Best Term Life Insurance Companies (2026)


Banner Life, Transamerica and Nationwide are the best term life insurance companies in 2026, based on MoneyGeek's analysis of 25 top carriers.

Compare term life insurance quotes from top providers.

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Key Takeaways
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The best term life insurance varies widely by age and coverage level. For a 40-year-old woman on a 20-year, $500,000 policy, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive carrier in our analysis reached $144 per year. Comparing quotes from at least three insurers is the most effective way to lower your premium.

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Healthy applicants who complete a medical exam pay 8% to 15% less than those who skip it. If your health is good, the exam is almost always worth doing.

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A common coverage mistake is underestimating how much you need. Start with 10 times your annual income, add your mortgage balance and $100,000 per child, then subtract existing savings.

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Most term policies include conversion options, but deadlines and eligible products vary by carrier. If permanent coverage is part of your long-term plan, confirm conversion terms before you buy.

Best Term Life Insurance Companies

Banner Life is the best term life insurance company, with competitive monthly rates, coverage up to $10 million, term lengths up to 40 years and eligibility through age 75.

Each of the remaining companies we reviewed excels in a different area. Transamerica matches Banner Life's competitive pricing while extending eligibility through age 80. Nationwide is our top no-exam choice for buyers ages 21 to 55 who want to avoid a medical exam. Pacific Life is the best option for policy customization, offering more coverage choices and riders than most competitors at similar prices. Fidelity is our top pick for seniors because it maintains competitive rates for buyers in their 60s and early 70s. Protective is another strong choice for long-term coverage, offering policies with terms up to 40 years. Mutual of Omaha ranks highest for customer experience, supported by strong claims satisfaction, top industry ratings and service performance.

Why You Can Trust Our Rankings

Overall
Banner Life
$37 (Female), $46 (Male)
10-40 years
20-75
4.5
Affordability
Transamerica
$37 (Female), $46 (Male)
10-30 years
18-80
4.4
No Exam
Nationwide
$45 (Female), $56 (Male)
10-30 years
21-55
4.3
Coverage Options
Pacific Life
$38 (Female), $54 (Male)
10-30 years
18-80
4.2
Seniors
Fidelity
$44 (Female), $58 (Male)
10-30 years
18-70
4.2
Term Length Options
Protective
$42 (Female), $54 (Male)
10-40 years
18-75
4.1
Customer Experience
Mutual of Omaha
$49 (Female), $60 (Male)
10-30 years
18-80
4

*Rates shown are estimates of the companies MoneyGeek surveyed based on a 40-year-old with average weight and height, non-smoker, average health, 20-year term, and $500,000 coverage. Actual rates may vary by state, health profile, and insurer underwriting. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.

Banner Life

Banner Life

Best Overall

MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.7/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage
  • Average Monthly Rate

    $37 (Female), $46 (Male)
  • Ages Supported

    20-75
  • Term Lengths

    10-40 years
Transamerica

Transamerica

Most Affordable

MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
3.7/5Customer Experience
4.4/5Coverage
  • Average Monthly Rate

    $37 (Female), $46 (Male)
  • Ages Supported

    18-80
  • Term Lengths

    10-30 years
Nationwide

Nationwide

Best No-Exam

MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.8/5Customer Experience
3.8/5Coverage
  • Average Monthly Rate

    $45 (Female), $56 (Male)
  • Ages Supported

    21-55
  • Term Lengths

    10-30 years
Pacific Life

Pacific Life

Best Coverage Options

MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
3.6/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage Points
  • Average Monthly Rate

    $38 (Female), $54 (Male)
  • Ages Supported

    18-80
  • Term Lengths

    10-30 years
Fidelity

Fidelity

Best for Seniors

MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4/5Coverage
  • Average Monthly Rate

    $44 (Female), $58 (Male)
  • Ages Supported

    18-70
  • Term Lengths

    10-30 years
Protective

Protective

Best Term Length Options

MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
3.5/5Customer Experience
4.2/5Coverage
  • Average Monthly Rate

    $42 (Female), $54 (Male)
  • Ages Supported

    18-75
  • Term Lengths

    10-40 years
Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha

Best Customer Experience

MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ 5
3.8/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4.3/5Coverage
  • Average Monthly Rate

    $49 (Female), $60 (Male)
  • Ages Supported

    18-80
  • Term Lengths

    10-30 years

How Does Term Life Insurance Work?

Term life insurance provides coverage for a specified period or "term." You pay fixed premiums throughout the term. If you die during that period, the insurance company pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries.

Terms range from 10 to 40 years, though most companies cap term lengths at 30 years. In our analysis, 20-year terms were the most common choice for applicants ages 30 to 50, offering a balance between cost and coverage window. Ten-year terms work for short-term debt obligations. Thirty- and 40-year terms suit younger buyers who want to lock in rates while their health is strongest.

When the term ends, you can renew at rates based on your current age, convert to permanent coverage or let the policy lapse. Conversion deadlines vary widely by carrier. Banner Life, Transamerica and Mutual of Omaha offer broader permanent conversion options, but Pacific Life converts only to universal life. Confirm conversion terms before you buy if long-term coverage is part of your plan.

How Much Does Term Life Insurance Cost?

Term life insurance rates vary based on age, gender, health and coverage amount. In our analysis, the average premium for a 20-year, $500,000 policy is $47 per month for women and $59 for men. At age 30, the same policy averages $31 to $38 per month, increasing to $102 to $137 at age 50 and $286 to $395 at age 60. Men pay more than women at every age, and the difference grows as you get older. Buying younger, choosing only the coverage you need and comparing quotes from multiple providers are the most effective ways to keep premiums low.

