A lot of factors go into choosing the right life insurance company for your family. To make shopping for a policy as seamless as possible, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of our life insurance carrier reviews with links to in-depth policy breakdowns. Choosing between just a few companies? We also have helpful comparison guides for some of our most popular carriers.
With access to agents, partner carriers, and industry data, our reviews include the unique details of each carrier’s main product, complete with breakdowns of all the pros and cons specific to that company. We lay it all out for you so you can feel comfortable choosing the best policy long before your first premium payment.
→ Learn more about how we rate life insurance carriers
Our life insurance carrier reviews
On this page, you’ll find links to every life insurance carrier review written by our editors. The table and summaries below are a brief overview of our providers, their ratings, and what or who we recommend them for, so you can browse quickly and easily.
This page is updated continuously, so you can always find the most up-to-date, unbiased information on what different carriers offer, their pricing, and more.
AAA Life provides a range of life insurance products, some of which don’t require a medical exam.
Pros
Variety of term, whole, and universal products
No medical exam for some policies
AAA members can receive discounts
Cons
High premiums
Low whole life coverage limits
Some policy changes can’t be made online
AAA offers many policy options, including term, whole, and universal life insurance. The company offers existing AAA members discounts on some policies. While term life coverage amounts range from $50,000 to $5 million, AAA’s whole life policies only offer coverage up to $75,000.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Banner Life
4.9
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 was founded in 1949 and has insured more than 1 million people since. The company offers some of the longest term lengths and life insurance rates compared to other carriers we reviewed. People with a history of medical conditions, including a family history of cancer, may be able to find more competitive rates with Banner than other carriers.
Bestow is a digital-first life insurance company offering no-medical-exam life insurance with a quick application process.
Pros
No medical exam required
Instant approval
Online claims filing
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Low coverage amounts
Not available for seniors
No riders available
No policy conversion
Founded in 2016, Bestow offers no-medical-exam term life insurance with an online application and claims system. Bestow states that application approval can take as little as five minutes. Policies do come with some restrictions, particularly around age (maximum applicant age is 59) and riders (none are currently available).
2023 Policygenius award winner
Brighthouse Financial
5.0
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
Term life applicants limited to ages 25-50
Brighthouse Financial is one of our top picks for no-medical-exam term life insurance. Coverage is available at competitive rates, with application decisions possible in 24 hours or less. Covered ages are limited to age 25 to 49.5. Brighthouse also offers permanent life insurance: whole life insurance and an indexed universal life insurance plan meant for people who also need long-term care coverage.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Corebridge Financial
4.6
30+ year terms
All 50 states
Why we chose it
With competitive pricing and a range of flexible term periods for its Select-a-Term product, Corebridge is a solid option for many life insurance shoppers. Note: We are currently using AIG's financial strength ratings until Corebridge has its own rating..
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive pricing for all ages
Favorable underwriting for people with heart conditions and diabetes
Good for current and recently pregnant people, including people with gestational diabetes
Cons
Not the best for people with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression
No no-medical-exam term option
Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement) has lower term life insurance pricing than the industry average, even for applicants in their 60s. Corebridge also offers competitive rates for people with common health conditions like asthma and ADHD.
Fidelity Life offers term and whole life insurance policies, including some no-medical-exam policy options.
Pros
No medical exams for some policies
Unique accidental death benefit policy
30-day trial period
Cons
Higher-than-average rates
More consumer complaints than average
Whole life limited to age 50 and above
Fidelity Life (which is not associated with Fidelity Investments) was founded in 1896 and was one of the first carriers to sell life insurance policies to both women and men. The company offers term life insurance and no-medical-exam permanent life insurance. Rates are higher than average, but the many options make it one of our recommendations for older applicants seeking final expense insurance, also known as burial insurance.
Foresters Financial
4.3
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
For people under age 55 and in relatively decent health, Foresters Financial's Your Term policy is a solid choice for a term life policy. You can get it without a medical exam and coverage can be offered within 24 hours.
Pros and cons
Pros
Accelerated death benefit rider includes coverage for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses
Includes several no-cost riders that aren’t available through other insurers, including Family Health Benefit Rider and Charity Benefit Provision
No-medical-exam option available for people up to age 55
Cons
Not available in New York or Maine
People with complicated health histories will likely find their best rates elsewhere
Foresters Financial was founded in 1874 as the Independent Order of Foresters. Its included accelerated death benefit rider covers chronic illness and critical illness in additional to terminal illness, setting it apart. It has no-medical-exam term options for people up to age 55 and is one of our top companies for seniors.
Gerber offers term, whole, and guaranteed issue life insurance for children, adults, and seniors.
