Cheapest Life Insurance Companies


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Key Takeaways

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Allstate is the cheapest overall life insurance provider, starting at $12 per month on average for $250,000 of coverage and a 10-year term.

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GEICO is the cheapest option for both young adults and seniors looking for life insurance, while those who use or smoke tobacco will find the cheapest rates from Allstate.

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The cheapest life insurance company with a no-medical-exam option is offered by Ladder, and TransAmerica has the best rates for those looking for high coverage.

Compare Life Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your life insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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Cheapest Life Insurance Companies

Allstate is the cheapest overall life insurance company, offering a 10-year term policy with $250,000 of coverage for $12 monthly.  See the filterable table below to find the cheapest life insurance providers based on your profile, coverage need, and term length.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Gender:M
Select
Term Length:10
Select
Coverage Amount:$250K
Allstate$12.00
Transamerica$12.11
GEICO$12.68
Protective$13.16
Nationwide$16.41
Mutual of Omaha$16.56
Prudential$16.91
AAA$16.94
Fidelity$20.45
Haven$21.96
State Farm$21.97
Bestow$26.99
Progressive$30.89

Most Affordable Life Insurance By Category

Based on our comprehensive analysis of life insurance rates across multiple providers, here are the cheapest options for specific coverage needs:

Category
Cheapest Company
Monthly Premium
Policy Details

Allstate

$12.00

$250K coverage, 10-year term

GEICO

$9.55

$250K coverage, 10-year term

GEICO

$175.74

$250K coverage, 10-year term

Allstate

$26.57

$250K coverage, 10-year term

Transamerica

$26.30

$1M coverage, 10-year term

Ladder

$13.00

$250K coverage, 10-year term

Cheapest Life Insurance Company by State

Location is another factor that can impact your life insurance premiums. In our table below, you can find the cheapest provider in each state, along with its cheapest monthly rate, for a variety of customer profiles.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Amount:$500K
Select
Gender:M
Select
Term Length:10
AlabamaGEICO$14.70
AlaskaGEICO$19.31
ArizonaGEICO$25.40
ArkansasGEICO$22.16
CaliforniaTransamerica$21.48
ColoradoGEICO$20.31
ConnecticutProtective$14.19
DelawareGEICO$17.02
FloridaGEICO$16.73
GeorgiaGEICO$25.40
HawaiiTransamerica$17.43
IdahoGEICO$24.28
IllinoisGEICO$17.73
IndianaGEICO$23.39
IowaGEICO$24.94
KansasGEICO$25.29
KentuckyGEICO$14.03
LouisianaGEICO$23.39
MaineGEICO$16.80
MarylandProtective$13.16
MassachusettsTransamerica$17.43
MichiganGEICO$14.71
MinnesotaGEICO$18.07
MississippiNationwide$23.54
MissouriGEICO$14.70
MontanaGEICO$15.84
NebraskaGEICO$16.34
NevadaGEICO$18.32
New HampshireProtective$12.35
New JerseyProtective$14.03
New MexicoTransamerica$23.67
New YorkHaven$11.42
North CarolinaGEICO$15.44
North DakotaGEICO$26.48
OhioGEICO$14.70
OklahomaGEICO$23.18
OregonAllstate$11.79
PennsylvaniaGEICO$16.54
Rhode IslandAllstate$11.17
South CarolinaGEICO$14.71
South DakotaGEICO$26.55
TennesseeGEICO$15.44
TexasGEICO$25.08
UtahGEICO$17.36
VermontGEICO$16.73
VirginiaGEICO$19.56
WashingtonGEICO$21.54
West VirginiaNationwide$15.75
WisconsinGEICO$15.62
WyomingGEICO$18.82

Cheapest Term Life Insurance for Smokers

Allstate provides the cheapest life insurance for smokers at a monthly cost of $26.57 for a 10-year term policy. Explore the following table to find the best policy for smokers with different coverage levels and personal profiles.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Amount:$500K
Select
Gender:M
Select
Term Length:10
Transamerica$40.65
Allstate$41.98
GEICO$43.90
Protective$45.51
Nationwide$51.03
AAA$58.50
Mutual of Omaha$59.69
State Farm$72.05
Fidelity$74.08
Prudential$75.38
Haven$88.75
Bestow$110.91
Progressive$120.75

