In this illustrative example, a healthy 30-year-old non-smoker pays around £8 a month for £200,000 of level term cover over 25 years. Price rises steadily with age, so the same cover costs roughly £17 a month at 40 and about £40 a month at 50. These figures are illustrative examples, not quotes.
What level term life insurance costs by age
These are illustrative monthly premiums for £200,000 of level term cover over a 25-year term, for a non-smoker in good health. Each row shows a typical figure and a range from low to high.
| Age | Male, typical | Male, range | Female, typical | Female, range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | £8.40 | £6.90 to £10.60 | £7.10 | £5.80 to £9.10 |
| 40 | £17.20 | £14.10 to £21.40 | £14.30 | £11.70 to £18.20 |
| 50 | £41.60 | £34.20 to £52.80 | £33.90 | £27.40 to £43.10 |
These figures are illustrative examples only, not quotes. They are not a record of what anyone paid, and are not an offer or a guarantee.
What affects the price you pay
Two people the same age can be quoted very different premiums. Select a factor to see how it changes your price.
What moves your premium
Age
Age is the single biggest driver. The younger you are when you take out cover, the lower the premium, and on a level policy it is locked in for the whole term. This is why buying earlier almost always costs less overall.
Whether you smoke
Smoker rates are typically far higher than non-smoker rates, often close to double for the same cover. Most insurers count vaping and other nicotine use as smoking. To qualify for non-smoker rates you usually need to have been nicotine-free for at least 12 months.
How much cover you choose
Premiums scale with the amount of cover. Doubling the sum assured will not exactly double the price, but it is the second largest lever after age.
Your health and family history
Height and weight, existing conditions, and some pre-existing family history can raise your premium or change the terms offered. Being open at application stage matters, because non-disclosure can affect a future claim.
Expert comment
The number that surprises people most is how much age alone moves the price. Cover taken out while you are young and healthy usually costs less, and a guaranteed level term premium does not go up once it is set. Just be careful not to choose on price alone. The cheapest quote and the right policy are not always the same thing.
Paul Gillooly, Founder, Life Adviser
About these figures
Illustrative figures
These figures are illustrative examples only, not quotes. The price you’re offered depends on your age, health, smoking status, cover amount and term, and the insurer’s own pricing.
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Get my quotesFrequently asked questions
How much does life insurance cost per month in the UK?
For £200,000 of level term cover over 25 years, our illustrative example shows a healthy non-smoker paying roughly £8 a month at age 30, £17 at 40, and £40 at 50. These are examples, not quotes. Your own price depends on your age, whether you smoke, the amount and length of cover, and your health.
Why is my quote higher than the average shown?
The figures here are for a non-smoker in good health taking a specific amount of cover. Smoking, a higher amount of cover, a longer term, or certain health and family history factors can all raise your premium above the typical figure.
Does buying earlier really make life insurance cheaper?
Yes. Age is the biggest single driver of price, and on a level term policy your premium is fixed for the whole term. Taking cover out younger locks in a lower rate, which usually means a lower total cost over the life of the policy.
Does using Life Adviser cost me anything?
No. Life Adviser is free to use. If we introduce you to an adviser firm, that firm pays us a fee for the introduction, and you pay nothing extra.
Life Adviser is a trading name of PJG Financial Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN 919697.
