Protective Insurance, Legal & General, Assurity, Pacific Life and Lincoln Financial are the best life insurance providers for 30-year-olds. These companies received the highest MoneyGeek scores in their respective categories. The table highlights the top insurance providers for different categories to help find the right fit for your needs:
Best Life Insurance for 30-Year-Olds
Protective Insurance, Legal & General, Assurity, Pacific Life and Lincoln Financial offer the best life insurance for 30-year-olds.
Find out if you're overpaying for life insurance below.
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Updated: November 3, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Protective Insurance is the best whole and universal life insurance provider for 30-year-old men, with average monthly costs at $433 for whole policies and $198 for universal plans.
Pacific Life offers the best whole and universal life insurance policies for 30-year-old women. The average monthly costs are $396 for whole life and $183 for universal life.
Legal & General is MoneyGeek's top pick for term life insurance for 30-year-old male applicants, with costs averaging $30 per month. Assurity ranks first for best term life insurance for 30-year-old female applicants, costing an average of $23 monthly.
Lincoln Financial is the top insurer for 30-year-olds who prioritize affordability. The average cost for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage is $25 for men and $20 for women.
What is the Best Life Insurance for 30-Year-Olds?
Whole and Universal (Men) | Protective | 5 | Whole: $433 Universal: $198 | Whole: $5,190 Universal: $2,370 |
Whole and Universal (Women) | Pacific Life | 4.5 | Whole: $396 Universal: $183 | Whole: $4,754 Universal: $2,191 |
Term (Men) | Legal & General | 4.7 | Term: $30 | Term: $357 |
Term (Women) | Assurity | 4.7 | Term: $23 | Term: $271 |
Best Cheap | Lincoln Financial | 4.5 | Term: $25 (Men), $20 (Women) | Term: $294 (Men), $236 (Women) |
*The rates above are average quotes for $500,000 coverage for 30-year-olds. For term life insurance, we used a 20-year term length. Rates based on MoneyGeek survey of major insurers. Individual rates vary significantly based on health, location and underwriting factors. These averages are for comparison purposes only.
Best Whole and Universal for Men: Protective
Protective
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Cost
Whole: $433 Universal: $198Based on average quotes for $500,000 coverage.Average Annual Cost
Whole: $5,190 Universal: $2,370Based on average quotes for $500,000 coverage.
Best Whole and Universal for Women: Pacific Life
Pacific Life
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.3/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Cost
Whole: $396 Universal: $183Based onaverage quotes for $500,000 coverage.Average Annual Cost
Whole: $4,754 Universal: $2,191Based onaverage quotes for $500,000 coverage.
Best Term Coverage for Men: Legal & General
Legal & General
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.8/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Cost
$30Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage.Average Annual Cost
$357Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage.
Best Term Coverage for Women: Assurity
Assurity
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.8/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Cost
$23Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage.Average Annual Cost
$271Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage.
Best Cheap: Lincoln Financial
Lincoln Financial
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.6/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Cost
$25 (Men) $20 (Women)Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage.Average Annual Cost
$294 (Men) $236 (Women)Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage.
Best Types of Life Insurance for 30-Year-Olds
Life insurance policies for a 30-year-old are available in two forms: term insurance and permanent insurance. Which type is best for you depends on a number of different factors. Here's what you should know:
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance works well if you wish to insure your dependents for a specific period. You can choose a term length based on a particular expense you want your insurance to cover or until your family no longer needs your income for support.
Term policies cover a set period, and death benefits are paid if the insured dies during that term. Unlike permanent insurance, term policies don't build cash value but offer the most affordable way to secure substantial coverage during your peak earning and family-building years.
Permanent Life Insurance
This insurance lasts much longer. Some policies last lifelong, but others expire at 100 or beyond. It builds cash value while active, which you can receive as payouts or living benefits.
Whole life insurance and universal life insurance are the two main forms of permanent life insurance. Whole life insurance provides a fixed death benefit for the insured's entire life. Universal life insurance combines a death benefit with an investment element that provides flexibility in premiums and the death benefit as long as minimum policy requirements are met. Cash value growth depends on the insurer's declared interest rates, which can fluctuate over time and may affect your premium requirements.
How Much Is Life Insurance for a 30-Year-Old?
MoneyGeek reviewed average life insurance rates for 30-year-old buyers. Due to women's longer life expectancy, life insurance for 30-year-old female policyholders is cheaper than policies for men.
Smoking can increase your risk of developing certain diseases. As a result of the increased mortality risk, even the cheapest life insurance policies for smokers can cost more than double what a nonsmoker would pay for life insurance plans.
The tables below illustrate potential rate variations for 30-year-old nonsmokers and smokers across coverage amounts and policy types.
Cost of Term Life Insurance for 30-Year-Olds
Data filtered by:
10 years
Female
No
| $100,000 | $7 | $83 |
| $250,000 | $11 | $138 |
| $500,000 | $20 | $235 |
| $750,000 | $29 | $351 |
| $1,000,000 | $37 | $446 |
| $1,500,000 | $55 | $658 |
| $2,000,000 | $71 | $850 |
| $2,500,000 | $90 | $1,074 |
| $3,000,000 | $105 | $1,259 |
*The rates above are average quotes for 30-year-olds with average weight and health ratings. Individual rates will vary based on your health, lifestyle and other personal factors. These averages are for comparison purposes only.
