Life insurance (also known as life cover or life assurance) is a contract between an insurance policy holder and an insurer or assurer and is to help protect loved ones financially in the event of their death. 

The insurer promises to pay the designated beneficiary a sum of money in exchange for a premium, upon the death of an insured person (the policy holder). These premiums can be paid monthly or annually. 

Level Term assurance is when a lump sum is paid out in the event of the Policy holders death. This lump sum is the same amount regardless of whether death is in the first or last year of the policy.

Decreasing Life insurance is designed to help protect a repayment mortgage, so the amount of cover reduces roughly in line with the way a repayment mortgage decreases. This is to ensure peace of mind for loved ones in the event of the policy holders death that the Mortgage will be repaid.