Updated: May 26, 2025
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Buying life insurance at a young age means lower premiums, better coverage options, and easier approval — even if you’re healthy and single.
Nationwide, State Farm, and GEICO are top-rated for young adults, offering affordable rates, no-exam options, and strong customer satisfaction.
Depending on your budget, debt and future family plans, your needs may vary from basic term coverage to permanent life insurance.
Nationwide is the best life insurance provider for young adults, earning a MoneyGeek score of 97 for its balance of affordability and quality. Buying a policy in your 20s or 30s can help you lock in lower premiums and secure long-term financial protection early in life.
Nationwide earned an overall MoneyGeek score of 98, standing out as the best life insurance provider for young adults. With an average monthly cost of $12 for a 10-year term policy with $250,000 in coverage, it offers a balanced blend of affordability and quality.
Nationwide is an excellent choice for young adults entering the life insurance market. It is MoneyGeek's top pick, garnering an overall rating of 97. With an average monthly premium of $12 for a $250,000 10-year term policy, Nationwide's affordability is a clear advantage. For young adults seeking a high coverage policy, Nationwide is also the best option. For a $1 million 10-year term policy, Nationwide offers an average monthly cost of $23. The company's diverse product offerings cater to various life stages and needs, making it an excellent choice for young adults who may require different types of coverage as they navigate life's milestones. Nationwide offers flexibility and options from term to whole and universal life insurance. It also has a strong customer support system, including 24/7 online chat.
State Farm received a MoneyGeek score of 99 in this category, making it the top choice for whole life insurance for young adults. It's also the top choice for no-medical-exam life insurance policies, with the same score.
State Farm excels as MoneyGeek's top pick for young adults in both whole life and no-medical-exam insurance, earning a score of 99 in each category. With an A++ AM Best rating and over a century of experience, the company offers a Limited Pay Whole Life option with level premiums, ideal for long-term financial planning. State Farm's diverse product range also includes hassle-free, no-exam options, making it a convenient and reliable choice for young adults. While the buying process could be more streamlined, the company's financial stability and product versatility make it a standout option.
With a MoneyGeek score of 96, GEICO leads the pack in customer satisfaction for life insurance. The company offers an average monthly premium of $10 for young adults seeking term policies.
GEICO and Progressive both garnered perfect scores for customer satisfaction in MoneyGeek's analysis. However, GEICO's edge comes from its higher overall MoneyGeek score, making it MoneyGeek's preferred life insurance provider for customer satisfaction.
GEICO shines in customer satisfaction among young adults, earning a MoneyGeek score of 97. With policies issued through Ladder and other partners, GEICO offers term life insurance at an average monthly cost of $10. While the company doesn't issue its own policies, it partners with financially stable providers, as evidenced by Ladder's A++ AM Best rating. Although GEICO's product range is limited, its focus on customer satisfaction, affordability and financial stability makes it a top choice for young adults prioritizing these factors.
The cost of life insurance for young people may vary based on several factors. The shorter your policy length, the more affordable your premium becomes because you're more likely to outlive a shorter term.
Another consideration is your policy's face value. The larger the death benefit your family will receive, the more expensive the rate.
The first table below shows how your monthly premiums can change based on policy length and how much coverage you purchase. Costs are based on quotes for 30-year-olds who don't smoke and are in good health.
| 10 | $14 | $20 |
| 20 | $17 | $28 |
This table below shows the average cost of a 10-year term for young adults by provider. Premiums are based on 30-year-old adults who are in good health and do not smoke.
| GEICO | $10 | $13 | $20 |
| Protective | $10 | $14 | $22 |
| Transamerica | $10 | $13 | $18 |
| Allstate | $10 | $14 | $18 |
| Nationwide | $12 | $16 | $23 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $12 | $16 | $27 |
| AAA | $13 | $18 | $30 |
| Prudential | $15 | $28 | $54 |
| Haven | $16 | $26 | $46 |
| Fidelity | $16 | $23 | $64 |
| Progressive | $16 | $23 | $36 |
| State Farm | $18 | $24 | $36 |
| Bestow | $21 | $36 | $64 |
| Gerber | $51 | N/A | N/A |
Getting life insurance at a young age can result in lower rates. The table below assumes healthy buyer profiles, but rates for 50-year-olds are more than double or triple the rates of 30-year-olds. Most people are more likely to have a health condition when older, which results in more expensive premiums.
| 30 | $14 | $20 |
| 40 | $18 | $29 |
| 50 | $37 | $65 |
| 60 | $76 | $141 |
Buying life insurance in your 20s or 30s can be a smart financial move since premiums are lower, approval is easier, and coverage options are broader when you’re young and healthy. This guide breaks down what to consider as a young adult, including whether term or whole life insurance fits your goals, how much coverage you might need, and which providers offer the best value. Whether you’re looking to cover student loans, lock in low rates, or build a financial foundation, the sections below will help you compare policies and choose the right fit for your stage in life.
Term and permanent (which includes whole and universal) policies are the two main types of life insurance. The main differences between them are related to duration and cost. Term life insurance offers temporary protection, making it more affordable. In comparison, permanent policies guarantee coverage for your entire life. As a result, your premiums will be higher.
If we look into specifics, other notable differences set these two apart.
