Last Updated: November 22nd, 2025
The best life insurance companies of 2025 include Corebridge for flexible term options, Banner for low-cost policies, and Pacific Life for universal life insurance. All maintain A+ ratings and competitive rates. This guide compares the top 10 providers based on 30 years of industry expertise, helping you find the right coverage for your needs, health situation, and budget.
There are about 750 life insurance companies in the United States today. How do you know which company is the best for you? That’s exactly why we created this expert ranking.
As an independent broker with over 30 years of industry experience, we work with more than 40 life insurance companies. We’ve identified the Top 10 that consistently deliver the best combination of low rates, high ratings, and excellent customer service. While they’re all good companies, we wouldn’t work with them otherwise, some are better suited for specific situations than others.
This guide covers the 10 best life insurance companies for 2025. We’ll show you which company is best for your specific situation, whether you need affordable term life insurance, no-exam coverage, permanent policies, or specialized options for health conditions.
Top 10 Best Life Insurance Companies
| Rank | Company | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corebridge (formerly AIG) | Flexible Term Options |
| 2 | Banner | Low-Cost Term Policies |
| 3 | Transamerica | No Medical Exam |
| 4 | Mutual of Omaha | Customizing with Riders |
| 5 | Lincoln Financial Group | Breadth of Services |
| 6 | Prudential | Military Families |
| 7 | Protective | Price and Variety |
| 8 | Pacific Life | Universal Life Insurance |
| 9 | North American | Indexed Universal Life (IUL) |
| 10 | John Hancock | Wellness Programs |
All of our Top 10 best life insurance companies consistently deliver the lowest life insurance rates available. They also maintain the highest ratings as providers, with A+ or A ratings from independent agencies. While we may recommend one provider over another depending on a client’s specific needs, age, health, and budget, we’d still be looking first at the companies in this list.
Corebridge (Formerly AIG Direct)
Corebridge Financial, formerly known as AIG Life and Retirement, rebranded in 2022 but continues to be one of the largest and most established life insurance providers in the United States. The company holds an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best and manages over $393 billion in assets with 4.4 million policyholders.
What sets Corebridge apart is its exceptional flexibility in term life insurance options. Most companies offer standard 10, 20, and 30-year terms. Corebridge offers 18 different term length possibilities, ranging from 10 years to any length from 15 to 30 years, or even 35 years. This flexibility allows you to match your coverage precisely to your needs, whether you’re protecting a mortgage, supporting children through college, or covering any other specific timeframe.
Corebridge also stands out for its favorable underwriting practices. The company tends to be more lenient with weight classifications compared to other insurers. If you’re on the border of a higher weight class with one company, you may save thousands with Corebridge by qualifying for a better rating.
Corebridge offers:
- Term life insurance with 18 different length options
- Universal life insurance
- Indexed universal life insurance
- Whole life insurance
- Guaranteed issue whole life (ages 50-80)
- Final expense insurance
Policies are still underwritten by American General Life Insurance Company, which has been serving customers since 1951. Despite the name change, you’re getting the same reliable coverage from a company with decades of experience.
Banner Life
Banner Life Insurance has been around since 1949 and has built a solid reputation for offering some of the most competitive term life insurance rates in the industry. With more than $456 billion in active life insurance policies and a consistent A+ rating from A.M. Best, Banner Life is a heavyweight in the term life insurance market.
Banner Life focuses on two main types of policies that give you flexible protection. Their term life insurance products are straightforward and affordable, making them an excellent choice for families and individuals looking for maximum coverage at the lowest possible cost.
The company also offers Universal Life Insurance through their First Step policy, which provides some flexibility in your insurance protection. This gives you options as your life circumstances change over time.
Banner Life specializes in:
- Term life insurance with highly competitive rates
- Universal life insurance
- Conversion options to permanent coverage
If you’re looking for affordable term life insurance and qualify for standard or better health ratings, Banner Life should be at the top of your comparison list. Their rates consistently rank among the lowest in the industry for healthy applicants.
