If you have people depending on you and your income, or you have significant financial responsibilities including children, a mortgage, or a business to run, you may need a million dollars’ worth of life insurance coverage.
It’s crucial to have the financial protection you need, but you don’t want to break the bank. Here’s what you need to know about finding the cheapest million-dollar life insurance policy for you.
Compare the cheapest million-dollar term life insurance companies
Below are some of the cheapest life insurance companies for 10-year, million-dollar policies based on sample quotes for a 30-year-old man. Keep in mind the cheapest life insurance company for you will depend on your personal profile — including your age, gender, health, and financial situation.
A Policygenius expert can help give you personalized recommendations for the insurers that will be the best price for your circumstances.
Company | Best for… | Monthly cost | |
Corebridge Financial | Families | $24.44 | |
Pacific Life | No-exam | $24.63 | |
Transamerica | No-exam, non-U.S. citizens | $24.65 |
Methodology: Sample monthly rates are calculated for male non-smokers in a Preferred health classification obtaining 10-year $1 million life insurance policies offered by Policygenius through Brighthouse Financial, Corebridge Financial, Pacific Life, and Transamerica. Rates may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 10/01/2024.
Cheapest million-dollar life insurance for families
Corebridge Financial is a reputable company with cheap premiums when compared to some of its competitors. Plus, Corebridge offers an affordable child rider that allows you to add life insurance coverage for children for as little as $2.50 to $5.00 per year on top of your base premiums.
Cheapest no-exam million-dollar life insurance
Pacific Life is another no-exam option for a million-dollar life insurance policy. The insurer is also A+ rated according to AM Best. Pacific Life can also offer cheaper rates than some of its competitors for applicants with some pre-existing conditions, such as sleep apnea.
Cheapest million-dollar life insurance for non-U.S. citizens
Transamerica offers more flexibility than some of its competitors when it comes to applications from people who have different types of visas. The insurer also offers a no-medical-exam approval option, and offers cheap rates on average across different health classifications.
Learn more about life insurance for non-U.S. citizens
What’s the cheapest way to get a million dollars of life insurance coverage?
Generally speaking, the most affordable way to get the coverage you need often comes down to the type of life insurance you’re buying. According to LIMRA’s 2024 Life Insurance Barometer study, 72% of Americans overestimate the cost of a basic term life insurance policy for a healthy 30-year-old. [1]
In reality, a 30-year-old could pay between $25 and $32 per month for a million dollars of coverage lasting 10 years. If you know you need coverage immediately but you’re anticipating your income to increase in the future, you can always buy a shorter term, and then add coverage later on when your budget changes.
Million-dollar term life insurance costs based on age, gender, & term
Age | Gender | $1 million, 10-year term | $1 million, 20-year term | $1 million, 30-year term |
20 | Female | $23.91 | $33.63 | $49.32 |
Male | $33.76 | $47.51 | $66.57 | |
30 | Female | $24.85 | $36.90 | $57.04 |
Male | $31.59 | $48.89 | $71.88 | |
40 | Female | $37.81 | $60.65 | $97.32 |
Male | $46.80 | $75.24 | $122.41 | |
50 | Female | $89.17 | $139.50 | $232.24 |
Male | $111.38 | $188.29 | $315.50 | |
60 | Female | $190.74 | $354.51 | N/A |
Male | $259.24 | $499.98 | N/A |
Methodology: Average monthly rates are calculated for male and female non-smokers in a Preferred health classification obtaining 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year $1 million life insurance policies. Life insurance averages are based on a composite of 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 the Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies. Rates may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 10/01/2024.
3 ways to save money on a million-dollar life insurance policy
You can help ensure you’re getting the cheapest life insurance policy for your circumstances by following these tips.
Work with an independent broker. An independent broker works with multiple insurance companies. They can help you compare guidelines from each insurer to make sure you’re applying with the company that can give you the cheapest rates for your circumstances — including any health conditions or other factors.
Buy term life instead of permanent life insurance. If you know you need a million-dollar policy but you’re concerned about your budget, term life insurance is an affordable way to get the coverage you need.
Ask about the cheapest payment method. Some insurance companies offer up to a 5% discount if you pay annually instead of monthly. It ultimately depends on the insurer, so the agent you’re working with will be able to let you know if you can save money this way. Plus, sometimes paying with a credit card can incur an extra fee, so you’ll want to make sure you’re paying using an automatic bank transfer, or another method that won’t cost you extra.
Is it possible to get a cheap million-dollar permanent life insurance policy?
Some types of permanent life insurance are cheaper than others, but permanent life insurance is more expensive than term life. You’ll always pay more for a million dollars’ worth of permanent coverage than you would for a term policy with the same coverage amount.
Permanent life insurance doesn’t expire, and typically comes with a cash value savings component, which is why it’s more expensive than other types of life insurance. However, guaranteed universal life insurance technically comes with a cash value account, but but it’s not intended for cash value growth, so it’s cheaper than other types, such as whole life insurance.
For instance, a 30-year-old male could pay $920 per month for a million-dollar whole life policy, versus $353 per month for a million-dollar guaranteed universal life insurance policy, according to Policygenius rates data.