How Expensive Is Life Insurance? 
Unfortunately there 's too many factors that go into pricing of a life insurance policy to say how expensive it is , including how much coverage you need/want , how long you want it for , the type of product -LRB- fully underwritten or non-medical term , universal , whole , indexed universal , etc. -RRB- , your age , your risk class , etc. . The risk class is the most critical factor in determining the cost -LRB- premium -RRB- of a life insurance policy . The risk class depends on a number of factors including whether you 're male or female , your medical history , height/weight profile , any tobacco usage , and other factors . Keep in mind , every carrier has their own set of underwriting guidelines and mortality tables , and each may offer a different risk class for a given medical profile - e.g. company A may offer preferred -LRB- featuring lower rates -RRB- and company B may only offer standard -LRB- featuring higher rates -RRB- Non-medical policies generally cost more than fully underwritten policies that require an exam because an insurance company is taking on more risk without having a full medical picture of you . Consult with an independent insurance agent/broker and discuss your needs , your budget , and your medical history , to create a program structure that will best serve your needs . 