Depends on what you mean by "life insurance" and why you feel you need it. Here in France (indeed in much of Europe) "assurance vie" is normally assumed to be a sort of long-term savings/investment contract. Yes, it pays off if you die before the term of the contract has run - but for many (if not most) people, it's a way to build up a capital that they can then draw on at advantageous tax rates after retirement, or pass on to their children (or other heirs) at advantageous rates. One big disadvantage for Americans is that these are usually considered PFICs by the US tax people and involve some really onerous additional reporting, plus taxation on the current earnings of the contract. (And then you wind up being taxed again here in France on the earnings when you withdraw the funds later on.)
There are term insurance policies - i.e. that don't build a "capital" balance and that only pay off on the death of the policy owner if they are up to date on their premiums.
Best plan is probably to sit down with either your bank's "counselor" who can explain the various (and many) types of insurance available directly from the bank, or talk to an insurance agent - possibly the one you have your homeowners' or renters, or even your car insurance policy with. (Often you can get a break for having multiple policies through the same company or agency.)
