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Average Life Insurance Rates in 2026
The average cost of life insurance is $26 a month. Find out how much you’ll pay for a policy based on your age, gender and health.
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Life Insurance
If someone depends on your income, life insurance can offer a safety net if you die unexpectedly. The right policy can help your loved ones replace your income, pay off a mortgage, cover college tuition and more. The NerdWallet team of experts breaks down how much coverage you need and how to find the best life insurance policy for you.
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Behind the Scenes: How Does Life Insurance Underwriting Work?
This process helps your insurer approve or deny your application and set your life insurance rates.
Life Insurance Face Amount: What It Means and How to Choose
Balance your family’s financial needs with your budget to land on the right dollar amount for your policy.
How to Cancel a Life Insurance Policy
If you want out of your life insurance policy, there are a few options to consider.
What Is the Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance?
If you no longer need your permanent life insurance policy, taking the cash surrender value may be an option.
Can You Cash Out a Life Insurance Policy?
There are four ways to tap the cash value of your life insurance — each with pros and cons.
What Is Term Life Insurance?
Term life insurance is an inexpensive way to provide money for your family if you die.
Buying Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL): How It Works
Indexed universal life (IUL) insurance policies typically pay interest based on the movement of underlying stock and bond indexes.
How to Get Life Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions
You may still qualify for life insurance if you have a pre-existing condition, but price and coverage vary.
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What Is Return-of-Premium Life Insurance and How Does It Work?
ROP life insurance comes with a money-back guarantee, but you’ll pay extra for it.
‘Recession-Proof’ Insurance Is Trending. Safety Net or Scam?
Some indexed universal life insurance sellers promise tax-free earnings and zero losses. But they may be misleading consumers.
Life Insurance Gap: Why 78% Say It’s Vital but Only Half Have It
Cost and timing are factors, but misconceptions about life insurance might be what really stands in the way.
Life Insurers Are Fact-Checking Your Application: How to Prepare
Insurers now use real-time data to verify your information. This can mean faster approvals, but it can also mean delays if your application gets flagged.
This Simple Trick Could Save You Hundreds on Life Insurance
Backdating your life insurance policy could help you lock in a lower rate for decades.
Why Stay-at-Home Parents Need Life Insurance
Here’s how to use life insurance as a safety net for the invaluable work of stay-at-home parents.
What Is Variable Universal Life Insurance? Definition and How It Works
Variable universal life insurance (VUL) offers flexibility, but it also comes with investment risk.
What Does Life Insurance Cover?
A life insurance payout can cover everyday expenses like mortgage payments, child care and even funeral costs.
What Are Paid-Up Additions in Life Insurance?
If your whole life policy issues dividends, you might be able to top up your coverage.
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2024 Insurance Dishonesty Report
New NerdWallet survey data finds that some Americans think it’s acceptable to lie on insurance applications. They may not be aware of the consequences.
Do You Need Life Insurance for Your Small Business?
Life insurance is an important part of business planning to protect your family, team and clients.
What Is Increasing Term Life Insurance?
Increasing term life insurance lets you step up the amount of coverage over time without a new application.
What Is the Life Insurance Death Benefit?
The money life insurance pays out is the key reason many people buy coverage in the first place.
What Is a Mutual Life Insurance Company?
A mutual life insurance company is owned by policyholders instead of shareholders.
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What Is Convertible Term Life Insurance?
Convertible term life insurance lets you exchange your term policy for a permanent policy.
What Are Life Insurance Dividends?
A life insurance dividend is a portion of the insurer’s profit that is sometimes paid to policyholders.
What Are Life Insurance Living Benefits?
Life insurance living benefits allow you to tap into your policy’s payout while you’re still alive.
What Is Funeral Insurance?
Funeral insurance pays out a small amount of money to help your loved ones cover end-of-life expenses.
What Is Joint Life Insurance?
Joint life insurance is a type of life insurance that covers two people, often married couples.
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What Is the Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance?
If you no longer need your permanent life insurance policy, taking the cash surrender value may be an option.