Best Life Insurance for Young Adults (2025)

Shopping for life insurance in your 20s? Smart move. Buying now means lower premiums, better coverage options, and easier approval. Legal & General, Pacific Life, and Protective are the best young adult life insurance companies in 2025.

Find out if you're overpaying for life insurance below.

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Best Life Insurance for Young Adults (2025)

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: December 26, 2025

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Legal & General is the best term life insurance company for young adult men, with average rates of $30 per month. For young adult women, the best option is Assurity, with average rates of $22 per month.

Pacific Life offers the best no-exam policies for young people, with $3 million maximum coverage, while Protective offers the best rates for 20 to 25 year olds at high coverage levels of $1 million and higher.

North American is the best whole life insurance for young adults, with average rates at $281 for 25-year-old women and $347 for men.

Why You Can Trust MoneyGeek

We analyzed 248,399 life insurance quotes from 29 insurance companies covering ages 18 to 30 for smokers, non-smokers, men, and women at various heights, weights, and health levels across a range of term limits and coverage levels. MoneyGeek maintains editorial independence and doesn't receive compensation from insurance companies for life insurance rankings or recommendations. For more information, read our full methodology.

Best Life Insurance Companies for Young Adults

Legal & General, Pacific Life and Protective are the best young adult life insurance providers. Depending on your specific needs, other options may be better for you:


Young Men	Legal & General	Term: $26 (F), $30 (M)	20	10-40 years	Yes	4.7
No-Exam	Pacific Life	Term: $26 (F), $30 (M) Whole: $313 (F), $377 (M)	18	10-30 years	No	4.7
High Coverage ($1M+)	Protective Insurance	Term: $23 (F), $29 (M) Whole: $308 (F), $350 (M)	20	10-40 years	Yes	4.6
Young Women and Smokers	Assurity	Term: $22 (F), $30 (M)	18	10-30 years	No	4.6
Customer Experience	Guardian Life	Term: $27 (F), $33 (M)	18	10-30 years	Yes	4.5
Whole Life	North American	Term: $22 (F), $28 (M) Whole: $281 (F), $347 (M)	18	10-30 years	Yes	4.5

* Rates shown here are for healthy, non-smoking 25-year-olds of average height and weight at $500,000 coverage on 20-year terms. Your rates will vary by state, health profile, coverage needs and other factors. Compare personalized quotes from multiple providers to get the best rates.

Best Life Insurance for Young Men

Legal & General

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

4.7/5Customer Experience

4.7/5Coverage Points

Avg. Monthly Rate (Term)
$26 (F), $30 M
Min. Supported Age
20
Term Lengths
10-40

pros
- Competitive pricing for term life policies
- Coverage amounts available up to $10 million
- Solid financial backing with an A rating from AM Best
- Wide selection of optional riders to tailor a policy
cons
- Medical exam required for most applicants
Legal & General works well for young men who want life insurance without breaking the bank. A guy in his early 20s pays about $30 each month for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 in coverage. You can get up to $10 million in coverage and pick terms anywhere from 10 to 40 years.
- A.M. Best rating: A
- NAIC complaint index: 0.35
- J.D. Power score: N/A
- Customer sentiment: 85% positive, 15% negative
- Max coverage: $10 million
- Medical exam required: Yes
- Terms available: 10 to 40 years
- Ages supported: 20 to 75
- Riders and options: Accelerated death benefit rider, child rider, stacking rider, guaranteed insurability rider, conversion options to age 70

Best No-Exam Young Adult Life Insurance

Pacific Life

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

4.6/5Customer Experience

4.9/5Coverage Points

Avg. Monthly Rate (Term)
$25 (F), $30 (M)
Avg. Monthly Rate (Whole)
$313 (F), $377 (M)
Min. Age Supported
18
Term Lengths
10-30 years

pros
- No medical exam required
- Strong financial stability with A AM Best rating
- Flexible term lengths up to 30 years
cons
- Lower customer sentiment at 72% positive
- Max no-exam coverage capped at $3 million
Pacific Life has the best no-exam life insurance for young adults, offering coverage up to $3 million without a medical exam. Young adults can secure a $500,000 term policy for $25 to $30 monthly. Pacific Life provides flexible term lengths from 10 to 30 years, accepting applicants as young as 18 years old.

