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Buying the right insurance is essential to protecting yourself and your loved ones. Life insurance is one of the most important types of insurance if you have people depending on you. This guide will help you find the best life insurance companies and the right type of policy for your needs.
Best for no medical exam life insuranceBestow
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
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Bestow is very different from other insurance providers because it allows you to buy a substantial amount of insurance coverage without having to undergo a traditional medical exam. Premium prices are competitive and you can obtain policy quotes online, as well as get approved for a policy worth up to $1.5 million within just minutes. The convenience can't be beat, and you can get insurance with a 10-30 year term.
Pros
Wide array of coverage limits ($50,000 and $1.5 million)
No medical exam required
Alternative eligibility criteria (credit history, driving record, and prescription history, among others)
Fast online application
High customer satisfaction
Cons
Only offers term life insurance, no whole life coverage
Coverage is generally restricted to younger, healthier people who are employed and who have no serious medical conditions
Bestow coverage is not available to new applicants over the age of 60
Best overall life insurance companyNorthwestern Mutual
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
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5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Northwestern Mutual's mix of different coverage options, its strong customer service, and its long history in the life insurance market make it a top pick for anyone seeking life insurance. Its premiums are very competitive and those who buy permanent life insurance are also eligible to receive dividends. While the insurer doesn't allow you to apply online as some of its competitors do, its network of agents are helpful and make the process easy. Its customers don't see this as an issue -- 97% of its 4.9 million customers remain with the company from year to year. So it still earns our top spot as the best overall life insurance provider.
Pros
Wide range of coverage options
High overall customer satisfaction
Affordable premiums
Longstanding reputation of more than 165 years
97% of its 4.9 million customers remain with the company from year to year
Cons
Little available policy information online
No online application process
No coverage options without a medical exam
Stand-Out Coverage Options
Term life insurance; whole life insurance; universal life insurance
Best for bundling insurance coverage to save moneyState Farm
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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State Farm offers a huge variety of life insurance policies, including multiple different term life policies, as well as an Instant Answer policy that doesn't require a medical exam. Premiums are competitive and you can save substantially on insurance costs by bundling your coverage with your home, auto, liability, or other policies. The wide variety of different insurance policies State Farm makes available make it the best option if you want to get all your coverage from one trusted insurer with a solid reputation for customer service.
Pros
Wide variety of insurance options, including life, homeowners, auto, liability, disability, and health
High customer satisfaction
Online application
Vast network of in-person insurance agents
Cons
No medical exam policies are available only for people ages 16 to 45
Policies aren't available in all states
Stand-Out Coverage Options
Term life insurance; whole life insurance; universal life insurance
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line
If you want to get quick approval on a term life insurance policy that you have the option to convert to a whole life policy, Liberty Mutual is an optimal choice. Its streamlined online application makes getting covered easy; within minutes, you can get the protection your loved ones need now.
Pros
Instant approval with the Passport Term policy
Online application
Some term life policies can be converted to whole life policies
High customer satisfaction
Cons
Higher premiums than with some competitors
Limited policy information online
Limited options for managing your policy online
Stand-Out Coverage Options
Term life insurance; whole life insurance
No-Medical-Exam Option
Yes (Passport Term policy)
Best for customizing your coverageNew York Life
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
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4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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When you want a customizable policy, New York Life has you covered. There are multiple choices for term, whole life, and universal life policies and you aren't limited to pre-selected terms such as a 10-year or 20-year term of coverage. You can also opt for convertible term life policies so you can change to permanent coverage if your needs change -- all without undergoing another medical exam.
Pros
Customizable insurance policies for term, whole, and universal life
High customer satisfaction
Online educational account management resources
Cons
No online application
Sells only life insurance and long-term care insurance
Stand-Out Coverage Options
Term life insurance; whole life insurance; universal life insurance
No-Medical-Exam Option
Yes (AARP Easy Acceptance Life Insurance through New York Life)
Best for survivorship life insurancePrincipal Financial
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
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4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Survivorship insurance is just one of several coverage options from Principal, including both term and universal life policies. However, the insurer generally offers competitive premiums for all policies and, when appropriate, couples can save even more by opting for second-to-die coverage. Those who get covered through Principal will also benefit from its strong customer service and comprehensive online account management tools.
