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This article was reviewed by Andrew Flueckiger, a member of the Finder Editorial Review Board and certified insurance counselor and licensed insurance agent in five states.
Finder’s life insurance experts spent over 500 hours analyzing quotes and policies from 100+ companies, fact-checking their approval process, age cutoffs, medical exam requirements and more. We highlight the fine print as well as each company’s strengths and downsides.
Read accurate, unbiased reviews that help you narrow down insurers to meet your lifestyle and budget.
How much does life insurance cost?
The average cost for life insurance is less than $50 a month, according to our price analysis of 14 different life insurers across different ages. For example, a $500,000, 20-year term life policy for a healthy person between ages 25 and 40 costs around $28 a month.
However, your rate depends on many factors like your age, gender, health, job or smoking habits. The coverage amount, term length and the type of policy come into play too.
Insurers weigh factors differently, which is why it’s important to compare quotes from multiple companies.
How much life insurance do I need?
Choosing the right amount of coverage, known as your policy’s face value, comes down to how much you can afford. When you’re doing the math, factor in:
- Income. The golden rule is to buy a policy that would replace your income and cover your family’s cost of living for five to 10 years. To do this, multiply your salary by five or 10.
- Assets. Throughout your life, you may gain assets like a house, car or 401(k) that your life insurance policy should protect. Add the value of these assets to your coverage amount.
- Financial responsibilities. Total all of your expenses now and any future expenses you can expect, including childcare or college tuition.
Life insurance quote comparison
To find the best deal on a comprehensive life insurance policy, look at coverage amounts compared to your premiums and other features that attract you to an insurer, including:
- Minimum and maximum coverage. Learn your insurance policy’s limits and what your loved ones will receive after you die. Some insurers cap coverage for specific careers and age groups.
- Age restrictions. Research whether your age will affect getting approved or whether a policy stops covering you at a certain age. Seniors may find limited insurance options.
- Policy features and riders. If your policy’s features don’t offer the flexibility you’d like, ask about riders that can customize your policy.
- No medical exam policies. You can buy coverage without taking a medical exam or with just a short health questionnaire, though this policy may cost more than standard policies.
- Combining different policies. You might buy multiple policies through one company for a cheaper rate than separate insurers, such as standalone disability income, critical illness and life insurance policies.
- Specialty policies for your job. If you encounter risks on the job, make sure a policy doesn’t exclude paying out for those situations. You could buy from insurers that specialize in your field.
Life insurance definitions
If you see insurance terminology that you don’t know, use our life insurance definitions to make sure you understand every detail about your policy.
What is life insurance and how does it work?
Life insurance offers a financial safety net to your loved ones in case you die. You pay a premium to maintain your policy, and when you die, your insurer pays out a death benefit to your beneficiaries — and they can use the money however they like. There are a few different policy types, but they all serve the same purpose: to protect your family financially if you pass away prematurely.
Who needs a life insurance policy?
If you have loved ones who depend on you financially, you most likely need life insurance. Your policy can help provide for their needs when you’re gone, which is why life insurance is important.
Those with the greatest need for life insurance are:
- Parents with children or other dependents
- Breadwinners
- Those with co-signed debt
- Business owners
- Homeowners
- Those with medical expenses
- Wealthy individuals planning their estate
- Stay-at-home parents or partners
- Those who may need future long-term care
Take our quiz: Do you need life insurance?
How do I buy life insurance online?
1. Compare policies
Get quotes from a range of insurers to find a policy that suits your budget and needs. Once you’ve settled on a policy, choose your coverage amount and select riders.
2. Apply for coverage
Submit your personal and contact details, as well as information about your income and employment. You might have to fill out a health questionnaire or take a medical exam, too.
Can I get coverage if I have a medical condition?
Having pre-existing conditions like heart disease complicates getting life insurance, but you can find a policy. Boost your chance of getting approved:
- Explain your condition. Give the name of your condition, details about your medications and list any treatments or surgeries you’ve had.
- Request a doctor’s letter. Your insurer will ask for an Attending Physician’s Statement, so you’ll need to contact your doctor about this official letter.
- Apply with multiple insurers. Since some insurers are more lenient than others, get multiple quotes to score the cheapest rate.
- Take a medical examto set your risk level. If your results aren’t ideal, you might apply for a no-exam policy, but brace for higher premiums.
When is life insurance paid out?
The death benefit is paid out when you die, typically as a lump sum — but you can specify paying the death benefit in installments or annuities. Your beneficiaries can use the money however they wish, including:
- Mortgage payments
- Living expenses — like utilities or car insurance
- Cosigned debt that won’t disappear when you die — like student loans or credit cards
- End-of-life expenses — including funeral costs and medical bills
- Child care
- Long-term care — like a nursing home or medical expenses for ailing parents
- College tuition
Is the death benefit taxed?
No, your life insurance payout isn’t taxable income unless your estate is worth more than the federally set threshold, according to the IRS. If so, your estate will be subject to federal estate taxes. The life insurance payout is considered part of your estate.
Can I access the money before I die?
You can tap into your policy while you’re alive in several ways, including:
Living benefits riders
Some insurers offer living benefits riders that offer early payments in certain cases. Types of living benefits:
- Accelerated death benefit rider. If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, this rider pays a portion of the death benefit.
- Critical illness rider. If you’re diagnosed with a critical but not terminal illness like heart disease or stroke, this rider pays a lump sum.
- Disability income rider. If you can’t work due to total disability, this rider will pay a monthly benefit for a specific period of time.
- Long-term care rider. If you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness, you can use the death benefit to pay for a nursing home or similar expenses.
Cash value in permanent policies
These policies accumulate cash value over time. Once you’ve built up enough cash value, you can begin to borrow against your policy.
What are the types of life insurance I can buy?
Life insurance plans are lumped into several main types of life insurance: term, permanent, no-medical exam and group life policies.
Compare the main types of life insurance
Features like whether a policy is permanent or temporary or has fixed monthly premiums could help you decide which policy type is right for you.
| Feature | Term | Whole | Universal | Variable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifelong coverage |  |  | | |
| Requires medical exam | | | | |
| Fixed premiums | | | | |
| Builds cash value | | | | |
| Offers tax-free loans | | | | |
What life insurance riders can I get?
Most insurers allow you to dress up your policy with riders, including these popular ones:
- Conversion rider. Lets you convert term to permanent life insurance within a time frame.
- Waiver-of-premium rider. Waives premiums if you become unemployed or fully disabled and can’t work.
- Child rider. Pays out if your child dies, and typically expires when your child gets married or turns 25.
- Return-of-premium rider. Reimburses you for premiums paid if you outlive your term life policy.
- Guaranteed insurability rider. Lets you boost coverage without another health questionnaire or medical exam.
- Cost-of-living rider. Keeps your policy’s death benefit in line with inflation.
Common questions about buying life insurance
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