The 40 Best Life Insurance Companies for 2023

Clifford PendellWritten by Clifford Pendell, Managing Partner and Co-founder

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There are hundreds of insurance providers to choose from, and every company sets their own pricing and approval guidelines, which makes it difficult to find the best life insurance company.

Some life insurance companies specialize with specific products like term, universal, or whole life insurance policies, while others are willing to accept "high-risk" applicants with pre-existing health issues or hazardous jobs.

To help you find the the best life insurance policy for your needs, we created this review of the top life insurance companies for 2023. We've also included a breakdown of the best companies for common health issues and dangerous occupations.

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Best Term Life Insurance Companies and Policies

Consumer rating agencies usually focus on about twenty well-known insurance companies for their studies. The following chart ranks the top 40 life insurance providers for 2023 based on a variety of factors including; financial stability, policy features, pricing, and underwriting leniency.

Our Top Pick: Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha is our top pick for 2023. The Fortune 500 company was founded more than 110 years ago and are rated A+ Superior by A.M. best for financial stability. Comdex also recently ranked the insurer as the second-best life insurance provider in the United States with 90 points.

The company offers a variety of competitively-priced life insurance policies including; term, whole life, and final expense insurance with no health questions. Mutual of Omaha also specializes with lenient underwriting for common health issues like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and obesity.

Company
A.M. Best Rating
Pricing
Our Rating
1. Mutual of Omaha
A+ Superior
$
100
2. Pacific Life
A+ Superior
$
98
3. Banner Life
A+ Superior
$
97
4. Protective Life
A+ Superior
$
96
5. Prudential
A+ Superior
$
95
6. Mass Mutual
A++ Superior
$$
95
7. John Hancock
A+ Superior
$
94
8. Lincoln
A+ Superior
$
93
9. Principal Financial
A+ Superior
$
93
10. Minnesota Life
A+ Superior
$
92
11. Guardian Life
A++ Superior
$$
91
12. Cincinnati Life
A+ Superior
$
90
13. Northwestern Mutual
A++ Superior
$$
89
14. Penn Mutual
A+ Superior
$$
89
15. North American
A+ Superior 
$
88
16. Brighthouse (MetLife)
A+ Superior
$$
88
17. Savings Bank Life Insurance
A- Excellent
$
87
18. A.I.G.
A Excellent
$
86
19. eLife
A Excellent
$$
85
20. AXA Equitable
A- Excellent
$$
85
21. Midland National
A+ Superior
$$
84
22. Nationwide
A+ Superior
$$$
83
23. Hero Life
A- Excellent
$$
81
24. Transamerica
A Excellent
$$
80
25. Symetra
A Excellent
$$
79
26. Allianz
A+ Superior
$$
77
27. Zurich
A+ Superior
$$
74
28. Great Western
A+ Superior
$$
71
29. Liberty Mutual
A Excellent
$$$
71
30. Foresters Financial
A Excellent
$$
70
31. State Farm
A++ Superior
$$$$
68
32. American Continental
A Excellent
$$
65
33. Fidelity
A- Excellent
$$$
64
34. Haven Life
A++ Superior
$$
63
35. Bestow
A+ Superior
$$$
61
36. Assurity
A- Excellent
$$
60
37. Encova
A- Excellent
$$
59
38. Prosperity Life
A- Excellent
$$
58
39. American Amicable
A Excellent
$$
56
40. New York Life
A++ Superior
$$$$
55

Our independent agency represents more than 50 top-rated life insurance providers. To view the full methodology of our rating system please click here or continue reading.

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Life Insurance Company Ratings and Reviews for 2023

The following table compares more than 45 life insurance provider's customer satisfaction rating from JD Power as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Comdex, Fitch, Moody's, and Standard & Poors when available.