Transamerica
Aside from their A+ rating and generally great rates, Transamerica stands out because they’re one of the few major providers to offer both traditional term life insurance with a physical exam or no physical exam options. This flexibility opens the door to people who are concerned about their privacy or who may have health conditions that make traditional underwriting challenging.
With a legacy that goes back almost 110 years, Transamerica serves over 14 million customers and offers one of the most comprehensive product lineups in the industry. You can compare all of their policies side-by-side on their website, making it easier to understand your options.
Transamerica offers every type of life insurance policy:
- Term life insurance with or without an exam
- Final expense insurance
- Indexed universal life insurance
- Whole life insurance
Of course, choosing the no-exam option will generally increase your rates compared to taking the medical exam. However, having the choice is valuable. Many people prefer the convenience and speed of approval that comes with no-exam policies, even if it means paying a bit more.
Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha offers a wide variety of policies along with a diverse array of riders to help customize your coverage. You can add long-term care insurance, disability insurance, critical illness coverage, and much more to your life insurance policy. This makes Mutual of Omaha a great choice for anyone looking to get comprehensive protection beyond just a death benefit.
The company’s website simplifies the process of choosing a plan, getting a quote, and applying for coverage. Everything is designed to make the experience as straightforward as possible, which is refreshing in an industry that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Mutual of Omaha provides:
- Term life insurance
- Whole life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Final expense insurance
- Extensive rider options for customization
One thing to keep in mind is that applicants with pre-existing medical conditions can probably get a better deal somewhere else. Mutual of Omaha’s strength lies in their rider options and the ability to bundle different types of protection, rather than in specialized underwriting for health conditions.
Lincoln Financial Group
As a leader in the financial services industry, Lincoln Financial isn’t just known for life insurance. The company has some of the best life insurance policies on the market, along with a full suite of financial planning and wealth management services.
Lincoln offers all the traditional options for life insurance, and they have some unique options such as their LifeGuarantee UL and the Lincoln Life Reserve. As a financial services leader, Lincoln specializes in plans that include an investment component, giving you the ability to build cash value while protecting your family.
Lincoln Financial offers:
- Term life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Variable universal life
- Indexed universal life
- No-exam term conversion options
They also offer a no-exam term conversion policy that doesn’t require medical underwriting if you qualify based on your health and other factors. If you’re looking for life insurance as part of a broader financial plan, Lincoln’s integrated approach to wealth management and insurance can be particularly valuable.
Prudential
You’ve seen their commercials with the rock logo, but that’s not why they made our list. Marketing aside, Prudential is a genuinely great company that boasts an A+ rating from A.M. Best. The company has been in business for over 140 years and holds more policies than just about any other company in the United States.
What really sets Prudential apart is their commitment to serving military families. Prudential offers full insurance coverage for our armed service men and women overseas in combat, something very few companies do. They also offer non-smoker’s rates to people who chew tobacco, which can save you significantly since smoker rates are typically much higher.
Prudential provides:
- Term life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Variable universal life
- Whole life insurance
- Military-friendly policies
Prudential’s combination of financial strength, product variety, and special considerations for military families makes them a top choice. Whether you need basic term coverage or a more complex permanent policy with investment features, Prudential has options to consider.
Protective Life
Protective Life has been in the business since 1907 and boasts credentials similar to other top-rated companies on our list. With more than $427 billion in life insurance policies in force and an A.M. Best A+ rating, Protective Life has both the financial strength and track record you want in an insurance partner.
Protective Life offers some of the lowest life insurance rates around while still maintaining excellent financial ratings. This combination of competitive pricing and financial stability is hard to beat.
Protective Life sells:
- Basic term plans
- Universal life insurance
- Variable universal life
- Whole life insurance
The company’s variety of policy options means you can find coverage whether you need simple term protection or a more sophisticated permanent policy with cash value accumulation. Their competitive rates make them particularly attractive for families looking to maximize their death benefit while keeping premiums affordable.
Pacific Life
Founded in 1868, Pacific Life has nearly 160 years of experience providing life insurance and retirement solutions. The company holds an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best and has earned the same high rating from all four major rating agencies, putting them in elite company among life insurance providers.
