Best life insurance companies in Missouri (2024)

Our picks for the top life insurance companies in Missouri offer great options for a range of policy needs, budgets, and lifestyle considerations.

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By

Jessica SillersContributing WriterJessica Sillers is a contributing writer at Policygenius who specializes in life insurance. Her writing as also appeared in Business Insider, Prudential, Haven Life, Fabric by Gerber Life, MoneyGeek, Credit Sesame, and elsewhere.

Edited by

Julia KaganJulia KaganContributing EditorJulia Kagan is a contributing editor at Policygenius, where she specializes in life insurance. Previously, Julia was the senior personal finance editor at Investopedia for nearly a decade, a vice president and editorial director at Consumer Reports, the editor of Psychology Today, and the vice president of content at Zagat Surveys.
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Reviewed by

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Updated|7 min read

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Finding the right life insurance option comes down to individual factors, including your health, lifestyle, budget, and policy needs. Our list of top life insurance companies in Missouri includes average costs, which factors affect rates, and information on state protections can help Missourians find their best insurance fit.

We used industry data, pricing from Policygenius carrier partners, and third-party ratings like AM Best and J.D. Power to pick the best insurers on the market. Our independent recommendations will help you get life insurance coverage with confidence.

Best life insurance companies in Missouri

Methodology

Why you can trust our picks

Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.

Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.

Read more about our reviews methodology

Best overall life insurance

Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn, offers a wide range of excellent policy options, which earned it a nod in five of the 20 categories in Policygenius’ list of the best life insurance companies in the U.S.

Legal & General America’s competitive rates, a strong rating with AM Best, and generous options for people with certain pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or tobacco use, all contribute to this company getting the top spot for best overall life insurance package. Legal & General America’s NAIC complaint rating is only 0.35, putting it well under the industry average of 1.00, and indicating that the company is a customer favorite, as well.

Cheapest life insurance

Life insurance rates are always subject to factors, such as age, sex, health, and lifestyle. With that in mind, Legal & General America tends to offer competitive rates whether you’re in excellent health or need to factor in significant health conditions. 

The company is an especially good place to start for people who use tobacco, have diabetes, or live with mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder. Young and healthy people will also find some of the best rates on the market from Legal & General America.

Best term life insurance

Term life insurance offers coverage for a specific length of time. If you die during the term, your beneficiaries get a death benefit from the policy. If you outlive the term, your coverage ends. Term life is a popular life insurance option because it’s more affordable than comparable permanent life coverage. 

Legal & General America takes the top spot again here, thanks to its competitive rates and a wide range of term lengths that go up to 40 years.

Best no-medical-exam life insurance

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2024 Policygenius award winner

Brighthouse Financial

Brighthouse Financial logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange star

5.0

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

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No-medical-exam option

Why we chose itchevron icon

Brighthouse Financial offers competitive rates, comprehensive coverage, and application decisions in as little as 24 hours, making it a great choice for people who want to get life insurance coverage without having to take the medical exam.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Extremely affordable

  • Instant-decision applications

  • Best-in-class no-exam option

Cons

  • Traditional term life not available in CA, IL, LA, ME, or NY

  • Term life applicants limited to ages 25-50

Many life insurance policies rely on a full physical medical exam to complete underwriting and assess an application. No-medical-exam policies use information from medical records and responses to health questions to evaluate qualified applicants.

Brighthouse Financial offers no-medical-exam policy options that could give you an instant decision on policies with coverage amounts up to $2 million. People with some minor health conditions like sleep apnea, ADHD, or high blood pressure may also find competitive rate options here.

Best whole life insurance

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2024 Policygenius award winner

MassMutual

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.9

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

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All 50 states

Why we chose itchevron icon

MassMutual’s whole life insurance plan provides a lifetime coverage option that builds cash value with the potential to earn dividends.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Strong financial stability ratings

  • Higher potential for dividends for whole life policyholders than many competitors

  • Good customer satisfaction ratings

Cons

  • High term life premiums

  • Term life not available through Policygenius

Whole life insurance does not expire at the end of a specific term. It typically includes a cash value component you can borrow from during your lifetime, as well as a death benefit to your beneficiary. Whole life insurance tends to cost substantially more than term life (e.g., 5 to 15 times as much for the same coverage amount). However, it can be a good option for people who need lifelong coverage or want to provide loved ones with a guaranteed death benefit.

MassMutual has strong financial stability ratings and high customer experience ratings. It also pays higher dividends for cash value than much of the competition, making it a strong choice for people seeking whole life insurance in Missouri.

Best for seniors

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2024 Policygenius award winner

Prudential

Prudential logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starEmpty gray star

4.1

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

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No-medical-exam option

Why we chose itchevron icon

With nearly four million policyholders and 150 years to its name, Prudential offers competitive coverage options for seniors, as well as people with some of the most common medical conditions, including asthma, depression, and fibromyalgia.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Good for people over 60

  • More flexible income requirements than some other insurers

  • Considers applicants with a variety of immigration statuses (visas and green cards)

Cons

  • Younger applicants will likely find better prices elsewhere

Life insurance rates go up with your age at the time you apply, but Prudential keeps rates lower than the competition for seniors over age 60. The company also takes a more flexible attitude toward some health conditions that may come with age, such as osteoporosis, as well as other common health issues such as asthma, fibromyalgia, and depression.

Best for young adults

Brighthouse Financial

Brighthouse Financial offers quick approval and some of the most affordable rates on the market for young adults. It also offers an accelerated, no-medical-exam underwriting policy called SimplySelect, available exclusively from Policygenius.

