What actually sets your quote
- Your age. The single biggest lever. Every year you wait, the price of a new policy goes up.
- Your health class. Insurers group applicants by health, from preferred to standard to rated. Better class, lower price.
- Your coverage amount. A $500,000 policy costs more than $250,000, but not double. Larger amounts often cost less per dollar of coverage.
- Your term length. A 30-year term costs more per month than a 20-year term, because the price is locked longer.
- Tobacco use. Smoker rates run far higher than non-smoker rates at every age.
Not sure what amount to ask for? Run the numbers in how much life insurance you need before you request a quote.
Why timing matters more for veterans
Your quote is priced on your health record at the time you apply. If you are still in or close to separation, this matters. The separation physical and VA disability claims add new documented conditions to your record, and documented conditions can mean a lower health class or a higher price. Applying earlier usually means a better class, and a level term policy locks that price for the full term.
To be clear: never delay medical care or your VA claim to chase a rate, and always answer health questions truthfully. The point is to get covered sooner, not to postpone anything. If your clock is already running, see the SGLI timeline and deadlines for the dates that matter.
Will there be a medical exam?
Depending on the policy and the coverage amount, you may take a short paramedical exam, often at your home: height, weight, blood pressure, and a blood sample. Some applications use health questions instead. Either way, answer everything truthfully. An application priced on accurate answers protects your family; one priced on wrong answers can put the payout at risk.
A VA disability rating does not shut the door
Many veterans assume a rating or a health history rules out private coverage. It does not automatically. Underwriting looks at the condition, not the rating percentage. Some conditions still price into a fair health class, and where private coverage is a poor fit, VALife may be open to you instead. The full picture is in life insurance with a VA disability rating.
What to check before you accept any quote
Two quotes with the same monthly price are not always the same policy. Before you accept one, check:
- War and aviation exclusions. Some policies limit or exclude these deaths. If you are in the Guard or Reserve, or you fly, this clause matters. Read it, and ask about it directly.
- Level premium, or increasing. A level term policy holds one price for the whole term. Some products step up over time, like VGLI's five-year age bands. Know which one you are looking at.
- Living benefits. Some term policies let you access part of the death benefit early after a serious diagnosis. See living benefits explained.
- Conversion options. Some term policies can convert to permanent coverage later without new health questions. Worth knowing, even if you never use it.
If you are weighing a private quote against keeping VGLI, the side-by-side math is in VGLI vs term life.
How to get your quote through us
We are education first, so the process starts with you learning, not with a pitch.
- Read the plain-English guides on the VA programs and private coverage. Free, no sign-up.
- Take the quiz, Which Coverage Fits You? It narrows your fit in about a minute.
- Send your details through the form. A licensed life insurance agent reviews your options and follows up by email or text, on your schedule.
- Decide when you are ready. No pressure, and no obligation.
The review and the quote are free. If you choose a policy, you pay the standard premium set by the insurer, the same price as buying without an agent. There is no markup for the help.
Not sure how many years of coverage you need? The principle behind the length is in income replacement life insurance, which walks through finding your handoff point.
About the Author
Veteran Life Plan was founded by a career Army veteran to provide clear, honest guidance on life insurance for military families. Our articles are written to help you understand your options without jargon or high-pressure sales, so you can make a confident choice for your family's future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does being a veteran raise my term life rate?
Do I need a medical exam to get a quote?
Can I get a quote with a VA disability rating?
Is term life different for ex-military members?
What does the quote cost?
Ready to take the next step with your coverage?
Take the quiz, Which Coverage Fits You? Or, if you are still learning, get the free guide, "Leaving the Service: Your Life Insurance Decision Guide."
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Veteran Life Plan is a private service. Coverage is offered by a licensed life insurance agent where licensed.