What’s the Cost of Term Life Insurance?
Buying a term life insurance policy is no different!
According to a recent LIMRA Barometer study, the primary reason that most Americans don’t have life insurance is not because they don’t need it, it’s because they overestimate the cost!
In this article, we’ve shed some light on the cost of term life insurance by providing sample rates by age and gender for applicants in average to excellent health.
Here’s what we'll cover in this post:Quick Article Guide
What’s the Cost of Term Life Insurance?
The cost of your term life insurance is determined by four primary factors. These factors are: your age, your gender, your health, and your lifestyle.We’ve briefly explained each one of these factors to explain how life insurance companies determine an applicant’s “risk” and ultimately, the cost of their policy.
Average Cost of Term Life Insurance By Age
As we get older, our mortality risk increases. After the age of 40, term life insurance rates typically increase by an average of 10 to 15% each year.
Below, we illustrated the average monthly cost of $250,000, 10-year term life insurance for an applicant in average or "standard" health.
Average Cost of Term Life Insurance by Age
$250,000 coverage, 10-year term for an applicant in average or “standard” health
Monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023 and are provided for illustrative purposes only.[MULTI-LINE CHART Average Monthly Cost of Term Life Insurance]
Average Cost of Term Life Insurance by Gender
Statistically, women live longer than men - and because of this fact, they typically pay lower life insurance rates.On average, rates for a female tend to pay 15% to 40% less for their life insurance than males.
Below we illustrated the average monthly cost of $250,000, 10-year term life insurance policy for a female in average health versus a male in average or “standard” health.
Average Cost of Term Life Insurance by Gender
$250,000 coverage, 10-year term for an applicant in average or “standard” health
Monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023 and are provided for illustrative purposes only.[MULTI-COLUMN CHART Average Cost of Term Life Insurance by Gender]
How Health Affects the Cost of Term Life Insurance
Life insurance companies usually review your medical records and prescription history before approving your policy. Most life insurance companies use 12 to 16 rates classes to determine your risk and cost of coverage.
In the chart below, we've illustrated the monthly cost of a 10-year $250,000 term life insurance policy for a male in excellent, very good, good, and average health for their age.
Average Cost of Term Life Insurance by Health
$250,000 coverage, 10-year term for a male in excellent, very good, good, and average health
Monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023 and are provided for illustrative purposes only.[MULTI-COLUMN CHART Average Cost of Term Life Insurance by Health]
How Lifestyle Affects the Cost of Term Life Insurance
Life insurance companies evaluate your occupation and hobbies before approving your application. If you use tobacco, have a dangerous occupation, or a hazardous hobby, you can expect to pay more for your life insurance.
Below we've compared the monthly cost of a $250,000, 10-year term life insurance policy for a non-smoking male in "preferred" health versus a smoking male in "preferred" health.
Does Term Life Insurance Go Up Every Year?
With term life insurance, your rates are guaranteed not to increase for the term of your policy. In other words, if you purchase a 10-year term, your rates are guaranteed not to increase for 10 years, regardless of any changes to your health, occupation, lifestyle, etc.Your risk to the insurance provider increases as you get older, so the longer your policy's term is, the more expensive it will be. While you might be tempted to purchase a shorter term to save money, locking in a longer term will likely save you money in the long-run.
If you will still need coverage after your term ends, most providers will allow you to annually renew policy for an increased rate. But, unless your health has substantially declined, buying a new policy will save you a considerable amount of money each month.
10-Year Level Term for Applicants in Average to Excellent Health
The shortest-term length that most life insurance companies offer is a 10-year term. Because they offer the shortest period of guaranteed coverage and rates, a 10-year term is the least expensive option that many life insurance companies offer.Below, we’ve shared the cost of a 10-year term for male and female applicants between the ages of 30 and 80.
Average Cost of 10-Year Term Life Insurance Policy:
- $100,000 - Male / Female
- $250,000 - Male / Female
- $500,000 - Male / Female
- 15-Year Monthly Rates
- 20-Year Monthly Rates
- 25-Year Monthly Rates
- 30-Year Monthly Rates
- 35-Year Monthly Rates
$100,000 - 10-Year Term for a Male
| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 | ||||||
| 75 | ||||||
| 80 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023. GUL rates may be displayed for 80 year-old applicants.
$100,000 - 10-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 | ||||||
| 75 | ||||||
| 80 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023. GUL rates may be displayed for 80 year-old applicants.
$250,000 - 10-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 | ||||||
| 75 | ||||||
| 80 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023. GUL rates may be displayed for 80 year-old applicants.
