Most people pay term life insurance and get nothing because most people have average life span. By the way, the agents earn more commissions from life insurance than other investments, such as mutual fund
Then DO NOT buy more than you need
think about these way
1) In how many years will you pay off your house?
2) In how many years will your kids be self-support?
3)Can you support yourself ? If something happens, how much do you need to keep your current life style?