Pacific Life is the national leader in indexed universal life insurance sales, and they specialize in universal life products of all types. This makes them an excellent choice if you’re looking for permanent life insurance with flexible premium options and cash value growth potential.
Pacific Life excels in:
- Term life insurance (10, 20, and 30-year options)
- Universal life insurance
- Variable universal life insurance
- Indexed universal life insurance
- Survivorship policies for estate planning
One important note is that Pacific Life does not offer whole life insurance. However, their strength in universal life products more than makes up for this. The company scored above average in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study and receives far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
Pacific Life’s universal life policies offer competitive rates and strong accumulation potential. Their indexed universal life products are particularly attractive for those who want growth potential tied to market performance with downside protection.
North American
North American Company for Life and Health Insurance has been serving customers since 1886. As part of the Sammons Financial Group, North American is privately held and employee-owned, which means they’re not subject to the short-term earnings pressures that publicly traded companies face. This allows them to focus on long-term customer relationships and product quality.
The company holds A+ ratings from A.M. Best, S&P Global, and Fitch Ratings, demonstrating exceptional financial strength. With over $35 billion in assets and more than 600,000 policies in force, North American has the stability and experience to honor its commitments.
North American specializes in:
- Term life insurance
- Indexed universal life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Fixed and indexed annuities
North American is particularly strong in indexed universal life (IUL) products. Their Builder Plus IUL and Smart Builder IUL policies are designed to provide both death benefit protection and cash accumulation potential. These policies can be attractive if you’re looking for tax-advantaged growth along with life insurance protection.
The company receives far fewer complaints than expected for its size, with a NAIC complaint index of just 0.37. This means they receive only about one-third of the complaints expected for a provider of their size, indicating strong customer service and claims handling.
John Hancock
John Hancock has been protecting families since 1862, making it one of the oldest and most established insurance companies in America. As part of Manulife since 2004, John Hancock serves over 3.5 million policyholders and holds an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best.
What truly sets John Hancock apart is their innovative Vitality wellness program. This unique program rewards you for healthy living with premium discounts of up to 25%, along with rewards like fitness tracker discounts, Amazon gift cards, and even access to early cancer screening tests. John Hancock was the first life insurance company to offer the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test to eligible policyholders.
John Hancock offers:
- Term life insurance (available to age 80)
- Universal life insurance
- Indexed universal life insurance
- Variable universal life insurance
- Vitality wellness program
- Aspire program for diabetes management
The company also offers the Aspire program specifically designed for individuals living with diabetes. This program provides premium discounts and health management support, recognizing that well-managed diabetes shouldn’t necessarily result in significantly higher premiums.
John Hancock is also favorable for applicants with a family history of heart disease and offers non-tobacco rates for cigar and pipe smokers, which can save thousands compared to standard smoker rates. While John Hancock doesn’t offer whole life insurance, their range of universal and term products provides plenty of options for most needs.
Best Life Insurance Company Ratings
It’s hard to talk about top insurers without mentioning their ratings. All our providers have earned high marks from the life insurance rating agencies. After a while, all the As and A-pluses start to sound repetitive. But we keep pointing them out because ratings should influence the provider you choose.
Independent rating agencies get an inside look at each insurance company. Their grades tell us a lot about a company’s strength and stability. This matters to you as a shopper because all the time you spend looking for the right policy, and all the money you spend on premiums, will help your family only if the insurance company you chose is strong enough to pay the claim when your family needs it.
A company that has earned an A or better is usually financially strong and well-managed. Such a company is more likely to be there when you need it than a company that has earned a B or lower.
Company Rating Scales
Each of the four independent rating agencies has its own grading scale. If diligence is your thing, and why shouldn’t it be with something as important as life insurance, you should get to know a little about the rating agencies and their scales.