Pros
Offers survivorship insurance
High customer satisfaction
Online quote
Online account management
Cons
Offers limited types of insurance, including life insurance and income protection policies
Not very customizable
Stand-Out Coverage Options
Term life insurance; whole life insurance; survivorship life insurance
Life insurance is a type of billion casino royal:insurance policy. It provides financial protection for those who depend on you. When you're covered by life insurance, the policy pays out a death benefit if you pass away. The beneficiaries you designate to receive the death benefit can use this money to replace your income. They can also use it to pay for services you provided.
Some life insurance policies are also a type of investment vehicle. They acquire a cash value. You can borrow against them. And with the best life insurance companies, you also have options for withdrawing some money or cashing in your policy. You can also buy more protections from the best life insurance companies. These are called riders. They're another form of protection in addition to the death benefit. For example, you may have the option to add long-term care insurance. Or you may be able to get guaranteed income for your family.
There are two primary types of life insurance: "term life" and "whole life." While both provide a death benefit, they have some important differences.
Term life insurance
Term life insurance is a type of life insurance in effect for a set period of time. It pays out a death benefit to your designated beneficiaries if you die while coverage is active. It is solely a life insurance product, with no investment component.Term life insurance is much more affordable than whole life insurance. That's especially true if you shop around for the best life insurance companies. In fact, whole life premiums often cost four times more than a term life policy. However, term life insurance gets its name because it’s in effect only for a limited period of time. It's common for policies to have a 20- or 30-year coverage term. If you pass away while your policy is in effect, the insurance company will pay a death benefit. This money goes to whomever you designated as beneficiaries. You can choose the amount of your death benefit. Some policies could provide millions in coverage. The best life insurance companies give you a wide choice of coverage amounts. However, the larger your death benefit, the costlier your premiums. If you don't die while your policy is in effect, your policy will simply expire at the end of the term. Your death benefit will never be paid out. With the best life insurance companies, you may have the option to buy a guaranteed renewable term policy. That means you can extend your term of coverage if you'd like. But premiums could go up when your life insurance coverage renews.
Whole life insurance
Whole life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that remains in effect for your entire life as long as you pay premiums. As long as you don't let your policy lapse, your insurance will pay out a death benefit when you die. Whole life policies also have an investment component and acquire a cash value that you can borrow against or cash out.You won't have to worry about whether you can renew your coverage. And you won't have to think about whether your premiums will go up. Whole life policies are much more expensive than term life insurance. That's true even with the best life insurance companies. But as long as you keep paying premiums, your beneficiaries eventually get the death benefit. One reason whole life policies are more expensive is that they are also an investment vehicle. That’s true even with the best life insurance companies. Your policy accrues a cash value over time. You're eventually able to access it. You can withdraw some of the money, borrow against your insurance policy, or surrender your policy.
There are tax benefits associated with investing in a billion casino royal:whole life insurance policy. However, many financial experts believe you can earn a better return on investment elsewhere. Most recommend buying term life insurance from the best life insurance companies and keeping your investments separate unless you need lifetime insurance co𝕴verage.
Term life vs. whole life insurance
The first decision to make when buying life insurance is whether to buy term life or whole life. Here's a rundown of which policy type is best for specific needs, along with pros and cons of each.
Term life insurance:
Best for: Term life insurance is best for pe🐲ople looking for the most affordable insurance protection for a🐼 limited time.
Pros
Lower premiums than whole life insurance
Death benefit never changes
Option to add coverage features
Cons
No life time coverage
Premiums can increase during policy renewal
Policy doesn't pay out if the policyholder passes away outside of the coverage term
Whole life insurance:
Best for: Whole life insurance is best for people looking for lifetime protection and a policy 🗹that also serves as an investment.