Pros
No medical exam for seniors
Discount for setting up automatic payments
Cons
High rates for low coverage
Only one rider available
Gerber Life Insurance is a subsidiary of the baby food manufacturer. The company is most known for its whole life insurance for children, but also offers term and permanent life insurance for adults. Term coverage amounts are low — only up to $300,000 where many providers offer millions in coverage. However, Gerber term life insurance policies don’t require a medical exam unless you’re over age 51 and buying more than $100,000 in coverage.
Globe Life provides no-medical-exam life insurance with a short application and quick turnaround, but high rates and low coverage.
Pros
No medical exam required
Short application
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Very high monthly rates
Only 5-year terms available
Low coverage amounts
Poor customer ratings
Misleading website
Lackluster customer service
Globe Life doesn’t require medical exams for any of its policies and has a short online application for all coverage types. However, its term life insurance policies only last for five years (most carriers offer terms between 5 and 30 years) and top out at $100,000 in coverage. Rates are also higher than industry average, even compared to carriers offering higher death benefits.
Guardian Life has strong financial ratings, pays dividends to whole life customers, and term life insurance coverage up to $5 million.
Pros
Strong financial ratings
Online quote tool available
Convertible options available
Dividends for whole life customers
Cons
Higher-than-average rates
No online application
Guardian Life has been in the insurance business for more than 160 years and has high third-party financial confidence ratings. Guardian’s term life insurance rates are higher than the industry average. However, permanent life insurance owners may want to work with Guardian because the company pays dividends to cash value policyholders.
Haven Life
4.3
Why we chose it
Haven Life offers online term policies backed by MassMutual, but coverage is only available up to age 64.
Pros and cons
Pros
No-med-exam term options
Policies issued by MassMutual
Cons
Not available to people over age 64 (age 55 for Haven Simple)
Haven Simple not available in DE, SD, ND, or NY
Haven Life was founded in 2015 as a digital offshoot of MassMutual, which wholly owns the company and underwrites its life insurance policies. Today, it offers two term life insurance products backed by MassMutual, but people age 65 and up don't qualify.
John Hancock Life Insurance Company offers competitive term life rates for people in their 50s and 60s, special coverage for people with diabetes, and incentives for healthy exercisers to save on premiums.
John Hancock provides unique perks to policyholders who log their exercise, doctor’s visits, and other healthy habits in a digital app. Consumers are eligible for retail discounts, policy discounts, and a free fitness tracker. While rates are competitive for people in their 50s and 60s, applicants age 40 and below may find lower prices elsewhere.
Liberty Mutual offers simplified issue whole and term life insurance and additional term life insurance options through a partner carrier, Protective.
Pros
No-medical-exam options are available
High financial and third-party ratings
Guaranteed convertible policy
Cons
Very high premiums
Overall lack of options
Can't apply online
Liberty Mutual is the third-largest property and casualty insurance company in the U.S. The company offers no-med options, including a simplified issue term life insurance policy that promises approval in as little as 10 minutes. Rates are higher than industry average.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Lincoln Financial
4.8
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
Good for marijuana users, including daily users
Cons
Term life not available in New York
Lincoln Financial is one of our top choices for people with pre-existing conditions, offering competitive rates to people with a variety of health conditions, including depression, stroke, and heart conditions.
2023 Policygenius award winner
MassMutual
4.9
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
Good customer experience ratings
Cons
High term life premiums
Term life not available through Policygenius
MassMutual has very high financial confidence ratings from expert third-party agencies. These high ratings and the potential for dividends make MassMutual our top pick for whole life insurance. MassMutual also term life insurance policy, but rates are less competitive.
Mutual of Omaha
4.5
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Mutual of Omaha is a reputable company that offers a variety of life insurance products — including a no-medical-exam option — so that you can select the type of life insurance that best suits your needs.
Pros and cons
Pros
No-medical-exam options for older applicants
Strong financial and customer ratings
Cons
Policies are more expensive than average
Slow turnaround time
Mutual of Omaha may offer lower rates to applicants with complex health conditions, like arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, term life insurance rates for healthier people are higher than average across all age groups. Mutual of Omaha’s burial insurance policies are recommended for people age 80 to 85 because of their more flexible coverage amounts and availability.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Pacific Life
4.8
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Pacific Life offers some of the lowest rates for term life insurance across age brackets. It also has the most competitive rates for many health conditions and builds.
Pros and cons
Pros
Extremely affordable across age brackets
Affordable guaranteed universal life insurance option for people who need lifetime coverage
Favorable underwriting for many health conditions
Cons
Traditional term life not available in NY
There are better carriers for active duty military, people who have a history of alcohol abuse, and people who have been through bankruptcy
Pacific Life’s term life insurance rates are lower than many competitors’, even into older age groups. Pacific Life also offers several permanent life insurance options in addition to its term life insurance policies.