Comparison Area | Term Life Insurance | Permanent Life Insurance |
|---|---|---|
Guarantees a Death Benefit | Yes | Yes |
Allows Access to Living Benefits | Yes | Yes |
Coverage Length | Yearly for 5 ,10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years | Your entire life |
Premium Cost | Affordable | More expensive than term policies |
Change in Premium Cost | May remain the same or may increase over time, depending on what type you get | Remains the same over time |
Earns Cash Value | No | Yes, and it accumulates over time |
Eligible for Dividends | No | Yes, but it depends on the insurer |
Allows for Withdrawals While Policy Is in Effect | No | Yes. Loans are also allowed but will cause the death benefit to be reduced if unpaid |
Requires a Health Exam | Depends on the insurer | Depends on the insurer |
Whether a term or permanent life insurance policy is best for young adults depends on your circumstances. If you have a long-term dependent, such as a sibling with disabilities, purchasing a permanent life insurance policy may be a better option. By comparison, a term life plan may suffice if you have a young family or are paying off a mortgage. Expenses related to these situations tend to diminish over time; you may even reach a point when you no longer need coverage.
Young people often lean toward term life plans when shopping for life insurance. Opting for this type of coverage allows you to take advantage of lower rates. It's better to choose a plan that lasts for 20 or 30 years to protect your loved ones from possible financial challenges if you pass away unexpectedly. It makes sure that foreseeable long-term expenses (such as mortgages or college tuition fees) are covered.
There are several reasons you should consider buying life insurance at a young age. While you're young, purchasing life insurance can help you provide your family with financial stability and cover costs for others, such as grandparents with severe illnesses, parents about to retire or younger siblings going off to college.
Buying life insurance at a young age has many additional benefits:
Life insurance companies use several factors to calculate premiums, including age. The younger you are when you purchase a policy, the lower the monthly cost.
It’s not a guarantee, but chances are you’ll have fewer health conditions in your 20s than in your 50s. If you’re considering a term life policy, you’re more likely to outlive your coverage, which results in insurers offering lower rates. If you’re leaning toward a permanent life plan, the effect on your premium is the same, even if your policy won’t expire.
Choosing a permanent life insurance plan not only ensures that your family receives your death benefit regardless of when you die, but it also has a feature that term life plans don't provide: a savings account, known as cash value.
There are several types of permanent life insurance plans, but all of them allow your policy to accumulate cash value. Once you have enough cash value, you can use it in a variety of ways while you're still alive:
Purchasing life insurance in your 20s or 30s is a smart financial move, offering lower premiums and greater flexibility. Nationwide stands out for its affordability and comprehensive coverage options, making it an excellent choice for young adults seeking term policies. State Farm excels in providing whole life and no-medical-exam policies, catering to those looking for permanent coverage without the hassle of medical tests. For those prioritizing customer satisfaction, GEICO offers competitive rates and high customer service ratings. By securing a policy early, you can lock in lower rates and ensure financial protection for your future.
We've answered common questions about getting life insurance as a young adult. Although it may seem unnecessary right now, this financial safeguard will protect your loved ones if you die unexpectedly.
There are several benefits to buying life insurance at an early age. You’re more likely to be in better health, which allows you to get lower rates. If you opt for a permanent life plan, purchasing it earlier also gives you more time to let your policy earn cash value.
Overall, the best life insurance for young adults comes from Nationwide because it offers the best balance of affordability and service quality. However, the best insurer for you may vary depending on your unique profile.
People purchase life insurance because it can provide financial support to their dependents if they die. For young adults, these could be their children, siblings who are still in school or parents who are nearing retirement.
Yes, life insurance rates are significantly more affordable when you purchase your policy at a young age. If you are leaning toward a term life plan, you’re more likely to outlive it. You’ll also be less likely to have health conditions, which results in insurers offering lower rates.
The most affordable life insurance company for young adults depends on certain factors. For a 10-year term plan with $250,000 in coverage, GEICO offers the cheapest option. It costs an average of $10 per month. For a 20-year term policy, Allstate has the lowest average monthly rate at $12.
Why Trust MoneyGeek?Â
We analyzed 1,488 life insurance quotes alongside customer satisfaction, financial stability reports, product offerings and more to determine the best life insurance companies for young adults.
MoneyGeek created a scoring system to compare life insurance companies across five categories and ranked them based on their scores. We chose to review these companies based on their broad national coverage and ability to provide an online quote.
MoneyGeek's Scoring System
In our unique scoring system, companies can earn up to five points in each of five categories. We then use these category scores to calculate an overall MoneyGeek score out of 100. We applied the following weightings to score insurers:
In calculating scores for whole life insurance, MoneyGeek used the following weights:
We determined the best life insurance companies for no-medical-exam policies using the following weights:
The best company for these categories has the highest score among those that offer whole life and no-medical-exam life insurance policies. Affordability is not weighted because we do not have whole and no-medical-exam life insurance quotes.
Each company’s score incorporates:
Sample Customer Profile
MoneyGeek used a standard profile to obtain life insurance quotes:
Premiums are based on the standard profile unless otherwise noted.
We modified the profile by age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use, health rating and geographic location to collect a variety of quotes and determine the best life insurance company for several types of customers. We collected quotes for term life insurance with varying term lengths and coverage amounts as well.
We identified trends in the data set and used those patterns to calculate projections and extend the data beyond what was originally collected.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
