Veterinarians are often high income earners with large financial responsibilities. If you die, your household could suffer financially. But getting a life insurance policy can help you protect your income and anyone who depends on you.
Veterinarians have multiple reasons to consider life insurance.
Income protection. Veterinarians tend to make significant contributions to the stability of their households through their income. If you die, life insurance can help replace your salary, easing or eliminating the financial burden on your family.
Student debt. A lot of veterinarians have student debt. Life insurance can help your beneficiaries pay back your student loans and any other debts you have if you pass away.
Employer insurance coverage. Your employer may offer some life insurance as part of your benefits package — but the coverage is typically only one to two times your annual salary. A private policy can supplement any group coverage you have and provide your loved ones with the financial safety net they need.
While there’s nothing about being a veterinarian that will increase the insurance rates you’re eligible for, your occupation may impact how much life insurance you need and how long your coverage should last.
Working with a licensed agent through Policygenius is the best way to determine the amount of life insurance coverage that you need and get connected to the insurer that will be best for you. At Policygenius, our experts are licensed in all 50 states and can walk you through the entire life insurance buying process while offering transparent and unbiased advice.
→ Learn more about how your job affects your life insurance rates
Best life insurance companies for veterinarians
There are many factors to consider when choosing which life insurance company to apply with, including price, how easy it is to apply, how long the underwriting process is, and the maximum coverage you can apply for.
We used industry data, pricing from Policygenius carrier partners, and third-party ratings like AM Best and J.D. Power to pick the best insurers on the market. Our independent recommendations will help you get life insurance coverage with confidence.
A licensed agent at Policygenius can help you with these considerations and find the best insurer for you.
Best term life insurance: Legal & General America
Best whole life insurance: MassMutual
Most affordable life insurance: Legal & General America
Best instant decision life insurance: Brighthouse Financial
Best final expense life insurance: Mutual of Omaha
Best term life insurance for veterinarians
Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn, offers some of the largest coverage amounts on the market: up to 40 times your income based on your age, which makes it a great term life insurance choice for veterinarians, who are usually high earners.
Legal & General America also allows you to apply without taking the medical exam (normally a standard part of the life insurance application).
Best whole life insurance for veterinarians
MassMutual’s whole life insurance policies offer lower premiums and higher dividends than other insurers. The company also maintains consistently high scores for financial stability and customer satisfaction.
Most affordable life insurance for veterinarians
Legal & General America
Legal & General America has some of the most competitive premiums on the market — especially if you only have one or two minor and well-controlled health conditions. It also offers cheap rates for several pre-existing conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
Best instant decision life insurance for veterinarians
If you’re eligible for instant decision life insurance, Brighthouse Financial may approve your application and put your policy in force on the same phone call.
Best final expense life insurance for veterinarians
Mutual of Omaha offers the most competitive rates when it comes to final expense insurance. For most people, approval is guaranteed and coverage lasts for life.
Best types of life insurance for veterinarians
Two of the most common types of life insurance are term life insurance and permanent life insurance. For most working professionals, including veterinarians, term life insurance will be the best option to cover your financial obligations.
If term life isn’t a good fit for you, whole life and final expense life insurance are two types of permanent life insurance you can consider.
Term life insurance
Term life insurance is almost always the most affordable type of insurance available, and the most practical type of insurance for protecting your income. The policy only lasts for a set term and comes with few rules and tax restrictions.
Term life is also the best option for most people looking to provide their family with a financial safety net to cover any debts. This includes a mortgage or any other types of personal loans your family will be left with if you die.
Most people get term life insurance long enough to cover them through retirement age. This will ensure that your beneficiaries will receive the financial support they need if your income is lost.
Whole life insurance
Aside from replacing your income, you may want life insurance as a way to diversify your investment portfolio. You might also have long-term financial obligations or coverage needs, like dependents who require lifelong care. If either scenario is the case for you, whole life insurance might be a good fit.
Whole life never expires and comes with a cash value that earns interest in addition to the death benefit payout. If you’re already maximizing your contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like a Roth IRA or a 401(k) and are seeking another investment option, whole life insurance might work for you.
Final expense life insurance
If you’re not eligible for standard coverage but need help to cover your end-of-life costs, like a funeral, final expense insurance will be your best option.
Final expense is a type of permanent insurance that usually offers death benefit amounts between $10,000 and $40,000. You need to be between 45 and 85 years old to apply for final expense insurance.
