In putting together any financial plan, it is likely that most people should at least consider life insurance.
One reason for is loved ones and survivors can use the cash from the proceeds to help avoid financial hardship.
You may not have heard of AXA, but they are still worth considering.
Unlike other companies like Gerber or GEICO, you might not recognize the logo. But they still offer great life insurance plans.
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Review
If you are considering the purchase of a life insurance policy, keep in mind these few tips before you make a commitment on coverage.
For example, you will want to select the right type of life insurance protection. As well as the proper amount for your loved ones’ anticipated needs.
In addition, review the insurance company that you are thinking about purchasing the life insurance coverage from.
Once you’ve completed a review, you hope to find a carrier that is historically balanced. Locate one that is consistent on the financial side and speedy in claims payouts.
One insurer that exceeds all marks is AXA.
History of AXA Insurance Company
AXA has a long history in the insurance and financial services world. Since 1859, this company has been assisting both families and businesses to take small and manageable steps towards their financial security.
The company began as the Equitable Life Insurance Society of America when its founder, Henry Hyde, left the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York to branch out on his own.
After only its first ten years, Equitable had written more new business than any other company in the world.
Equitable has been a pioneer in offering and developing products and services that meet customers’ needs.
For instance, the company began to market the first joint and survivor annuity in the early 1880s.
The company also pioneered the practice of paying out death benefit claims immediately.
Likewise, Equitable introduced variable life insurance. This type of insurance provides the opportunity to grow cash value based on the performance of underlying equities.
Equitable is one of the most well-respected insurance and financial services companies worldwide. They also collected a long list of achievements and accolades.
For example, Equitable supported the American College in launching the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) professional designation program.
AXA Company Review
Today, AXA is lauded as a global leader in insurance and asset management.
The firm operates in 59 different countries around the globe, with 161,000 employees, and more than 103 million customers.
As of year-end 2014, AXA had 1,277 billion in total assets under management, with 92 billion in revenue for that year.
Going forward, AXA has three strategic priorities. These include:
- Acceleration – The company aims to increase its agility in order to expand in emerging and fast-growing markets, and to leap forward in direct insurance.
- Selectivity – The company also plans to allocate its resources to support the development of products and services that are closest to what its customers need.
- Efficiency – AXA also aims to control its costs and to implement its ambitious investment program, particularly in the digital area.
Insurer Ratings and Better Business Bureau Grade for AXA
Thanks to its financial strength and its timely payout of claims, AXA Equitable has earned top ratings from insurance rating lists. These include a(n):
- A (Excellent) – A.M. Best Company
- A+ (Strong) – Fitch
- A1 (Good) – Moody’s
- A+ (Strong) -Standard & Poor’s
In addition, AXA Financial, Inc. got its BBB accreditation in 1937. And the BBB has provided AXA with a grade of A+.
Over a three year period, AXA closed a total of thirty-six customer complaints via the Better Business Bureau. Five of these came in the last twelve months.
Of thirty-six total customer complaints, twenty-eight involved the company’s products/services. Three were in relation to delivery issues, some were billing and/or collection issues, and the final two voiced displeasure with sales/advertising.
Life Insurance Products Offered By AXA
AXA offers a wide array of life insurance coverage alternatives. These include both term and permanent insurance protection options. With term life insurance, your protection lasts a specified length of time; usually between ten to thirty years. What makes this version cheaper is that no cash is built up during the span of the term.
This is particularly the case for those who are younger and healthy at the time of the policy application.
Term Life Insurance from AXA
The BrightLife Term life insurance policy is available through AXA. This policy offers affordable premiums that are guaranteed to remain level for years in increments of five until twenty years is up. After the stated term has elapsed, the premiums will rise each year. It will change based upon the insured’s then-current age and health status.
The term policy that is offered through AXA offers the ability to covert over to a permanent plan. This can then provide lifelong insurance protection. In addition, the ability to accumulate cash value on a tax-deferred basis.
For no added premium, the insured may add the Living Benefits Rider (LBR). This rider allows the policyholder to receive a portion of the policy’s death benefit if the insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness. (It is important to note that this rider is not available with the BrightLife TermOne, one-year annual renewable term policy).
