Our editorial picks for the best life insurance companies in Pennsylvania are affordable and flexible, with high financial strength and customer service ratings.
By
Brian ActonBrian ActonContributing WriterBrian Acton is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where he covers insurance and finance. His work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, USA Today, MarketWatch, Inc. Magazine, and HuffPost.
Edited by
Adam MorganAdam MorganEditorial DirectorAdam Morgan is an editorial director at Policygenius who leads the life insurance team. Previously, he led editorial teams matrixed across multiple financial publications at Red Ventures — including Bankrate, NextAdvisor, Million Mile Secrets, and others. As a journalist, his work has appeared in Esquire, Scientific American, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere.
Pennsylvania residents have a long list of life insurance companies to choose from, and finding the right one can prove a challenge. It’s also important to know how your health and lifestyle choices can affect the cost of your premiums, as well as your state's regulations around life insurance.
That’s why we compiled the best life insurance companies in Pennsylvania, the cost of insurance premiums for residents, and the guidelines that impact how life insurance policies operate in the state.
Methodology: How we chose the best life insurance companies in each state
We don't get paid for our company reviews and use an extensive rubric of criteria covering policy details, price, financial confidence, third-party ratings, and customer experience to assign unbiased ratings out of five stars. Any recommendations we make are based on internal and external expert opinions and data from our Policygenius Price Index, which uses real-time rate data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. Our ratings and reviews can help point you to an insurer you can rely on for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you is dependent on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can work with you through the application process so you’re getting coverage from the best insurer for your circumstances at the most competitive price.
Best overall life insurance
2023 Policygenius award winner
Banner Life
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.
4.9
AM Best rating
A.M. 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 ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
30+ year terms
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Banner Life has some of the longest term lengths — up to 40 years — and most competitive life insurance rates available, even for people with a history of medical conditions.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for a variety of health conditions
Fast instant-decision option for qualifying applicants
Variety of term lengths up to 40 years
Cons
Application underwriting can take longer than average
Does not have the most competitive rates for older applicants
Banner Life offers the most competitive rates and a range of term length options for the majority of Pennsylvanians. People with a variety of health and risk classifications can still get policies work for their budget.
Banner Life also boasts high financial security and customer satisfaction levels, with an NAIC complaint rating of just 0.35, far below the national average of 1.00.
Cheapest life insurance
Banner Life
Banner Life consistently offers the most affordable life insurance rates in Pennsylvania across a range of lifestyles and some pre-existing health conditions. Whether you have no health conditions or several, you can find great rates with Banner Life.
Best term life insurance
Banner Life
Term life insurance provides coverage for a predetermined period of time and expires at the end of that term, making it the most suitable and affordable type of policy for most people. Banner Life is the best company for term life insurance because it offers a variety of term lengths and low rates for most applicants.
Best no-medical-exam life insurance
2023 Policygenius award winner
Brighthouse Financial
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.
5.0
AM Best rating
A.M. 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 ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Brighthouse Financial offers competitive rates, comprehensive coverage, and application decisions in as little as 24 hours, making it a great choice for people who want to get life insurance coverage without having to take the medical exam.
Pros and cons
Pros
Extremely affordable
Instant-decision applications
Best-in-class no-med option
Cons
Traditional term life not available in CA, IL, LA, ME, or NY
No-medical-exam life insurance uses health records to determine past medical history and assess an applicant’s health without requiring a medical exam. Brighthouse Financial offers competitive rates, full coverage, and quick application decisions for applicants who want to skip the medical exam.
Best whole life insurance
2023 Policygenius award winner
MassMutual
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.9
AM Best rating
A.M. Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
All 50 states
Why we chose it
MassMutual’s whole life insurance plan provides a lifetime coverage option that builds cash value with the potential to earn dividends.
Pros and cons
Pros
Strong financial stability ratings
Higher potential for dividends for whole life policyholders than many competitors
Whole life insurance doesn’t have an expiration date, but it costs five to 15 times as much as term life insurance. For anyone who needs lifetime coverage or wants to use the policy’s cash value component as a savings vehicle, MassMutual is your best choice. The company pays higher dividends to policyholders than other policies, making it the best whole life option in Pennsylvania.
Best for seniors
2023 Policygenius award winner
Prudential
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.1
AM Best rating
A.M. Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
With nearly four million policyholders and 150 years to its name, Prudential offers competitive coverage options for seniors, as well as people with some of the most common medical conditions, including asthma, depression, and fibromyalgia.
Pros and cons
Pros
Good for people over 60
More flexible income requirements than some other insurers
Considers applicants with a variety of immigration statuses (visas and green cards)
Cons
Younger applicants will likely find better prices elsewhere
No-med option can end up requiring a medical exam most of the time
People age 60 and above can get the best rates from Prudential, which offers competitive rates to seniors with a wide range of health conditions.
