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Cheap life insurance
Cheap life insurance does exist! Find $500,000 cover from as little as $25 a month.
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Finder's Pick for affordable Life Insurance: NobleOak
We requested quotes from over 20 life insurance brands to find out which companies offered the best value. Our research found that NobleOak Life Insurance is an affordable option that offers a range of extras that make it great value for money.
NobleOak offers one of the highest levels of cover in the market across a range of its products, including TPD, trauma and income protection insurance. You can also access complimentary financial advice and grief counselling giving you extra support when you need it most.
- 2 months free
Get your two months free when you buy NobleOak Life Insurance policy. T&C's apply.
Compare cheap life insurance in Australia
Looking for cheap life insurance?
We looked at a broad range of brands to show you some examples of affordable cover, however, these prices do not reflect personal circumstances and costs may vary.
We requested quotes from over 20 direct life insurance brands in Australia and then ordered them from least expensive to most expensive, so you can see who's offering coverage at an affordable rate. They are based on a 35-year-old nonsmoker with $500,000 worth of life insurance.
| Life Insurance Policy | Monthly premium (Male) | Monthly premium (Female) | Cover amount | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $24.94 | $19.46 | $500,000 | |
 | $48.06 | $40.84 | $500,000 | |
 | $42.14 | $35.30 | $500,000 | |
 | $44.34 | $33.44 | $500,000 | |
 | $35.88 | $28.40 | $500,000 | |
 | $21.57 | $16.07 | $500,000 | |
 | $25.19 | $17.25 | $500,000 | |
 | $25.58 | $20.12 | $500,000 | |
 | $25.77 | $18.69 | $500,000 | |
 | $26.52 | $21.28 | $500,000 | |
 | $26.94 | $22.08 | $500,000 | |
 | $28.14 | $22.56 | $500,000 | |
 | $29.72 | $23.76 | $500,000 | |
| $30.11 | $24.42 | $500,000 | |
 | $30.14 | $24.49 | $500,000 | |
 | $35.88 | $28.40 | $500,000 | |
 | $41.32 | $30.74 | $500,000 | |
 InsuranceLine Life Cover | $47.43 | $33.95 | $500,000 |
*Quotes are an estimate only. Figures are correct as of February 2020 and are subject to change. There may be some policies in the market that aren't covered here.
What impacts the price you pay for life insurance?
The following are some of the factors that impact the price of your life insurance premiums:
- Your age. Premiums go up as we get older.
- Your gender. Life insurance for women tends to be cheaper.
- Your health. Healthy people will pay less than those with medical problems.
- Your lifestyle. Gym-goers may be able to claim premium reductions.
- If you smoke. Smokers typically pay almost twice as much as nonsmokers.
- Level of cover. The higher the benefit payout, the higher the premiums.
- Added cover. Premiums are higher if you add trauma, income protection and total permanent disability cover to your standard life insurance policy.
- Payment type. You can generally choose to pay your premiums in one of three ways:
- Stepped. Your premiums start out lower but increase as you get older.
- Level. You pay the same price for the term of the policy.
- Hybrid. Your premiums increase to a point and then plateau. - Combining cover. Some insurers offer discounts to customers with multiple policies.
Cheapest life insurance vs most expensive life insurance
The graph below illustrates the difference in price between the most expensive life insurance policy and the least expensive policy.
It might not look like there is much of a price difference between the cheapest and most expensive policies but, over a year, the dollars can add up.
Every year:
- A 30 y/o woman could save $91.08
- A 50 y/o woman could save $169.99
- A 50 y/o woman could save $169.99
- A 30 y/o man could save $103.80
- A 50 y/o man could save $162.08
This graph was created using online quotes from Finder partners. Information provided was for a nonsmoking office worker in NSW, who requested $500,000 of coverage. Quotes were requested in February 2020.
How age impacts the price of life insurance
There's no hiding it. Life insurance gets more expensive as we age. Use the handy tool below to see how the average price of life insurance increases over time.
For a more accurate quote, compare quotes online.
Note: Data is based on a nonsmoking female office worker. Quotes are for illustrative purposes only and do not take into account your personal situation.
Different options for life insurance
There are three types of life insurance: retail, direct and group.
| Type | How to buy | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | Buy after seeking advice from a life insurance broker or adviser. |
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| Direct | Buy directly from an insurer without the aid of a broker, adviser or super fund. |
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| Group/ super | Access cover as a member of a super fund |
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Are there any downsides to cheap life insurance?