For example:
- A.M. Best’s top rating is A++, and its lowest rating is F
- Fitch uses a scale of AAA down to D
- Moody’s rates on a scale of Aaa to C
- Standard & Poor’s rates companies from AAA down to D
This seems simple enough until you start comparing companies that have been rated by different agencies. An A+ is A.M. Best’s second-highest classification, while the same A+ is Fitch’s fifth-highest grade. If this is too much nuance for you, just remember that you can always play it safe by staying away from companies that have Bs or lower.
Other Ratings To Think About
The four rating agencies offer a valuable inside look at an insurance provider’s strength and stability. You can also learn a lot from people who don’t have that kind of access, the company’s customers.
Customer reviews on sites such as Trustpilot, Facebook, and many others can tell you a lot about how a company treats its customers. Keep in mind that not every customer leaves a review, so you may be getting a skewed perspective. But if you see the same trends appearing in a lot of reviews, you may want to take it seriously.
For a more measured analysis of the way a company does business, you can check with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB rates life insurance companies based on customer experiences. The Better Business Bureau grades life insurance companies from A+ down to F, and your city may have a local BBB office if you’d like to learn more. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners provides complaint data and consumer resources to help you research insurance companies.
Types Of Life Insurance
Not all insurance providers sell every type of protection. Before digging into our Top 10 life companies and choosing the company you’d like to partner with, let’s find out what kind of coverage you need.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Term Life Insurance
If life insurance coverage were a car, term life would be your basic model, the one without leather seats, power windows, or a moonroof. Term life gets you coverage without all the bells and whistles.
With term life insurance, you buy a policy that lasts a specific period of time. During that time you have coverage. After the term period ends, you have to either convert your policy to a permanent one or reapply for a new term policy.
Term life policies are usually more affordable than permanent policies. They also let you buy a lot of insurance when you need it, say when your kids are young and financially dependent, then buy less when your term expires and you no longer need as much coverage.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Whole Life Insurance
Whole life coverage can remain in place throughout your life. Part of the premiums you pay fund an investment-type product that has a cash value. You can use this value to pay future premiums, to borrow against like you would any other asset, or to cash out later in life.
Because they last so long, and because of this added cash value, whole life policies usually cost more than term life policies. If you’re older, the cost is even higher since the insurance company likely has less time to collect your premiums.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Universal Life Insurance
Like whole life, universal life insurance is permanent and accrues cash value. But unlike a whole policy, universal life offers some flexibility in your coverage amount and your premiums during the life of the policy. As your life changes, you can change your life insurance coverage to match your needs.
Universal life comes in several varieties. Standard universal life offers flexible premiums and death benefits with interest credited to your cash value. Indexed universal life ties your cash value growth to market index performance with downside protection. Variable universal life lets you invest your cash value in subaccounts similar to mutual funds.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Burial Insurance or Final Expense Insurance
Burial insurance, sometimes called final expense insurance, can pay for funeral expenses and other final bills that you may leave behind. It is attractive for people who don’t need a lot of life insurance but would like to prevent their loved ones from having to pay for their funeral and unpaid bills.
These plans are much smaller than the average life insurance policy. Different insurers have different coverage limits, but most cap out around $25,000 to $35,000 in coverage. Final expense policies typically don’t require a medical exam, making them accessible to seniors and those with health conditions.
Best Life Insurance Companies for No Exam Life Insurance
No exam life insurance is exactly what it sounds like, life insurance without the medical exam. This is an attractive product if you have medical problems that would make a medically underwritten policy too expensive or if you simply prefer the convenience and speed of getting coverage without scheduling an exam.
But if you’re young and healthy, you’ll probably pay more for less coverage with a no-exam policy. Underwriters won’t know about your good health, so they price these policies more conservatively. Transamerica offers some of the best no-exam options among major carriers.
Best Life Insurance Companies for High-Risk Categories
The 10 companies we’ve listed have strength, stability, and a strong reputation, all qualities you’d want in a life insurance partner. But life insurance is personal. It’s important to consider your specific needs before deciding on a company.
