THE PRICE YOU pay for life insurance will depend on your age, your health and your habits. There is a very good chance that you are — this very moment — paying too much for your insurance. There is an even better chance that you could get a better rate. Here are some steps you can take to lower your insurance premiums even more.

Don't Get Churned

That agent who talked you into turning in your old whole life policy for a new one (More coverage! No extra premiums!) didn't do you a favor. In fact, you've been scammed. More often than not, victims of this practice, known as "churning," receive a bill for new premiums within a year or two — after the value in their old policy has been exhausted. But you can get help if you've been ripped off by your agent. Contact your state insurance commissioner to find out how to proceed. Dozens of companies have agreed to compensate victims of these and other illegal practices. Don't forget to complain to the main office of your insurance company directly. Many insurers are now fairly quick to make whole life customers who have been hoodwinked by their agents.

Clean Up Your Act

You may know that you can cut your insurance premium if you stop smoking and lose weight, but you may not know just how much you can save. Well, how does 50% sound? That's right, most insurance companies charge twice as much to insure a smoker. The rewards for getting back down to the right weight for your height can be just as great.

Don't Get Taken for a Rider

Insurance companies have come up with a host of extras to pad your life insurance bill, most of them not worth the paper they're printed on. But it's foolish to speculate on the manner of your demise, especially since accidental death is relatively rare. If you really want to gamble, buy lottery tickets. Buy enough coverage to support your dependents regardless of the manner in which you shuffle off this mortal coil.

Know What You're Buying

Agents call it the "L" word. Life insurance, that is. Some companies teach their agents never to utter the word to prospective clients. Thus you are more likely to hear a host of euphemisms such as mortgage-protection policy, retirement plan and tax-free savings plan.

Don't be taken in. What agents are selling is whole life insurance, pure and simple.

Try a Low-Load Company

It's a dirty little secret that insurance agents don't want you to know. But some companies sell life insurance at little or no commission. That can mean big savings for you, if you're the type who doesn't need much handholding to make a decision. A few of them even sell whole life policies this way. InsuranceMall is a leader in the low-load business with hard-to-beat rates on all types of policies.