Life insurance can be a good way to provide for your loved ones after your passing. That said, there are many options to choose from, so shopping around is crucial. Find the best life insurance companies in Los Angeles, California, with the help of MoneyGeek’s analysis of their average rates based on your age, gender and smoking history.
Best Life Insurance Companies in Los Angeles, CA, for 2024
Transamerica is the best overall life insurance company in Los Angeles. Average rates typically range from $9 monthly for a $250K coverage policy to $19 monthly for the state-recommended coverage of $1.13M.
Mark Fitzpatrick
Head of Insurance, MoneyGeek
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/15/cant-keep-up-with-insurance-premiums-heres-what-to-do.html), [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/flooded-cars-are-problem-their-owners-future-car-buyers-n1278493) and [Mashable](https://mashable.com/article/tesla-insurance-rates). Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
Katherine Kurtz, PhD
Managing Editor
Katherine Kurtz, Ph.D., is the Managing Editor at MoneyGeek, with 15 years of experience in academic and content editing. She holds a doctorate in philosophy from Villanova University, where she also worked as an adjunct professor and the managing editor of *Hypatia*, a peer-reviewed feminist philosophy journal. Kurtz believes in "education as a practice of freedom" (bell hooks) and seeks to empower herself and others by openly sharing financial knowledge and resources.
Mark Fitzpatrick
Head of Insurance, MoneyGeek
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/15/cant-keep-up-with-insurance-premiums-heres-what-to-do.html), [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/flooded-cars-are-problem-their-owners-future-car-buyers-n1278493) and [Mashable](https://mashable.com/article/tesla-insurance-rates). Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
Katherine Kurtz, PhD
Managing Editor
Katherine Kurtz, Ph.D., is the Managing Editor at MoneyGeek, with 15 years of experience in academic and content editing. She holds a doctorate in philosophy from Villanova University, where she also worked as an adjunct professor and the managing editor of *Hypatia*, a peer-reviewed feminist philosophy journal. Kurtz believes in "education as a practice of freedom" (bell hooks) and seeks to empower herself and others by openly sharing financial knowledge and resources.
Updated: August 21, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Best Life Insurance Companies in Los Angeles, CA, for 2023
Best Cheap Life Insurance in Los Angeles
Your gender and coverage amount will dictate how much you’ll pay for a life insurance policy. Transamerica offers the cheapest life insurance in Los Angeles with $250K in coverage, charging an average rate of $9 per month for men and $7 per month for women.
While a policy with $250K in coverage is more affordable, it may not be enough for most people. If this is the case, consider your state’s recommended coverage amount, which is determined by state-specific factors like cost of living, average income, average personal debt and average age.
In California, the state-recommended coverage amount is $1,130,000. At this coverage level, the cheapest life insurance provider in Los Angeles for men and women is still Transamerica, offering average rates of $20 per month and $15 per month, respectively.
Cheapest Life Insurance Companies for Males and Females in Los Angeles
Cheapest For | $250K Coverage | $1,130,000 Coverage (Recommended) |
---|---|---|
Male | Transamerica | Transamerica |
Female | Transamerica | Transamerica |
Life Insurance Costs in Los Angeles for Men and Women
Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, men in Los Angeles pay 8% less than the California state average for life insurance. Meanwhile, women in Los Angeles pay 12% less for a policy.
In Los Angeles, life insurance with $250K in coverage costs an average of $15 per month for men and $13 per month for women. However, these rates change if you get your state’s recommended coverage amount, which is based on per capita income from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, average mortgage debt, average personal debt and average age.
For a California life insurance policy with the state-recommended coverage amount ($1,130,000), the average cost increases to $40 per month for both men and women in Los Angeles.
A 10-year term policy in Los Angeles has an average cost of $23 per month for men and $22 per month for women, regardless of coverage limit.
Average Monthly Life Insurance Rates in Los Angeles: Men
Transamerica | Rates for $250K Coverage$9 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $19 |
Nationwide | Rates for $250K Coverage$11 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $21 |
MassMutual | Rates for $250K Coverage$10 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $24 |
Mutual of Omaha | Rates for $250K Coverage$11 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $25 |
AAA | Rates for $250K Coverage$12 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $28 |
State Farm | Rates for $250K Coverage$16 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $36 |
Prudential | Rates for $250K Coverage$26 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $49 |
Progressive Life | Rates for $250K Coverage$15 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $57 |
Average Monthly Life Insurance Rates in Los Angeles: Women
Transamerica | Rates for $250K Coverage$7 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $15 |
Nationwide | Rates for $250K Coverage$9 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $16 |
Mutual of Omaha | Rates for $250K Coverage$9 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $17 |
MassMutual | Rates for $250K Coverage$8 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $18 |
Progressive Life | Rates for $250K Coverage$10 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $42 |
AAA | Rates for $250K Coverage$15 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $43 |
State Farm | Rates for $250K Coverage$17 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $52 |
Prudential | Rates for $250K Coverage$17 | Rates for $926K Coverage (Recommended) $63 |
Life insurance policy costs were determined by gathering 10-year term quotes from major life insurance companies in Los Angeles using average buyer profile statistics, including the average age of 30, the average weight of 179 pounds for males and 142 pounds for females, and an average coverage need of $1,130,000.
Gender is one of the primary factors affecting the cost of life insurance. Based on a report by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), women pay less for a policy because they have longer life expectancies. On the other hand, men have shorter lifespans due to various factors, such as working dangerous jobs, risk of heart disease and a tendency to avoid doctors.