Insurance underwriters consider your health, your family’s health history, your occupation, your driving record, and many other factors in order to decide whether they want you as a customer. If you’re young, in perfect health, and have no pre-existing conditions, then you won’t have to look far for affordable life insurance. Most of us aren’t this ideal applicant, though, so we like to match our clients with companies that are most likely to treat them favorably.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Smokers
People who smoke comprise the biggest category of high-risk applicants. Millions of smokers buy life insurance every year. Some companies triple their life insurance rates for smokers, so finding a company that doesn’t increase rates as much can save you thousands.
One of the best companies for smokers is Banner Life. They offer more affordable smoking rates than other companies. Yes, you’re still going to pay more than a non-smoker, but you should still get the lowest rates possible for someone who smokes.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Diabetics
Underwriters also place people who have type 2 diabetes into a high-risk category. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, the life insurance quotes you get could be all across the board depending on how well your condition is managed.
One company that tends to offer the lowest premiums for diabetics is Corebridge, formerly known as American General. We mentioned them above for their lenient weight classes, but they are also a great choice for anyone with diabetes. Their underwriting considers factors like your A1C levels, how long you’ve had the condition, and whether you have any complications.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Applicants Who Are Overweight
Your body mass index is another key factor in your insurance application. If you’re overweight, you could be placed in a higher-risk category and, as a result, pay higher premiums.
As we stated above, Corebridge has been known to place applicants who are on the borderline between two weight categories into the category that favors the applicant. If you’re in this situation, be sure Corebridge is on your list of companies to consider.
Life Insurance Basics
With all the bills you already have to pay, it’s understandable that a lot of people would rather avoid buying life insurance. It’s just another monthly bill you have to pay, right?
Yet every year we hear stories of families that have unexpectedly lost a loved one. They are devastated, and on top of that, they have no way to pay all the bills left behind.
The basics of life insurance are that it offers an affordable way to protect your family from financial pain if you die and are no longer there to provide. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your family will be taken care of is invaluable.
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
When you’ve decided which company works best for you, it’s time to start thinking about your coverage. There’s no one-size-fits-all life insurance plan, and that’s a good thing. You should customize your coverage to meet your specific needs and your budget.
These issues should help determine the size of your policy:
How much debt would I leave behind? Do you have a mortgage or other large debt? If so, you can use your life insurance coverage to help your loved ones cover that expense. This ensures they won’t lose the family home or struggle with credit card debt during an already difficult time.
How many people rely on your salary? If your spouse and children depend on you financially, your life insurance policy should reflect that. Your loved ones need to continue paying the bills while adjusting to life without you. Consider your annual income and multiply it by the number of years until your dependents become financially independent.
What about future plans? If you plan to pay for your children’s college by saving money over the next 15 years, but you die unexpectedly before you can save the money, your life insurance coverage could provide those funds. Think about all the financial goals you’re working toward and factor them into your coverage amount.
Most financial experts suggest that your life insurance coverage should be at least 10 times your annual income. This rule of thumb helps ensure your family maintains their standard of living for a reasonable period after your death.
Getting the Best Rates for Life Insurance
We all want to save money whenever we can, and life insurance is no different. You can still get quality coverage while keeping your premiums affordable.
Compare Rates from the Best Life Insurance Companies
Start by comparing rates. Each company prices its policies differently. A company that offers the best deal on a 10-year policy may not offer the best rate on a 30-year policy. Be sure to get quotes from several companies because the first quote you see will not likely be the lowest quote you can get.
Compare Health Ratings
Insurance companies base their rates on your health and other factors, but they don’t all go about it the same way. If you receive a sub-standard rating with one company, it doesn’t mean you’ll receive that rating with every company on your list. Yet another reason to get and compare several different quotes.
Lower Your Risk
If you can lower your risk, do so. Smoking, for example, raises your insurance premiums because it’s so bad for your health. If you could kick the habit, you could pay less for insurance while simultaneously improving your health.
Similarly, shedding a few pounds can keep some extra bills in your wallet. Getting regular exercise and getting on a healthy diet will work wonders for your health and your premiums if you’re shopping for a new policy.
While you’re comparing companies, you can work on lowering your cholesterol, your blood pressure, and your weight by exercising and making better food choices. Then, when you get your medical exam that’s required to finalize your coverage, underwriters can place you in a better category which leads to better rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 rated life insurance company?