Permanent life insurance policies like whole life or final expense insurance are appealing because they last for the rest of your life. However, on average, permanent life insurance policies cost about five to 15 times more than a term life insurance policy with the same face amount would.
How much does life insurance cost for veterinarians?
A 35-year-old veterinarian with one or two minor, well-managed health conditions can expect to pay about $46 per month for a 20-term life policy with a $1 million death benefit payout.
The premiums you pay ultimately depend on multiple factors, including your gender, age, and health. If you have limited or well-maintained health issues, you’ll likely be able to get the coverage you need at an affordable rate.
Term life insurance rates for veterinarians
The rates below offer an estimate for what a veterinarian can expect to pay for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $1 million death benefit payout.
Age | Gender | $1 million coverage amount |
---|---|---|
20 | Female | $32.38 |
Male | $44.72 | |
30 | Female | $35.48 |
Male | $45.94 | |
40 | Female | $58.49 |
Male | $71.45 | |
50 | Female | $131.18 |
Male | $174.90 | |
60 | Female | 354.88 |
Male | $500.52 |
Methodology: Average monthly estimated rates are calculated for male and female smokers and non-smokers in the Preferred health classification, obtaining a 20-year $1,00,000 term life insurance policy. Life insurance rates are based on policies offered by Policygenius from Legal & General America, Brighthouse Financial, Corebridge Financial, Foresters Financial, Lincoln Financial, Mutual of Omaha, Pacific Life, Protective, Prudential, Symetra, and Transamerica, and may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 07/01/2023.
Whole life insurance rates for veterinarians
The following is an estimate for what a veterinarian can expect to pay for a whole life insurance policy with a $1 million death benefit payout.
Age | Gender | $1 million coverage amount |
---|---|---|
20 | Female | $545 |
Male | $639 | |
30 | Female | $801 |
Male | $920 | |
40 | Female | $1,161 |
Male | $1,372 | |
50 | Female | $1,826 |
Male | $2,117 | |
60 | Female | $3,065 |
Male | $3,556 | |
70 | Female | $5,580 |
Male | $6,198 |
Methodology: Average monthly estimated rates are calculated for male and female insureds obtaining a whole life insurance policy of $1,000,000 from MassMutual. Life insurance rates are based on policies offered by Policygenius and may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 07/01/2023.
Final expense life insurance rates for veterinarians
The following is an estimate for what a veterinarian can expect to pay for a $25,000 final expense life insurance policy.
Age | Gender | $25,000 coverage amount |
---|---|---|
50 | Female | $74.47 |
Male | $98.96 | |
60 | Female | $105.21 |
Male | $140.69 | |
70 | Female | $158.19 |
Male | $215.16 |
Methodology: Average monthly estimated rates are calculated for male and female insureds obtaining a final expense life insurance policy of $25,000 from Mutual of Omaha. Life insurance rates are based on policies offered by Policygenius and may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 07/01/2023.
→ Learn more about life insurance rates
When should veterinarians purchase life insurance?
If you’re a veterinarian or in vet school, you should get life insurance as soon as possible. The younger you are when you apply, the cheaper your life insurance rates are going to be. Later on, if you need more coverage, you can always ladder a supplemental policy if your financial needs change.
The total amount of coverage you’re able to apply for is usually based on your income. But if you’re still in vet school, you can justify the amount you’re applying for with your projected full-time income.
A licensed agent can help you determine how much coverage you need and make sure you’re getting a policy that will protect your family financially within the means of your current budget.
→ Learn more about the life insurance ladder strategy
Benefits of life insurance for veterinarians
The main benefit of life insurance is to protect your income. Income protection is key for anyone who has dependents or makes a significant financial contribution to their household, like many veterinarians do.
Getting the right amount of life insurance will allow your family to replace your income, make sure your debts are paid off, and receive the financial support they will need even if you die unexpectedly.
Life insurance considerations for veterinarians
While being a veterinarian alone won’t limit your options for life insurance coverage or increase your rates, some related activities might.
If you travel for work to some countries outside of the U.S., your eligibility for life insurance could be impacted.
It’s also fairly common for veterinarians to own their own practices. If this is the case for you, you may have limited coverage through your work. You also may have additional business loans you’ll want to cover through your individual insurance policy.
As a licensed agent, I helped multiple business owners consider these aspects of their financial needs to get the best available life insurance policy with the best coverage amount.
When you apply, be thorough with the agent you’re working with to make sure they consider any unique aspects of your job so they can make sure you’re applying with the right company.