing a Fidelity Term Life Insurance application mean I have to buy a policy?
You're not required to buy a term life insurance policy after you sign and submit the application. Signing allows us to start our review to give you your final rate. If you're approved and once you get your final rate —usually by email within 4–6 weeks or sometimes onscreen right after you submit your application— you can decide if you want to accept the policy and get protected. You won't pay anything until then.
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How can I get back to my saved Fidelity Term Life Insurance application?
In most cases, we securely saved your progress, and you can finish your application within 30 days. Use the link in the email we sent you from FidelityTermLife@Fidelity.com to pick up your progress from the last page you finished.
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How can I cancel my Fidelity Term Life Insurance application?
In most cases, you can use the link in the email we sent you from FidelityTermLife@Fidelity.com to cancel your application. If you did not receive an email, please call us at 844–996–5433 Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, and Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.
Purchasing and payment methods
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How long does it take to receive a copy of my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
You can view, download, and print your full policy documents online 1 business day after your coverage starts. If you pay your first premium with a credit or debit card, your coverage starts right away. If you pay with a bank account, your coverage starts after your payment is processed, which usually takes 3 business days.
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Will my term life insurance policy appear on Fidelity.com?
In most cases, you can find your policy details online if you bought your policy on or after October 10, 2022. Log into your Fidelity account and go to the Portfolio Summary page. Look for your policy information under Protection Accounts. Policy details are usually available online within 1 business day after we issue your policy. If your policy was issued in New York, please call us at 844–996–5433 Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, and Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET. We can mail you a copy of your policy documents.
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Is there a benefit to paying my term life insurance premium annually versus monthly or semiannually?
If you pay annually, your premium payments are usually lower than if you pay every six months (semiannually) or every month.
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How can I pay for my new Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
After you're approved for a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy, we'll send your offer email with a secure link for making your first premium payment. Once the payment goes through, your coverage starts. Right now, you can pay online via credit card or by electronic funds transfer (EFT) from your bank. To pay from your Fidelity Brokerage® account, you'll need to complete and return the Billing Form—Term Life Insurance form found on the Forms & Applications page. Select Term Life Insurance from the Choose Topics drop-down
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Once I'm a policy owner, can I change how often I pay my term life insurance premium?
Yes, you may request billing frequency changes at any time, and the change will take effect on your next policy anniversary. For example, if your policy anniversary date is January 31, you will keep paying at the current interval until it changes on January 31 of the next year. To update your billing frequency, fill out and return the Billing Form—Term Life Insurance form found on the Forms & Applications page. Choose Term Life Insurance from the drop-down menu.
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Once I'm a policy owner, can I change my payment method on my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
If you bought your policy on or after October 10, 2022, you can change your payment method online. Log in to your Fidelity account and go to the Portfolio Summary page. Look for your policy information under Protection Accounts to update your payments. If you bought your policy before October 10, 2022, you can change your payment method by filling out and returning the Billing Form—Term Life Insurance form. You can find this form on the Forms & Applications page. Choose Term Life Insurance from the drop-down menu. For policies issued in New York, please call us at 844-519-5433, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET.
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Who pays the premiums on a term life insurance policy?
The policy owner is responsible for paying the premiums on the policy. Premiums can be paid by direct deposit via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or by credit or debit card. If necessary, a power of attorney (POA) can also be added to make payments on the owner’s behalf. An owner can name a POA by completing the Durable Power of Attorney, Affidavit and Indemnification—Term Life Insurance form found on the Forms & Applications page. Select Term Life Insurance from the Choose Topics drop-down.
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How can I get help with payments on my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
If you need assistance setting up payments for a new policy, call us at 844-996-5433 Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET and Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET. For questions about managing payments for an existing policy, review the Billing Form—Term Life Insurance form on the Forms & Applications page or call us at 844-519-5433 Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET.
Beneficiaries
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What is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is someone who receives the benefit from an estate, trust, retirement account, life insurance policy, or account with a transfer on death (TOD) designation. Choosing your beneficiaries carefully can help your family avoid probate later. Most importantly, you can feel confident that your loved ones will receive the assets you intend for them to have.
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Can I have primary and contingent beneficiaries on my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
When you choose your beneficiaries, you can pick one or more primary beneficiaries to receive the policy payout. You can also choose one or more contingent beneficiaries to receive the payout if the primary beneficiaries pass away. The primary and contingent beneficiaries cannot be the same person, and the insured cannot be listed as a primary or contingent beneficiary.
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What happens to my term life insurance policy if I have no living beneficiaries?
If your beneficiaries pass away while you're still living, you can update your beneficiaries at any time. If you pass away and there are no living beneficiaries, the policy funds would go to your estate.
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Can I view or update my beneficiaries after my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy is issued?
You can update your beneficiaries any time after your policy is issued. If you bought your policy on or after October 10, 2022, you can do this online by logging in to your Fidelity.com account. If this option is not available, you can complete and return a Term Beneficiary Change form on the Forms & Applications page. Select Term Life Insurance from the Choose Topics drop-down.