Best for people with pre-existing conditions

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

Lincoln Financial

Lincoln Financial logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.8

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

No-medical-exam option

Why we chose itchevron icon

Lincoln Financial offers a diverse array of life insurance policies, including competitive no-med and high-net-worth options.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Affordable rates

  • Good for many existing health conditions, including depression, stroke, and heart conditions

  • Good for marijuana users, including daily users

Cons

  • Term life not available in New York

Health is an important factor in determining whether you qualify for life insurance coverage and what premiums you can expect to pay for a policy. In many cases, a pre-existing condition won’t put life insurance out of reach. However, some insurance companies offer better coverage or lower rates than others, depending on the specific details.

Lincoln Financial has a reputation for offering lower rates than other companies for a variety of conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, mental health conditions, and some types of cancer.

Best for marijuana users

Lincoln Financial

Recreational marijuana use became legal in Missouri in December 2022. [1] Although marijuana use once made it difficult to get life insurance coverage, more companies are offering policies and better rates than previously to people who use marijuana. 

Lincoln Financial offers some of the best rates available to marijuana users. In qualifying cases, it even offers them non(tobacco)-smoking rates, which is a big deal since rates for tobacco users can be 2 to 3 times higher than non-smoking rates.

Best for smokers

Missouri is in the top 10 states for high rates of tobacco use in the U.S., at 19.6% of the population. [2] Smoking is well-known for its health risks, so life insurance for smokers tends to cost double or triple a non-smoker’s rate.

Legal & General America offers some of the most competitive rates for smokers. It also earns the top spot in this category for its attitude toward quitting. Quitting a smoking habit can have a meaningful effect on health, and Legal & General America lets you apply a year after quitting a smoking habit, while many competitors require two years or longer before reassessing premium rates.

Ready to shop for life insurance in Missouri?

Comparing the best life insurance companies in Missouri

Company 

Policygenius rating

Best for

Types of policies 

Brighthouse Financial

5.0 / 5

No-medical-exam life, young adults

Term life, no-medical-exam life, whole life, short-term life, universal life

Legal & General America

4.9 / 5

Overall, cheapest, term life, smokers

Term life, no-medical-exam life, universal life

MassMutual

4.9 / 5

Whole life

Term life, no-medical-exam life, whole life, universal life, variable universal life

Lincoln Financial

4.8 / 5

Marijuana users, people with pre-existing conditions

Term life, no-medical-exam life, indexed universal life, variable universal life

Prudential

4.1 / 5

Seniors

Term life, no-medical-exam life, short-term life, universal life, indexed universal life

What is the average cost of life insurance in Missouri?

Various factors can make one insurance company a better choice for you than another, but cost is one of the first considerations. Luckily, your state of residence shouldn’t affect your rates the way personal factors like age and health can.

According to the Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index in 2023, a healthy, non-smoking 35-year-old in Missouri seeking a 20-year, $500,000 policy can expect an average monthly premium of $25.76 for women and $30.79 for men.

What happens if a life insurance company goes bankrupt in Missouri?

The Missouri Department of Insurance sets detailed standards for life insurance companies in the state. These include rules about how much money the insurance company must hold in reserve so that they’re able to pay their obligations, including claims on policies. 

These regulations make it extremely rare for a life insurance company to go bankrupt, even in tumultuous economic times. If a worst-case scenario occurred and a life insurance company does go bankrupt, Missouri has a guaranty association that can help ensure policyholders have options. 

MIGA offers protection on various forms of life insurance, such as up to $300,000 in death benefits if your insurance company is financially insolvent. That may not cover the entire coverage amount of your policy, but it does ensure that your beneficiaries receive at least a portion of the benefit you intended for them.

To check a life insurance company’s financial standing, see our life insurance company reviews, especially the financial strength ratings.

How to find a lost life insurance policy in Missouri 

The Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act lays out guidelines for insurance companies to follow if a beneficiary doesn’t claim on a policy. Under the Act, insurance companies are advised to conduct periodic searches for policyholder’s names to look for matches on the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File. They may also be required to turn over unclaimed funds to the state within a certain period of time.

To locate an unclaimed life insurance policy in Missouri, start with the Missouri Department of Insurance’s Life Insurance Locator.

Ready to shop for life insurance in Missouri?

Missouri life insurance laws

Life insurance companies are built on large financial promises, and various agencies are involved in making sure those promises are taken seriously. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) works with government officials to maintain databases of insurance information and set best practices for insurance companies. Many states base their own best practices and standards for insurance companies on the NAIC’s example. Here are some rules for Missouri.

Free lookback period

Unlike many states, Missouri doesn’t impose an official “lookback” period for life insurance companies. Many companies set their own “free look” standard, often seven to 30 days. During that time, you can cancel and get a refund on your premiums. 

Grace period for missed payments

Missouri has a legal grace period of 30 days during which an insurance company can’t cancel your policy for late payment. 

Prompt payment-to-beneficiary rules

Beneficiaries in Missouri are also entitled to prompt payment of a claim from the insurance company. Missouri state law may, however, allow time for “reasonable investigation” to sort out uncertainties about the policy.

References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. PBS

    . "

    Recreational marijuana is legal in Missouri

    ." Accessed March 16, 2023.

  2. CDC

    . "

    Map of current cigarette use among adults

    ." Accessed March 16, 2023.

Author

Jessica Sillers is a contributing writer at Policygenius who specializes in life insurance. Her writing as also appeared in Business Insider, Prudential, Haven Life, Fabric by Gerber Life, MoneyGeek, Credit Sesame, and elsewhere.

Editor

Julia Kagan is a contributing editor at Policygenius, where she specializes in life insurance. Previously, Julia was the senior personal finance editor at Investopedia for nearly a decade, a vice president and editorial director at Consumer Reports, the editor of Psychology Today, and the vice president of content at Zagat Surveys.

Expert reviewer

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

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