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Free Life Insurance Quotes In Just Minutes
Life insurance is a great way to make sure your loved ones are financially secure should the unexpected happen, but it can be daunting to sort through all the options, compare prices, and read the fine print. Getting a quote is as easy as making a quick call to a SelectQuote licensed insurance agent. For over 40 years, millions of customers have trusted us to help them secure life insurance for their families.
Selecting the right life insurance can feel overwhelming, but SelectQuote is here to guide you through every step. It’s not just about understanding why you need coverage, but also about shopping around to find the right option for your budget.
We take the time to understand your unique situation. This helps us match you with the right life insurance company for your health and lifestyle. We know insurance can be confusing, so our licensed agents are ready to answer your questions whenever you need help.
Key Takeaways
What is a Quote: A life insurance quote is a free estimate of your monthly cost based on your age, health, and coverage needs.
Regulated Rates: Life insurance rates are strictly regulated by state law, which means the only way to find the best price is by comparing different policies.
Shop Recognized Carriers: Working with an independent broker like SelectQuote allows you to shop recognized carriers all at once to find the right coverage for your family.
Table of Contents
Term Life Insurance Rates
Term life insurance rates not only vary from person to person but are determined by a number of factors, including your age, gender, where you live, and your health, in addition to the length of the policy and amount of coverage.
Here are some examples of average term life insurance rates:
| 10 Years | 15 Years | 20 Years | 25 Years | 30 Years |
Age / Sex | $250,000 Coverage Amount | $500,000 Coverage Amount | $1M Coverage Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
25-Year Old Female | $8.47 | $10.58 | $14.93 |
25-Year Old Male | $9.74 | $12.74 | $17.76 |
35-Year Old Female | $8.93 | $11.46 | $16.09 |
35-Year Old Male | $9.81 | $13.16 | $19.47 |
45-Year Old Female | $15.00 | $23.33 | $36.89 |
45-Year Old Male | $16.76 | $26.73 | $43.27 |
55-Year Old Female | $27.99 | $49.59 | $89.76 |
55-Year Old Male | $36.70 | $66.26 | $120.79 |
Age / Sex | $250,000 Coverage Amount | $500,000 Coverage Amount | $1M Coverage Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
25-Year Old Female | $8.47 | $10.58 | $14.93 |
25-Year Old Male | $9.74 | $12.74 | $17.76 |
35-Year Old Female | $8.93 | $11.46 | $16.09 |
35-Year Old Male | $9.81 | $13.16 | $19.47 |
45-Year Old Female | $15.00 | $23.33 | $36.89 |
45-Year Old Male | $16.76 | $26.73 | $43.27 |
55-Year Old Female | $27.99 | $49.59 | $89.76 |
55-Year Old Male | $36.70 | $66.26 | $120.79 |
Table rates are based on 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, 25-year, and 30-year term policies for men and women in excellent health from one or more of the trusted companies we represent. Term life insurance rates were pulled July 2026. Your price could vary depending on your health, issuing company, and other factors. Not available in all states.
Factors that Affect Term Life Insurance Rates
The term life insurance rates above may vary as there are many factors taken into consideration during the underwriting process that impact your term life insurance quote, such as:
Age: The older you are, the greater the risk to the insurer, so your rates are likely to be higher. This is why it’s important to get a term life insurance quote sooner rather than later.
Gender: On average, men can expect to pay higher life insurance premiums than women because the average lifespan of a male tends to be shorter than that of a female.
Health Classification: Life insurance companies use health classifications to determine your health and level of risk. Your health, height, weight, tobacco use, and family health history are all factors that determine your health classification. Some health factors that may result in higher premiums include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, hypoglycemia, chronic illness, nicotine use, or recreational drug use.
Why Choose SelectQuote to Compare Life Insurance Quotes
Not only do we have over 40 years of experience helping people find coverage, but we also partner with some of the most recognized life insurance companies in the country. We do the heavy lifting to find you free, unbiased policy options.
At SelectQuote, we are dedicated to:
Making sure you know all your options before choosing a policy
Finding the best price for the coverage you need
Matching you with the right insurance company for your health and budget
Read real story experiences on our customer reviews page.
Independent Broker vs. Carrier Agent Quotes
When you shop with a single insurance company agent, like State Farm, they can only sell you their own products. SelectQuote operates as an independent broker and marketplace. This means we can shop multiple trusted carriers simultaneously to help you find the best rate.
By federal and state law, no insurance company or agent is allowed to offer a special discount on life insurance prices. Because prices are set by law, comparison shopping across different companies is the best way to find the lowest price for your needs. You can explore all our insurance partners on our life insurance carriers page.
