Life Insurance Guide for Police Officers (2023)

If you are looking for life insurance for police officers, you may be expecting high premiums and minimal coverage. However, that is not always the case.

In fact, life insurance rates for police officers are often not much more expensive than those for civilians.

Keep reading to learn how life insurance companies judge police officers in terms of risk and how you can get more affordable law enforcement insurance.

Need life insurance right away? Enter your ZIP code above, and we will help you find life insurance quotes for police officers near you. Not yet ready to buy life insurance for police officers? Read on to learn more.

Do police officers pay more for life insurance?

It depends on where they get their policy. Some life insurance agencies will categorize a job as a law enforcement officer as a high-risk job, and therefore their insurance rates will be higher.

That means a quote from Globe Life Insurance could vary greatly from an insurer like Nationwide.

However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, a police officer is not very high on the dangerous jobs list.

It’s well known that police officer jobs are dangerous. However, 2019 reported 97 law enforcement officers, including police and detectives, died in the line of duty.

While this is not a small number, the BLS reports that there are over 800,000 members of law enforcement as of 2019.

This makes the percentage of officers who die in the line of duty 1.2, while occupations like logging have a percentage of 8.6 and animal care has a percentage of 3.13.

As most life insurance companies base their rating system on statistics, this is a good thing. It allows life insurance companies to price life insurance for police officers more affordably.

What options do police officers have for life insurance?

There are two main options for police officers who want to purchase life insurance, private policies and group life insurance policies offered through their employer.

Group Life Insurance Policies

The primary benefit of a group, life insurance policy is that it is usually more affordable than private policies.

Employers work directly with life insurance providers to create a discounted rate for their employees because they can ensure many policies will be purchased.

In addition, many employers will cover a part of the monthly premiums, which also helps make them more affordable.

The main disadvantage of group life insurance is its lack of flexibility and coverage. If you leave or retire from service, these life insurance policies often won’t come with you.

In addition, the types of policies offered are usually limited to term life insurance. So, if you are interested in permanent life insurance, your group life insurance likely won’t cover you.

Coverage is also usually lower with a group life insurance policy, as it is based on your income.

Private life insurance policies

The benefits of private policies are their flexibility. You can choose what type of insurance you want, from term to permanent, pick your coverage amount, and they will follow you from job to job, industry to industry.

The main downside to a private policy is going to be the price. Because private policies are not subsidized by any employer and are bought individually, they aren’t as affordable as most group life insurance options.

How can law enforcement save money on life insurance?

You can do three main things to save money as a police officer shopping for life insurance.

Try Multiple Policies

While the policy offered by an employer may not provide all the coverage you want, combining that coverage with a private policy can allow you to have the coverage you want at a discounted rate.

Take Care of Yourself

While occupation can play a big role in your life insurance premiums, it is not the only thing that insurance carriers look at.

Maintaining your health with regular doctor’s visits, a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco products can help you to earn a lower rate.

Shop Around

Not all insurance companies view law enforcement life insurance the same way. Some companies, like Nationwide, even offer specific plans for police officers and those in law enforcement.

Get multiple quotes and compare the types of coverage being offered before making a decision.

If you are ready to get started on your search for affordable life insurance for police officers, enter your ZIP code below, and we will find local providers who meet your needs.