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Compare Life Insurance Quotes: June 2023
Compare life insurance quotes and find the right coverage for you and your family.
Getting life insurance quotes can be easy. Many insurers offer free quotes online so you can compare your options at the click of a button. Depending on the type of coverage you need, you may be able to compare quotes and buy a policy the same day. For more information on how coverage works, read our guide to life insurance.
Life insurance quote comparison
When shopping for life insurance quotes, don’t forget to:
Shop around
Compare quotes from 3 or 4 insurers to get the best price possible.
Compare coverage
Select policies with the same level of coverage — for example, $250,000 — to get the most accurate comparison.
Consider extras
Check the features of each policy you compare. Some may include free life insurance riders, while others may not. If you want to customize your policy, take this into account when comparing quotes.
Sample rate
$26/month*
Coverage length
Temporary
Cash value
No
Key takeaway
Cheap, temporary coverage
Sample rate
$547/month*
Coverage length
Lifetime
Cash value
Yes
Key takeaway
Simple, lifelong coverage
Sample rate
$367/month*
Coverage length
Lifetime
Cash value
Yes
Key takeaway
Flexible, lifelong coverage
*Term sample rate is based on a $500,000, 20-year term life policy for a healthy 40-year-old. Whole life and universal life sample rates are based on a $500,000 policy for a healthy 40-year-old. Source: Quotacy.
Find the right life insurance for you
Make sure you and your loved ones are covered - compare customized life insurance quotes through our partner Policygenius
There are two main types of life insurance: term and permanent. There are various policies under these umbrellas. Understanding which one is right for you can help you build a robust life insurance plan.
Term life insurance
Term life insurance covers you for a set period of time, such as 10 or 20 years, and it's sufficient for most families. Due to its simplicity, term life is often the cheapest type of coverage. Types of term life include:
Permanent life insurance is designed to last your entire life. This type of coverage typically costs more than term life, but it offers additional features like cash value, which grows over time. Types of permanent life include:
A life insurance quote is the estimated cost of your policy based on basic information you provide to the insurer. The final price is determined once you submit a life insurance application and complete any necessary health requirements like a medical exam.
Term life insurance quotes
Term life covers you for a set period of time, such as 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years. If you die within the term, the insurer issues the death benefit to your beneficiaries. Term life is often the cheapest type of coverage and sufficient for most families. Due to its simplicity, you can get term life insurance quotes online and even buy a policy the same day.
Average term life insurance rates
These average life insurance rates are based on a $500,000, 20-year term life policy for applicants in excellent health.
Age
Average annual rate for men
Average annual rate for women
30
$222
$187
40
$334
$283
50
$819
$643
60
$2,361
$1,656
70
$9,288
$8,204
Source: Quotacy. Lowest three rates for each age and risk class averaged. Data valid as of May 17, 2023.
Whole life insurance quotes
Permanent policies like whole life insurance generally pay out regardless of when you die. These policies often include cash value, which you can withdraw or borrow against while you’re still alive. You can get whole life insurance quotes online, but due to the complexity of permanent policies, you typically can’t buy whole life online.
Average whole life insurance rates
These average life insurance rates are based on a $500,000 whole life policy for applicants in excellent health.
Age
Average annual rate for men
Average annual rate for women
30
$4,482
$3,942
40
$6,603
$5,735
50
$10,365
$8,867
60
$17,492
$14,643
70
$30,375
$25,050
Source: Quotacy. Lowest three rates for each age and risk class averaged. Data valid as of May 17, 2023.
How to compare life insurance quotes
Use our step-by-step guide to getting life insurance quotes, and find the right coverage for you and your family.
1. Gather personal details
To get life insurance quotes, you’ll typically need to provide basic details about yourself, such as your age, weight, height, smoking habit, home address, income, marital status and occupation.
2. Choose a comparison method
There are three ways to compare quotes. You can go directly to each life insurer by visiting its website or speaking to one of its agents. Or, you can work with a broker, who collects quotes from multiple companies for you. Alternatively, you can use an online life insurance comparison tool that generates quotes from a range of companies at once*.
*Keep in mind that brokers and comparison tools may not work with every insurer on the market. So, if you want a quote from a particular company, make sure it’s on their list.
3. Compare the same policy details
Not all life insurance policies are the same. Make sure the policy type, term length, coverage amount and riders are relatively similar when comparing quotes.
Most insurance companies offer life insurance quotes online. This makes it easy to shop around for the best coverage.
Life insurance reviews
When you’re assessing life insurance companies, look at these three factors:
Financial strength ratings
These determine an insurer’s ability to pay out claims in the future. You can check financial strength ratings through agencies like AM Best. Financial strength is a major factor in NerdWallet’s life insurance ratings methodology.
Complaint ratios
You can check a company’s complaint ratio through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Our ratings methodology favors companies that have fewer complaints to state regulators.
Policy options
Not all companies sell the same types of policies. Narrow your choices by reading life insurance reviews before you compare quotes.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
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Applying for life insurance
When you've found the right policy, it's time to apply. Whether you apply for life insurance online, in person or over the phone, you may be asked to provide your Social Security number, driver’s license number or list of current medications. So gather the information you need before you start the life insurance application process.
Select a premium payment interval
You will likely be able to choose from different payment schedules, such as monthly or annually. In some cases, you may be charged an additional administrative fee to pay monthly.
Choose a life insurance beneficiary
A life insurance beneficiary is the person who will receive the payout when you die. Be sure you have their personal details such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth when applying.
In general, people need life insurance if their death would place a financial burden on others. Examples include breadwinners, parents, homeowners, business owners and people with co-signed debt.
Can you get a life insurance quote online?
Yes. Many life insurance companies offer free term quotes online. However, when shopping for permanent coverage, such as whole life or universal life, you may need to speak with an insurance agent to get a full quote.
How much life insurance do I need?
The amount of life insurance you need depends on how much money you want your beneficiaries to receive when you die. Ten times your annual income is a common estimate, but rules like this are not universal and may not reflect your specific situation. Take into account your current finances and future obligations — such as income, debts and daily expenses — when calculating your coverage needs.
How are life insurance rates calculated?
Life insurance premiums are calculated using a variety of factors, such as age, health, driving history, policy length and coverage amount. Insurers use this information to estimate your life expectancy, and then they set your premium based on the risk of insuring you.
How do I check the financial strength of a life insurance company?
You can gauge the financial strength of a life insurance company through ratings agencies like AM Best or S&P Global. An insurer’s financial strength can give you an idea of how reliable the company will be in paying out a future claim. This is particularly important for life insurance as these policies often have to last decades. NerdWallet recommends looking for an insurer with an AM Best rating of B+ or better.
What is the average monthly cost of life insurance?
Life insurance premiums are typically based on your age and health, and they can differ significantly among policies. For example, the average monthly cost of a $500,000, 20-year term policy for a healthy 40-year-old is $26, according to Quotacy, a life insurance brokerage. To compare, the average monthly cost of a whole life policy with the same coverage amount is $547.
What is the most affordable type of life insurance?
Term life is the most affordable type of life insurance. It lasts for a set number of years and does not build cash value. Term life is typically sufficient for most people.
Find the right life insurance for you
Make sure you and your loved ones are covered - compare customized life insurance quotes through our partner Policygenius