At SelectQuote, we’re dedicated to:
Ensuring you know all your options before deciding on a policy
Finding the best price for the coverage you need based on your unique needs
Matching you with the best carrier for your situation
How the Underwriting Process Calculates Your Monthly Term Life Rate
The underwriting process for a life insurance policy uses several factors to calculate your monthly premium:
The Type of Policy You Choose
Term life policies are typically more affordable than permanent life policies. Term life premiums are fixed, while permanent life premiums tend to increase about 8% to 10% for every year of age.
The Amount of Benefit You Choose
When you choose a higher benefit for your beneficiaries, you can typically expect to pay a higher monthly premium.
The Length of Your Term Life Policy
The longer your term, the more expensive your life insurance quote can be. This is because the longer you have the life insurance policy, the older you get and the greater the chance the insurance company will have to pay out the death benefit.
Your Health at the Time of Purchase
Most applicants must undergo a basic medical checkup in order to secure life insurance. Some factors that might result in higher premiums include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, hypoglycemia, chronic illness, nicotine use, or recreational drug use.
Your Age at the Time of Purchase
Older individuals can expect to pay a higher premium for both term and permanent life insurance.
Your Hobbies at the Time of Purchase
If you enjoy extreme sports such as hang gliding, skiing, or rock climbing, it's no surprise that you may be considered a higher insurance risk. As a result, you could face higher life insurance premiums for both term and permanent policies due to the potential dangers associated with high-risk activities and hobbies.
Your Gender
On average, women tend to live longer than men, so men can expect to pay higher life insurance rates.
Quote vs. Rate: what is the difference?
A life insurance quote is a free price estimate based on the basic health and lifestyle details you share upfront. A life insurance rate is the final, official monthly cost set by the insurance company after reviewing your full health profile and completing the approval process.
What information do I need to get an accurate quote?
The more information you have ready when you call or fill out a form, the more accurate your initial quote will be. Here is a simple list of details to gather:
Basic Info: Age, gender, height, and weight
Financial Info: Income, mortgage balance, and current debts to estimate coverage needs
Health and Lifestyle Details: Medical history, family health history, prescription lists, tobacco use, driving record, and high-risk hobbies
Policy History: Details about any current or past life insurance coverage
Contact Details: Your ZIP code, phone number, and email address
How to Buy Life Insurance
Here is how simple it is to secure a policy with SelectQuote:
Get in touch: Call 1-855-629-4500 or submit an online request to connect with a licensed agent.
Review options: Work one-on-one with your agent to discuss your financial goals.
Compare plans: Review side-by-side rates from trusted insurance companies nationwide.
Apply: Choose your policy and complete the application step, which may include a basic medical exam.
Using a coverage calculator: how much do I need?
Before you shop, it helps to figure out how much policy protection your family needs. A simple rule of thumb is to buy 10 to 15 times your annual income.
You can also use the DIME method:
D (Debt): Total up your credit cards, car loans, and personal debts.
I (Income): Multiply your yearly salary by the number of years your family will need support.
M (Mortgage): Add the amount left to pay off your home.
E (Education): Add estimated college tuition costs for your children.
Try our online tool to calculate your needs using our correct coverage guide.
When to Get Life Insurance
You want to ensure your family and loved ones are financially protected if you were to pass away unexpectedly. Life insurance can help ensure your debts are covered, day-to-day expenses are handled and that your loved ones can grieve without the burden of financial stressors.
Certain major life events mean additional financial responsibilities and dependents and are ideal times to consider buying life insurance. These events can include:
Starting your career
If your family depends on your income, obtaining life insurance when you start your career is a way to ensure the best life insurance rates and provide financial protection for your loved ones if you pass away.
Getting married
You want to ensure that your spouse is financially supported in the event of an unexpected death. If one of you were to pass away, would the other spouse’s income be enough to pay off any debts as well as cover rent, the mortgage, or utilities?
Growing your family
Growing your family means additional financial responsibilities, as well as children who depend on your income. Life insurance can prevent financial hardship that could occur with the loss of an income.
Starting a business
If you own your own business, life insurance can help pay off business-related debts or fund a buy-sell agreement, allowing a business partner to buy out your share if you pass away.
Buying a home
If you buy a house and have a mortgage to pay, a life insurance policy can help cover mortgage payments so your family doesn’t have to move in the event your income is lost.
Managing debt
Life insurance can help pay for any remaining debt that you wouldn’t want to pass on to surviving family members.
The Different Types of Life Insurance Policies
There are two main types of life insurance: term life insurance and permanent life insurance.
While term life insurance quotes are often more affordable, there are benefits to consider when it comes to both. How much coverage you need, your current financial situation, and who is dependent on your income are just a few factors that can go into determining what life insurance type is right for you.
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance is the most popular and affordable choice for many families. These policies last for a set number of years, usually between 10 and 30 years.
Term life does not build cash value, but it offers an easy way to protect your family while paying off a home or saving for retirement.
10-Year Term Life Insurance: Helpful if you need to protect your income until your children finish school or graduate from college.