$250,000 - 10-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 | ||||||
| 75 | ||||||
| 80 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023. GUL rates may be displayed for 80 year-old applicants.
$500,000 - 10-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 | ||||||
| 75 | ||||||
| 80 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023. GUL rates may be displayed for 80 year-old applicants.
$500,000 - 10-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 | ||||||
| 75 | ||||||
| 80 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023. GUL rates may be displayed for 80 year-old applicants.
15-Year Level Term Rates for Applicants in Average to Excellent Health
While a 15-year term is less commonly purchased than a 20-year term, it may provide the ideal period of protection for someone with adolescent children, or for people in their 50's that want to bridge their life insurance coverage until their expected retirement age.In this section, we’ve illustrated the cost of a 15-year term for male and female applicants between the ages of 30 and 70.Average Cost of 15-Year Term Life Insurance Policy:
- $100,000 - Male / Female
- $250,000 - Male / Female
- $500,000 - Male / Female
- 10-Year Monthly Rates
- 20-Year Monthly Rates
- 25-Year Monthly Rates
- 30-Year Monthly Rates
- 35-Year Monthly Rates
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 08/01/2023 and may not be available in all states.
$100,000 - 15-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 09/21/2023 and may not be available in all states.
$250,000 - 15-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 09/21/2022 and may not be available in all states.
$250,000 - 15-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 09/21/2023 and may not be available in all states.
$500,000 - 15-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022 and may not be available in all states.
$500,000 - 15-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022 and may not be available in all states.
20-Year Level Term Rates for Applicants in Average to Excellent Health
The most commonly purchased term length is a 20-year term. These policies are most expensive than a 10-year, or 15-year term, but they also offer a longer guaranteed period of coverage. Most life insurance companies stop offering 20-year terms to qualifying individuals after the age of 70, but other comparable options may be available.Below, we’ve shared the cost of a 20-year term for male and female applicants between the ages of 30 and 70.
Average Cost of 20-Year Term Life Insurance Policy:
- $100,000 - Male / Female
- $250,000 - Male / Female
- $500,000 - Male / Female
- 10-Year Monthly Rates
- 15-Year Monthly Rates
- 25-Year Monthly Rates
- 30-Year Monthly Rates
- 35-Year Monthly Rates
| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 70-year-old cigarette smokers.
$100,000 - 20-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 70-year-old cigarette smokers.
$250,000 - 20-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 70-year-old cigarette smokers.
$250,000 - 20-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 70-year-old cigarette smokers.
$500,000 - 20-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 70-year-old cigarette smokers.
$500,000 - 20-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 | ||||||
| 70 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 70-year-old cigarette smokers.
25-Year Level Term Rates for Applicants in Average to Excellent Health
About half of the insurance providers in the market do not off a 25-year term, and depending on your health and age, a 30-year term might be comparable in cost. Transamerica is the only life insurance company that offers 25-year term until the age of 65.American General's cut-off age is 63, and the rest of the major insurers stop offering this term length at age 59 1/2 or 60. Below, we’ve compared the cost of a 25-year term for male and female applicants in average to excellent health who are between the ages of 30 and 65.
Average Cost of 25-Year Term Life Insurance Policy:
- $100,000 - Male / Female
- $250,000 - Male / Female
- $500,000 - Male / Female
- 10-Year Monthly Rates
- 15-Year Monthly Rates
- 20-Year Monthly Rates
- 30-Year Monthly Rates
- 35-Year Monthly Rates
| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates may be displayed for 65-year-old applicants.
$100,000 - 25-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates may be displayed for 65-year-old applicants.
$250,000 - 25-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates may be displayed for 65-year-old applicants.
$250,000 - 25-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates may be displayed for 65-year-old applicants.
$500,000 - 25-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates may be displayed for 65-year-old applicants.
$500,000 - 25-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Plus | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 | ||||||
| 65 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates may be displayed for 65-year-old applicants.
30-Year Level Term Rates for Applicants in Average to Excellent Health
A 30-year term is the longest term that the vast majority of life insurance companies offer. These policies are more expensive than a 10, 15, or 20-year term, but they also offer a much longer period of protection. After the age of 58, very few companies offer a 30-year term, but a comparable option with guaranteed level rates and coverage until age 90, 95, or 100, may be available.Below, we’ve compared the cost of a 30-year term for male and female applicants in average to excellent health who are between the ages of 30 and 60.