CompanyA.M. BestComdex ScoreFitchJD Power RatingMoody'sStandard & Poors
AARPAA+100AAA784AaaAA+
Accordia (Global Atlantic)A75AN/AN/AA-
AllianzA+98N/AN/AA2AA
American AmicableAN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
American Continental (AETNA)A71AN/AAA-AA-
American General (AIG)A83A+742A2A+
AssurityA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
AXA EquitableA-79N/A737A2A+
Banner LifeA+95N/AN/AAA-AA-
BestowA+92A+N/AN/AA+
BrighthouseA77A741A3A+
Cincinnati LifeA88A+N/AN/AA+
EncovaA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
EthosA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Fidelity LifeA+91A+N/AN/AN/A
ForestersAN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Gerber LifeAN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Great WesternA+96AAN/AAa3AA
Guardian LifeA++100AA+787Aa2AA+
Haven Life (MassMutual)A++98AA+769Aa2AA+
John HancockA+93AA-749Aa1AA-
Hero LifeA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Ladder LifeA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Liberty MutualAN/AN/A788A2A
Lincoln FinancialA+90A+764A1AA-
Mass MutualA++98AA+780Aa2AA+
Mutual Of OmahaA+90N/A801A1A+
National Western LifeAN/AN/AN/AN/AA
NationwideA+90N/A791A1A+
New York LifeA++100AAA775AaaAA+
North AmericanA+88A+N/AN/AA+
Pacific LifeA+95A+793A1AA-
Penn MutualA+93N/A733Aa3A+
Peterson InternationalAN/AAA-N/AN/AA+
PrimericaA+93N/A766A1AA-
Principal FinancialA+90AA-772A1A+
Prosperity LifeA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Protective LifeA+93A+759A2AA-
PrudentialA+95A+773A1AA-
Sagicor LifeA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Savings Bank Life InsuranceA71N/AN/AN/AA-
Securian (Minnesota Life)A+96AA754Aa3AA-
State FarmA++98N/A839Aa1AA
SymetraA79AN/AA1A
TransamericaA81A+740A1AA-
United Home LifeA-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
United of OmahaA+90N/A801A1A+
William PennA+95AA-N/AN/AAA-
ZurichA+81N/AN/AA3A

*Company ratings are accurate as of 03/16/2023 and are provided for illustrative purposes only. 

If you are in excellent health overall, have a favorable family health history, see your primary care doctor regularly, and don't have a hazardous occupation or hobby, you'll probably qualify for the top rate class with many life insurance carriers.

However, if you are like most people with a minor health issue or lifestyle risk, applying with the right company could save you a lot of money. The next section provides some insight into buying life insurance with a preexisting health issue.

Best Life Insurance Companies for Pre-Existing Health Issues

Every life insurance company sets their own guidelines to evaluate an individual's risk and determine their life insurance rates. Some life insurance companies tend to be more lenient with cardiovascular-related issues, while others might specialize with issues like diabetes.

Our agency specializes with matching people with pre-existing conditions to the best life insurance companies and policies available. We are also experts at finding affordable options for anyone that is are considered to be a high-risk for life insurance coverage.

If you have ever been treated or diagnosed with one of the health issues listed below, click on the link to learn how the insurance provider's will evaluate your condition. Each insider's guide also includes sample life insurance rates and insider's tips to help you save.

If you have a health issue that isn't listed above, please give us a call toll-free at 855-247-9555 to speak with one of our experts. In just a few minutes, we can compare rates and policies from dozens of highly-rated insurance providers to find your best option.

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Best Life Insurance Companies for Dangerous Occupations or Hobbies

When you apply for most types of life insurance, the insurance company you apply with will evaluate your health and lifestyle risk before approving your policy.  If you have a hazardous occupation or hobby, getting approved for an affordable life insurance policy can be challenging.

Thankfully, many seemingly hazardous hobbies and occupations are overlooked by life insurance. While riding a motorcycle or being employed as a police officer won't impact the cost of your life insurance policy, activities like sky-diving can make you ineligible for most life insurance policies.

We've helped thousands of families and businesses with their life insurance needs, and our agents are experts at matching their clients with the best option available. The links in the section below provide additional information about buying life insurance for specific occupations or hobbies.

