Best Life Insurance Companies for 2023 (10 Most Recommended)

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Choosing the best life insurance companies when considering coverage can be challenging to say the least. 

What are the best life insurance companies based on ratings, products, and other factors? 

These and other similar questions are completely understandable since there are more than 2,500 life insurance companies in the United States alone.

options best life insurance companies

This article, Best Life Insurance Companies for 2020 (10 Most Recommended), provides an overview of the best life insurance companies in our opinion based on company ratings, insurance products, customer service, and other considerations.

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Choosing the Best Life Insurance Companies

The best life insurance companies provide a source of security for those with financial obligations and other responsibilities.

Whether you are raising a family, running a business, or planning for retirement, life insurance allows you to financially protect those you care about the most.

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Best Life Insurance Companies Ratings

Since the strength of a company’s financial products are only as reliable as the underlying company itself, selecting a reputable and fiscally sound life insurance provider is extremely important. In order to determine the financial strength and creditworthiness of a particular life insurance company, credit rating agencies such as A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's, Fitch Ratings, and Moody's are commonly referenced. These agencies offer an unbiased opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and overall ability to meet financial obligations. Traditionally, companies rated “A” (excellent) or better by A.M. Best are recommended as the best life insurance companies.

am best life insurance companies
Standard & Poors best life insurance companies
Fitch Ratings best life insurance companies
Moody's best life insurance companies

Best Life Insurance Companies Products

The life insurance product portfolio available in today’s marketplace can be overwhelming. However, life insurance policies essentially come down to either term (temporary) or permanent (lifetime) coverage. There are also several policy riders, living benefits, and other features for consideration. The key is to ensure that you secure an adequate amount of coverage (death benefit) for an appropriate period of time (term) from a reputable life insurance company. Highlights of term and permanent life insurance coverage have been provided below for review.

Term

  • Lowest Initial Premiums
  • Temporary Coverage
  • Tax-free Death Benefit
  • Benefit Riders Available
  • No Cash Value Accumulation

Permanent

  • Higher Initial Premiums
  • Potential Lifetime Coverage
  • Tax-free Death Benefit
  • Living Benefits Available
  • Tax-deferred Cash Accumulation

Life Insurance Underwriting Standards

Another consideration in choosing the best life insurance companies is to review an insurer’s underwriting standards.

All companies evaluate a proposed insured’s application for coverage, yet differing underwriting standards often make one company more advantageous than another.

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This is especially true with certain health and/or lifestyle considerations and when comparing fully underwritten versus non-medical policies.

Most Recommended Insurance Companies

In shopping for life insurance, it is important to choose the right type of policy, an appropriate amount of coverage, and the best company for your specific situation. The following have been selected as the best life insurance companies in our opinion based on company ratings, product portfolio, underwriting standards, customer service, and other considerations. Recommended insurers have been listed in alphabetical order for review.

AIG best life insurance companies
ANICO best life insurance companies
Assurity best life insurance companie
banner best life insurance companies
MetLife logo image
Mutual of Omaha best life insurance companies
North American logo
Protective best life insurance companies
Prudential best life insurance companies
SBLI logo image

Best Life Insurance Companies Reviewed

The following provides a comprehensive list of the insurers reviewed for this article based on our experiences related to industry ratings, products offered, underwriting, customer service, and other relevant factors. Again, reviewed insurance companies have been listed in alphabetical order for convenience.

Note: Company information provided is based on data from NAIC Consumer Information Source.

AETNA Life

Aetna Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Connecticut, has been in business since 1850.


The company holds an “A” (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Aetna Life had assets of $19.8 billion and liabilities of $16.9 billion.

Aetna Life Insurance Company

151 Farmington Avenue

Hartford, TC 06156

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

American Amicable

American Amicable Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Texas, has been in business since 1981.


The company holds an “A-” (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, American Amicable had assets of $297.7 million and liabilities of $251.2 million.

American Amicable

Life Insurance Company

425 Austin Avenue

Waco, TX 76701

A.M. Best

A- (Excellent)

American General

American General Life Insurance Company, based the state of Texas, has been in business since 1960.


The company holds an “A” (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, American General had assets of $178.7 billion and liabilities of $170.7 billion.

