Does it matter what life insurance company you use?

Asked by: Annamarie Oberbrunner  |  Last update: December 3, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (43 votes)

As a general rule, you should buy from a company licensed in your state, because then you can rely on your state insurance department to help if there's a problem. And if the insurance company becomes insolvent, your state's life insurance guaranty fund will help only policyholders of companies it has licensed.

Does it matter what company you get life insurance from?

You want to be sure that the insurer can pay your family's future claims when necessary, even if that's decades into the future. Independent agencies such as A.M. Best, Moody's, Standard & Poor's (S&P), and Fitch Ratings rate life insurance companies and evaluate their financial strength.

Do life insurance companies share information with each other?

The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is a cooperative database created by life insurance companies to exchange confidential coded data about medical conditions and risk factors to alert insurers of potential omissions or errors in applicants' reported medical histories.

What happens if I switch life insurance companies?

If you switch life insurance providers, you'll face a new two-year contestability period. Switching to a new provider means you will have to pay the upfront fees again. Your current provider is likely able to convert, replace or supplement your existing policy to achieve coverage that meets your needs.

How do I know which life insurance to get?

If budgeting is your biggest concern, term life insurance may be the best choice. If you have many dependents, whole life insurance may be a better route. However, if financial planning and cash value are most important to you, universal life insurance may be a strong option.

Life Insurance Agent Explains: How WE CHOOSE Life Insurance Companies | Wealth Nation

25 related questions found

What cancels out a life insurance policy?

If you decide to cancel your term life insurance, the process is usually pretty simple. One of the most effective ways to cancel is by stopping your premium payments. Simply stop sending in the checks. If you have automatic payments set up, you may need to call the insurance company to end these transfers.

Should I change my life insurance provider?

Changing life insurance provider might be a good idea if your circumstances change. Before you shop around, you may want to talk to your existing provider to see if they can provide a better deal. Sticking with them can save you the effort of medical checks or paying surrender fees.

Does it cost money to switch insurance companies?

By giving proper notice, you'll generally be able to switch carriers in the middle of a coverage period. The carrier refunds the unused part of the premium, although some companies may charge a small fee or penalty.

What is the 80% rule 1 point?

The 80% rule means that an insurer will only fully cover the cost of damage to a house if the owner has purchased insurance coverage equal to at least 80% of the house's total replacement value.

Can you have two life insurance companies?

Can you have more than one life insurance policy? Yes, you can have more than one life insurance policy at a time. While many people receive enough protection with one policy, obtaining multiple life insurance policies can be beneficial after certain life events, as part of your estate planning, and other situations.

What life insurance companies don t tell you?

7 Things Insurance Companies Don't Want You to Know
  • Profit Over Protection: The Fine Line. ...
  • The Claim Game: A Complex Web. ...
  • Hidden Exclusions: Reading Between the Lines. ...
  • Rate Hikes: The Silent Squeeze. ...
  • Underwriting Secrets: The Power of Information. ...
  • Discounts, but at What Cost? ...
  • The Myth of Total Coverage: Gaps and Ambiguities.

Who is the top 10 insurance company?

Direct written premiums in 2023, according to NAIC
  • UnitedHealth Group (including UnitedHealthcare) $248,763,012,672.
  • Elevance Health Inc. ( formerly Anthem) ...
  • Centene Corp. $102,711,951,802.
  • Humana. ...
  • CVS Health (including Aetna Health) ...
  • Kaiser Foundation (Kaiser Permanente) ...
  • Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC) ...
  • Cigna Health.

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for life insurance?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance. (Hence the name.)

What is the downside of life insurance?

Cons of life insurance

One disadvantage of life insurance is that the older you are, the more you'll pay for a policy. This is because you're more likely to pass away during the policy period than a younger policyholder and will, in turn, cost the life insurance company more money.

What happens when you switch life insurance companies?

You can usually change your life insurance policy at any time, but your provider might charge fees or change your premium to reflect a higher rate. Before changing your policy, contact your insurer to discuss your updated life insurance needs.

Can a life insurance company raise your rates?

The California Department of Insurance approves all premium increases. However, your Partnership policy has a rate cap that limits an insurance company's ability to raise rates over 40%. In addition, the total amount of any approved premium increase is spread equally over three years.

Do I get my money back if I outlive my life insurance?

Do you get your money back at the end of a term life insurance policy? You can't get your premium dollars back from a standard term life insurance policy once it expires. However, if you buy a return of premium (ROP) rider, then you could get some or all of your premium back if you outlive your policy.

What is the two year rule for life insurance?

If you pass away in the first two years of your life insurance coverage, the insurance company has a right to contest or question your claim.

How long do you need to have life insurance before it pays out?

Insurance companies can delay payment for six to 12 months if the insured party dies within the first two years of the policy.

Do you pay taxes on life insurance?

Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.

What is a reasonable amount to pay for life insurance?

What percentage of your income should you spend on life insurance? A common rule of thumb is at least 6% of your gross income plus 1% for each dependent.

What is the best life insurance?

Best term life insurance companies in 2025
  • Guardian: 10, 15, 20 or 30 years.
  • MassMutual: 1, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.
  • Northwestern Mutual: 1, 10 or 20 years.
  • Thrivent: 10, 15, 20 or 30 years.
  • Pacific Life: 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.
  • New York Life: 1, 10, 15 or 20 years.
  • Penn Mutual: 10, 15, 20 or 30 years.