If you're looking for affordable term life insurance rates to protect your family in case of the worst, you may be having trouble getting a good quote. Fortunately, you don't have to be stuck with high rates or bad plans. There are a few things you can do to get a good rate, without sacrificing quality on your insurance policy. You're already making a smart choice with term coverage. It usually gives the most coverage and best death benefit for the least cost. If you're under 45 and don't have a lot of money to spare, term life insurance is probably the best way to go. There are, however, some other ways that you can reduce your premium on this cost-effective kind of insurance.

First, look for no-commission policies. Also called “low-load” policies, these insurance plans have fewer built in expenses, including marketing fees and agent commissions. By not going through an agent, you can save yourself a little bit of money. Low-load policies are purchased through financial advisers. They charge the insurance company a flat fee for their services, not a commission based on sales volume. You can also get these policies directly from some insurance companies. Do a little research, and you could have a policy without all the added fees.

If you're healthy, avoid the temptation to take a no-exam or guaranteed issue policy. Because these insurance policies don't require you to prove your health, they're more risky for the insurance provider. When an insurer thinks that they're stepping into a risky situation, premiums go up. No-exam policies also usually offer a low death benefit, which removes some of the savings you're getting from term life insurance. If you think you can pass the physical exam, go with a standard term policy instead, and get the savings that the insurance company offers to healthy people they insure. Guaranteed-issue insurance is a good option for only a very few people. It's even possible to pay more in premiums for these policies than your family will receive in the event of your death.

To make sure that you're getting the best rate available, start your shopping online. Not all online services will give you the best quote available, but they're a useful source of information about the prices current in the industry. The more accurate the information you give, the more accurate your quote will be. However, a low quote should still be used as a basis for shopping around. You might be able to use it to get a better deal with a local agent, for instance.

If you're really looking to save money on term life insurance, one more way is to get healthier. Stop smoking and drinking, and get more exercise. These are things that will improve your rate almost immediately. Smokers can pay as much as twice the monthly premium that nonsmokers do. High blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are also bad for your insurance premiums – doing things that contribute to these conditions makes the insurance companies nervous. If you have the option, give up your bad habits, for your health, and to reduce your term life insurance premiums.

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