The basics
Many factors can impact the type of life insurance you need, how much it will cost, and how your policy works. Your family situation and your health are the most important ones to consider.
Life insurance & you
Life insurance can be deeply personal. Who you are and what stage of life you’re in may change your life insurance needs and options.
Life insurance & your family
If you’re shopping for life insurance, you’re probably trying to protect a partner, child, or other loved one. The death benefit can help your family avoid debt or other financial hardship after you’re gone. Learn what to consider if you’re:
Life insurance & your finances
Several financial conditions — like your employment status and your income — could also impact your life insurance rates and policy options.
Life insurance & your job
Your occupation can also affect your life insurance needs and options, sometimes in surprising ways.
Other questions about life insurance
Life insurance & your health
Since insurance companies estimate your life expectancy to determine how “risky” you are to insure, many medical conditions and health-related lifestyle choices can affect your life insurance rates and the kinds of policies you’re eligible to buy.
- Alcoholism
- Aneurysm
- Cancer or a history of cancer
- Chronic illness
- COVID-19
- Diabetes
- Digestive diseases
- Disabilities
- Drug use
- Family history of certain conditions
- Heart conditions
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- HIV
- Kidney disease
- Marijuana use
- Mental health issues
- Multiple sclerosis
- Overweight or obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sleep apnea
- Smoking
- Terminal illness
- Vaping
The best life insurance companies
Learn more about the best life insurance companies for your needs.
Why honesty matters on a life insurance application
Even though an adventurous hobby might increase the cost of your life insurance, it’s important to be completely honest about it in a life insurance application. If your life insurance company finds out that you lied on the application, they can invalidate your coverage when you die and not pay out the death benefit to your beneficiaries.
Working with an independent agent can help you get the most competitive life insurance coverage for your needs. Policygenius agents compare multiple insurance companies on your behalf and recommend policies based on your unique situation. You can also use our free coverage calculator to make sure you're getting the right amount of life insurance.