If you don't see your occupation listed above, it might be an acceptable risk to all insurers. To learn more about buying insurance with a hazardous occupation or hobby, you can also visit our "High Risk Life Insurance Guide," or you can request a free quote online to instantly compare your options.

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How to Choose the Best Life Insurance Company and Policy

Life insurance is not a one-size-fits all product. Your policy should always be tailored to your unique needs and budget. In addition to ensuring that your policy provides your family with adequate protection, there are some additional aspects to consider when purchasing a policy.

Pricing - Every life insurance company sets their own rates and underwriting guidelines. A minor health risk, an unfavorable family health history, or a poor driving record could have a significant impact on your rates, even if you're in excellent health. Instantly compare prices from 50 top-rated companies with our free quote form below:

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Policy Features and Benefits - Life insurance policies usually offer some additional benefits or riders with each of their policies. Some of these benefits will allow you to access your policy's death benefit if you become ill, or extend your coverage past the end of your term.

Products - Your life insurance policy should always focus on your need for the coverage. Some life insurance providers focus solely on inexpensive term coverage, while other companies may offer inexpensive permanent life insurance products or hybrid policies that also include long term care protection.

Financial Stability - When shopping for life insurance, you'll want to consider each company's financial outlook to ensure their ability to pay future claims. The most commonly-used credit rating company for insurance providers in the United States is A.M. Best which assigns a letter grade to each insurance provider.

A.M. Best's Financial Strength Rating Scale

Rating CategoriesRating SymbolsRating Notches*Category Definitions
SuperiorA+A++Assigned to companies that have, in our opinion, a superior ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.
ExcellentAA-Assigned to companies that have, in our opinion, an excellent ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.
GoodB+B++Assigned to companies that have, in our opinion, a good ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.
FairBB-Assigned to companies that have, in our opinion, a fair ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.
MarginalC+C++Assigned to companies that have, in our opinion, a marginal ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.
WeakCC-Assigned to companies that have, in our opinion, a weak ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength is very vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.
PoorD-Assigned to companies that have, in our opinion, a poor ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength is extremely vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.

*Each Best's Financial Rating Category from "A+ to C" includes a Rating Notch to reflect a gradation of financial strength within the category. A Rating Notch is expressed with either a second plus "+" or a minus "-".

Source: A.M. Best

We Can Help You Find Your Best Option

If you are in excellent health, applying with a financially stable company that offers competitive rates may seem simple enough. Its important to understand the features you could be forfeiting by purchasing your policy from a slightly better-rated company before you apply though.

Potentially saving a few dollars a month could also limit your options in the future if you still need coverage when your term expires. Working with an independent agency will allow you to compare rates and options from dozens of insurance providers in one call, saving you time and money.

JRC only works with A-(Excellent) or better-rated companies, and our comparative shopping services are free. To inst-antly compare quotes from 50 highly-rated life insurance providers, click on the map below, or give us a call at 855-247-9555 to speak with an expert.

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United States of AmericaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
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Methodology:

We calculated our company ratings by awarding each life insurance provider up to 100 points for their financial stability, underwriting leniency, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

To evaluate each life insurance company's financial stability we used A.M. Best's financial rating system with a maximum of 30 points being assigned to company's that meet the guidelines for the A+ "Superior" designation.

Underwriting leniency and pricing was evaluated by looking at each life insurance carrier's approval guidelines for family health history, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. Up to 8 points are assigned to each for the four categories for a total of 40 points.

Customer satisfaction accounts for the remaining 30 points of each company's ratings. We awarded up to 30 points to the companies with the lowest customer complaint ratio scores and highest average JD Power ratings and Comdex scores where applicable.

Clifford Pendell

Clifford Pendell

Managing Partner and Co-founder

Cliff is a licensed life insurance agent and one of the owners of JRC Insurance Group. He has helped thousands of families of businesses with their life insurance needs since 2012 and specializes with applicants who are less than perfect health. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and the great outdoors.

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