American General

Life Insurance Company

2727-A Allen Parkway

Houston, TX 77019

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

American Home Life

American Home Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Kansas, has been in business since 1909.


The company holds a “B++” (Good) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, American Home Life had assets of $261.3 million and liabilities of $239.1 million.

American Home

Life Insurance Company

400 S. Kansas Avenue

Topeka, KS 66603

A.M. Best

B++ (Good)

American National

American National Insurance Company, based in the state of Texas, has been in business since 1905.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, American National had assets of $20.1 billion and liabilities of $16.8 billion.

American National

Insurance Company

One Moody Plaza

Galveston, TX 77550

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Americo Financial

Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company, based in the state of Texas, has been in business since 1946.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Americo Financial had assets of $4.4 billion and liabilities of $3.9 billion.

Americo Financial Life

& Annuity Insurance Company

300 W. 11th Street

Kansas City, MO 64105

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Ameritas Life

Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation, based in the state of Nebraska, has been in business since 1887.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Ameritas Life had assets of $20.0 billion and liabilities of $18.5 billion.

Ameritas Life

Insurance Company

5900 O Street

Lincoln, NE 68510

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Assurity Life

Assurity Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Nebraska, has been in business since 1964.


The company holds an “A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Assurity Life had assets of $2.6 billion and liabilities of $2.2 billion.

Assurity Life

Insurance Company

2000 Q Street

Lincoln, NE 68503

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

AXA Equitable

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, based in the state of New York, has been in business since 1859.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, AXA Equitable had assets of $194.7 billion and liabilities of $187.3 billion.

AXA Equitable Life

Insurance Company

525 Washington Blvd

Jersey City, NJ 07310

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Baltimore Life

The Baltimore Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Maryland, has been in business since 1882.


The company holds a “B++" (Good) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Baltimore Life had assets of $1.2 billion and liabilities of $1.1 billion.

The Baltimore Life

Insurance Company

175 Red Run Blvd

Owings Mills, MD 21117

A.M. Best

B++ (Good)

Banner Life

Banner Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Maryland, has been in business since 1981.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Banner Life had assets of $3.8 billion and liabilities of $3.0 billion.

Banner Life

Insurance Company

3275 Bennett Creek Ave

Fredrick, MD 21704

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

Christian Fidelity

Christian Fidelity Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Texas, has been in business since 1935.


The company holds an “A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Christian Fidelity had assets of $59.6 million and liabilities of $32.9 million.

Christian Fidelity

Life Insurance Company

2721 N. Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004

A.M. Best

A- (Excellent)

Fidelity Life

Fidelity Life Association, based in the state of Illinois, has been in business since 1896.


The company holds an “A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Fidelity Life had assets of $406.3 million and liabilities of $278.7 million.

Fidelity Life Association

8700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave

Suite 900S

Chicago, IL 60631

A.M. Best

A- (Excellent)

Foresters

Foresters Life Insurance & Annuity Company, based in the state of New York, has been in business since 1962.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Fidelity Life had assets of $2.4 billion and liabilities of $2.3 billion.

Foresters Life Insurance

& Annuity Company

Raritan Plaza 1

Suite 900S

Edison, NJ 08818

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Gerber Life

Gerber Life Insurance Company, based in the state of New York, has been in business since 1968.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Gerber Life had assets of $3.7 billion and liabilities of $3.4 billion.

Gerber Life

Insurance Company

445 State Street

Fremont, MI 49412

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Grange Life

Grange Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Ohio, has been in business since 1968.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Grange Life had assets of $412.1 million and liabilities of $72.5 million.

Granger Life

Insurance Company

671 S. High Street

Columbus, OH 43206

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

John Hancock

John Hancock Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Massachusetts, has been in business since 1956.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, John Hancock had assets of $242.8 billion and liabilities of $234.7 billion.

John Hancock

Life Insurance Company

197 Clarendon Street

Boston, MA 02116

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

LifeShield National

LifeShield National Insurance Company, based in the state of Oklahoma, has been in business since 1982.


The company holds a “B++" (Good) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, LifeShield National had assets of $78.7 million and liabilities of $26.2 million.