Permanent Life Insurance from AXA
AXA also offers several different permanent policy options. With permanent plans, there is death benefit coverage, as well as cash value or investment build up. The growth in the cash value portion of the policy is tax-deferred. This takes away tax due on any gain until you withdraw the funds.
The permanent life protection offered through AXA include the following:
- Whole Life
- Universal Life
- Variable Universal Life
As the most basic of permanent options, whole life insurance provides a flat death benefit cash value that grows over time, based on the carrier’s rate. The death benefit on a whole life insurance policy will remain in force for life. Just make sure you pay the premium.
The amount of the premium that is owed on a whole life insurance policy will remain set regardless of the insured’s increasing age over time. It remains even if he or she is diagnosed with an adverse health condition.
AXA offers an Interest Sensitive Whole Life insurance policy option. Interest Sensitive is great because your cash value is guaranteed. And if you make it to 100 years old, then it will be the same as your face value. It could even be more depending on additional interest.
Depending on the needs of the insured, this policy can also be “customized”. This is done by adding one or more of several policy riders. (Typically, these riders will cost an additional amount of premium).
Universal Life Insurance from AXA
AXA also offers universal life insurance coverage. These policies provide death benefit protection for life. The premium continues to be paid as well as cash value build-up.
Universal life insurance, however, has more variety than whole life. The policyholder can change the timing of the premium due date. They may also be able to decide how much of their premium dollars fall in the benefit bracket or cash value side of the bracket.
The universal life insurance plans that are offered through AXA include:
- BrightLife Protect – flexible premium, cost-effective life insurance policy option that offers protection for your entire life and the possible growth of cash value.
- BrightLife Grow – The BrightLife Grow is also a flexible premium plan that offers the potential for cash value growth via an interest crediting linked to major market indexed. That way, the policyholder is able to participate in the upside potential of the equities markets with built-in guaranteed downside protection.
Another type of permanent life insurance – variable universal life – is offered through AXA. Variable universal life insurance offers death benefit protection. Also, the potential to build up cash value via the policy holder’s choice of underlying portfolios. The portfolios offer differing levels of risk and growth potential.
You can credit any of the earnings generated from the underlying investment options to the policy’s cash value.
The variable universal life insurance policy options available through AXA include the IncentiveLife Optimizer lll and the IncentiveLife Legacy lll.
AXA Other Products and Services Available
Along with providing a long list of life insurance policy options, AXA also offers the following:
- Variable Annuities – Variable annuities provide the opportunity for market appreciation through a variety of investment options on a tax-deferred basis. These products can also offer future retirement income. Possibly even an income stream that cannot be outlived, regardless of how long it is needed.
- Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) – Through AXA, there can be several Individual Retirement Account options to choose from. These include Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs, as well as Coverdell College Savings Accounts.
- Mutual Funds – AXA offers numerous mutual fund investment options. The 1290 Funds bring the expertise of diverse investment management firms. This helps individual investors with building a well-diversified portfolio. The Partner mutual fund families offer diverse investment objectives and philosophies. They are designed to meet personal financial and investment goals.
- Brokerage and Advisory Accounts – There are numerous financial products and services available through AXA. Because of that, portfolios can be designed to fit nearly any type of need or goal.
Life Insurance Coverage Through AXA Company
If you’re reading this post, you are probably in the process of finding the best premium rates on life insurance coverage through AXA. We recommend that you work with an independent life insurance agent. An agent can show you side-by-side comparisons of different companies and prices. From there, you can choose the one that works best for you and for your budget.
When you are ready to move forward, we can help. We are an independent life insurance brokerage. This allows us to be an appointment with numerous insurance companies. We can give you a personalized quote very quickly and easily. So if you are ready to proceed, then just fill in some information on our quote form on the right.
If you still have concerns after reading this article please reach out to us. We are available toll-free by dialing 800-712-8519.
We grasp that the purchase of a life insurance policy can be somewhat overwhelming. There are so many different options that you can choose from. And you want to make sure that you are investing in the plan that will work the best for your loved ones’ future needs.
But the good news is that this process can be made so much easier. All you need to do is work with an ally on your side. Reach out to one of our agents now!.
