Term life insurance is a life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specific period of time or term. The policy pays a death benefit if the insured passes away during the term. Term life insurance is typically much less expensive than permanent life insurance, such as whole life insurance. This is because the policy does not accumulate cash value, and the death benefit is only paid if the insured dies during the term.
There are a variety of term lengths available, typically ranging from one to 30 years. The most common term lengths are 10, 20, and 30 years. When choosing a term life insurance policy, it is important to understand some of the factors that will influence your premium rates. There are a few things that affect term life insurance rates like your age, health, and the amount of coverage you need. Keep reading to learn more about what affects term life insurance premiums.
Health and Medical History
When you are applying for a term life insurance policy, the insurance company will ask about your health and medical history. They might also require that you take a medical exam before issuing a policy. This is because your health and medical history are some of the biggest risk factors that are considered for all policyholders.
The insurance company will look at your current health and any medical conditions that you have been treated for in the past. They will also look at your family’s health history. This is because some medical conditions can be passed down from one generation to the next. Your premium payments will be based on all of this information.
The insurance company will also look at your lifestyle habits. This includes things like whether or not you smoke or drink alcohol. They will also consider your weight and height, as these can affect your risk of developing certain medical conditions in the future. The higher your risk of developing a medical condition, the higher your premiums will be. However, it is important to remember that even if you do have a high risk, you may still be able to get life insurance coverage if you are willing to pay more for it.
Occupation and Hobbies
Your occupation and hobbies can affect your term life insurance premiums in a few ways. First, if you have a dangerous or high-risk job, you will likely pay more for coverage than someone with a safer job. This is because there is a greater chance that something could happen to you while you’re working, and the insurance company would have to pay out a claim. Many insurers consider jobs like firefighters and miners as higher-risk occupations.
Additionally, participating in high-risk hobbies like skydiving or rock climbing will likely increase your premium payments. This is because there is an increased chance that something could happen to you while participating in these activities.
Amount of Coverage
The amount of coverage chosen affects both the premium and the payout. In general, the more coverage a person buys, the higher their premium will be. For example, purchasing a $500,000 policy over a $250,000 plan can cost 50 percent more. However, since term life policies have no cash value buildup, there is no benefit to buying more coverage than necessary. It is important to make sure that you have enough coverage to protect your loved ones in case something happens to you. However, you don’t want to pay for coverage you don’t need.
Additionally, the length of the term you choose could also impact insurance rates. Selecting a 20-year term policy over a 10-year term can increase premiums by about 40 percent. Similarly, purchasing a 30-year term life policy over a 10-year plan could increase rates by 90 percent.
Your Age
When you purchase life insurance, the insurance company will consider your age carefully. Aside from your health, your age is one of the biggest risk factors that the insurance company uses to determine how much your premiums will be. In general, the younger and healthier you are, the less you will pay for term life coverage. On the other hand, the older you are, the more you will pay for life insurance coverage. For example, waiting from age 30 until age 40 to buy a term life policy can increase your insurance rates by 36 percent.
The insurance company charges more for coverage as you get older because they are taking on a greater risk by insuring you. As people get older, they are more likely to encounter illnesses and other difficulties. To offset the risk of life expectancy for older adults, insurers charge higher premiums for coverage as people get older.
Overall, the factors that affect term life insurance premiums are important to understand when shopping for a policy. Knowing what influences rates can help you find the best deal for your needs.
