Life insurance for Veterans
Coverage for the life you've built after service.
Military service may shape part of your story, but your life insurance needs today are about the people, responsibilities, and plans that matter now. Policy Profile can help you explore personally owned coverage from multiple insurance companies alongside any benefits you may already have.
No obligation. Explore your options before deciding whether you'd like help from a licensed Policy Profile agent.
Life after service
Your coverage needs can change when your service does.
Leaving the military can reshape day-to-day life in different ways. Some Veterans move into a civilian career, some start a business, some go back to school, and some have been out for decades.
Whatever your path looks like, the people and obligations your coverage is meant to protect may look different now. Depending on your situation, that could include:
- Family income
- Children or other dependents
- A mortgage
- Civilian employment
- Self-employment
- Debts you're paying down
- Long-term protection goals
Not every item applies to everyone, and that's the point. Your coverage should reflect your life as it is today, not a general picture of what a Veteran's life is supposed to look like.
Start with what you already have
Before adding coverage, understand your current benefits.
Veterans and former service members may already have, or may be eligible for, life insurance programs connected to their service. These are administered through VA, and VA is the source for current eligibility, deadlines and benefits.
SGLIServicemembers' Group Life Insurance
Coverage for eligible service members. Coverage and transition rules apply when you leave service, so it's worth understanding what happens to your SGLI as you separate.
VA.gov: current SGLI information (official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site, opens in a new tab)VGLIVeterans' Group Life Insurance
Can allow eligible former service members to continue group term life coverage after service. Eligibility and enrollment timing matter, and VA provides specific periods where health review requirements may differ.
VA.gov: current VGLI information (official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site, opens in a new tab)VALifeVeterans Affairs Life Insurance
A VA whole-life program available to certain Veterans with service-connected disabilities. Review current eligibility, waiting-period rules and product details directly with VA.
VA.gov: current VALife information (official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site, opens in a new tab)
If you have access to one of these programs, understand what it provides before deciding whether additional private coverage makes sense.
Policy Profile LLC is a private licensed insurance agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.
More coverage doesn't always mean replacing what you have.
The right decision depends on your current protection, your goals and your budget.
- Existing VA or employer coverage may be valuable, and it's worth keeping in view.
- Some people explore private insurance as additional coverage rather than a replacement.
- Others decide that the coverage they already have meets their needs.
Coverage you choose for yourself.
An individually owned policy from a private insurer is generally separate from VA benefits, a civilian employer, or a professional association. You choose the insurer, the amount and the kind of coverage, subject to underwriting and policy terms.
People explore personally owned coverage for different reasons, such as:
- An additional death-benefit amount
- A different coverage duration
- Permanent coverage needs
- Family income protection
- Mortgage obligations
- Final expenses
Whether a private policy fits depends on what you already have and what you want coverage to do. It isn't automatically the right choice for everyone.
Options for different needs
Different goals can call for different kinds of coverage.
No single type of private life insurance fits every Veteran. These are three common starting points, and each serves a different purpose.
Term Life Insurance
For people who may want larger protection for a defined period.
- Income replacement
- Dependents
- Mortgage obligations
- Larger protection during working years
Final Expense Insurance
For people considering smaller permanent coverage aimed at end-of-life costs.
- Funeral costs
- Final bills
- Smaller permanent coverage needs
Indexed Universal Life
For people who want to explore permanent coverage with a flexible structure. Cash value isn't guaranteed to grow, and an index is a reference point, not an investment.
- Permanent life insurance
- A flexible universal-life structure
- Cash-value potential
- Index-based crediting options
Private coverage has its own underwriting
VA eligibility and private-insurance underwriting are different things.
Private life insurers use their own underwriting rules. Having VA benefits does not determine whether a private insurer approves an application, and a VA disability determination is not the same thing as a private life-insurance underwriting decision.
Factors private insurers may consider
- Age
- Health history
- Medications
- Tobacco or nicotine use
- Height and weight
- Coverage amount
- Other application information
What if you have a service-connected disability?
- Service-connected disabilities can cover a wide range of conditions.
- Private insurers evaluate the underlying medical history and other underwriting information according to their own rules.
- One insurer's evaluation may differ from another's.
A service-connected disability does not, by itself, tell you what private coverage or rate will be available. It may matter, and it doesn't automatically mean a decline.
Veterans with service-connected disabilities may want to review VALife and other applicable VA benefits before deciding whether additional private coverage is useful. VA.gov: VALife eligibility and details (official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site, opens in a new tab)
A health history doesn't automatically end the conversation.