LifeShield National

Insurance Company

5701 N. Shartel

Oklahoma City, OK 73118

A.M. Best

B++ (Good)

Lincoln National

Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Indiana, has been in business since 1905.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Lincoln National had assets of $239.8 billion and liabilities of $231.9 billion.

Lincoln National

Life Insurance Company

1300 S. Clinton Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

Minnesota Life

Minnesota Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Minnesota, has been in business since 1880.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Minnesota Life had assets of $46.4 billion and liabilities of $43.3 billion.

Minnesota Life

Insurance Company

400 Robert Street N.

St. Paul, MN 55101

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, based in the state of Nebraska, has been in business since 1910.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Mutual of Omaha had assets of $7.8 billion and liabilities of $4.6 billion.

Mutual of Omaha

Insurance Company

3300 Mutual of Omaha Plaza

Omaha, NE 68175

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

North American

North American Company for Life & Health Insurance, based in the state of Iowa, has been in business since 1886.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, North American had assets of $25.6 billion and liabilities of $24.2 billion.

North American Company

for Life & Health Insurance

One Sammons Plaza

Sioux Falls, SD 57193

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

Oxford Life

Oxford Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Arizona, has been in business since 1968.


The company holds an “A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Oxford Life had assets of $1.9 billion and liabilities of $1.7 billion.

Oxford Life

Insurance Company

2721 N. Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004

A.M. Best

A- (Excellent)

Phoenix Life

Phoenix Life & Annuity Company, based in the state of Connecticut, has been in business since 1981.


The company holds an “B" (Fair) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Phoenix Life had assets of $31.1 million and liabilities of $20.9 million.

Phoenix Life &

Annuity Company

One American Row

Hartford, CT 06103

A.M. Best

B (Fair)

Principal Life

Principal Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Iowa, has been in business since 1879.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Principal Life had assets of $189.0 billion and liabilities of $184.0 billion.

Principal Life

Insurance Company

711 High Street

Des Moines, IA 50392

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

Protective Life

Protective Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Alabama, has been in business since 1907.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Protective Life had assets of $47.6 billion and liabilities of $43.3 billion.

Protective Life

Insurance Company

PO Box 12687

Birmingham, AL 35202

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

Prudential

Prudential Financial based in the state of New Jersey, has been in business since 1875.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2018, Prudential Financial had assets of $822.7 billion and liabilities of $775.6 billion.

Prudential Financial

200 Wood Avenue S.

Iselin, NJ 08830

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

Royal Neighbors

Royal Neighbors of America, based in the state of Illinois, has been in business since 1895.


The company holds an “A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Royal Neighbors had assets of $1.0 billion and liabilities of $814.5 million.

Royal Neighbors

of America

230 16th Street

Rock Island, IL 61201

A.M. Best

A- (Excellent)

Sagicor Life

Sagicor Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Arizona, has been in business since 1954.


The company holds an “A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Sagicor Life had assets of $1.1 billion and liabilities of $1.0 billion.

Sagicor Life

Insurance Company

4343 N. Scottdale Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

A.M. Best

A- (Excellent)

SBLI

The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts, based in the state of Massachusetts, has been in business since 1992.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, SBLI had assets of $3.0 billion and liabilities of $2.8 billion.

The Savings Bank Life Insurance

Company of Massachusetts

One Linscott Road

Woburn, MA 01801

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Security National

Security National Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Utah, has been in business since 1967.


The company holds an “A" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Security National had assets of $584.6 million and liabilities of $548.3 million.

Security National Life

Insurance Company

5300 South 360 West

Salt Lake City, UT 84123

A.M. Best

A (Excellent)

Transamerica

Transamerica Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Iowa, has been in business since 1962.


The company holds an “A+" (Superior) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, Transamerica had assets of $125.3 billion and liabilities of $119.8 billion.

Transamerica Life

Insurance Company

4333 Englewood Rd NE

Cedar Rapids, LA 52499

A.M. Best

A+ (Superior)

United Home Life

United Home Life Insurance Company, based in the state of Indiana, has been in business since 1948.


The company holds an “A-" (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best, and offers life, accident, and health insurance products.


As of 2017, United Home Life had assets of $92.7 million and liabilities of $73.3 million.

United Home Life

Insurance Company

225 South East Street

Indianapolis, IN 46202

A.M. Best

A- (Excellent)

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