How Much Will Life Insurance Cost Me?

One of the most common questions people have when considering life insurance is, “How much will life insurance cost me?” While the answer depends on several factors, understanding the key elements that affect life insurance premiums can help you estimate the cost of coverage. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that impact life insurance premiums and provide insights into how to get a quote for your coverage. 

Life insurance is valued in terms of both money and peace of mind. However, policy types, term lengths, and coverage details vary, so knowing your own needs (and those of your beneficiaries) will save you money in the long run. With a bit of research and planning, you might discover that life insurance isn’t as expensive as you think. Continue reading to learn how life insurance premiums are calculated and what to expect.

Understanding Your Insurance Policy’s Costs 

When calculating your premium, life insurance companies consider several factors. Gender, age, family history, region, and overall health are only a few factors. Other aspects of your lifestyle, such as smoking, occupation, and hobbies, are also considerednce firms use these variables to determine how risky you are to insure.

How Does Your Age Affect Your Premium? 

Your age and health are the primary factors that affect your life insurance premiums. Younger, healthier individuals generally have lower premiums because they are less likely to pass away during the policy term. If you’re older or have pre-existing medical conditions, your premiums will be higher to reflect the increased risk.

The average life expectancy in the United States is also taken into account. It is currently 75.1 years old for men and 80.5 years old for women. This information affects the cost of your premium, as older applicants can anticipate paying more than younger applicants, who are more likely to live longer.

How Does Your Gender Affect Your Premium? 

Women, on average, pay less for life insurance than men do. Insurance firms might expect to get premium payments for a longer period of time because they live longer (bringing down the monthly cost). If you are pregnant at the time of application, there is an exception to consider. Due to the possibility of pregnancy-related health complications, your premium may rise.

What is the additional cost of life insurance for smokers?

This varies depending on the insurance company. Your age and general health play a role as well. When you apply for life insurance, all of these considerations are taken into account. 

A younger smoker in their twenties would notice a relatively moderate increase in their monthly premiums of 25% to 30%, as an example.

Older smokers, on the other hand, are likely to face a greater financial premium. Someone in their fifties, for example, might be required to pay twice as much as a non-smoker. 

As a result, if you want to save money on your insurance, it’s definitely worth it to quit smoking.

How your health affects your life insurance rates

Your health status has a huge impact on your life insurance, whether it’s a long-standing condition you’ve had your whole life or something new.

To give you an idea, a healthy 35-year-old guy who buys a 20-year level term policy with a fixed yearly premium and a $500,000 death benefit might pay $430 per year. A healthy 50-year-old male could pay $1,300 per year for the same policy. The policy will cost around $7,300 each year if he waits until he’s 65. 

Cash-value plans have substantially higher premiums. For example, a healthy 35-year-old male who pays $430 per year for a $500,000 term policy would pay around $4,400 per year for a $500,000 universal life policy, partly because a portion of that $4,400 is invested. That’s a significant difference.

Does Your Weight affect your Life Insurance Premium?

Yes, your weight has a significant impact on your health. 

When it comes to weight and life insurance, most firms use BMI, or Body Mass Index, to evaluate risk based on average weights for people your height. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of Americans are obese. This is a staggering figure, but society has taken note, and many individuals are modifying their diets to reflect this. Life insurance companies have taken notice as well, since they recognize the health risks that come with being overweight or obese.

How Does Lifestyle Affect Life Insurance Rates?

Your job is only a small part of how dangerous your life is on a daily basis. Your way of life plays a role in determining your life insurance premiums. 

Do you enjoy sitting on the beach and reading a book? Or are you a thrill seeker who enjoys speedboat racing, hang gliding, cliff diving, and mountain climbing? 

The riskier a lifestyle is, the more likely it is for anything to go wrong. Life insurance companies may view this as a risk, raising your premiums as a result. If you live life on the edge, obtaining a life insurance coverage might be really beneficial.

How Does Your Medical History Affect Life Insurance Rates?

When you apply for life insurance, your medical history and that of your family will be considered. Unlike the most of the points in this article, there is one part of your life insurance application over which you have little control. As a stopgap, all you can do is lower your risk of developing certain ailments (e.g. maintaining a healthy diet and weight).

Does Your Driving Record affect your Life Insurance Premium?

It may surprise you to learn that your driving record is taken into account when obtaining a life insurance quote. In a given year, the average person spends 293 hours in a vehicle. That’s a total of 12 days! 

The road can be a dangerous place, and the longer you’re on it, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. It’s merely a matter of math. 

Life insurance firms can look into your driving record and discover if you’ve broken any traffic regulations in the past. Because the past 3 to 5 years are the most heavily weighted, it may be prudent to start fresh before purchasing a life insurance policy.

FAQS:

Q: What is the average cost of life insurance?

A: The cost of life insurance varies widely depending on the factors mentioned above. However, a healthy person in their 30s can expect to pay around $20 per month for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $500,000 death benefit.

Q: Can I get life insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

A: It’s possible to get life insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition, but you may have to pay higher premiums to reflect the increased risk.

Q: How do I get a life insurance quote?

A: To get a life insurance quote, you can contact Health Plans in Oregon. You’ll need to provide information about your age, health, smoking status, coverage amount, and term length.

Need help? Call Health Plans in Oregon: 503-928-6918. Our assistance is at no cost to you.