Insurers can evaluate many kinds of health history, including:
- Cardiovascular history
- Diabetes
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Medications
- Sleep-related conditions
- Other medical history
Different insurers can evaluate the same history differently, including how a condition is managed and how long you've had it. We can't predict any one outcome, and this isn't medical advice.
What if you use tobacco or nicotine?
- Tobacco and nicotine use can affect pricing.
- Different types of use, and how often and how recently you've used them, can be evaluated differently.
- If you've quit, you may be treated differently depending on time since use.
- Insurer rules vary from one company to the next.
Using tobacco or nicotine does not automatically mean coverage is unavailable.
Answer tobacco questions honestly. Accurate information leads to more useful results.
After the uniform
Civilian workplace benefits can be part of the picture, too.
Some Veterans later receive life insurance through a civilian employer. That coverage may be valuable, and it's worth knowing what it provides.
Someone may still choose to explore personally owned insurance if:
- They want additional coverage
- Their needs exceed the employer benefit
- They want coverage separate from employment
Start on your own time
Explore coverage before you decide whether to talk to anyone.
You can start with Policy Profile online, from a phone or computer, whenever it suits you.
- Term, Mortgage Protection and Final Expense
- These can show estimated rates where supported by the existing experience, so you can review them before deciding whether you'd like help.
- Indexed Universal Life
- IUL begins with your goals and a conversation with a licensed agent, rather than instant rates.
- When you're ready
- You can request help from a licensed agent at any point. Requirements to finish an application vary by insurer and product.
One agency. Multiple insurance companies.
A broader place to start looking.
Policy Profile LLC is a licensed insurance agency that works with multiple insurance companies.
Different companies can evaluate the same applicant differently. Policy Profile gives you a single place to begin exploring available options, and a licensed agent can help compare them when you ask.
Common questions
Questions Veterans ask about life insurance.
For current VA program rules, visit VA.gov for SGLI on VA.gov (opens in a new tab), VGLI on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) and VALife on VA.gov (opens in a new tab). See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for how your information is handled.
Can Veterans get private life insurance?
Yes, Veterans can apply for private life insurance. Eligibility and pricing depend on the individual applicant, coverage requested and insurer underwriting. Approval isn't guaranteed.
What is the difference between SGLI and VGLI?
SGLI is coverage for eligible service members. VGLI is a VA-administered group term life program that may be available after leaving military service. Eligibility and transition rules are set by VA, so check VA.gov for current details.
Do I need private life insurance if I have VGLI?
There is no universal answer. Some Veterans may find their existing coverage sufficient; others may explore additional private coverage based on family needs, coverage amount, duration, budget and other goals. Understanding what your current coverage provides is a good first step.
Can I have VGLI and private life insurance?
You can potentially have more than one life insurance policy, subject to insurer underwriting and applicable coverage limits. VA itself notes that Veterans may apply for both VGLI and private insurance. A private application is still reviewed by the private insurer, so approval isn't automatic.
What is VALife?
VALife is a VA whole-life insurance program for eligible Veterans with service-connected disabilities. VA sets its eligibility, waiting-period rules and benefits, so review current details on VA.gov.
Can I get private life insurance if I have a service-connected disability?
Possibly. Private insurers evaluate the underlying health history and other factors using their own underwriting standards. A VA disability rating alone does not determine the result, and we can't promise eligibility.
Can I get life insurance if I use tobacco or nicotine?
Tobacco and nicotine users can apply. Use can affect pricing, and insurers differ in how they treat different products, frequency of use and time since quitting. Approval isn't guaranteed, and it's important to answer tobacco questions accurately.
What if I already have life insurance through my civilian employer?
Workplace coverage can be valuable, and it's worth knowing what yours provides. Some people also explore personally owned coverage separately, depending on their needs, because an individually owned policy is generally separate from employment.
What type of life insurance is best for a Veteran?
There isn't one type that's best for every Veteran. Existing VA benefits, family needs, desired coverage amount, duration, budget and long-term goals all matter. Term Life, Final Expense and permanent coverage serve different purposes.
Can Policy Profile help me manage or change my VA life insurance?
No. Policy Profile LLC is a private licensed insurance agency and does not administer SGLI, VGLI, VALife or other VA insurance programs. Questions or changes involving those benefits should be handled directly through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its designated administrator.
Ready when you are
Explore coverage for the life you're protecting now.
Tell us a little about yourself and what you'd like your coverage to help protect. Policy Profile can help you explore available private life insurance options from multiple insurance companies.
No obligation. Ask for help only when you're ready.