In the context of a term life insurance policy, what does "expiration" mean?

In the context of a term life insurance policy, "expiration" specifically refers to the end of the policy term when the coverage ceases. Term life insurance is designed to provide coverage for a set period of time, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. When the term expires, the policyholder no longer has insurance coverage under that policy unless they have exercised a renewal option or converted the policy into a permanent form of insurance, if available.

This understanding is critical because it highlights the temporal nature of term life insurance and underscores the importance of the policyholder being aware of when the coverage will end. It informs them that, without taking action such as renewing or converting, they will be left without life insurance protection after the term concludes.