You can customize your policy with riders, including accelerated death benefit, child term coverage, waiver of premium and guaranteed insurability.
- A.M. Best rating: A
- NAIC complaint index: 0.08
- J.D. Power score: 657 (7th)
- Customer sentiment: 72% positive, 28% negative
- Max coverage: $10 million+, or $3 million without medical exam
- Medical exam required: No
- Terms available: 10 to 30 years
- Ages supported: 18 to 75
- Riders and options: Accelerated death benefit, child term rider, waiver of premium, accidental death benefit, guaranteed insurability, conversion options

Best High Coverage Life Insurance for Young Adults

Protective

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

4.6/5Customer Experience

4.3/5Coverage Points

Avg. Monthly Rate (Term)
$23 (F), $29 (M)
Avg. Monthly Rate (Whole)
$308 (F), $350 (M)
Min. Age Supported
20
Term Lengths
10-40 years

pros
- Strong pricing for policies with $1 million or higher coverage
- Maximum coverage amounts above $10 million
- Whole life policies available from about $59 per month
- Term options ranging up to 40 years
cons
- Medical exam required for most policies
- NAIC complaint index data not available
Protective works best when you need serious coverage amounts, like $1 million and up. A young guy in his 20s pays around $29 per month for a $500,000 term policy. Women do better, paying just $23 monthly for the same coverage.

Need more financial protection? Protective goes beyond $10 million in coverage limits. The company has an A+ rating from AM Best. J.D. Power gave Protective a score of 653 for customer satisfaction.
- A.M. Best rating: A+
- NAIC complaint index: N/A
- J.D. Power score: 653 (9th)
- Customer sentiment: 82% positive, 18% negative
- Max coverage: $10 million+
- Medical exam required: Yes
- Terms available: 10 to 40 years
- Ages supported: 20 to 80
- Riders and options: Child term rider, accelerated death benefit, waiver of premium, accidental death benefit, guaranteed insurability, conversion options up to age 70

Best Life Insurance for Young Women and Smokers

Assurity

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

4.6/5Customer Experience

4.5/5Coverage Points

Avg. Monthly Rate (Term)
$22 (F), $30 (M)
Min. Age Supported
18
Term Lengths
10-30 years

pros
- Lowest smoker rates we quoted
- No medical exam required
- Unique riders available
- Coverage exceeds $10 million with standard underwriting
cons
- No-exam coverage limited to $1 million
- Lower AM Best rating of A-
- Higher NAIC complaint index of 0.638
Assurity is the best life insurance for young women and smokers, offering flexible underwriting, affordable rates, and extensive rider options. Nonsmoking young women pay just $21 to $22 monthly for term coverage, while smokers pay $60 to $62.

The company maintains an A- rating from AM Best for financial stability. Its NAIC complaint index is also higher at 0.638, though we found 85% positive customer sentiment in review forums.
- A.M. Best rating: A-
- NAIC complaint index: 0.638
- J.D. Power score: N/A
- Customer sentiment: 85% positive, 15% negative
- Max coverage: $10 million+, or $1 million without a medical exam
- Medical exam required: No
- Terms available: 10 to 30 years
- Ages supported: 18 to 75
- Riders and options: Accelerated death benefits rider, return of premium rider, accident only disability income rider, critical illness rider, disability income rider, level term rider

Best Customer Experience

Guardian Life

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

4.5/5Affordability

4.9/5Customer Experience

4/5Coverage Points

Avg. Monthly Rate (Term)
$27 (F), $33 (M)
Min. Supported Age
18
Term Lengths
10-30 years

pros
- Highest possible A++ AM Best rating
- Second place J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking
- Unique charitable benefit rider
- 90% positive consumer sentiment
cons
- Slightly higher premiums
- Medical exam required
Guardian Life earns our top spot for customer experience with a 4.9 MoneyGeek customer experience score. Young adults pay $27 to $33 monthly for term coverage, with Guardian Life offering policies up to $5 million and terms from 10 to 30 years for applicants starting at 18 years old.

