Nobody likes paying life insurance premiums. If they do, they probably need their head examined.

If you're smart, you want to get the best value for your money, so here are some tips on how to save money on your life insurance premiums:

1. Buy it now. Life insurance costs less when you're younger, and new polices become increasingly more expensive as we get older. Plus, we tend to be healthier when younger, and our health has a significant impact on premiums. Ask your agent about back dating a policy to "save age" - sometimes this can save you money.
2. Stop smoking. The use of tobacco has a significant impact on the cost of life insurance. In general, one must quit for a year before they are eligible for a "non-smoker" or "non-tobacco user" rate.
3. Lose weight. One third of Americans are obese, and being overweight can result in an additional premium, or worse, result in an application for insurance being declined.
4. Pay annual. The lowest rate per year is usually obtained by paying for an entire year at once. Paying semi-annual adds about 3% per year. Paying monthly through a bank draft is only slightly more than semi-annual. The most expensive way to pay for your life insurance is to pay quarterly, which increases your total cost about 6%.
5. Prepare for your exam. This is where a professional agent can help you save thousands by simply helping you put your best foot forward, and presenting yourself in the best light to the underwriter. Life Solutions has their own proprietary system for preparing our applicants for their insurance physical.
6. Buy more. Insurance companies discount for larger policies. For example, a $250,000 policy is 13% less per unit of coverage than a $249,000 policy. At $1,000,000, the volume discount can be as high as 25%. You can often save by rounding up to the next discount level.
7. Buy the right kind. Matching policy terms to your needs can save you money. If you need coverage for 30 years, you should purchase a 30 year term policy, not a 10 year term policy. The savings can be substantial.
8. Consider a Return of Premium rider. You can't beat the cost of zero, and a Return of Premium rider does that, by returning 100% of premiums to the policy owner at the end of the policy term, usually 20 or 30 years.
9. Pay in advance. Companies will let you pay next years premium at a discount. In many states, you can prepay up to 20 years of premiums, and the more years you pre-pay, the larger the discount.
10. Offset your premiums with policy values. An interest sensitive or dividend paying permanent policy can pay for itself, usually after several years. If you have never heard of this, call us today for a free look at how your life insurance can pay for itself.

The purchase of life insurance is a serious decision, with significant financial implications for your beneficiaries. That is why it is always a good idea to use a professional insurance agent when purchasing life insurance. The best choice is an insurance agent that has earned the professional designation Chartered Life Underwriter.

To speak with a life insurance specialist, call today (800) 680-5596.