Tips for How to Compare Life Insurance

A life insurance policy is an investment that protects your loved ones from financial disaster when you pass away. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about life insurance that could result in you purchasing the wrong policy or not getting one at all — comparing available options is key to find a policy that fits your needs and budget.

Finding the best life insurance as well as the most affordable life insurance for your needs is easy when you know what to look for. Learning about the different types of life insurance, determining how much coverage you need, understanding factors that affect costs and investigating different ways you can buy insurance can help you find the right coverage for you and your family.

• Comparing Life Insurance: The Basics
• Determining How Much Coverage You Need
• Factors Affecting Your Life Insurance Costs
• Ways to Get Life Insurance
• The Best Life Insurance Policy for You
• Tips for Buying Life Insurance

Before comparing life insurance policies, understanding the basics can help you better plan for your family’s long-term financial needs.

Once you've established this groundwork, move on to comparing available policies. Consider leveraging a life insurance comparison tool or other platforms for life insurance policy comparison to ensure that you select the right coverage and company.

Life insurance policies grant death benefits to your loved ones when you pass away. In other words, your beneficiary (or beneficiaries) is given a non-taxable lump sum after your death that can be used for various purposes — to pay for your funeral, address any debts or help with their living expenses. Life insurance policies may also include a cash value component that builds over time and can be accessed while the policyholder is alive.

Life insurance premiums must be paid monthly, quarterly, annually or semi-annually. Premiums are calculated based on factors like your age, coverage level, health status, type of coverage and more. Comparing life insurance policies will help you identify the most cost-effective options for your situation without compromising coverage quality.

However, not all deaths are covered by insurance policies. For instance, if you work in a high-risk industry or have dangerous hobbies — such as skydiving — insurers may add a clause prohibiting a payout if your death results from your high-risk hobby or job. Your beneficiary may also not receive a payout if you're murdered and they're tied to your death.

A life insurance policy can pay for various expenses after your death — your funeral, federal or state estate taxes, your beneficiary’s living expenses or even contributions to a desired charity. Because of these benefits, most people believe that life insurance is only useful if you have dependents, but this isn’t always true.

Not only is life insurance more affordable than people think, but it can be helpful for just about anyone. Some policies accumulate cash value over time that you can use to supplement your retirement or help with large purchases, such as a home. There are even specific endorsements, called “riders,” for chronic and terminal illnesses that can let you access some of your death benefit while you’re alive under certain circumstances. For instance, if you are terminally ill and are given a certain amount of time to live, you may use your death benefit to help pay for care and expenses.

When purchasing life insurance, you may come across two different types: permanent and term life insurance policies. Here are the main features of each.

Permanent life insurance is active for the entire duration of your life. The three most common types of permanent life insurance are whole, universal and final expense:

• Whole Life Insurance: This is the most common type of permanent life insurance. It includes both a death benefit and an investment component. You typically pay a fixed premium for a specified death benefit, and the investment grows over time. This feature makes it ideal for those looking for life insurance policies for long-term financial planning.
• Universal Life Insurance: This policy type also includes a death benefit and investment component. It’s more flexible than whole life because you can increase or decrease your premium payment. When you reduce the amount you pay in premiums, that amount is taken out of your policy’s accumulated cash value. This is an important consideration when comparing life insurance quotes.
• Final Expense Life Insurance: A final expense policy is an affordable form of permanent life insurance that provides a small death benefit to handle funeral and burial costs. It does not have a cash value. It's a viable option for those comparing life insurance rates to find an economical solution for end-of-life expenses.

Most permanent life insurance policies generally come with a fixed premium, a death benefit and cash value. The cash value is the savings component of your policy that grows tax-free each year, which you can withdraw or borrow from after a certain period. While the premiums for permanent life are typically higher than term life, the guaranteed lifetime coverage and cash value often make up for it.

Term life insurance is a more affordable option than whole life insurance as it only provides coverage for a specified period. Coverage can last anywhere between one to 30 years, after which it expires and has to be renewed. Unlike whole life insurance, it does not come with cash value.

This type of insurance is particularly appealing to those looking for a straightforward, cost-effective solution. When comparing term life insurance plans, consider the length of coverage needed and the potential for future insurance needs, ensuring the policy matches your short-term and long-term financial planning goals.

Life insurance payouts depend on the coverage amount you select. Policies are usually available in a wide range of coverage amounts, from around $100,000 to upwards of $1 million, but the coverage you qualify for depends on your needs, income and overall net worth. Make sure to get enough coverage to secure your family's financial future or meet any other important needs; unfortunately, many U.S. adults are inadequately covered.

To get an idea of how much coverage you need, multiply your annual salary by 10 and then add your current and planned financial obligations — be it the mortgage for your house, outstanding student loans or the cost of your children’s education.

For instance, if you make $70,000 a year, your base payout would be $700,000. If you have around $30,000 left in student loans, a mortgage of $250,000 and an expected education expense of $100,000, you should consider upwards of $1 million for your death benefit.

You may also want to consider the expenses of your beneficiaries — do they need special care? Do they plan on going to medical school? Consider your plans for the future, such as if you plan to move in the next five years to a better, more expensive home or are considering returning to school. The additional debt should be included in your payout to alleviate the load on your family and loved ones.

Utilizing a life insurance comparison tool or comparing life insurance online can be helpful. These resources allow for an efficient life insurance quote comparison and life insurance policy comparison, aiding in selecting a policy that meets your specific requirements.

Various factors help determine your life insurance premiums, and every provider weighs those factors a little differently. From age and gender to your coverage and term length, knowing what affects your premiums can give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay before applying.

There are a few ways to purchase life insurance: online or in person and through an insurer, agent or broker.

Purchasing a policy directly from an insurer is easy. Many insurers offer online quote generators, allowing you to compare life insurance quotes quickly. Alternatively, visiting a branch lets you discuss your needs directly with an agent. However, if you’re still in the planning or researching stage, gathering multiple quotes through this method for a comprehensive life insurance comparison can be time-consuming.

You can also purchase life insurance from an agent or broker. Like insurers, they can be reached online or through in-person visits, but the only difference is that they can give you quotes from different insurers and help you evaluate your options better. This route can be particularly beneficial for those looking to compare life insurance rates across multiple companies.

The best life insurance policy depends on your current needs and financial situation. While a whole life policy may be your ideal choice, a term policy might be better given your current budget. Carefully assessing your options is the best way to find the right coverage for you.

Throughout this process, visiting platforms to compare life insurance online or utilizing a life insurance comparison tool can significantly aid in navigating through different policies, ensuring you make an informed decision tailored to your needs and financial goals.

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about life insurance policies below to help you find the best policy for you and your family.