20
Female
$11
$19
$30
$41
$51
Male
$13
$22
$36
$50
$64
30
Female
$12
$20
$31
$43
$54
Male
$13
$23
$38
$53
$67
40
Female
$16
$28
$47
$67
$86
Male
$19
$35
$59
$85
$109
50
Female
$30
$59
$102
$150
$194
Male
$38
$77
$137
$201
$262
60
Female
$74
$157
$286
$421
$545
Male
$100
$215
$395
$589
$771
70
Female
$193
$431
$844
$1,171
$1,802
Male
$241
$558
$1,132
$1,577
$2,586

* Rates shown are based on quotes for nonsmokers in average health. Your actual rates vary based on health, lifestyle and other factors. Request quotes from multiple providers to find the best term life insurance for your needs.

Average Cost for Smokers vs. Nonsmokers

Smokers pay over 200% more for term life insurance than nonsmokers in our analysis. Most insurers classify you as a nonsmoker once you've been tobacco-free for at least 12 months, though some, including Transamerica and Nationwide, require two years without tobacco before offering nonsmoker rates.

Female
$47
$148
218% more
Male
$59
$194
231% more

* Rates shown are for 40-year-olds in average health with a 20-year, $500,000 policy.

Estimate Your Term Life Insurance Cost

Use our free term life insurance calculator to get a personalized estimate in seconds. 

Estimates are based on average health for nonsmokers.

Select Age
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Average Monthly Rate

How to Choose the Best Term Life Insurance Policy

Key factors for selecting term life insurance:

  1. 1
    Coverage Amount

    Start with 10 times your annual income, add your mortgage balance and $100,000 per child, then subtract existing savings. In our analysis, the most common coverage gap appeared among 30- to 45-year-olds: nearly half selected $500,000 or less when their actual calculated need exceeded $1 million. Education costs are the most frequently underestimated variable. Use our life insurance coverage calculator to quickly determine how much coverage you need.

  2. 2
    Term Length

    Choose a term covering your highest-risk financial period, usually until your mortgage is paid and children are independent. Longer terms cost more upfront but protect against future health changes. Ten-year terms work for short-term debts. Twenty-year to 30-year terms suit families with mortgages and young children.

  3. 3
    Rates

    Compare quotes from at least three insurers. The carrier that's cheapest at 25 often isn't the best choice at 40. Our analysis shows Fidelity leads for 25-year-old women and reclaims the top position at 70, but falls mid-pack for 40-year-olds. Your health profile matters too. Some carriers offer better rates for certain conditions or habits like smoking. Balance premiums against financial stability and complaint history.

  4. 4
    Riders and Other Benefits

    Customize your plan with riders. Accelerated death benefit riders let you access coverage if terminally ill. Waiver of premium continues coverage if disabled. Conversion options let you switch to permanent coverage without a medical exam. Skip unnecessary riders that increase premiums.

  5. 5
    Provider Financial Strength

    Check AM Best financial strength ratings to assess a carrier's ability to pay claims. On this list, five of seven carriers hold an A+ rating. Fidelity's A- rating is the lowest in our list, which matters less if you're selecting a short-term policy but more if you expect to hold coverage for 20 to 30 years. Transamerica holds an A rating, two notches below the top tier of A++ (Superior), and its complaint index of 3.86 is the highest on this list, a combination worth weighing for any long policy.

How to Get a Term Life Insurance Policy

Buying term life insurance takes 15 to 30 minutes online. Most carriers return a decision within days. No-exam policies can approve you in minutes, while fully underwritten policies that require a medical exam take two to six weeks.

  1. 1
    Gather your information before you start

    You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, medical history, current prescriptions, height and weight, and the name and contact information of your primary care physician.

  2. 2
    Complete the application

    Answer health and lifestyle questions about your medical history, tobacco use, family health history and any high-risk hobbies like skydiving or rock climbing. Most online applications take 15 to 30 minutes.

  3. 3
    Undergo a medical exam if required

    Fully underwritten policies require a medical exam that includes blood and urine tests and takes about 30 minutes. The exam company schedules it at your home or office at no cost to you.

  4. 4
    Wait for underwriting

    No-exam policies return decisions within minutes to 48 hours. Fully underwritten policies take two to six weeks while the insurer reviews your medical records and exam results.

  5. 5
    Review your offer

    Check the coverage amount, premium, term length, beneficiary designations and any exclusions before accepting. The insurer may approve you at a higher rate than quoted if underwriting uncovers health factors.

  6. 6
    Submit your first premium payment

    Coverage starts on the effective date, which is the date your first payment is processed. Keep your confirmation documents and share your policy details with your beneficiaries.

Bottom Line

The right term life insurance company depends more on your age and profile than on any single ranking. Banner Life leads for most 40-year-old applicants and offers the widest no-exam coverage limit at $4 million. Transamerica matches Banner Life on price at 40 while serving a broader applicant range, but its NAIC complaint index is the highest on our list. Nationwide is the right call if you want no-exam coverage without a separate limit below your full policy amount. Fidelity is the clear choice for applicants over 65. If customer service history matters, and it should for a 20- or 30-year policy relationship, Mutual of Omaha's J.D. Power score of 707 leads all rated carriers here, but that comes at a cost premium you'll want to weigh against other providers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

MoneyGeek's experts answered common questions about term life insurance companies and policies.

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About Patrick Bryant


Patrick Bryant, Vertical Lead, Life & Health Insurance, MoneyGeek

Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Life and Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and maintains the scoring methodologies behind our provider comparisons. He analyzed more than 50 life insurance carriers across multiple policy types, collecting thousands of quotes nationwide to evaluate rates, coverage options and underwriting factors. His methodologies are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data.