Principal has competitive rates at every age bracket and favorable underwriting for a number of medical conditions. (Note: As of September 30, 2021, Principal no longer offers life insurance.)
Pros
NA
Cons
NA
Principal no longer sells life insurance policies as of September 2021, but is maintaining its existing customer policies. Current customers will enjoy lower rates than the industry average. Principal also has high ratings across both financial ratings companies and customer service sites like the Better Business Bureau.
Competitive rates, ease of use, and up to $50 million in coverage make Protective a top-tier choice for a straightforward life insurance policy.
Pros
One of the best values on the market
Variety of coverage amounts and term lengths
Cons
Slow application approval
Zero no-medical-exam options
Protective is our top life insurance company for 2023. Compared to other top carriers, Protective offers some of the most affordable term life rates, plus comprehensive coverage options like death benefits up to $50 million. However, Protective doesn’t offer any no-med exam policies.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Prudential
4.1
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
Prudential has nearly 4 million policyholders and is almost 150 years old. Prudential is a great choice for people with common medical conditions like asthma, depression, and osteoporosis. However, applicants with fewer health issues are likely to find lower rates at another company.
SBLI’s term life insurance and no-med options are competitively priced for healthier people under age 50.
Pros
No medical exams for Level Premium Term product
Fast turnaround time
Can apply, get a quote, and file claims online
Cons
High rates for applicants in their 50s
Few third-party customer ratings
SBLI offers lower-than-average rates for younger applicants, and people with few health concerns may qualify for a no-exam policy. However, older applicants may find more competitive pricing elsewhere. SBLI also provides several online policy management options, including an option to file claims online.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Symetra
4.3
Why we chose it
Symetra offers high coverage amounts, the option to reconsider rates after a year, and term life policies for people with a history of health conditions like cancer.
Pros and cons
Pros
High coverage amounts based on income
Best choice for people with a history of cancer
Good term life option for people over 70
Cons
Term rates are average for the industry, and many people will find their best rates elsewhere
Not available in some states, including CA, FL, DC, DE, ND, and SD
Symetra’s high term life insurance coverage (up to $10 million) makes it worth considering for high-earning applicants, even with its higher-than-average rates. However, Symetra offers more competitive rates to people with a history of non-invasive or low-grade cancer. The company also offers some permanent life insurance options.
Thrivent has high customer experience and financial ratings and competitive rates, but it only offers products to people who attest that they are Christian.
Pros
Competitive rates
Whole life policies may pay dividends
Cons
Products only available to people who attest to being Christian
Term life not available in NY
Thrivent is a Fortune 500 fraternal benefits company that offers a number of financial services and products, including life insurance, to people who identify as Christians. Term life prices are competitive, and whole life insurance policies are dividend paying.
Transamerica
4.6
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Transamerica is one of the oldest and largest life insurance companies, with over 12 million active accounts today. It offers affordable rates for almost every age, and you can even skip the medical exam if you fall under a certain age or coverage amount.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for term life insurance
No-medical-exam available for qualifying applicants, including smokers and people between 60 and 70, which is rare
One of the fastest turnaround times in the industry for traditionally underwritten term policies
Cons
Term life not available in New York
Not a good option for people with a history of cancer, alcohol abuse, or asthma
Transamerica is one of the oldest and largest insurance companies in the U.S. and has been in business since 1906. Applicants can skip the medical exam if they're under age 70 and buying $100,000 to $250,000 in coverage or less. Transamerica may offer lower rates than other carriers if you have some health concerns like depression and kidney stones.
TruStage offers no-exam policies with quick decisions, but term policies come with high premiums and short, five-year coverage periods and low coverage limits.
Pros
No medical exam requirement
Instant approval
Quick application
Cons
Premiums rise every five years
Very high premiums
Low coverage limits
Few riders available
TruStage has a simple, online application that promises fast decisions and no medical exam requirement to get covered. However, TruStage’s term life insurance coverage only lasts five years (compared to decades with other carriers) and coverage is only available up to $100,000 if you apply online ($300,000 if you apply through an agent or partner). Rates are also much higher than industry average, despite lower coverage amounts.
Our life insurance company ranking methodology
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.
At Policygenius, we want affordable and robust life insurance coverage to be easy to find, for everyone. Some of the carriers above are Policygenius partners that offer coverage through our insurance marketplace, while others aren’t. You’ll see a disclaimer on any reviews for our partner carriers.
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.
→ Learn more about how we rate life insurance carriers