Average Cost of 30-Year Term Life Insurance Policy:
- $100,000 - Male / Female
- $250,000 - Male / Female
- $500,000 - Male / Female
- 10-Year Monthly Rates
- 15-Year Monthly Rates
- 20-Year Monthly Rates
- 25-Year Monthly Rates
- 35-Year Monthly Rates
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 60-year-old applicants.
$100,000 - 30-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 60-year-old applicants.
$250,000 - 30-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 60-year-old applicants.
$250,000 - 30-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 60-year-old applicants.
$500,000 - 30-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 60-year-old applicants.
$500,000 - 30-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 60 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 60-year-old applicants.
35-Year Level Term Rates for Applicants in Average to Excellent Health
As of January 1, 2022, only three life insurance providers offer a 35-year term life insurance policy. These policies are only available to applicants until the age of 50, and they are approximately 20 to 25% more expensive than a comparable 30-year term policy.In the tables below we've illustrated the cost of a 35-year term policy for male and female applicants in average to excellent health. These policies are only available to applicants that are less than 50 and 1/2 years old.
Average Cost of 35-Year Term Life Insurance Policy:
- $100,000 - Male / Female
- $250,000 - Male / Female
- $500,000 - Male / Female
- 10-Year Monthly Rates
- 15-Year Monthly Rates
- 20-Year Monthly Rates
- 25-Year Monthly Rates
- 30-Year Monthly Rates
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 50-year-old cigarette smokers.
$100,000 - 35-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 50-year-old cigarette smokers.
$250,000 - 35-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?| Current Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard | Preferred Tobacco | Standard Tobacco |
| 30 | ||||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 40 | ||||||
| 45 | ||||||
| 50 |
*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 50-year-old cigarette smokers.
$250,000 - 35-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 50-year-old cigarette smokers.
$500,000 - 35-Year Term for a Male
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 50-year-old cigarette smokers.
$500,000 - 35-Year Term for a Female
What Rate Class Am I?*Displayed monthly rates are accurate as of 04/30/2022. GUL rates are displayed for 50-year-old cigarette smokers.
What Rate Class Am I?
Most life insurance companies offer 12 to 16 rate classes for non-smokers. The most common rate classes are for applicants who are considered to be in average or better health. We've outlined the general underwriting guidelines for each of these risk classes below.
It's also important to note that these rate guidelines vary with each company, and some companies are a lot less lenient than others. As an example, according to the underwriting guidelines listed on State Farm's website, an applicant must have a cholesterol of 180 or less to qualify for their top rate class.
Non-Tobacco Rate Classes:
Preferred Best
- No cigarette use within 5 years
- Cholesterol of 220 or less with or without medication
- Blood pressure of 85/135 with or without medication
- No serious health issues
- No more than 25-30 pounds overweight
Preferred
- No cigarette use within 3 years
- Cholesterol of 250 or less with or without medication
- Blood pressure of 85/135 with or without medication
- No serious health issues
- No more than 30-40 pounds overweight
Standard Plus
- No cigarette use within 12 months
- Cholesterol of 300 or less with or without medication
- Blood pressure of 140/90 with or without medication
- Some minor health issues
- No more than 40-50 pounds overweight
Standard
- No cigarette use within 12 months
- Cholesterol of 300 or less with or without medication
- Blood pressure of 140/90 with or without medication
- Average health with age-related health issues
- No more than 50-60 pounds overweight
Preferred Tobacco
- Daily cigarette use
- Cholesterol of 250 or less with or without medication
- Blood pressure of 85/135 with or without medication
- No serious health issues
- No more than 30-40 pounds overweight
Standard Tobacco
- Daily cigarette use
- Cholesterol of 300 or less with or without medication
- Blood pressure of 140/90 with or without medication
- Average health with age-related health issues
- No more than 50-60 pounds overweight
To learn more about high-risk life insurance, please see our article, "Affordable High Risk Life Insurance," or give us a call toll-free at 855-247-9555 to speak with an expert.
Need a Personalized Quote? We Can Help
At JRC Insurance Group, we save our clients time and money by comparing rates and guidelines from dozens of highly-rated insurers. Our agents are experts at underwriting and by comparing our client's health profiles against each company's guidelines, we're able to match each of our potential client's with the least expensive options available.Call us today to speak with an expert who can quickly compare your options to make sure you get the best rates available, toll-free at 855-247-9555.
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Clifford Pendell
Managing Partner and Co-founder
Cliff is a licensed life insurance agent and one of the owners of JRC Insurance Group. He has helped thousands of families of businesses with their life insurance needs since 2012 and specializes with applicants who are less than perfect health. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and the great outdoors.
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