Guardian Life holds the highest possible A++ rating from AM Best and receives 92% fewer complaints than the industry average with a 0.08 NAIC complaint index.
- A.M. Best rating: A++
- NAIC complaint index: 0.08
- J.D. Power score: 685 (2nd)
- Customer sentiment: 90% positive, 10% negative
- Max coverage: $5 million
- Medical exam required: Yes
- Terms available: 10 to 30 years
- Ages supported: 18 to 75
- Riders and options: Charitable benefit rider, waiver of premium, guaranteed renewability

Best Whole Life Insurance for Young Adults

North American

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

4.8/5Affordability

4.6/5Customer Experience

3.3/5Coverage Points

Avg. Monthly Rate (Term)
$22 (F), $28 (M)
Avg. Monthly Rate (Whole)
$281 (F), $347 (M)
Min. Supported Age
18
Term Lengths
10-30 years

pros
- Low-cost whole life policies for buyers in their early 20s
- A+ financial strength rating from AM Best
- Well-priced term life options for younger applicants
cons
- Medical exam required
- Customer sentiment trails some competitors at 77% positive
- Limited public details on rider availability
North American offers the best whole life insurance for young adults. A 20-year-old pays just $66 to $70 per month for a $500,000 whole life policy. That's a reasonable price if you're starting your career and want permanent coverage. By age 25, rates climb to $281 for women and $347 for men.

Even at those higher prices, North American remains one of the more affordable options. Their term policies run about $20 to $28 monthly for $500,000 in coverage.

The company has an A+ rating from AM Best, which means the company has enough financial strength to pay claims for decades. Customer reviews show 77% positive sentiment. That's lower than other insurers on our list. You'll need to take a medical exam, but the low whole life premiums make sense for young adults who want coverage that builds cash value.
- A.M. Best rating: A+
- NAIC complaint index: N/A
- J.D. Power score: N/A
- Customer sentiment: 77% positive, 23% negative
- Max coverage: $10 million+
- Medical exam required: Yes
- Terms available: 10 to 30 years
- Ages supported: 18 to 60
- Riders and options: N/A

Average Cost of Young Adult Life Insurance

For young adults, term life insurance costs $20 to $35 monthly, with women paying less than men across all insurers. North American offers the lowest term rates, while Guardian Life charges the most. Whole life insurance is more expensive, starting at $59 for 20-year-old women and $70 for men.


Assurity	$21 (F), $30 (M)	$22 (F), $30 (M)	$23 (F), $30 (M)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Protective Insurance	$21 (F), $28 (M)	$23 (F), $29 (M)	$24 (F), $30 (M)	$59 (F), $84 (M)	$308 (F), $350 (M)	$403 (F), $433 (M)
North American	$20 (F), $27 (M)	$22 (F), $28 (M)	$24 (F), $29 (M)	$66 (F), $70 (M)	$281 (F), $347 (M)	$361 (F), $432 (M)
Pacific Life	$25 (F), $30 (M)	$26 (F), $30 (M)	$27 (F), $30 (M)	$78 (F), $81 (M)	$313 (F), $377 (M)	$396 (F), $455 (M)
Legal & General	$26 (F), $30 (M)	$26 (F), $30 (M)	$26 (F), $30 (M)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Guardian Life	$27 (F), $33 (M)	$27 (F), $33 (M)	$27 (F), $35 (M)	N/A	N/A	N/A

* Your actual rates may vary based on health, lifestyle, and other factors. Request quotes from multiple companies when researching the best life insurance plans for you.

What is the Best Type of Life Insurance for Young Adults?

Term and permanent (which includes whole and universal) are the two main types of life insurance. Term life insurance is usually the best option for young adults, allowing you to secure lower rates while you're young and healthy. Select a plan that lasts 20 or 30 years to protect your loved ones from financial challenges if you pass away unexpectedly.