There’s no single “#1” company because different insurers excel in different areas. Our top three are Corebridge for flexible term options, Banner for low-cost policies, and Pacific Life for universal life insurance. The best company for you depends on your age, health, and coverage needs.
Which life insurance company has the best rates?
Rates vary significantly based on your age, health, and policy type. Banner Life consistently offers the lowest rates for healthy applicants seeking term coverage. Corebridge tends to offer better rates for applicants with diabetes or weight concerns. The only way to find your lowest rate is to compare quotes from multiple top-rated companies.
What is the most trusted life insurance company?
All of our Top 10 companies maintain A+ or A ratings from independent agencies, indicating strong financial stability. Pacific Life, Prudential, and North American have particularly long histories, each serving customers for over 130 years. Trust also comes from low complaint ratios, and North American excels here with only one-third the expected complaint volume.
Do I need a medical exam for life insurance?
Not always. Transamerica offers excellent no-exam life insurance options, as does Corebridge for their guaranteed issue products. If you’re in good health, taking the medical exam usually results in lower premiums because the insurer can accurately assess your risk.
Which life insurance is best for seniors?
Final expense insurance is often best for seniors over 65 who primarily want to cover funeral costs and final bills. These policies typically range from $5,000 to $35,000 and don’t require medical exams. Transamerica, Corebridge, and Mutual of Omaha all offer good final expense options.
How do I know which life insurance company is best for me?
The best company depends on your unique situation. Working with an independent broker like Best Life Quote allows you to compare quotes from all top-rated carriers at once. We match you with the company most likely to offer you the best rates based on your age, health, and coverage needs.
What’s the difference between term and whole life insurance?
Term life insurance covers you for a specific period (10, 20, or 30 years) and is generally more affordable. Whole life insurance lasts your entire life and builds cash value, but costs significantly more. Term is best for temporary needs like mortgage protection, while whole life works for permanent needs like estate planning.
Can I get life insurance if I have diabetes or other health conditions?
Yes, absolutely. Corebridge specializes in underwriting for diabetics and those with health conditions. They consider factors like how well your condition is managed rather than just the diagnosis itself. John Hancock even offers a special Aspire program with premium discounts for people with well-managed diabetes.
Key Takeaways
Here are the most important points to remember about choosing the best life insurance company:
Corebridge offers exceptional flexibility with 18 different term length options ranging from 10 to 35 years, allowing you to match your coverage precisely to your needs. They’re also favorable for applicants with diabetes or weight concerns.
Banner Life consistently provides the lowest-cost term life insurance policies for healthy applicants, making them an excellent choice for families looking to maximize their death benefit while keeping premiums affordable.
Pacific Life leads the nation in universal life insurance sales and holds A+ ratings from all four major rating agencies. They’re your best option if you’re looking for permanent life insurance with flexible premiums and strong cash value accumulation.
North American specializes in indexed universal life products and receives only one-third the expected complaint volume, indicating exceptional customer service. Their private ownership structure allows them to focus on long-term customer relationships rather than short-term profits.
John Hancock’s innovative Vitality wellness program can save you up to 25% on premiums for healthy living. They were the first insurer to offer multi-cancer early detection testing and have specialized programs for people with diabetes.
All Top 10 companies maintain A+ or A financial strength ratings, demonstrating their ability to pay claims. Your best choice ultimately depends on your age, health status, and the type of coverage you need. Working with an independent broker ensures you compare options from all top carriers to find your lowest rate.
Ready to find your perfect life insurance match? Our independent advisors compare rates from all top-rated carriers to find you the best coverage at the lowest price.
Use our quote calculator on this page to get started.
Buying Your Policy from the Best Life Insurance Company
Let Best Life Quote help. We aren’t your typical insurance company. We’re independent insurance advisors who work with over 40 of the nation’s top-rated carriers.
If you are ready to start comparing quotes, use our life insurance calculator on this page. It’s our goal to help you find the best life insurance company with the best rates and customer service tailored to your specific situation.
