What are the basic forms of whole life insurance?

Straight whole life is a whole life policy that provides a constant level of protection and level premiums throughout the life of the policy which is until death of the policyholder or age 100 as long as the premiums are paid. Limited pay whole life is a whole life policy in which premiums are paid for a set number of years at which the policy is considered paid in full. i.e. a 20-pay policy in which premiums are paid for 20 years and coverage is good for life. The shorter the period for premiums the higher they will tend to be. Single premium whole life is a whole life policy in which one substantial single premium is paid at the beginning and from that point on the policy is considered paid in full. This premium gives it an immediate cash value. Straight whole life Limited pay whole life Single premium whole life