Simply put, your best option is to shop around. Using the Internet to get quotes will save you a lot of hassle and telephone calls. You may also get a better rate if you purchase your insurance online, simply because it saves the insurance company time and hassle as well as you.

Other ways to ensure that you get affordable life insurance rates are to make sure that you keep yourself in good health, and especially do not smoke. Smoking can send your insurance rates through the roof.

Aside from personal factors, the other aspect of insurance that will effect your rate the most is the type of insurance you choose. Whole Life Insurance has higher rates, because you are covered for the duration of your life, and the policy builds a cash value. Term Life Insurance on the other hand, which you can obtain for as short a period as a year, boasts considerable lower rates. This is due to the fact that you are insured only for a short period of time, and the policy does not accrue any cash value.

Many people who just want to make sure that their families are covered do chose term life insurance, though you should be aware that the rates for term life insurance are cheaper initially only. As you age the rates increase exponentially, so if you're looking for a longer term life insurance solution, you may want to think about how much the various forms of insurance will cost you in the long run.

Essentially, getting an affordable life insurance rate depends both on your personal circumstances and the type of cover you are looking for. Always compare quotes from various companies before taking the plunge, you'll be glad you did.