Cost of Whole Life Insurance for 30-Year-Olds
Data filtered by:
Female
No
| $100,000 | $80 | $958 |
| $250,000 | $200 | $2,396 |
| $500,000 | $399 | $4,792 |
| $750,000 | $599 | $7,189 |
| $1,000,000 | $799 | $9,585 |
| $1,500,000 | $1,198 | $14,377 |
| $2,500,000 | $1,997 | $23,962 |
*The rates above are average quotes for 30-year-olds with average weight and health ratings. Individual rates will vary based on your health, lifestyle and other personal factors. These averages are for comparison purposes only.
Cost of Universal Life Insurance for 30-Year-Olds
Data filtered by:
Female
No
| $100,000 | $37 | $442 |
| $250,000 | $92 | $1,104 |
| $500,000 | $184 | $2,209 |
| $750,000 | $276 | $3,313 |
| $1,000,000 | $368 | $4,417 |
| $1,500,000 | $552 | $6,626 |
| $2,500,000 | $920 | $11,043 |
*The rates above are average quotes for 30-year-olds with average weight and health ratings. Individual rates will vary based on your health, lifestyle and other personal factors. These averages are for comparison purposes only.
Best Life Insurance in Your 30s: Bottom Line
There's no specific age at which someone should get life insurance, but premiums become more expensive as you age. Older adults are more likely to have complex medical histories and shorter life expectancies. We analyzed life insurance quotes and company details to rank the best life insurance policy for 30-year-olds.
The best life insurance option for 30-year-olds varies based on your needs and preferences. Based on MoneyGeek's analysis, Legal & General and Assurity offer the best term life insurance policies for 30-year-olds. Protective Insurance and Pacific Life rank first for whole and universal policies. Lincoln Financial has the cheapest life insurance for 30-year-olds.
Life Insurance for 30-Year-Olds: FAQ
We answer common questions about buying a life insurance policy for 30-year-olds:
Is life insurance worth it at 30 years old?
Life insurance can be worth it at 30. Age 30 is an ideal time to lock in affordable life insurance rates while you're likely in good health. A policy ensures financial security for your loved ones and helps cover major expenses.
How much life insurance do 30-year-olds need?
To determine how much life insurance you need, consider factors like your income, debts and dependents' financial needs. Many 30-year-olds opt for policies that cover 10 to 12 times their annual income. The best life insurance for 30-year-olds provides flexible coverage based on individual financial goals.
How can I save money on life insurance?
To save money on life insurance, buy term life insurance instead of whole life, maintain a healthy lifestyle and compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rates. If you're in good health, opt for a medical exam policy, which will save you hundreds of dollars annually compared to no-exam coverage.
What's the best life insurance term length for a 30-year old?
A 20- to 30-year term works best for most 30-year-olds, because it covers critical financial obligations like mortgage payments, income replacement and raising children through college age. Choose 20 years if you want coverage until age 50 or 30 years if you need protection into your 60s when your retirement savings can replace life insurance.
Our Ratings Methodology
Choosing life insurance in your thirties feels different from shopping for it in your twenties or forties. You're likely thinking about growing families, new mortgages and building long-term financial security. We designed our research specifically for 30-year-olds navigating these considerations.
How We Ranked the Best Life Insurance Companies for 30-Year-Olds
We analyzed 248,399 life insurance quotes because thirty-somethings need evidence-based rate comparisons, not generic advice. This age group often qualifies for the best health-based pricing while facing significant new financial responsibilities. Our scoring system prioritizes affordability heavily since you're likely balancing competing financial goals like homebuying, student loans and retirement savings.
Our Scoring Framework
Companies earn up to five points across three categories:
- Affordability (55%): Premium costs from actual online quotes
- Customer Experience (30%): Financial stability ratings from AM Best, years in business and NAIC complaint data
- Coverage Options (15%): Product diversity and online buying tools
Sample Profile Details
We gathered quotes using a standard profile:
- 30-year-old man
- Non-smoker
- 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds
- Average health rating
For the standard female profile, we used 5'4" for height and 120 lbs for weight.
We tested variations by modifying age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use, health ratings and location to capture rate differences across customer types. Our analysis included multiple term lengths (term and permanent) and coverage amounts since thirty-somethings often need flexibility as their financial situations evolve.
Data Analysis Process
We reviewed policy documents from the best life insurance companies for 30-year-olds, tested online quote systems during peak hours, and contacted customer service lines to evaluate the buying experience. We identified pricing patterns in our dataset to understand how various factors affect rates for this age group, then used those trends to project costs across different scenarios.
This methodology focuses on what matters most when you're thirty: getting comprehensive financial protection at rates that fit your budget while working with companies that will be there when you need them.
Best Life Insurance When in Your 30s: Related Pages
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.