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Best term life insurance for 2023
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If you're interested in life insurance, but don't think you'll need coverage for your entire life, term life insurance may be a good option for you. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period of time, typically 10-30 years, and provides a payout to your family should anything happen to you during that time frame. Term life insurance may be best for individuals that only need coverage for a set period of time, like when their children are young or until their mortgage is paid off. Finding the best term life insurance policy will depend on your needs and budget. Bankrate's insurance editorial team analyzed the best companies writing term policies in 2023.
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See which provider is right for you.
Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.
- Coverage for life
- Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
- 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component
Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.
- Fixed premium over term
- No savings benefits
- Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back
This advertising widget is powered by HomeInsurance.com, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. HomeInsurance.com LLC services are only available in states where it is licensed and insurance coverage through HomeInsurance.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Best term life insurance companies
The best term life insurance companies depend on an individual’s needs and preferences. While your quoted premium will typically not vary as much as for life quotes as home or auto insurance, different companies do offer different coverage types and levels. We chose the following companies based on their third-party financial strength and J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores, as well as the policy options and available coverage capacities (the maximum dollar amount a policy can be). It may be helpful to start your research with the following providers:
| Company | Best for… | J.D. Power score | AM Best | S&P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | Excellent customer service ratings | 839/1,000 | A++ (Superior) | AA |
| Mutual of Omaha | Easy online quoting for term policies | 801/1,000 | A+ (Superior) | A+ |
| Northwestern Mutual | Digital tool availability | 794/1,000 | A++ (Superior) | AA+ |
| Pacific Life | High potential coverage limits | 793/1,000 | A+ (Superior) | AA- |
| Guardian Life | Policy customization | 787/1,000 | A++ (Superior) | AA+ |
Why we chose it: State Farm has the highest J.D. Power score for customer satisfaction on our list.
State Farm won our 2023 Bankrate Award for best term life insurance provider thanks to its superior AM Best score and near-nationwide availability. State Farm offers several term insurance products, but its return-of-premium policy option may be particularly helpful for certain term life insurance policyholders. This option lets policyholders choose between a 20- or 30-year payment term and receive a portion of their premiums back if they outlive the term. The return-of-premium policy can be renewed annually until age 95. While the return-of-premium option comes at an additional cost, it also builds cash value, which is rare in a term life insurance policy.
Why we chose it: Mutual of Omaha offers easy online quoting for its term life insurance policies and a wide array of riders for potential policy customization.
If you want to get an idea of how much term life insurance might cost, Mutual of Omaha offers a term life insurance quote tool online. Enter your gender, date of birth, tobacco usage and coverage amount to get a rate. Mutual of Omaha offers a plethora of additional riders that can be added to its term life policies. It should be noted that not every rider can be used with every type of policy. To verify how much coverage you need and which riders can be added to your policy, you may want to consult with an agent. This company also offers a locator service to help you find a financial advisor near you.
Why we chose it: Northwestern Mutual offers a wide array of informational resources and policy management tools online.
Northwestern Mutual is the largest life insurer in the U.S. by direct premiums written and has been insuring consumers for more than 150 years. The company's term policies allow you to select your coverage period based on either a set amount of years or until a specific age, depending on which option is most suitable for you. These plans are all also convertible to whole life insurance, meaning you may be able to adjust your policy as your needs evolve. Northwestern Mutual’s A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best is the highest level available. However, the company only offers one term life insurance rider, so if you want greater policy customization, it may not be the carrier for you.
Why we chose it: Pacific Life has term life insurance policy options with high coverage levels.
Those wanting to tailor their term life insurance with riders may wish to consider Pacific Life for term life insurance. The carrier offers two policy options, both of which are convertible to cash value life insurance. Its Promise Term policy offers a minimum amount of $50,000 in coverage, while the Elite Term starts at $750,000 and goes to $3 million or more. Available riders include waiver of premium for disability, terminal illness and child term rider.
Why we chose it: Guardian life insurance offers four different term lengths and a long list of potential riders.
Guardian's term life insurance policies are available in four term lengths. The carrier also has a long list of riders for potential policy customization, including a guaranteed renewability clause in the event that you are diagnosed with a serious illness. However, be aware that the company does not offer a network of local agents, so if you prefer to handle your insurance needs face-to-face, you may not be satisfied with the level of service.
How to find the best term life insurance company for you
There are several factors to consider when shopping for a quality term life insurance policy. Since your life insurance will ultimately be responsible for providing the coverage you want for your family, these considerations may be beneficial to keep in mind when determining which provider is right for you. In addition to policy types, you could consider:
Consider customer satisfaction scores and financial strength ratings
Customer satisfaction scores may provide insight for consumers looking to purchase insurance products. These scores reflect how satisfied existing customers may be with the customer service and claims process. You might use these scores to get an idea of how your customer experience could be and which carrier might best fit your expectations.
A life insurance company’s financial strength score reflects its past ability to pay out claims and could help you decide if a company is financially sound. Third-party agencies such as AM Best and S&P publish financial strength scores for each major provider.
Consider your personal situation
Term life insurance remains active for only a set number of years. To decide whether term life insurance is right for you, it may be helpful to consider what you want coverage for. Do you simply want coverage while your children are young, or would you prefer lifelong coverage?
While term life insurance may be sufficient for temporary needs, like ensuring you could pay off debt and finance college for your kids if you were to pass away, it may not be the right choice if you want coverage for longer. If you need coverage for final expenses or to take care of a lifelong dependent, permanent life insurance may be a better choice. There are several options to choose from, including:
- Whole life insurance: Whole life offers level premiums and a guaranteed death benefit for life. It also builds cash value over time, which you may be able to access through withdrawals or loans.
- Universal life insurance: Similar to whole life, universal life offers permanent coverage with more flexibility. You can increase or decrease premium payments or the death benefit if life circumstances change.
- Final expense life insurance: If you only need a small amount of coverage or have serious health issues, final expense life insurance may be your best option. It works like whole life, but doesn’t require a medical exam. Some policies are guaranteed issue, meaning there is no medical exam or health questions on the application.
Compare multiple quotes
Getting quotes for different types and levels of coverage may help you get an idea of how much you’ll pay for your life insurance. However, keep in mind that term life insurance quotes for the same person and policy type likely won’t vary as much from company to company as auto insurance or home insurance quotes do.