The Best Life Insurance Companies
The best life insurance company isn't always the biggest name - it's the one that fits your health, budget, and long-term goals. That's what we help you find.
As licensed agents, we cut through the hype and show you which companies deliver value.
Our Top Picks for Life Insurance Companies
Here are our top picks, each with a clear advantage. These companies stand out for pricing, underwriting, or product strength.
Our top picks include:
Company | Why We Like It |
---|---|
Banner Life Insurance | Affordable term life, accelerated underwriting, instant approvals. |
Protective Life Insurance | Strong term and universal life options, long-term value. |
Prudential | Best for high-risk health conditions, strong term, and universal life. |
Lincoln Financial Group | Great for index universal life insurance and underwriting impairments. |
Corebridge Financial | Competitive term life and final expense insurance. |
Pacific Life | Great ratings and guaranteed universal life; top pick for individuals with HIV+. |
John Hancock | Flexible underwriting, unique wellness programs, good for older applicants. |
Mutual of Omaha | Flexible underwriting, unique wellness programs, and good for older applicants. |
Mass Mutual | Industry leader for whole life insurance and dividends, strong financial strength |
Northwestern Mutual | Industry leader for whole life insurance and dividends, with strong financial strength |
Want quotes from any of these top-rated insurers? Get started here.
Best Term Life Insurance Companies
Looking for low-cost coverage with fast approval? These companies stand out:
Company | Accelerated Underwriting | Instant Approvals | Accelerated Illness Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
Banner | YES | YES | Terminal |
Corebridge | YES | YES | Terminal, Chronic |
John Hancock | YES | NO | Terminal |
Lincoln National | YES | NO | Terminal |
Pacific Life | YES | NO | Terminal |
Progressive | YES? | Yes? | Unknown |
Protective | YES | NO | Terminal |
Prudential | YES | NO | Terminal, Chronic |
SBLI | YES | NO | Terminal |
Symetra | YES | YES | Terminal |
Transamerica | YES | NO | Terminal, Chronic |
We still have a way to go before instant life insurance approvals become mainstream.
Best Whole Life Insurance Companies
Interested in cash value and dividends? Start here:
In addition to the above, companies such as Corebridge Financial and Mutual of Omaha offer final expense whole-life policies that may accumulate cash value but not pay dividends.
Best Universal Life Insurance Companies
Universal life insurance, including guaranteed universal life (GUL) and indexed universal life insurance (IUL), has become increasingly popular due to its competitive pricing, cash value accumulation, and guaranteed death benefits.
Guaranteed Universal Life Companies (GUL)
Companies that offer lifetime guarantees include:
Other companies that offer universal life include Allstate and Augustar.
Indexed Universal Life (IUL)
If you are looking for policies with performance tied to stock indexes, consider these companies:
- American National
- Corebridge Financial
- John Hancock
- Lincoln Financial Group
- Nationwide
- North American
- Prudential
Best for High-Risk Life Insurance
Been declined for coverage? These companies are often more flexible with health issues and complex cases:
- Prudential - Best for health risks like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV+
- Pac Life - The best company for HIV+, does very well with height/weight cases
- John Hancock - Friendly for older ages and height/weight
- Corebridge (AIG) - One of the best companies for ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, and diabetes.
Final Expense Life Insurance Companies
Final expense insurance is heavily marketed to consumers, but many of these policies are overpriced and offer poor value for the money. You may qualify for a better underwritten policy instead. You may want to read our guide - Are Final Expense Insurance Policies Worth It?
Companies offering these simplified policies include:
Mutual of Omaha also offers final expense insurance.
Highest Customer Satisfaction (JD Power)
These companies ranked highest in JD Power's customer satisfaction study:
Company Reviews and Comparisons
We have reviewed dozens of companies, ranging from industry giants to niche providers. Here's what we've uncovered:
- Cincinnati Life
- Jackson National
- Primerica
- Illinois Mutual
- Sagicor
- Minnesota Life
- Brighthouse
- Geico Life Insurance
- Equitable
- Western Reserve
- Japanese Life Insurance Companies
Check back often as we update our company reviews.
FAQ
It depends on your needs, but cost, underwriting flexibility, and policy guarantees are key.
Not necessarily. Many lesser-known insurers offer better rates and more flexible options.
Yes, but your age and health will affect new quotes. It's best to get it right the first time.
Final Thoughts
The "best" life insurance company depends on you—your health, your budget, and what you want your policy to do. We're here to help you find real coverage that works, not fluff sold by brand names or celebrities.
Want quotes from the best companies? We'll show you who delivers.
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North American Life Insurance Review
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