Understanding your life insurance policy options

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Compare your life insurance options

Life insurance companies offer multiple types of policies. The two most popular types are term life and permanent life. Under the permanent life insurance umbrella is whole life, universal life, and variable universal life insurance, which all offer lifetime coverage.

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance is permanent policy that has a cash value. You can borrow or withdraw money from the cash value while you are alive.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance lasts for a specific period of time, usually 10 to 30 years. These policies are more affordable than a permanent life insurance plan because they don’t last a lifetime and don’t have a cash value.

Permanent life insurance

With instant approval, you don’t have to fill out multiple forms, get a medical exam or wait a month to find out if you’re approved.

Life insurance for active military

There are specific policies available for military members, such as the service members’ group life insurance policy, which automatically signs up service members who qualify.

Universal life insurance

With universal life insurance, you’re insured for life as long as you make your premium payments. Universal life is different from whole life because it offers premium flexibility.

Life insurance for seniors

Age impacts life insurance approval and rates, but senior citizens still have life insurance options. Short-term life policies are usually available before the age of 75 and final expense life insurance policies are available to seniors until they reach 80.

What to know when shopping for life insurance

Best life insurance companies

Insure.com analyzed customer satisfaction and financial stability data to give consumers insight into which insurer might be right for their needs. Here are the best life insurance companies for 2025:

How much is life insurance in your state?

Your age, gender and smoking status are some of the factors that impact your life insurance premiums. Here's how life insurance rates compare for smokers and non-smokers across states.

Life insurance rates for smokers

California $1,675/Year

Florida $1,686/Year

Georgia $1,687/Year

Illinois $1,619/Year

Michigan $1,619/Year

New York $1,577/Year

North Carolina $1,706/Year

Ohio $1,619/Year

Pennsylvania $1,680/Year

Texas $1,684/Year

Life insurance rates for non-smokers

Alabama $359/Year

Alaska $359/Year

Arizona $359/Year

Arkansas $359/Year

California $361/Year

Colorado $358/Year

Connecticut $359/Year

Delaware $359/Year

Florida $361/Year

Georgia $360/Year

Hawaii $358/Year

Idaho $359/Year

Illinois $362/Year

Indiana $360/Year

Iowa $359/Year

Kansas $359/Year

Kentucky $361/Year

Louisiana $358/Year

Maine $358/Year

Maryland $359/Year

Massachusetts $358/Year

Michigan $362/Year

Minnesota $359/Year

Mississippi $360/Year

Missouri $360/Year

Montana $357/Year

Nebraska $359/Year

Nevada $359/Year

New Hampshire $359/Year

New Jersey $359/Year

New Mexico $359/Year

New York $378/Year

North Carolina $361/Year

North Dakota $359/Year

Ohio $362/Year

Oklahoma $359/Year

Oregon $359/Year

Pennsylvania $360/Year

Rhode Island $359/Year

South Carolina $362/Year

South Dakota $359/Year

Tennessee $360/Year

Texas $359/Year

Utah $359/Year

Vermont $358/Year

Virginia $361/Year

Washington $359/Year

Washington, D.C. $358/Year

West Virginia $359/Year

Wisconsin $359/Year

Wyoming $358/Year

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What type of life insurance policy should I get?

Your policy needs may change over time, so do your research and consult with an insurance agent to find the best policy type for you.

How do you decide what coverage you need?

Your amount of coverage generally depends on how much money your dependents need to continue with their current standard of living without your support. Be sure to consider outstanding loan balances, monthly bills, and plans for the future.