Pros
Lifetime insurance coverage
Premiums never increase
Policy serves as an investment that acquires cash value
Cons
More expensive premiums than term life insurance
Feature
Term life
Whole life
Most affordable premiums
Yes
No
Lifetime coverage
No
Yes
Premiums never increase
Premiums can increase if policy renews
Yes
Has an investment component
No
Yes
Acquires a cash value
No
Yes
Death benefit never changes
Yes
Yes
Option to buy riders to add coverage features
Yes
Yes
What is no exam life insurance?
When applying for a standard term or whole life policy, insurance buyers must go through a medical underwriting process.They must provide health information so an underwriter can assess their risk of dying during the coverage period. In many cases, insurance buyers will also need to undergo a medical exam as part of the medical underwriting process.
No exam life insurance is life insurance that is sold to consumers without requiring a medical examination. There arꦬe different kinds of no exam life insurance to be aware of.
Guaranteed issue policies do not require a medical exam or any type of medical underwriting. They tend to be expensive, offer limited coverage, and have long waiting periods before the full death benefit will be paid. They are usually a good option only for individuals who don't qualify for traditional life insurance.
There are other no exam policies available, though. These policies are available through companies that use algorithms and the insurance buyer's answers to health questions to qualify them for coverage. Companies that offer these types of no exam policies often offer term life insurance at comparable rates and with comparable death benefits to policies that do require medical exams. For those who qualify, it can be much simpler to buy coverage from one of these insurers.
Before purchasing a no medical exam policy, be sure to research the terms carefully to understand both coverage and cost. It's also important to remember that life insurance medical exams often aren't a big deal. The insurer covers costs and the exam involves a simple general assessment of health status.
How to choose the best life insurance for you
Choosing the right life insurance requires taking several steps. Here's some of the things insurance buyers should do to get the perfect policy in place.
Research types of life insurance
There are different kinds of life insurance policies, including the following:
Term life: Term life policies are designed to be in effect for a period of time when coverage is needed, such as 20 or 30 years. They are typically the most affordable type of life insurance and they do not include an investment component. No death benefit is paid if the insured person does not die during the coverage term, and the policy does not accrue a cash value.
Whole life: Whole life policies are designed to be in effect indefinitely. Policies typically cost six to 10 times what a term life policy would cost. However, whole life policies have an investment component. The policies accrue a cash value and they can be cashed on or borrowed against. The death benefit is also paid out any time, as long as the policy has not been canceled and payments have continued.
Guaranteed issue: Unlike most life insurance policies, these do not require a medical exam or traditional underwriting. Guaranteed issue policies generally have lower coverage limits and there is usually a waiting period before the full death benefit is paid out.
Term life is best for most people. However, those who cannot qualify for a term life policy due to pre-existing medical conditions may want to consider guaranteed issue coverage. And people who will need lifetime coverage (such as parents of disabled children who will need financial support after a caregiver's death) may want to look into whole life plans.
Decide how much coverage you need
The next key step in purchasing life insurance is to determine how much coverage to buy.Some experts recommend purchasing policies with a death benefit equal to 10 to 12 times annual income. This is a simple approach to estimating coverage needs. However, the DIME formula provides a more precise method of calculating coverage needs. This formula suggests insurance buyers purchase a life insurance policy large enough to do the following:
Debt: The policy should repay all outstanding debts.
Income: It should replace the deceased's income for the desired number of years.
Mortgage: The death benefit should be large enough to fully pay off a home mortgage.
Education: The policy should cover full educational costs for any children.
Obtain several life insurance quotes
After determining the desired type of policy and necessary coverage amounts, it's time to shop around for life insurance. This means obtaining several life insurance quotes. It's a good idea to get at least three to five quotes from different life insurance companies.Many insurers provide quotes online. Or an independent insurance agent can help consumers shop around with different carriers to explore coverage needs.Insurance buyers should look at premium costs, but also other key criteria as well, including:
The insurer's reputation for handling claims: JD Power provides data on consumer satisfaction with different life insurance carriers and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners maintains a complaint database consumers can search.