15-Year Term Life Insurance: A great option if you have a mid-length financial goal, like paying down a shorter mortgage or supporting teens through adulthood.
20-Year Term Life Insurance: Popular for young married couples or new parents who want to lock in low rates for two decades.
30-Year Term Life Insurance: Ideal for new homeowners who want coverage that lasts through a standard 30-year home loan.
Permanent (Whole) Life Insurance
Whole life insurance is the most common form of permanent protection. It stays active for your entire lifetime as long as monthly payments are made. Unlike term insurance, whole life plans include a cash value feature that grows interest over time, which you can borrow against if needed.
No-Medical-Exam Life Insurance
While SelectQuote makes securing a life insurance policy easy, the medical exam that comes with the application process can be one of the most intimidating parts. This 30-minute physical isn’t difficult by any means, but some individuals wish to avoid it altogether—and it’s possible to do so with a no medical exam life insurance policy such as instant term life insurance, accelerated underwriting, guaranteed issue, or simplified issue.
Both simplified issue life insurance and guaranteed issue life insurance are good options if you’re between the ages of 45-85.
Instant term life insurance through SelectQuote offers up to $5 million in coverage for those in good health and age 60 years or younger. The approval process only takes about 30 minutes and doesn’t require a medical exam. If approved, coverage starts immediately.
Accelerated underwriting life insurance options are for those in good health, generally up to age 60, and for coverage amounts under $1 million.
For a simplified issue life insurance policy of up to $100,000, you can expect to complete a health-related questionnaire in place of the medical exam.
For a guaranteed issue life insurance policy, you would not need to complete an exam or a questionnaire but can expect to see lower coverage options available.
Life Insurance Quote FAQs
What is life insurance?
Life insurance is a contract between you (the policyholder) and an insurance company. A life insurance policy is financial protection for your family and loved ones if you were to pass away, as it guarantees a sum of money to your named beneficiaries.
You may have life insurance through work, but this coverage is often not enough. With financial experts recommending having life insurance coverage that’s 10-15 times your annual salary, you’ll want to make sure any policy you have offers sufficient protection for your loved ones.
What is the best type of life insurance for me?
The best type of life insurance looks different for everyone, as each type of policy has both its advantages and considerations. Term life insurance is typically a favorable option due to its simplicity and price, but there are some people who benefit most from a permanent life insurance policy.
At SelectQuote, we work to ensure you get the policy that’s right for you. This means working with some of the nation’s most trusted insurance carriers and then carefully going over your options with you.
What is a life insurance quote?
A life insurance quote is an estimate of how much you’ll pay for a life insurance policy based on factors like your age, health, lifestyle, and coverage amount. It provides a breakdown of your premium costs, which may vary depending on the insurer and the type of policy you choose.
How much life insurance do I need?
The amount of life insurance needed varies from person to person. There are a few main points to consider when determining how much life insurance you need:
How much life insurance you can afford
Who would depend on your financial support in the event of your death
If you have a mortgage
How funeral expenses will be paid
How much money you will need for retirement
If you have children who need help paying for college
What is the average cost of life insurance per month?
On average, a 10-year term life insurance policy can cost anywhere from $9 to $50 per month for a healthy, non-smoker in their 30s, but premiums increase with age and coverage amount. Permanent life insurance policies, like whole life, tend to be more expensive, with premiums often starting at $100 or more per month.
What is the best length for term life insurance?
The ideal length of term life insurance depends on your specific financial obligations. For younger families, a 20- or 30-year term may be a good choice to ensure coverage while children are still dependent and mortgages are being paid off. If you're older or have fewer financial responsibilities, a shorter term may be sufficient.
How do I get the best quote on life insurance?
To get the best quote on life insurance, start by comparing offers from multiple insurers to ensure you're getting the most competitive price. Be honest about your health history and lifestyle, as these factors directly impact your premiums. Working with an insurance brokerage like SelectQuote can help you evaluate various options, compare quotes from top carriers, and find the best coverage for your needs at the right price.
Can I get a life insurance quote online?
Yes, you can get a life insurance quote online through a variety of platforms, including direct insurers, although an insurance brokerage like SelectQuote can help you compare rates from several carriers all in one place. Most online quote tools will ask for basic information like your age, health, lifestyle, and coverage needs to provide estimates. While online quotes are a good starting point, it's often helpful to speak with a licensed insurance agent to clarify details and ensure you’re getting the best possible coverage.
What is the most affordable type of life insurance?
Term life insurance is generally the most affordable type of life insurance. Since it provides coverage for a set period (usually 10, 20, or 30 years) and does not accumulate cash value, premiums tend to be much lower compared to permanent life insurance policies.
When is the best time to buy life insurance?
The best time to buy life insurance is as early as possible, preferably when you’re young and in good health. Premiums tend to be lower when you're younger, and buying early ensures you lock in more affordable rates.
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Let SelectQuote Compare Term Life Insurance Quotes for You
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