The Average Cost of Term Life Insurance
If you're shopping for term life protection for your family, you may be wondering, what is the average cost of term life insurance?
There is no one right answer because the prices vary by person, age, gender, insurance company, policy type, amount of coverage, and several other factors used to determine what you pay for coverage.
In 2004, according to LIMRA International, the average adult with life insurance age 25-34 had only $145,000, and the average adult age 35-44 had only $323,000 of insurance on his or her life. As the term "average" implies, many people had smaller amounts of insurance-and one in four adults have no life insurance at all.
A study performed in 2007 by the Insurance Information Institute stated Since 2000, term insurance rates dropped about 4 percent per year on average, following an average annual 15 percent drop from 1994-1999. The effect of these drops drove the lowest rates available in 2007 to less than half of what they had been a dozen years earlier.
In addition, rates for term life coverage may vary by up to 50%, or more between insurance companies. That's why it makes sense to shop and compare prices from multiple companies when searching for the best price on your term insurance policy.
Rates are dropping because death rates for the 25-44 age group the primary age range for purchasing life insurance have decreased significantly over the past 10 years (National Vital Statistics Reports).
When you consider how insurance rates have decreased and combine that with potential savings you may achieve by comparing multiple rate quotes from several insurers, you may save money by choosing term life protection.
Benefits of Term Insurance:
Affordable - Rates are at 10 year lows.
Flexible - Choose from 10, 15, 20, or 30 year terms.
Low Cost - Term life is less expensive than permanent insurance.
Guaranteed Rates - Level term plans provide rates that are guaranteed to remain the same for the entire term of your policy.
How is the average cost of term life insurance determined?
There are many factors insurance companies consider when deciding what they will charge for your policy.
Rating Factors:
Age.
Gender.
Amount of coverage.
Type of life insurance plan.
Your occupation.
Your hobbies (high-risk hobbies?)
Health condition.
Your family's health history
Length of the life insurance plan you need.
Do you smoke?
Are you on medication?
How can you compare term insurance rates?
There are several ways to compare prices.
You can contact a local insurance agent using the yellow pages, or get a recommendation from a friend or family-member.
You can call a insurance company direct to request free quotes.
Or, you could shop and compare free term life rate quotes online by visiting a insurance quoting service online.
Make sure to compare rates from several carriers and review the financial rating of the insurance companies.
Tips for Comparing Term Life Insurance Quotes:
Compare quotes from several carriers.
Compare premium payment options for monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual payments.
Compare rates for 10, 15, 20 and 30 year terms.
Compare rates at the next highest $100,000 limit of coverage.
Lock-in rates 6 months before your next birthday.
Consider the financial strength rating of the insurance companies.
If you have any questions about your insurance quotes make sure you get answers from your insurance agent or company before choosing a plan.