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How does a will impact the beneficiaries of a term life insurance policy?
A will does not affect the term life policy. The insurance money will go to the beneficiaries listed on the term life policy.
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Who can be a beneficiary on a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy and what information is needed?
Acceptable beneficiaries can be a person, estate, charity, or trust—but not yourself. If you have more than one beneficiary, the total must add up to 100%. We suggest giving as much information as possible about each beneficiary, like their name, date of birth, and Social Security number. This will make it easier for the beneficiary to make a claim if the insured person passes away.
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Who gets the money from a term life insurance policy if my beneficiary is a minor?
Usually, a custodian or guardian will manage the money for a minor until they reach legal age. The money is guaranteed to the minor. If you leave assets directly to your minor children, the custodian or guardian must follow state rules on how the money is spent and invested until the children become adults. Explore more about choosing a guardian for minor children.
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I need to file a claim. How do I notify Fidelity of the death of my loved one who had a Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
We're sorry for your loss and are here to help you. For policies issued prior to October 10, 2022, please call 888-343-8376 (select option #3). For policies issued on or after October 10, 2022, please call 844-519-5433.
Policy management
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Can I cancel my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy?
You can cancel your policy at any time. If you recently purchased a policy, we offer a free-look period. This means you can start your coverage and have 30 days (in most states) to review it. You can cancel during this time without penalty. If you cancel before the free-look period ends, we'll refund any premium you paid. If you've had your policy longer than 30 days, please call us at 844-519-5433. For all policies issued before October 10, 2022, please call 888-343-8376 (select option #3).
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What happens at the end of my term or coverage period for my term life insurance policy?
Term life insurance covers you for a specific number of years or term. For example, if you buy a 10-year term policy, you pay a fixed amount for those 10 years. At the end of the term, you can end your policy. If you choose to extend your policy, your premium would increase significantly.
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Can I change my Fidelity Term Life Insurance coverage amount in the future?
If you want to decrease your coverage amount, contact Fidelity any time during the life of the policy. If you want to increase the coverage amount, you will need to submit a new application.
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What changes are allowed once my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy has been issued?
Once your term life policy has been issued, you can update your name, address, phone, email, payment method, payment frequency, and beneficiaries at any time. You may be able to make most, if not all, of these changes online through your Fidelity profile. If this option is not available, you can complete and return the appropriate form on the Forms & Applications page. Select Term Life Insurance from the topic drop down.
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Can the term life insurance premium be reconsidered if I have a change in my health status?
You can apply for a premium (rate) change if your health status changes. If you stop using tobacco, you can apply for a new premium amount any time during the policy. Other health changes can be considered in the first year after the policy is issued.
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I missed making a payment on my Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy. Do I still have coverage or did my policy lapse?
Generally, you'll have a 30-day grace period to make your payment (60 days for policies issued in California). If we don’t receive payment before the end of your grace period, your policy will lapse. When your policy lapses, you won’t have coverage until you make your payments. To make a payment to bring your policy up to date, please call us at 844-519-5433, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET, if you bought your policy on or after October 10, 2022. For policies issued before October 10, 2022, please call us at 888-343-8376 (select option #3).
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My Fidelity Term Life Insurance policy lapsed. Can I reinstate it?
Your policy is lapsed if we didn't receive your payment within a 30-day grace period after its due date (60 days for policies issued in California). You may be able to reinstate your coverage depending on how long ago your policy lapsed. If it's been 60 days or less since your due date (90 days for policies issued in California), you may reinstate your coverage by paying all missed payments. If it's been more than 60 days (90 days for California), you'll need to do reinstatement paperwork and additional underwriting. We're happy to walk you through the process. For policies issued on or after October 10, 2022, please call us at 844-519-5433, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET. For policies issued before October 10, 2022, please call us at 888-343-8376 (select option #3).
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Where can I find the term life insurance forms I need?
Visit our Forms & Applications page. Select Term Life Insurance from the Choose Topics drop-down. You'll find a full list of PDFs you can print and mail to us.
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I am a Fidelity customer, and I changed some of the information on my profile. Will this also update my profile for my term life insurance policy?
Changes you make to your name, address, email, or phone number on your Fidelity.com profile will carry over automatically to your term life insurance profile.
1. Fidelity Investments offers life insurance through their wholly owned subsidiary Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company.
2. Ratings current as of February 12, 2025. Financial strength ratings are opinions from independent rating agencies of an insurer's financial strength and ability to pay its insurance policies and contract obligations. They are not recommendations to purchase, hold or terminate any insurance policy or contract issued by an insurer, nor do they address the suitability of any particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser. Ratings range from A++ to F for A.M. Best. Ratings are subject to change. For the latest ratings access www.ambest.com
This product is not for sale in New York.
Fidelity Term Life (Policy Form Nos. ICC23 FTL POLICY and FTL-99200, et al.) is issued by Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917. Fidelity Insurance Agency, Inc. is the distributor. A contract's financial guarantees are solely the responsibility of and are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917
1051304.8.0
