Most people buy life insurance to protect their loved ones financially in the event of their death. If something happens to you, the life insurance policy pays out a sum of money to your beneficiaries, which can help them cover costs like funeral expenses, mortgage payments, and other debts.
Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that pays out a fixed amount of money if you pass away during the policy’s term. The policy’s term is usually a set number of years, such as 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. If you live beyond the policy’s term, you don’t receive any money back. As a result, term life insurance is cheaper than other permanent life insurance options. While 15 year term life insurance is one of the least expensive policies, there are still many things that might inflate your premiums. Let’s take a look at factors that might influence your 15 years of life insurance premiums.
Age
One of the most influential factors when considering insurance premiums is your age. As you age, you become more likely to develop a medical issue. This increased risk means life insurance companies must charge more for coverage since they are guaranteeing to pay out a benefit to your loved ones in the event of your death. The cost of life insurance premiums rises exponentially as you get older. For example, a healthy 30-year-old might pay $30 a month for $500,000 in coverage, while a healthy 50-year-old might pay $300 a month for the same amount of coverage.
Gender
Gender is another determinant of life insurance premiums. Statistically, women live longer than men. This discrepancy is reflected in life insurance premiums, with men typically paying more for coverage. On average, a healthy 30-year-old woman will pay $336 a year for a 20-year plan, and a 30-year-old man will pay around $405 a year for the same policy. Many insurance companies weigh gender differently, so it is important to shop around as you may find that certain insurers don’t consider it as heavily as others.
Medical History
When you are looking for life insurance, your medical history is an important variable that will determine your potential risk as a life insurance policyholder. People with a clear medical history who are in excellent health will pay some of the lowest premium rates. Some health conditions, however, may make you ineligible for life insurance, while others may just increase your premiums. Some health conditions that may make you ineligible for life insurance include cancer, heart disease, or stroke. If you have any of these health conditions, you may still be able to get coverage, but it will likely be more expensive.
There are also some health issues that will not necessarily make you ineligible for insurance but may increase your premiums. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. You should expect to see higher premiums if you have any of these conditions. Similar to your age or gender, many insurers weigh the medical exam and history differently. You should consider a 15 year term life policy quotes from several companies to find the best rate possible for your history or condition.
Lifestyle
Another major factor that will influence your 15 year term insurance rates is your lifestyle. Things like your occupation and hobbies will impact your life insurance premiums. If you participate in dangerous hobbies like skydiving or rock climbing, your premiums will be higher as there are more risks associated with these activities. Additionally, if you have a dangerous job, like working as a police officer or a firefighter, your premiums will be higher than if you have a safe job, like working as a teacher or a nurse. Your personal choices such as tobacco use and smoking could also increase your rates due to the associated health risks.
There are many factors that can influence life insurance premiums, including your age, health, and occupation. If you are shopping for 15 year term insurance, it is important that you shop around to find a policy and rate that fits your needs and situation. No matter what your risk factors or circumstances, you can find a policy that will provide peace of mind for you and your family.
