Commercial pilots with financial obligations like minor children, or a mortgage, need life insurance just like anyone else. But if you’re a commercial pilot, your occupation may impact which companies are the best fit for you.
We used industry data, pricing from our partners, and third-party ratings from AM Best and J.D. Power to pick the best life insurance companies for commercial pilots.
Best term life insurance: Corebridge Financial
Cheapest life insurance: Legal & General America
Best no-medical-exam life insurance: Brighthouse Financial
Best final expense life insurance: Mutual of Omaha
Since the best life insurance company depends on the coverage you need, along with your age, gender, health, and other factors, we recommend comparing quotes before you buy a policy.
Methodology
Why you can trust our picks
Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.
Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.
Best term life insurance for commercial pilots: Corebridge Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Corebridge Financial
4.6
30+ year terms
All 50 states
Why we chose it
With competitive pricing and a range of flexible term periods for its Select-a-Term product, Corebridge is a solid option for many life insurance shoppers. Note: We are currently using AIG’s financial strength ratings until Corebridge has its own rating..
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive pricing for all ages
Favorable underwriting for people with heart conditions and diabetes
Good for current and recently pregnant people, including people with gestational diabetes
Cons
Not the best for people with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression
No no-medical-exam term option
Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement) has the best term life insurance for commercial pilots. If you work for a major commercial airline, fly exclusively in the U.S. and Canada, and don’t fly recreationally, you can qualify for up to Preferred Plus — that’s the lowest-risk group, which means cheaper rates.
Cheapest life insurance for commercial pilots: Legal & General America
2024 Policygenius award winner
Legal & General America
4.9
30+ year terms
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn, has some of the longest term lengths — up to 40 years — and most competitive life insurance rates available, even for people with a history of medical conditions.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for a variety of health conditions
Fast instant-decision option for qualifying applicants
Variety of term lengths up to 40 years
Cons
Application underwriting can take longer than average
Does not have the most competitive rates for older applicants
Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn in some states, is the most affordable life insurance company for commercial pilots. You may even be able to get affordable rates if you have certain risk factors in your health history that may make it harder to find cheap coverage elsewhere.
Keep in mind that commercial pilots who work for major commercial airlines and have regularly scheduled flights will get the best rates.
Best no-medical-exam life insurance for commercial pilots: Brighthouse Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Brighthouse Financial
5.0
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Brighthouse Financial offers competitive rates, comprehensive coverage, and application decisions in as little as 24 hours, making it a great choice for people who want to get life insurance coverage without having to take the medical exam.
Pros and cons
Pros
Extremely affordable
Instant-decision applications
Best-in-class no-exam option
Cons
Traditional term life not available in CA, IL, LA, ME, or NY
Term life applicants limited to ages 25-50
The best no-medical exam life insurance for commercial pilots comes from Brighthouse Financial. Qualified applicants may be able to get a no-med policy from Brighthouse Financial for up to 30 times their income, depending on age and other factors.
Best final expense life insurance for commercial pilots: Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha
4.5
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Mutual of Omaha is a reputable company that offers a variety of life insurance products — including a no-medical-exam option — so that you can select the type of life insurance that best suits your needs.
Pros and cons
Pros
No-medical-exam options for older applicants
Strong financial and customer ratings
Cons
Policies are more expensive than average
Slow turnaround time
The best final expense life insurance company for commercial pilots is Mutual of Omaha. Applicants 45 and over can usually find cheaper rates from Mutual of Omaha than other companies.
Why commercial pilots need life insurance
Life insurance can be important financial protection for commercial pilots, so if you’re not sure whether to get a policy, here are just a few of the benefits of having life insurance:
Income protection: If you have loved ones who rely on your salary, life insurance can give your dependents a financial safety net in case you die unexpectedly.
Student debt: Life insurance can help pay off any debt, like school loans, so your family doesn’t have to worry about it once you’re gone.
Supplement employer-sponsored insurance: You may already have some life insurance through your employer, but this kind of policy probably doesn’t offer enough protection to fully cover your family if you die unexpectedly.
If you’re not sure how much life insurance you need or which type of coverage is right for you, we can help. Our Policygenius experts are licensed in all 50 states and can walk you through the entire life insurance buying process.
How working as an pilot will affect getting life insurance
Working as a commercial pilot sometimes affects your life insurance options. For example, it may be hard to get cheap coverage if you’re a young pilot or you’re in flight school, since you’ll be considered a high-risk applicant.
Your answers to questions like these also affect which life insurance you can get, and how much it will cost:
Do you fly internationally or domestically?
Do you fly recreationally?
Who is your employer?
Are your flights on a regular schedule?
Insurance companies will also check your commercial license and may ask what type of aircraft you operate and how many flights you typically make in a year — especially if you’re a recreational flier or a private pilot. You may even need to show your medical certification. [1]
What is an aviation exclusion rider?
An aviation exclusion rider is an addition to your life insurance policy that says that your beneficiaries won’t receive the death benefit if you die while flying. Some aviation riders include related aviation activities, too, like skydiving or parachuting.
Some of the life insurance companies that offer the best rates for commercial pilots may require an aviation exclusion rider, or you may have to pay an extra fee to cover the increased risk.
How much does life insurance cost for commercial pilots?
A 30-year-old commercial pilot may pay between $22 and $28 per month for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $500,000 death benefit payout. Your exact rates will depend on your qualifications, whether you fly domestically or internationally, and other factors, like your age and health.
Term life insurance rates for commercial pilots
Age | Gender | $500,000 policy |
20 | Female | $22.21 |
Male | $29.02 | |
30 | Female | $22.37 |
Male | $27.97 | |
40 | Female | $34.31 |
Male | $41.17 | |
50 | Female | $74.37 |
Male | $95.91 |
Methodology: Average monthly rates are calculated for male and female non-smokers in a Preferred health classification buying a 20-year $500,000 term life insurance policy. Rates can vary based on different types of aviation activity. Life insurance averages are based on a composite of policies offered by Policygenius from Brighthouse Financial, Corebridge Financial, Legal & General America, Lincoln Financial, Mutual of Omaha, Pacific Life, Protective, Prudential, Transamerica, Symetra, and Foresters Financial, and may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 01/01/2024
Life insurance for other occupations
Frequently asked questions
Should commercial pilots get life insurance?
Yes, as a commercial pilot you should get life insurance, especially if you have a spouse, children, or other loved ones who depend on your income. Getting coverage shouldn't be hard, especially if you fly for a major airline and have a valid and current license.
Do commercial pilots have life insurance?
You might have some life insurance coverage from your employer, but you should still purchase an individual policy to ensure your family is fully protected.
How much life insurance should a commercial pilot get?
There’s no one amount of life insurance that you should get as a commercial pilot. One common guideline is between 10 and 15 times your income, but the exact amount you need depends on your personal situation, like how much debt you have or how many people rely on your earnings.
