- One in four consumers say they would prefer to complete their purchases entirely online.
- Applying over the phone with a licensed representative is often better for first-time buyers or those unsure about coverage needs.
- Before applying, estimate coverage needs by considering mortgage, rent costs, debt, child care, college costs, monthly bills and final expenses.
- Compare coverage amount, term length, premium, underwriting process, policy features and the insurer's financial strength – not just price.
How to Get Life Insurance: Online or Over the Phone
You may be wondering how to get life insurance, how much coverage to buy and whether it’s easier to apply online or talk with someone over the phone.
Key Takeaways
Both online and phone applications can work well, depending on how much guidance you want and how familiar you are with the process.
This guide walks through the main ways to get started, whether you've been asking how do I buy life insurance or how do I apply for life insurance.
According to a recent survey from LIMRA, one in four consumers say they would prefer to complete their purchases entirely online.1 While that works well for some people, others still prefer speaking directly with a licensed representative before making a decision.
According to Todd Oster, Assistant Vice President at Amica Life, there isn’t a “wrong or right way” to secure life insurance for your family. Depending on your comfort level with the information available, you may choose to shop online, speak with a licensed life insurance representative or use both approaches.
Quick takeaway: If you want speed, online quoting may work well. If you want guidance on policy type, coverage amount or application questions, speaking with a licensed representative may be the better fit.
What to do before you apply for life insurance
Before you start comparing quotes, it helps to think through a few basics. This can make the application process smoother and help you choose a policy that fits your goals.
Decide what kind of protection you want
Some people want coverage for a specific period, such as while they’re raising children or paying off a mortgage. Others want lifelong protection. That difference often shapes whether term life or whole life may be a better fit.
| Policy type | What it offers | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| Term life insurance | Coverage with a level premium for 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years | May fit temporary needs like income replacement, child care or mortgage protection |
| Whole life insurance | Lifetime coverage with cash value | May fit long-term planning goals and permanent protection needs and passing a financial legacy on to loved ones |
If you’re still deciding, explore the tradeoffs of term vs. whole life insurance.
Estimate how much coverage you may need
When thinking about how to buy life insurance, one of the most important questions is how much support your loved ones would need if you were no longer there. Consider:
- Mortgage or rent
- Car loans, credit cards or other debt
- Child care or college costs
- Ongoing monthly bills
- Funeral or end-of-life expenses
- Any employer-provided life insurance you already have
For more guidance, learn how much life insurance you need.
Approach 1: Get life insurance online
The internet offers a substantial amount of information on life insurance products and how they work. Depending on your health and how much life insurance you need, you may also be able to obtain coverage without an insurance medical exam.
Oster says, “The internet allows you to self-service your life insurance purchase experience, and more people are taking advantage of that capability.”
Online applications make buying life insurance convenient by allowing you to apply for a policy any day or time that works for you.2,3
This option may work best if you already know what kind of policy you want and feel comfortable moving through the application on your own. If you’re comparing best term life insurance companies, online quoting can also make it easier to review more than one option before you choose.
When online life insurance may be a good fit
- You want to get quotes on your own schedule
- You already understand the basics of term life insurance
- You know roughly how much coverage you want
- You prefer a faster, more self-directed process
The bottom line: It’s easy and convenient to apply for a policy online if you have a good understanding of life insurance and know which type of policy you’d like to buy beforehand. If you’re unsure of the answers to the questions above or want to talk through them with a licensed representative, buying life insurance online might not be your best option.
Approach 2: Apply over the phone with a licensed representative
A licensed representative can help you understand life insurance terms, compare policy options and think through how much coverage may make sense for your situation. When you have questions or want to talk through choices, this more personal approach can be helpful.
If you’ve been wondering how do I apply for life insurance when I’m not sure what I need, this may be the better place to start.
When it may help to call
- It’s your first time buying life insurance
- You’re uncertain about the life insurance buying process
- You’re unsure how much coverage your family needs
- You want help comparing policy types or features
- You have a unique situation that isn’t readily addressed online
- You’re interested in more than one life insurance product
Some companies let you start the application process online and then talk with a representative later if questions come up. Amica’s secure website saves your application, so your sales representative can reference it during your phone call and help you complete it.
Here's how online and phone applications compare:
| Application method | Main benefit | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Convenience | Shoppers who already know what they want |
| Over the phone | Guidance and personalized help | Shoppers who want support choosing coverage or completing the application |
What to compare before choosing a policy
If you’re reviewing best term life insurance companies or comparing ways to buy coverage, don’t focus on price alone. Look at:
- Coverage amount
- Policy term length
- Whether the policy is term or whole life
- Optional features
- How underwriting works and whether a medical exam may be needed
- The insurer’s financial strength and reputation
You may also want to explore questions to ask when buying life insurance and compare life insurance companies.
How to get life insurance with more confidence
There isn’t one best way to get life insurance for everyone. Some people prefer the speed of online quoting. Others want to ask questions and work through decisions with a licensed representative. What matters most is understanding your needs, comparing options carefully and choosing a policy you can feel good about keeping in place.
At Amica, we offer term life insurance policies online or through a sales representative. If you’d like to purchase a whole life policy, it’s best to call one of our licensed insurance representatives at 800-234-5433.
Buying life insurance requires thinking about how your loved ones would manage financially if you were no longer there – choose the approach that feels most comfortable for you.
Get a life insurance quote today
FAQs about getting life insurance
You can often apply for life insurance online or over the phone with a licensed representative. The right option depends on how much guidance you want and whether you already know what type of policy you need.
To apply for life insurance, you’ll usually choose a policy type, estimate your coverage needs, provide personal and health information, and complete underwriting requirements, which may include a medical exam in some cases.
If it’s your first time, it may help to start by learning the difference between term and whole life insurance, thinking through how much coverage your family may need and then deciding whether you want to apply online or talk with a licensed representative.
Compare the coverage amount, term length, premium, underwriting process, policy features and the insurer’s financial strength. Price matters, but it shouldn’t be the only factor.
Yes, in some cases. Depending on your age, health and the amount of coverage you want, you may qualify for accelerated underwriting, simplified issue or guaranteed issue coverage.
Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.
This inclusion of non-Amica companies, products, services or statement herein (“Third-Party Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Amica Insurance. Policies, views, opinions or positions of Third-Party Content expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies, views, opinions or positions of Amica Insurance. Amica Insurance makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy and reliability of Third-Party Content.
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