The insurer's financial reputation: provides grades indicating an insurer's stability.
Add-ons and riders: Consumers may want to find a life insurer that offers certain types of add-on coverage, such as a return-of-premium rider that allows premiums to be repaid if the death benefit on a term life policy is not paid out, or a terminal illness rider that allows earlier access to death benefit funds in the event of a terminal diagnosis.
Submit an application
After reviewing all of these details, insurance buyers can choose which insurer to submit an application to.Insurers often ask for extensive medical information during the application process and a medical exam may be required. Be sure to leave time to complete this step and get coverage in place when it is needed.
How much does life insurance cost?
Life insurance costs vary depending on many factors, including:
Policy type: Whole life policies generally cost around six to 10 times more than term life coverage. Guaranteed issues policies are also expensive relative to the extent of protection they provide.
Age: Those who purchase life insurance at a younger age can expect to pay less for coverage.
Health status: People with no medical issues will pay less for life insurance than those with health problems.
Smoking status: Smokers will pay much more for life insurance coverage.
Insurance carrier: Some companies are more expensive than others.
Add-ons: Purchasing additional protections can result in higher monthly premiums.
Term length: Policies with longer coverage terms will come at a higher price.
Death benefit amount: The larger the death benefit, the more expensive the coverage is likely to be.
The difference in cost from one policy to the next can be substantial. For example, while the average cost of a term life policy purchased at a young age could be around $30 for someone with no health issues, older smokers could pay $1,000 per month or more for similar coverage.
What does life insurance cover?
Life insurance coverage insures against the loss of your life. If you pass away, your beneficiaries receive a payment. You can also add riders or optional additional coverage. The best life insurance companies offer many options for riders to customize your coverage. The most important coverages are listed below, along with common riders.
Accidental death
Your beneficiaries get an additional payout if you die as a result of an accident. This is commonly referred to as the death benefit. With the best life insurance companies, beneficiaries often receive double the death benefit from the accidental death rider. The death benefit is the most important coverage.
Long-term care
This adds long-term care insurance. Long-term care coverage can be purchased separately. However, bundling your coverage means you avoid having to buy an additional policy. The insurance will cover you if you have to go into a nursing home. It also pays for long-term care at home.
Family income benefit
Your loved ones will receive regular monthly income for a period of time if you die.
Return of premium
Premiums paid for term life insurance are returned if you don't pass away during your term of coverage.
Waiver of premium
Premiums are waived if you become permanently disabled. This means you can keep your life insurance coverage even if you can't work.
What is typically included in life insurance coverage?
Life insurance provides a death benefit in almost all situations when someone passes away. A death benefit is typically paid out:
If someone dies of an illness, such as cancer or heart disease.
If someone dies as a result of an accident
If someone dies due to a homicide
Some life insurance policies will not provide a death benefit if the covered person dies by suicide within a certain period of time after the policy is purchased.The life insurance death benefit can be used for anything that the beneficiaries desire, from debt repayment to funeral expenses to daily expenses.Life insurance buyers can also add additional coverage in the form of riders. This means that in addition to paying a death benefit, the life insurance policy might offer these extra protections:
Guaranteed renewability: This allows a policyholder with term life coverage to renew the policy at the end of the term regardless of any health conditions that have developed
Guaranteed insurability: This allows the policyholder to buy additional coverage without undergoing more medical testing
Accidental death coverage: This provides an additional payment if the death occurs due to an accident
Accelerated death benefits: This allows for funds to be paid out to a policyholder who has become terminally ill even prior to their death
Child term coverage: This allows for a covered parent to add on a term life insurance policy for a child
Long-term care coverage: This would pay for custodial care in a nursing home or home care setting if this type of care becomes necessary
Insurance buyers should research these options to ensure they are getting the right coverage for their needs.
What is typically excluded in life insurance coverage?
