Even if a life insurance company has cheap prices, you might have to purchase dozens of "units"--the basic blocks of coverage used the industry--to fully protect your family. Instead of selling random amounts of coverage, such as $5,334 or $4,335, it is more convenient for a company to have a standard block of coverage, such as $2,000. Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_7493079_unit-life-insurance.html#ixzz2nyagp7Ww