CBS News
7 tips for lowering your life insurance costs in 2024
For many people, the right life insurance policy is a crucial financial tool. After all, this type of policy is what provides a safety net for your loved ones when you die — with the beneficiaries receiving a lump-sum payout that can help cover everything from funeral expenses to household bills. That, in turn, makes it a critical component of many people’s financial plans. And, when you consider the other potential life insurance benefits, it’s easy to see why this coverage is so important for the right person.
But while the right life insurance policy can be an essential aspect of financial planning, the cost of life insurance can sometimes be a concern. And, that may be especially true if you’re on a tight budget due to the current issues with inflation and the economy or are anticipating a significant decline in your income soon.
If you’re one of the people who’s concerned about covering the cost of their life insurance policies, there are several strategies you can employ to lower your life insurance costs in 2024. And, you can do so without compromising on your coverage. To help you get started, we compiled a few tips to help you make the most of your life insurance while keeping your premiums in check.
Compare your life insurance policy options online here.
7 tips for lowering your life insurance costs in 2024
If you need to cut down on the costs of your life insurance this year, the following strategies may help you do so:
Assess your coverage needs
One of the common mistakes people make is overestimating the amount of coverage they require from their life insurance policy and too much coverage can result in unnecessarily high policy costs. So, take the time to assess your current financial situation, outstanding debts and future financial needs.
If you’ve paid off your mortgage or your children have become financially independent, you may not need as much coverage as you did in the past. By right-sizing your coverage, you can lower your premiums without sacrificing protection.
Find out how affordable your life insurance policy can be here.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Shopping around for life insurance is essential, as premiums can vary significantly between insurance providers. Take advantage of online comparison tools or consult with an independent insurance broker to get quotes from multiple companies.
By comparing offers, you can identify the most cost-effective policy that meets your specific needs. Be sure to consider the reputation and financial stability of the insurance companies you are evaluating.
Improve your health habits
Your health plays a significant role in determining life insurance premiums. Insurers often consider factors such as your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and overall health during that process.
In turn, making positive lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthier diet, exercising regularly and avoiding tobacco products, can lead to lower premiums. Some insurers even offer discounts or incentives for policyholders who actively engage in wellness activities.
Opt for term life insurance
Term life insurance is generally more affordable than permanent or whole life insurance, so this type of coverage may be worth considering — as long as it fits your needs and goals. The big difference between the two types of coverage is that while permanent policies offer lifelong coverage and accumulate cash value, term life insurance provides coverage for a specific term (e.g., 10, 20 or 30 years). If you’re primarily looking for protection during a specific period, opting for term life insurance can result in substantial cost savings.
Bundle policies for discounts
Many insurance providers offer discounts for customers who bundle multiple policies, such as life insurance, auto insurance and homeowners insurance. Bundling can lead to significant savings on premiums.
So, before committing to a life insurance policy, inquire about potential discounts for bundling to see if you’ll be able to save money by taking that route. If there’s a chance that bundling will save you money, you may want to explore consolidating your insurance needs with a single provider.
Consider a no-exam policy
Traditional life insurance policies often require a medical exam as part of the underwriting process. However, some insurers now offer no-exam life insurance policies that allow you to skip the medical exam.
While these policies may come with slightly higher premiums for the average person, they can be a convenient and cost-effective option for individuals who prefer to avoid medical examinations or have minor health issues. That’s because, by removing the medical exam requirement, you may be offered lower premiums than you would otherwise get due to your pre-existing health issues, especially if your health issues would be considered more serious or high-risk by insurers.
Review and update your policy regularly
Life circumstances change over time, and it’s crucial to review your life insurance policy periodically. As your financial responsibilities evolve, you may find that you need more or less coverage. And, as you age, the cost of life insurance may increase. But by regularly reviewing and updating your policy, you can ensure that you have the right amount of coverage at the most cost-effective rate.
The bottom line
Lowering your life insurance costs in 2024 involves a combination of strategic planning, lifestyle adjustments and smart decision-making. By assessing your coverage needs, comparing quotes, improving your health habits, choosing the right type of policy, bundling insurance, considering no-exam options and reviewing your policy regularly, you can take control of your life insurance expenses without compromising the protection it provides for your loved ones.
CBS News
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
The New England Patriots will face off against the Miami Dolphins in a game today at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Patriots have had an uneven season so far, coming into the game with a record of 3-8, including a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on November 17. The Dolphins, however, haven’t fared much better this season as they enter the game with a record of 4-6, although they are coming off two wins in a row, the latest against the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today, even without cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today
The New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The football game will be shown on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ and the platforms noted below.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you’ll have other viewing options, too for the Patriots-Dolphins game. Just understand that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game for free
Looking for an inexpensive way to watch football? Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.