all the money you have paid into the insurance. Im finding a lot of insurances only pay for accidental death. [like Globe Life]
I think you're looking at it backwards, but here it goes.
If you're buying a whole life policy, you usually keep it to 95. If you don't die, they pay out the face value anyway, when it 'matures'.
Generally, if you die before the policy matures, it pays the death benefit. If you cancel it before you die and it matures, you lose all but your cash value.
Accidental death is a ripoff.
And insurance is NOT NOT NOT a savings or investment vehicle, so there's actually NOTHING to get back. It's not "your money". It's a bet with the life insurance company, if you die or not, during the term of coverage. And the odds will ALWAYS favor the insurance company.
Any type of permanent life insurance remains in force for your entire life, provided you continue to pay the premiums; although, depending on the internal performance of the policy, it is likely that you wouldn't have to pay premiums for your entire life to keep it in force. You need to have a properly qualified financial advisor or planner perform a financial analysis given your objectives.
The point of insurance is replace your earning capacity. At 80, you should be retired and living on savings.
the fact that you have paid $x in previous years is moot. You didn't die. The insurance company used the money to pay off the people who did.
Don't buy an accidental death policy. Buy a life insurance policy. They all last past 80. It's just a matter whether you can afford it then. If you locked in a low premium when you're young then you'll have no issues.