Cheapest Term Life Insurance for Seniors

GEICO offers the most affordable life insurance for senior men at $176 monthly for a 10-year, $250,000 policy, while Allstate leads for women at $109 monthly. As age increases, so do life insurance costs, so consider guaranteed life or final expense policies for lower rates with reduced coverage. Compare our top options in the table below.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Amount:$1 Million
Select
Gender:M
Select
Term Length:10
Transamerica$589.05
Allstate$598.00
GEICO$633.53
Protective$682.90
Prudential$776.57
Mutual of Omaha$780.32
State Farm$788.19
AAA$907.28

*Rates are for seniors aged 61-70 who are not smokers and in good health.

Cheap Term Life Insurance for Young Adults

GEICO offers the cheapest life insurance for young adults at $9.55 monthly for a 10-year term policy. The table below shows the most affordable life insurance options for young adults by coverage amount and term length:

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Amount:$500K
Select
Gender:M
Select
Term Length:10
Transamerica$13.18
GEICO$13.19
Protective$13.74
Allstate$14.00
Nationwide$15.75
Mutual of Omaha$16.13
AAA$18.48
Fidelity$23.49
Progressive$23.49
State Farm$24.34
Haven$25.82
Prudential$27.74
Bestow$35.55

Affordable Life Insurance With No Medical Exam

No-exam life insurance provides coverage without a medical checkup, using health questions and medical record reviews instead. It offers faster approval but costs more than traditional policies with medical exams.

This option works best for people who need coverage quickly or have health conditions that might complicate the exam process. Ladder is the most affordable no-exam option, starting at $13 monthly."

Age
Company
Monthly Cost

25

Ladder

$13

40

Haven Life

$23

50

Fabric

$40

60

Ethos

$85

*These rates are based on a male non-smoker in good health for a 10-year term policy. Female rates are typically 15-25% lower. Application approval times are genearlly 1-2 days.

Affordable Term Life Insurance for High Coverage Amounts

Transamerica is MoneyGeek's choice for the most affordable high coverage life insurance, offering a 10-year term policy for $26.30 monthly with coverage up to $1 million. Utilize the table below to find cheap term life insurance for higher coverage limits:

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Amount:$500K
Select
Gender:M
Select
Term Length:10
Transamerica$17.43
Allstate$18.00
GEICO$18.82
Protective$19.51
Nationwide$21.88
AAA$25.08
Mutual of Omaha$25.59
State Farm$30.89
Fidelity$31.76
Prudential$32.32
Haven$38.05
Bestow$47.55
Progressive$51.77

Best Cheap Life Insurance Companies

The most affordable provider for you will vary depending on your coverage level and personal profile. Allstate, GEICO and TransAmerica consistently ranked among the cheapest life insurance companies across different coverage amounts and customer profiles."

Allstate

Allstate: Most Affordable Overall

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pros

  • Most affordable term life insurance rates overall for males and females

  • Wide range of product options

  • Flexible payment methods available

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cons

  • High rate of customer complaints

  • Lack of 24/7 customer support

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

We found Allstate to be the most affordable life insurance provider overall, regardless of age, personal health status and coverage level. With over 90 years of industry experience and strong financial ratings, Allstate has proven staying power in the insurance market. The company's network of local agents helps customers choose coverage and handle claims in person.

GEICO

GEICO: Cheapest for Seniors

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pros

  • Competitive rates specifically designed for older adults

  • Simplified application with minimal medical questions

  • Clear policy explanations without confusing terminology

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cons

  • Policies issued through partners rather than directly

  • Limited permanent life insurance options

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

GEICO offers the lowest senior life insurance rates at $176 monthly for a $250,000, 10-year policy. The company uses a simplified application process with minimal medical questions and maintains high customer satisfaction ratings among older policyholders.

