The original form of life insurance is called term life insurance and is considered to be pure insurance protection because it builds no cash value. This is in contrast to permanent life insurance such as whole life, universal life, and variable universal life.
If you want to buy, you need to know that Term life insurance is temporary, as it covers only a specific period of time, the relevant term. If the insured dies during the term, the death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary.
Because the term expires the insurer often does not have to pay out making term life insurance the most inexpensive way to purchase a substantial death benefit on a coverage per premium dollar basis.