Guarantees a Death Benefit	Yes	Yes
Allows Access to Living Benefits	Limited (accelerated death benefit only)	Yes (multiple options)
Coverage Length	10-40 years	Your entire life
Premium Cost	Affordable	More expensive
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, cash value accumulates over time
Eligible for Dividends	No	Yes, depending on the insurer
Allows for Withdrawals While Policy Is in Effect	No	Yes, but loans will cause the death benefit to be reduced if unpaid
Requires a Health Exam	Depends on the insurer	Depends on the insurer

Best Young Adult Life Insurance: Bottom Line

Young adult life insurance costs $20 to $35 monthly for term coverage, making it affordable to protect your family during your peak earning years. Legal & General leads for young men at $30 monthly, while Pacific Life offers no-exam policies up to $3 million and Assurity provides the lowest rates for women and smokers.

Protective excels for high coverage needs above $1 million with an A+ rating, and Guardian Life delivers top-tier customer service. North American offers the most affordable whole life policies starting at $66 monthly, though term insurance usually makes more sense for young adults building financial protection.

Life Insurance for Young Adults: FAQ

We answer common questions about getting life insurance as a young adult. Although life insurance may seem unnecessary right now, this financial safeguard will protect your loved ones if you die unexpectedly.

Why should you get life insurance at a young age?

Buying life insurance at an early age offers several benefits. You're more likely to be in better health, which lets you get lower rates. If you choose a permanent life plan, buying life insurance earlier also gives you more time to let your policy earn cash value.

How young can you get life insurance?

The earliest age you can get life insurance is 18 years old based on the companies we reviewed. Some providers offer an optional add-on called a child rider that provides a small amount of life insurance coverage for children under an adult’s policy.

Is life insurance cheaper when you’re younger?

Yes, life insurance rates are more affordable when you purchase your policy at a young age. If you choose a term life plan, you're more likely to outlive the policy. You'll also be less likely to have health conditions, which leads to insurers offering lower rates.

Our Review Methodology

Finding the right life insurance in your 20s feels overwhelming when you're already juggling student loans, career changes and maybe starting a family. That's why we built our research specifically around what matters most to young adults: affordable premiums that won't strain your budget and straightforward coverage.

Our Scoring Framework

We evaluated insurers using three key factors, weighted to reflect what matters most to young adults:

Affordability (50%): How do rates stack up against other providers for the same coverage?
Customer Experience (30%): We looked at customer complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), AM Best financial strength ratings and what people say in online reviews. We also checked out digital tools and payment flexibility. Young adults want to manage everything online and pay however works best for them.
Coverage Options (20%): We examined plan types, coverage limits, age restrictions, term lengths, riders and ways to customize policies.

Each company got up to five points per category. We converted those scores into a weighted total out of five points based on our percentages.

Sample Profile Details

We collected 248,399 life insurance quotes using a baseline young adult profile:

Ages 18 to 30
Nonsmoker
Average health level
Average height
Average weight
Coverage amounts ranging from starter policies to family protection
Different term lengths for various financial goals

We adjusted this profile by age, gender, health rating, and location to see how rates shift across the young adult demographic. This shows pricing patterns so you can estimate what you'll pay. Rates in this article reflect healthy, non-smoking 25-year-olds of average height and weight unless we note otherwise.

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!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

Read Full Bio »

Best Life Insurance for Young Adults (2025)

Best Life Insurance Companies for Young Adults

Best Life Insurance for Young Men

Best No-Exam Young Adult Life Insurance

Best High Coverage Life Insurance for Young Adults

Best Life Insurance for Young Women and Smokers

Best Customer Experience

Best Whole Life Insurance for Young Adults

Average Cost of Young Adult Life Insurance

What is the Best Type of Life Insurance for Young Adults?

Best Young Adult Life Insurance: Bottom Line

Life Insurance for Young Adults: FAQ

Why should you get life insurance at a young age?

How young can you get life insurance?

Is life insurance cheaper when you’re younger?

Our Review Methodology

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