Transamerica

TransAmerica: Cheapest for High Coverage Amounts

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pros

  • Very competitive rates for $1M+ policies

  • Coverage available up to $10 million for qualified applicants

  • Accessible underwriting for various health profiles

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cons

  • Higher-than-average customer complaint ratio

  • No dedicated mobile app for life insurance management

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Transamerica offers the lowest rates for high-coverage life insurance at $26 monthly for a $1 million, 10-year term policy. The company's rates stay competitive as coverage amounts increase. Transamerica provides flexible underwriting for various health conditions, coverage up to $10 million, and has 95 years of financial stability.

Cheap Life Insurance: Buying Guide

The most affordable life insurance company depends on your coverage needs, health, age and financial goals. Use these strategies to find the cheapest policy and choose the right coverage and provider

How to Get Cheap Life Insurance

Research and planning lead to substantial savings on your life insurance premiums. Follow these steps for affordable life insurance:

  1. 1

    Opt for term life insurance

    Term life insurance costs less than whole or universal life policies because it provides a death benefit only for a specified term and doesn't build cash value

  2. 2

    Buy early

    Your age determines your premium rates. Younger applicants get lower rates because they present less risk to insurers.

  3. 3

    Lead a healthy lifestyle

    Health directly affects life insurance premiums. Smoking, excessive drinking, high BMI and pre-existing medical conditions increase your costs. Healthy habits lower your rates.

  4. 4

    Ladder your policies

    Laddering involves buying multiple term life policies with different lengths instead of one large policy. For instance, if you need more coverage now but less in the future, buy one 10-year policy and another 20-year plan instead of a single 30-year policy. When the shorter-term policy ends, you're left with less coverage, which matches your anticipated needs and lowers overall costs.

  5. 5

    Shop around

    Prices vary between insurers. Use an online comparison tool or work with an independent agent to compare rates from various insurers and find cheaper life insurance quotes.

  6. 6

    Regularly review your policy

    Life changes like quitting smoking or paying off a mortgage qualify you for lower premiums. Review your policy regularly to ensure it remains cost-effective and fits your needs.

Life Insurance Rates

For budget-conscious consumers seeking substantial coverage, term life insurance offers the cheapest rates. However, other policy types work better depending on your situation. Compare term life insurance to other popular life insurance policy types to determine the right choice for you.

Policy Type
Monthly Cost Range
Coverage Range
Medical Exam
Best For

$12-$300+

$25K-$10M

Usually required

Highest coverage at lowest cost

$15-$300+

$25K-$3M

Not required

Quick coverage, young buyers

$20-$80

$5K-$50K

Not required

Seniors with health issues

$30-$100

$5K-$35K

Not required

End-of-life costs only

$75-$1000+

$10K-$10M+

Usually required

Lifetime coverage with cash value

How Much Life Insurance Should You Buy?

Most people need more coverage during their working years with dependents, and less as they age. Review your needs every few years, especially after major life events like marriage, childbirth, home purchase, or retirement. The table shows recommended coverage for different life stages:

Life Stage
Recommended Coverage
Key Considerations

Single Adult

5-10× annual income

Cover debts, final expenses, and legacy goals

Young Family

10-15× annual income

Replace income, cover childcare, education

Established Family

7-10× annual income

Cover remaining mortgage, education, income

Empty Nesters

5× annual income

Cover final years of work, remaining debts

Retirees

$15,000-$50,000

Primarily for final expenses and remaining debts

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PICKING THE CHEAPEST LIFE INSURANCE POLICY: DIME APPROACH

Besides the typical income multiplier method, you can alternatively use the DIME method to determine your life insurance coverage needs. This adds your Debt+Income needs+Mortgage+Education to get the correct amount of coverage. 

  • For example, $20,000 debt + $500,000 income replacement + $200,000 mortgage + $80,000 education = $800,000.
Compare Life Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your life insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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Compare Types of Cheap Life Insurance Policies

When shopping for the cheapest life insurance, understanding the key differences between policy types can help you find the cheapest policy for your needs. Here's a comparison of the main types of life insurance policies:

Policy Type
Key Features

Term Life

Lowest monthly premiums for healthy individuals. Coverage for specific period (10, 20, 30 years). No cash value component. Expires at end of term.

No-Exam Term Life

Convenient application without medical exams. Competitive rates for young, healthy applicants. Often more expensive than traditional term for those 40+. Quick approval (sometimes within 24 hours).