Best for young adults
Brighthouse Financial
Young adults can get better life insurance rates across the board, as the average cost of premiums increases by 4.5% to 9% for every year someone delays buying a policy. In Pennsylvania, Brighthouse Financial offers the most affordable rates for young people.
Best for people with pre-existing conditions
2023 Policygenius award winner
Lincoln Financial
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.8
AM Best rating
A.M. Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Lincoln Financial offers a diverse array of life insurance policies, including competitive no-med and high-net-worth options.
Pros and cons
Pros
Affordable rates
Good for many existing health conditions, including depression, stroke, and heart conditions
Most pre-existing conditions won’t prevent applicants from getting life insurance, but they can affect the cost of the policy. Lincoln Financial offers the best rates to Pennsylvanians with a history of arthritis, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and other health conditions.
Best for marijuana users
Lincoln Financial
Marijuana users tend to pay more for life insurance coverage than other applicants. Lincoln Financial offers low rates to occasional marijuana users and can even offer non-smoker rates to daily users with a clean motor vehicle report and no history of drug abuse.
Best for smokers
Banner Life
Smokers pay two to three times more for life insurance than non-smokers because of their additional health risks. But Banner Life offers better rates to smokers than their competitors, and applicants who quit smoking can apply for lower premiums after just one year.
Comparing the best life insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Company
Policygenius rating
Best for
Types of policies
Banner Life
5.0 / 5
Overall, cheapest, term life, smokers
Term life, no-medical-exam life, universal life
Brighthouse Financial
5.0 / 5
No-medical-exam life, young adults
Term life, no-medical-exam life, whole life, short-term 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 Pennsylvania?
Many factors affect life insurance premiums, including the age of the applicant, medical history, health conditions, and the length and coverage amount of the policy. Based on Policygenius data from March 2023, the average monthly premium for a healthy 35-year old in Pennsylvania buying a $500,000, 20-year term life insurance policy is $30.81 for men and $25.78 for women.
What happens if a life insurance company goes bankrupt in Pennsylvania?
Life insurance companies don’t often go bankrupt, but in the rare event that one does, the Pennsylvania Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association can step in to cover affected state residents and continue the policy as long as the policyholder keeps paying their premiums.
When an insurance company is unable to meet its financial obligations, the Pennsylvania guaranty association and/or the receiver will notify affected policyholders. Pennsylvania covers up to $300,000 in life insurance death benefits and $100,000 in life insurance cash surrender value for all policyholders impacted by a life insurance company’s insolvency.
When a policyholder moves out of Pennsylvania, their coverage transfers to the guaranty association of the state in which they reside when the company is liquidated.
How to find a lost life insurance policy in Pennsylvania
When someone dies, their family members and/or their estate administrator can look for life insurance policies or annuity contracts in the decedent’s name using the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Life Insurance Policy Locator Service.
In addition, the Pennsylvania Unclaimed Property website can be used to locate unclaimed life insurance benefits turned over to the state — but state law doesn’t require insurance unclaimed funds to be turned over to the state until many years after the death.
Pennsylvania life insurance laws
Life insurance companies in Pennsylvania must follow state guidelines that protect policyholders and direct how policies must operate.
Free look period
New life insurance policyholders in Pennsylvania can cancel their policy and get a full refund of their paid premiums, as long as they cancel within 10 days of receiving the policy.
Guaranty Fund protection
The Pennsylvania Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association guarantees up to $300,000 in life insurance death benefits and $100,000 in life insurance cash surrender value when a life insurance company is unable to meet its financial obligations.
Contestable period
In Pennsylvania, the contestability period of a new life insurance policy is two years from the date the policy takes effect. During this period, a company can challenge a claim if they discover evidence of lies or misstatements on a life insurance application.
Grace period for missed payments
Pennsylvania has a 31-day grace period for missed life insurance payments. This period gives customers extra time to pay their premium before the life insurance company can cancel their coverage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one life insurance company in Pennsylvania?
Banner Life is the number one life insurance company for most people in Pennsylvania, including young adults and people without complex medical conditions. It’s the most affordable option for the average applicant and offers a variety of term lengths, including 40-year term policies for eligible customers.
What is the life insurance free look period and grace period in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you get a 10-day free look period to cancel your life insurance and receive a full refund of the premiums you paid. You get a 31-day grace period to make up for a late payment before you lose coverage.
What types of life insurance are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvanians can buy term life insurance and whole life insurance, the most common policy types. They can also buy no-medical-exam products like final expense insurance and accelerated underwriting policies.
Find the best life insurance companies in your state
Brian Acton is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where he covers insurance and finance. His work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, USA Today, MarketWatch, Inc. Magazine, and HuffPost.
Adam Morgan is an editorial director at Policygenius who leads the life insurance team. Previously, he led editorial teams matrixed across multiple financial publications at Red Ventures — including Bankrate, NextAdvisor, Million Mile Secrets, and others. As a journalist, his work has appeared in Esquire, Scientific American, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere.