That said, studies showed that men buy life insurance more often than women. Breadwinners or not, women are essential contributors to the household and should consider life insurance.
Most Popular Life Insurance Companies in California
According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, New York Life (8%), Transamerica (7%) and Northwestern Mutual (5%) are the most popular life insurance companies in California by market share.
Overall, the seven most popular companies in California comprise 37% of the state’s life insurance market share. Review the table below to see which companies made it to the seven most popular list.
Most Popular Life Insurance Companies in California
New York Life | Market Share8% |
Transamerica | Market Share7% |
Northwestern Mutual | Market Share5% |
Lincoln Financial | Market Share5% |
MassMutual | Market Share4% |
Pacific Life | Market Share4% |
Prudential | Market Share4% |
A company’s market share is the percentage of its total sales compared to others in the same industry. The company with the largest market share is usually considered the market leader. The market share data in this guide is based on total premiums written in S&P Global’s 2020 market intelligence reports.
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Cheapest Life Insurance for Young People in Los Angeles
For young people, the cost of life insurance in Los Angeles averages from $16 per month to $25 per month. MoneyGeek found that the cheapest companies for this age group in Los Angeles are:
- Transamerica: $16 per month
- Mutual of Omaha: $17 per month
The table below contains the complete list of life insurance quotes for young people in Los Angeles.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Young People in Los Angeles, CA
Transamerica | Monthly Cost$16 |
Mutual of Omaha | Monthly Cost$17 |
MassMutual | Monthly Cost$17 |
AAA | Monthly Cost$19 |
State Farm | Monthly Cost$21 |
Nationwide | Monthly Cost$22 |
Prudential | Monthly Cost$22 |
Progressive Life | Monthly Cost$25 |
Rates were determined by analyzing quotes for a 25-year-old male non-smoker in Los Angeles who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 152 pounds with a 20-year term contract at the average coverage need of $360K. We chose a 20-year term to provide a longer coverage period for a younger buyer.
Life insurance tends to be cheaper for adults 25 and under, but it gets more expensive over time. Thus, buying a policy is better when you’re younger, and premiums are lower.
Cheapest Life Insurance for Seniors in Los Angeles
On average, the cost of life insurance in Los Angeles for seniors can range from $36 to $80 per month. According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, the two most affordable companies for older adults in Los Angeles are:
- Transamerica: $36 per month
- MassMutual: $37 per month
Review the complete list of the cheapest life insurance companies in Los Angeles for seniors in the table below.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in Los Angeles, CA
Transamerica | Monthly Cost$36 |
MassMutual | Monthly Cost$37 |
State Farm | Monthly Cost$41 |
Nationwide | Monthly Cost$41 |
AAA | Monthly Cost$42 |
Mutual of Omaha | Monthly Cost$43 |
Progressive Life | Monthly Cost$64 |
Prudential | Monthly Cost$80 |
Rates were determined by analyzing quotes for a 60-year-old male non-smoker in Los Angeles who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 179 pounds with a 10-year term contract at the average coverage need of $107K.
Seniors tend to pay higher premiums because their policy is expected to outlive them. Seniors can save money by getting less coverage. Most seniors are fine with a lower coverage level since their children are already grown and less financially dependent on them. Moreover, seniors only need life insurance to cover expenses like funeral arrangements and estate tax. This is why MoneyGeek’s sample policy coverage for seniors is around $107K.
Cheapest Life Insurance for Smokers in Los Angeles
The average cost of life insurance in Los Angeles for smokers ranges from $134 to $200 per month. The two companies offering the lowest rates for smokers in Los Angeles are:
- Transamerica: $134 per month
- Nationwide: $146 per month
You can check the table below for the complete list of affordable insurers for smokers in Los Angeles.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Smokers in Los Angeles, CA
Transamerica | Monthly Cost$134 |
Nationwide | Monthly Cost$146 |
State Farm | Monthly Cost$159 |
Mutual of Omaha | Monthly Cost$163 |
MassMutual | Monthly Cost$163 |
AAA | Monthly Cost$171 |
Prudential | Monthly Cost$186 |
Progressive Life | Monthly Cost$200 |
Rates were determined by analyzing quotes for a 30-year-old male smoker in Los Angeles who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 179 pounds with a 20-year term contract at the average coverage need of $1,130,000.
Life insurance is usually more expensive for smokers since they risk developing smoking-related diseases that impact their life expectancies. That said, shopping around for cheap life insurance for smokers is possible. If you have a smoking history, MoneyGeek suggests buying a longer-term (20-year) policy to provide longer coverage as rates for smokers increase dramatically over time.
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Methodology
MoneyGeek determined the recommended life insurance coverage by factoring in per capita income from the U.S. Bureau of Economics, average mortgage debt, average personal debt and average age. Keep in mind that each buyer is unique and may need more or less coverage depending on their specific circumstances.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
sources
- Harvard Health Publishing. "Why Men Often Die Earlier Than Women." Accessed May 26, 2022.
- Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA). "Facts About Life Insurance 2021." Accessed May 26, 2022.
- National Center for Health Statistics. "Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for January through June, 2020." Accessed May 26, 2022.
- S&P Global. "2020 Annual Report." Accessed May 26, 2022.
- U.S. Department of Commerce. "Bureau of Economic Analysis." Accessed May 26, 2022.