Life insurance would typically not provide coverage in the following situations:
If a lapse in payment occurred
If a policyholder misrepresented their health status when applying for coverage
Some insurers also deny coverage for high-risk activities like scuba diving or skydiving. And, if a policy has a waiting period, the insurer might pay out only a partial death benefit or no death benefit during that time.
Is life insurance worth it?
Policies from the best life insurance companies can often be purchased at a very affordable cost. That's especially true if you opt for term life insurance. If you have loved ones depending on your income, buying a policy ensures they aren't faced with financial disaster if you die. Your death benefit could pay off your family's mortgage. Or it could pay for your child's education. Life insurance is also worth it if you provide important services to your family. These could include acting as a stay-at-home parent or caring for elderly relatives. If you pass away, your loved ones could use the death benefit to bring in paid assistance. If you have a business with others, a life insurance policy could also provide money for your partners to buy out your interest after your death. Or they could pay someone else to continue your work. For those with a need for lifetime income -- such as parents of disabled children -- life insurance can also be a life saver. A policy could ensure money is available to support their children for life.Of course, to make sure your policy is worth paying for, it's important to understand your coverage options carefully. You'll want to research term insurance vs. whole life insurance. You'll also want to research riders to see if paying for the additional coverage is worth it. And you should get quotes from at least three different insurance agents. This will help you find the best life insurance companies for your situation. Life insurance can give you peace of mind as well as make sure you've provided for those you care about. Shop around for quotes today with no obligation to find out how much a policy will cost and determine if life insurance is right for you.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for no medical exam life insurance
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For: Best for bundling insurance coverage to save money
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for getting covered quickly
New York Life
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
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= Poor
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
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The cost of a whole life insurance policy is determined by many factors including the age, gender, and health of the covered person, as well as the life insurance carrier selected. A healthy 30-year-old could expect to pay around $472 monthly for a $500,000 whole life insurance policy. But older insurance buyers could pay much more while younger buyers could pay less.
One big downside of life insurance is that term life policy premiums can feel like wasted money if no death benefit is paid out. However, the premiums are buying protection against financial disaster in the event of an untimely death, which is money well spent. Just as people don't consider auto insurance a waste if they don't get into an accident, term life insurance shouldn't be considered wasteful if the policyholder outlives the coverage term.Other downsides include the fact it is difficult for older people or those with health problems to get life insurance coverage. And whole life policies generally are a poor investment due to their complexity, fees, and limitations on accessing funds.
Employer provided life insurance can be a good workplace benefit to have, especially if an employer subsidizes the costs of the coverage.Employer provided policies are also generally issued to all eligible workers without regard to their health status. This can be very beneficial to people who have pre-existing conditions and who might not qualify for standard coverage on their own.The downside is that these policies may not follow the insured if the covered person leaves work. And the death benefit may not be large enough to provide sufficient protection as many employer-provided life insurance plans have low coverage limits.As a result, of these major downsides, those with employer-provided insurance may wish to also purchase additional life insurance coverage independently.
Life Insurance Ratings Methodology
Life Insurance products are rated on a scale of one to five stars, primarily focusing on:
Customer Satisfaction
We look at overall customer sentiment from those who have direct experience with the specific life insurance company. This is compiled through researching publicly available data as well as survey data from visitors of this site.
Pricing
With so many options for life insurance across the board these days, it's easiest, and quite effective, to first look at the bottom line.
Policy Options
We look at the various options available and variety of insurance products offered that can better fit a range of consumers. The focus being on term and whole life insurance and the strength of those specific policy products.
Company Strength
We review the overall strength and health of the company as an indicator as that can highlight a stability that provides peace of mind. Company strength can include:
Christy Bieber is a full-time personal finance and legal writer with more than a decade of experience. She has a JD from UCLA as well as a degree in English, Media and Communications with a Certificate in Business Management from the University of Rochester. In addition to writing for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, her work has also been featured regularly on MSN Money, CNBC, and USA Today. She also ghost writes textbooks, serves as a subject matter expert for online course design, and is a former college instructor.
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