How much does life insurance cost? It’s a common question for those looking to financially protect their loved ones. The answer? Well, it depends. Life insurance rates can vary quite a bit depending on your age, health, lifestyle, the type and amount of coverage you want, and other personal factors.
I know shopping for life insurance can feel overwhelming. Terms like “whole life”, “universal life”, and “term life” get thrown around as if you’re supposed to know the differences. Deciphering the impact of tobacco use or high-risk hobbies on premiums seems complicated. But don’t stress yourself again.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of the major influences on life insurance costs. You need to arm yourself with knowledge before talking to any insurance agents or companies about numbers.
First, let’s explore the key factors that alter how much you pay for coverage…
What Impacts the Cost of Life Insurance?
Many elements influence how much you’ll pay for life insurance coverage. Key factors include:
- Type of policy – Term life insurance generally offers lower premiums compared to permanent options like whole life or universal life policies.
- Age – Younger, healthier individuals get the best rates. Premiums increase as you get older.
- Gender – Statistically, women often live longer than men. So premiums tend to be lower for females.
- Health status – People in good health pay less than those with chronic illnesses or other conditions.
- Lifestyle – Hazardous jobs or activities, tobacco use, etc. mean higher rates.
- Policy amount – More coverage = higher premiums.
- Length of policy – Permanent insurance costs more than shorter term lengths.
Getting life insurance quotes tailored to your situation gives you an accurate view of potential pricing. But first, let’s break down average costs by policy type.
Average Term Life Insurance Rates
Term life insurance provides coverage for a set period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. It pays a death benefit if you pass during the term without requiring you to pay into cash value like permanent types.
Here are some average term policy rates for healthy non-smokers per $100,000 in coverage:
- 10-year term – Ages 30: $11 per month – Ages 40: $14 per month – Ages 50: $23 per month
- 20-year term – Ages 30: $13 per month – Ages 40: $20 per month – Ages 50: $40 per month
- 30-year term – Ages 30: $16 per month – Ages 40: $30 per month – Ages 50: $60 per month
So for a 30-year-old looking for $500,000 in 20-year coverage, they may pay around $65 per month.
As shown, premiums get higher the older you are when the policy starts. Term life prices also rise if you smoke, have health issues, partake in risky hobbies, etc.
Whole & Universal Life Insurance Costs
Whole and universal life insurance are types of permanent life insurance. Unlike term, they offer lifetime policy periods and cash value savings that grow tax-deferred.
Here are some average monthly rates for $250,000 policies:
- Whole life – Ages 30: $150 per month – Ages 40: $225 per month – Ages 50: $400 per month
- Universal life – Ages 30: $100 per month – Ages 40: $175 per month – Ages 50: $300 per month
The guaranteed cash value savings makes permanent life insurance more expensive. But it does give you funds you can tap if needed while living.
As you shop for life insurance, get quotes matched to your specific age, health, lifestyle, and coverage needs for the most accurate rate estimate. But generally expect term life to start under $30 monthly for over $250,000 in coverage for young, healthy applicants. Talk to an independent insurance agent to review all your options.
Tips to Get the Best Rates
Now that you know the major factors that influence life insurance pricing, what can you do to pay less for coverage? Here are some smart strategies for reducing your premiums:
- Get fit – Shedding extra pounds, reducing alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking can quickly improve your rate of class.
- Stick to term – Term life offers the most affordable way to get high coverage amounts when you need them most.
- Lock in young – Rates increase with age. So buy coverage in your 20s or 30s to lock in savings.
- Compare carefully – Get quotes from 5-10 highly rated companies to find the best fit.
- Lengthen term – You’ll pay less over the long run for a longer 20 or 30-year term vs. 10 years.
- Pay annually – Opting for annual premiums saves you on interest charges.
- Review options – If the budget is tight, consider group life through your employer or decreasing policy length.
- Check discounts – Some companies offer breaks for home ownership, marriages, safety features, and more.
Being proactive, staying healthy, and comparing carriers ensures you find the lowest prices available when shopping for life insurance protection. Partner with an independent insurance agent who can evaluate costs across multiple highly rated companies on your behalf. This simplifies getting the coverage you need at rates that fit your budget.
Conclusion
How much does life insurance cost? As we have explored, the pricing depends on an interplay of your health, lifestyle, demographics, selected policy type, length of coverage, and amount of coverage.
While term life generally offers the most economical way to secure protection for your loved ones, permanent policies provide lifelong coverage and cash-value funds you can tap if needed. Work with an independent insurance agent to get quotes tailored to your situation.
This ensures you understand potential rates well when asking “How much does life insurance cost.”