Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

Compare $250,000 life insurance policies

Average costs for a $250,000 policy start under $20 a month, and you won't need a high salary to qualify.

Narrow down life insurance companies by coverage levels, riders offered, medical exam requirements and more to get a quote for a $250,000 life insurance policy.

1 - 5 of 5
Name Product Issue age Minimum Coverage Maximum Coverage Term Lengths Medical Exam Required
Ladder
20 - 60 years old
$100,000
$8,000,000
10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years
No, for coverage up to $3M
Apply for term life insurance online without the medical exam. Get an instant decision and adjust your coverage at no charge.
Bestow
Bestow
18 - 60 years old
$50,000
$1,500,000
10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years
No
Apply for term life insurance in minutes and get an instant decision all online. Plus, you’ll get to skip the medical exam.
Policygenius - Life Insurance
18 - 85 years old
$50,000
$10,000,000
10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years
Depends on provider and policy
Compare 12+ top insurers side-by-side to get the best possible deal, and shop return of premium policies online.
Nationwide life insurance
18 - 80 years old
$250,000
$5,000,000
10, 15, 20, and 30 years
Depends on policy
Select Go to site to apply for Nationwide Life Essentials: 21-55 years, no medical exam required.
JRC Life Insurance
JRC Life Insurance
18 - 85 years old
$5,000
$50,000,000
10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 years to lifetime/age 121
May be required
Compare policies up to $10 million from 45+ top insurance companies with the click of a button.
loading

We compare the following brands

No one can predict the future, but life insurance can help you protect your family. Ideally, your policy should allow your beneficiaries to maintain the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to. A $250,000 policy is generally inexpensive and popular among seniors and young earners, as well as careful savers who have healthy savings, retirement and 401(k) accounts.

Average cost of a $250,000 life insurance policy

Rates are on the lower end for policies around $250,000, especially if you’re young, healthy and a non-smoker. The average cost of a 20-year term, $250,000 policy for a healthy 30-year-old is $14.89 a month for a man and $13.06 for a woman. Expect your rates to differ based on your gender, age, health, lifestyle, occupation and the policy length you choose.

AgeManWoman
1815.9313.32
2014.9312.69
2514.4612.73
3014.8913.06
3516.1314.28
4014.8918.07
4516.1325.20
5045.2035.80
5571.2053.06
60123.2189.54
65223.20165.19

*Rates are provided by Quotacy and valid as of 2021 in all states except Montana

When a $250,000 life insurance policy makes sense

Consider getting a $250,000 life insurance policy if you:

  • Have dependents or family who depend on your income.
  • Earn an annual salary between $25,000 to $50,000.
  • Have $250,000 in mortgage, student loan, credit card or other debt.
  • Have some money in savings and retirement accounts.
  • Can’t afford more coverage.
Protect your loved ones
Compare 12+ top insurers side-by-side to get the best possible deal, and shop return of premium policies online.

Need help? Talk to a customer specialist

X

Is $250,000 enough life insurance coverage?

The amount of coverage you buy should account for three things: your income, your assets and your financial obligations. Do your financial obligations minus other assets add up to $250,000? If so, $250,000 may be enough coverage to meet your needs.

Here’s what to consider:

  • Your income. Most people purchase policies that replace their income and cover their family’s cost of living for 5 to 10 years. Use your salary as a starting point, and consider any other funds your family would have access to when you die, such as retirement accounts, savings and Social Security.
  • Your assets. If your estate is worth $250,000, a life insurance policy can protect it and provide liquid cash to pay estate taxes. But if you’re a careful saver with healthy bank accounts and lucrative investments, you may need a smaller policy.
  • Your other policies. Consider any other life insurance policies you already own when making the decision to add additional coverage. Do you have a policy through your employer? Even though many employer-based policies are small, say $50,000 or one year of your salary, include the policy in your overall calculations. You may not need a $250,000 policy once you add in other policies you have.
  • Your financial obligations. Assess everything you pay for now and expect to pay for in the future, such as debt, family living costss, college epenses, end-of-life expenses and taking care of aging parents.

    How to qualify for a $250,000 life insurance policy

    Your eligibility depends on your age and income. Depending on your age, you’ll need to be earning $10,000 to $50,000 a year to qualify, or you’ll need to prove that $250,000 is between five and 25 times your annual income. The good news is that the financial requirements for $250,000 of coverage aren’t too high.

    Typically, insurers approve applicants earning at least an annual salary of:

    • Age 18–40: $10,000
    • Age 41–50: $16,666
    • Age 51–55: $50,000
    • Age 56–65: $25,000
    • Age 66–70: $50,000

    If you’re self-employed, insurers might scrutinize your application more than if you worked for someone else, and you may pay higher rates to compensate for your less-secure income. It may be harder to get a no-exam life insurance policy as a self-employed individual, too.

    Can I get $250,000 coverage without a medical exam?

    With some insurers, like Brighthouse, Lincoln TermAccel, Haven Life or Principal, you may be able to get $250,000 policy without taking a medical exam. However, it may still require an online questionnaire, agent screening or a phone interview.

    These types of policies are generally only open to people between the ages of 18 and 60 and are exclusively available for those in excellent health. If a company catches any medical conditions — even minor ones — in its screening process, you’ll probably have to take a medical exam or won’t qualify for the policy.

    If you’re in good health and have the time — and inclination — to take a medical exam, you’re more likely to get a better deal. No-exam policies are much quicker to secure, but that convenience comes at a hefty cost in the form of high premiums.

    Term or whole life insurance

    When you’re considering purchasing a $250,000 life insurance policy you’ll need to decide between a term or whole life policy. Both policy types are sold by various insurers at this coverage level so you will have several options regardless of whether you pick a term or whole life insurance policy.

    Term insurance is a simple product that meets many people’s life insurance needs by providing a death benefit to the beneficiary if the policyholder dies during the policy term, often 20 years. The policy ends when the term expires, although some term policies can be extended or converted to permanent policies.

    Whole life policies are permanent policies that continue through the insured’s lifetime, as long as premiums are paid. Whole life policies can accrue cash value and can be used as investments.

    Bottom line

    The concept behind life insurance is simple: Pay now to protect your family later. When you’re working out how much coverage to buy, carefully think about your assets and financial responsibilities.

    If they add up to $250,000, it’s worth looking into this kind of coverage. If not, continue comparing life insurance options to find the best policy and coverage for you and your family.

    More guides on Finder

    Ask an Expert

    Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

    By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

    Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    2 Responses

      Default Gravatar
      pattiAugust 4, 2018

      can i split life insurance leave half to my spouse and half to my son

        AvatarFinder
        CharisseAugust 14, 2018Finder

        Hi Patti,

        Thank you for reaching out to finder!

        Yes. You can nominate multiple beneficiaries in your life insurance policy and you can also designate the percentage of the amount that each beneficiary will receive.

        Please note though that different insurance providers may have different terms and conditions so make sure you carefully read through relevant documents like the policy Terms and Conditions before making any decision. If you already have an insurance provider in mind, you may also want to speak with them directly to consult them on how to go about nominating beneficiaries.

        Cheers,
        Charisse

    Go to site