30 Year Term Life Insurance Policy.  Who needs one?

If you’re currently shopping for life insurance, you may have considered buying a 30 year term policy. But what is 30 year term life insurance, and how do you know if it’s right for you?

In this article, we’ll walk through who this type of policy is and isn’t for, how much it costs, and discover which companies offer the best plans.

We’ll also show you some sample rate charts and how to find the best quotes for yourself.

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What is a 30 year term life insurance policy?

A 30 year life insurance policy will cover the insured for 30 years, as long as the premium remains paid. So if you enroll in a this type of term life insurance, you won’t have to worry about covering your loved ones for the next 30 years.

Because the length of the policy is so long, your premium will be slightly higher than, say, a 10- or 20-year term policy. Term insurance is designed it this way: the longer the term length, the more the policy costs.

That being said, 30 year term life insurance is still a great option for those who would like an extra safety cushion for a longer period of time.

Learn more: Term life insurance policies

This policy might be right for you if:

You just bought a home

Many mortgages are set to be paid over the course of 30 years. So, a 30 year life insurance plan will provide coverage in case anything were to happen while you still have that debt.

You want to lock in rates

A 30 year term is perfect for someone who wants to lock in a level cost for the long haul. Life insurance only gets more expensive as you age, so locking in a rate for 30 years can save you a lot of money over time.

You’re planning to start a family

This type of life insurance is a popular option for newlyweds who are planning to start a family. A 30 year period would cover the time that your children would be growing up and likely going to college or even grad school. 30 years would also likely bring you and your spouse close to retirement age, when you wouldn’t depend on each other’s income as much.

This policy isn’t for you if:

You’re 55 or older (50 for tobacco user)

Most carrier have maximum issue ages for each term they offer. A typical maximum issue age for 30 year term is age 55; however, the age limit goes down to 50 for tobacco users. If you are over the age of 55 (or 50 if you’re a smoker) and are looking for term insurance, you can look into 20- or 25-year policies.

You're on a tight budget

While the 30 year term locks in rates for a longer term, its main disadvantage is the higher premium upfront. If you’re looking for a long-term policy, but don’t want to commit to a high premium on the outset, then you may want to look into a 20-year term instead. That way, you’ll be able to pay a lower premium, and then be prepared to pay a higher premium at the end of that term.

How much does a 30 year-term policy cost?

The cost of a 30 year term policy will vary from person to person. An insurance carrier will take many factors into account when determining your rate class.

Learn more: What is a rate class

Once you apply with a carrier you will have to go through the underwriting process where an insurance company will evaluate you based on these things: the application submitted (health questions), third-party reports (MIB, MVR, RX) and the exam results.

Learn more: Life insurance underwriting process

Here are just some of the factors the affect the cost:

  • Age
  • State
  • Gender
  • Tobacco Use
  • Family History
  • Health Condition
  • Medication History
  • Death Benefit Amount
  • And many other factors

To get a better idea of what your insurance cost can be, simply start a quote in our widget. Our easy-to-use quote engine will allow you to compare dozens of insurance companies side-by-side, so you can see which policy is best for you.

Below is a small sample of the rates you will see when you use our quote engine.

30 year term life rate chart

30 year term rates by age

Your timing in purchasing a 30 year term policy plays a big factor in the premium you would pay. Look at it this way: if you’re in your 30’s, there’s a very high likelihood that you’ll outlive your policy, (that is, to live into your 60’s).

However, once you’re in your 40’s or 50’s, your likelihood of outliving your 30 year policy decreases. The underwriter will, therefore, see you as a higher-risk candidate, and charge you a higher premium.

The below chart shows examples of premiums depending on the policyholder’s age and gender. Since women have a higher average lifespan, their premiums tend to be cheaper. As you can see, the older the policyholder is, the higher they are quoted for.

In your 30's

$2407monthly
  • Female age 30
  • Preferred Plus Rate
  • Non Tobacco
  • $500,000 Death Benefit

In your 30's

$3218monthly
  • Male age 30
  • Preferred Plus Rate
  • Non Tobacco
  • $500,000 Death Benefit

In your 50's

$9057monthly
  • Female age 50
  • Preferred Plus Rate
  • Non Tobacco
  • $500,000 Death Benefit

In your 50's

$12732monthly
  • Male age 50
  • Preferred Plus Rate
  • Non Tobacco
  • $500,000 Death Benefit

In your 40's

$3807monthly
  • Female age 40
  • Preferred Plus Rate
  • Non Tobacco
  • $500,000 Death Benefit

In your 40's

$5076monthly
  • Male age 40
  • Preferred Plus Rate
  • Non Tobacco
  • $500,000 Death Benefit

The best companies

Below are some of the best life insurance companies who offer a 30 year term policy:

You can get quotes from all these companies on our quote engine.

Remember, getting quotes is just a starting point. Each company has underwriting guidelines that need to be met in order to qualify for coverage. There is nothing more important than working with an expert who knows the guidelines of each company. The last thing you want to do is apply with a company because they had the lowest quote, and then end up paying more than you should because you didn’t meet their underwriting guidelines.

Best Overall

Foresters consistently has some of the best rates no matter what age and death benefit you need. However, their underwriting can be strict, so if you have health issues this carrier may not be for you. Banner Life is another great option.

Best No Exam

SBLI is the best company if you are looking for a 30 year term policy that does not require an exam.

How to get the best quotes using our calculator

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how a 30 year term life insurance policy works, and whether it’s right for you. Whichever insurance policy you choose, it’s important to make sure that it fits with your current and future situation.

There’s no need to wait to find out which carrier is right for you; by filling out our simple quote form, you’ll be able to compare dozens of carriers in a matter of seconds.

Take these steps to get the best 30 year term life insurance.

  • Find the Get Quote button in the sidebar of the page
  • Comaplete the quick quote form (takes about 60 seconds)
  • Choose a policy from the best carriers side by side. Apply online!