For some people, yes. That's why you should never buy life insurance based on price alone. Always make sure you read the product disclosure statement (PDS) carefully. Risks associated with cheap life insurance include the following:
Getting a policy which doesn't suit your lifestyle
You can get cheaper life insurance by telling your insurer you don't smoke, but if it's not true, your policy might not pay out when you make a claim. Always be truthful, even if it's going to cost you more money upfront.
Not being covered for health conditions
Buying life insurance without a medical questionnaire may be quicker and sometimes cheaper, but it'll automatically exclude any pre-existing medical conditions. If you have any health issues, expect to pay more for your life insurance.
Accidental underinsurance
If the price of your life insurance premiums seems too good to be true, it probably is. Lots of Australians don't take out enough insurance for genuine financial security. While $200,000 worth of life insurance sounds great, that wouldn't even cover half of the average mortgage in Australia.
Can you get cheap life insurance without a medical exam?
You can get life insurance without taking a medical exam, and while there are some decent benefits to going down this path, there are also some major pitfalls.
Benefits
- Straightforward application process
- Little to no medical underwriting required
- Convenient for people who know exactly what they need in a policy
- Convenient for people who understand how the specific policy works
- Good for people who don't need the help of an adviser
Downsides
- Insurers make assumptions on your health and the level of risk you carry
- Premium rates may be higher compared to life insurance that has a more stringent medical underwriting process
- May find you're not covered for any pre-existing medical conditions you might have
Tips for saving money on your life insurance
Adopt healthy habits
Some life insurers have health and wellness programs, which offer rewards for healthy living as well as discounts on wellness products and services.
Compare policies – or stay loyal
You should compare your life insurance every year to see if you can switch and save. However, some insurance companies do reward customer loyalty, so be sure to check if you're close to earning a reward before switching providers.
Bundle policies
Some insurers will offer discounts if you take out more than one policy with them or if your spouse takes out insurance through the company too.
Invest in higher cover
If you're eager to buy a high-value life insurance policy, consider ones that offer discounts on policies over a certain value.
Look for frequent flier programs
Some insurers will integrate frequent flier programs into their policies, so you can earn points for every dollar you spend on your premiums. While this won't save you money on your premium, it does mean you could save money elsewhere.
Apply coupon codes
Some life insurers will run promotional offers from time to time. Be sure to look for discounts and deals before you buy your policy, as you could save some cash.
Quotes represent a 35-year-old requesting $500,000 life insurance cover. Figures correct as of February 2020.
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Frequently asked questions
How are premiums calculated?
You will be able to get cheaper life insurance premiums if you are young, healthy and lead a low risk lifestyle. Your gender and the level of cover you apply for also affect the cost.
Are life insurance premiums tax deductible?
Not usually, although it can pay to check with your own accountant.
Are premiums guaranteed to stay the same?
Your premiums will generally be recalculated each year on the renewal of your policy, based on your risk and lifestyle factors.
How can life insurance be paid for?
You can pay your life insurance premiums fortnightly, monthly or annually, and in most cases can qualify for a discount for annual payments.
What if the premiums become too expensive?
If you fail to pay your premiums your life insurance policy will be cancelled, however, you can contact your insurer to negotiate a lower level of cover for affordability.
How can life insurance be cancelled?
You can usually cancel any coverage during the insurer’s cooling off period, and your insurer cannot cancel your coverage unless you fail to pay your premiums.
Are premiums still payable after making a claim?
If you claim on a death policy, no more premiums are required to be paid, however, if you are claiming on a living insurance policy your premiums will be reduced by the amount of the benefit paid.
Read more:
* The products compared on this page are chosen from a range of offers available to us and are not representative of all the products available in the market. There is no perfect order or perfect ranking system for the products we list on our Site, so we provide you with the functionality to self-select, re-order and compare products. The initial display order is influenced by a range of factors including conversion rates, product costs and commercial arrangements, so please don't interpret the listing order as an endorsement or recommendation from us. We're happy to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions, but we'd like you to make your own decisions and compare and assess products based on your own preferences, circumstances and needs.
More guides on Finder
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Life insurance rewards programs
Here are some of the health reward programs and discount schemes available from Australian life insurance brands.
Ask an Expert
I am a 64 year old female and have cover but am comparing. I am a non smoker
Could you please advise the cover you could offer
Regards Robyn
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for leaving a question on Finder.
If you are still under 65, you can get a regular health insurance by filling out our form. Each health fund is different, policy prices, services covered, annual benefit limits, excess options, and sign-up offers can vary. Follow these key steps when comparing:
Once you have done your comparison and would like to speak directly to the insurer, you can click on the green “Go to site” button to be redirected to their page. I hope you find what you need,
Cheers,
Joel