Guaranteed Acceptance

No health questions or medical exams. Higher premiums for amount of coverage. Usually includes 2-3 year waiting period for full benefits. Permanent coverage with fixed premiums.

Final Expense

Simplified underwriting (health questions but no exam). Moderate coverage specifically for burial/funeral costs. Permanent coverage that never expires. Fixed premiums that don't increase with age.

Permanent

Lifetime coverage that never expires. Builds cash value over time. Much higher premiums than term insurance. Options include whole, universal, and variable policies.

Cheap Life Insurance Quotes

Life Insurance will vary depending on the provider you choose, on top of personal factors and your chosen coverage. Using our calculator below, get quotes from top providers that fit your needs to protect your loved ones.

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We’ll give you a suggested amount of cover to buy in just 3 easy steps. it's free, no personal information required, no spam.

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Rates updated:

Jun 09, 2025

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Getting Cheap Life Insurance Quotes

Below are tips to help you secure the most affordable life insurance coverage:

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    Choose cost-effective payment schedules

    Pay annually instead of monthly to typically save 3% to 8% on premiums, which can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings over your entire policy term.

    healthInsurance icon

    Leverage comparison shopping tool

    Use comparison sites to quickly gather multiple quotes simultaneously rather than visiting individual insurer websites one by one, saving time and ensuring you don't miss competitive options.

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    Optimize your health presentation

    If a medical exam is required, fast for eight to 12 hours beforehand, avoid alcohol for 48 hours and limit caffeine and exercise for 24 hours to ensure the best possible test results.

    onlineForms icon

    Prepare accurate personal information

    Have precise health, lifestyle and family history details ready before starting. Correcting application errors later could lead to higher rates and delays in your coverage.

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    Negotiate terms when possible

    If your quoted rate comes back higher than expected, ask your agent whether adjusting the term length or making slight coverage modifications could help reduce your premium.

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    Maintain complete transparency on applications

    Be thorough and honest on all forms. Any undisclosed information discovered during underwriting can result in significantly higher premiums or even denied claims down the road.

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    Respond promptly to insurer requests

    Submit any requested medical records or explanations quickly to speed up the underwriting process and prevent your temporary coverage from expiring while you wait.

Most applications take two to six weeks from submission to approval. The process is faster for no-exam policies (sometimes just days), but these typically come with higher premiums unless you're young and in excellent health.

Cheapest Life Insurance: Bottom Line

Our nationwide analysis found that Allstate, TransAmerica, GEICO, Protective and Nationwide offer the lowest average life insurance rates across different customer profiles. Compare quotes from multiple providers since rates vary based on your age, health, coverage amount and other personal factors.

Compare Life Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your life insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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Cheapest Life Insurance: FAQ

Below are some of common questions regarding cheap life insurance providers:

Which company provides the cheapest life insurance?

What is the cheapest type of life insurance?

How do I get the most affordable life insurance?

What happens if you can't afford your life insurance policy?

What factors impact the cost of life insurance the most?

How much does the average life insurance policy cost?

Is term life insurance cheaper than whole life insurance?

Do life insurance rates go up every year?

How much can I save by buying life insurance when I'm young?

How does my occupation affect my life insurance rates?

How much can I save by paying annually instead of monthly?

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Best Life Insurance Rates: Our Review Methodology

MoneyGeek compared life insurance companies across cost metrics and ranked them based on their premiums. We chose to review these companies based on their broad national coverage and ability to provide an online quote.

Sample Customer Profile
MoneyGeek used a standard profile to obtain life insurance quotes:

  • 40-year-old male
  • Non-smoker
  • 5 feet 11 inches tall and 175 pounds
  • Excellent health rating

Our pick for the cheapest overall life insurance company is based on a standard profile unless otherwise noted.

We modified the profile by age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use, health rating and geographic location to collect various quotes and determine the cheapest life insurance company for several types of customers. We also collected quotes for term life insurance with varying term lengths and coverage amounts.

Additionally, we identified trends in the data set and used those patterns to calculate projections and extend the data beyond what was originally collected.

Cheap Life Insurance Companies: Related Pages

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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