We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
5 Best Life Insurance Companies in 2025
MassMutual and Guardian top our list of the best life insurance companies for 2025.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Katia Iervasi Assistant Assigning Editor | Life insurance, disability insurance, health care
Katia Iervasi is an assigning editor at NerdWallet. An insurance authority, she previously spent over six years covering insurance topics as a writer, where she loved untangling complicated topics and answering readers’ burning money questions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication and has studied writing, fact-checking and editing with Poynter. Her writing and analysis has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Yahoo, Entrepreneur, Best Company and FT Advisor. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Katia currently lives in New York City.
Lisa Green Assigning Editor | Insurance, data journalism
Lisa Green leads the life insurance team and oversees insurance-focused data journalism at NerdWallet. A professional journalist since high school, she was an insurance writer at NerdWallet before becoming an assigning editor. Previously, Lisa spent more than 20 years as an editor at The Tennessean in Nashville, where she led business and consumer coverage for several years. At The Tennessean, she was part of a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist team for coverage of devastating floods in Middle Tennessee. Her work has also won awards from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, Investigative Reporters and Editors, and the Society of Professional Journalists. Lisa is an alumna of the Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists at the University of Pennsylvania. She has also studied data journalism with the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, business editing with the American Press Institute and writing, editing and news research with the Poynter Institute. In addition to her work at NerdWallet, Lisa is a real estate investor and has taught a seminar on how to earn college scholarships. She is based in Nashville.
NerdWallet’s editorial team evaluates dozens of life insurance companies to find the best ones. We look closely at customer complaints data, consumer experience and financial strength. We also assess the types of policies on offer and the ways you can buy coverage. The five best life insurance companies on our list earned a perfect five-star score.
NerdWallet's life insurance content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in life insurance. We follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure the content on our site is accurate and fair so you can make financial decisions with confidence and choose the products that work best for you.
Get multiple life insurance quotes in minutes.
Planning for your future? Get real quotes and connect with experienced agents for personalized guidance.
Find the right policy tailored to your needs and secure your peace of mind.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: MassMutual offers a solid range of term, whole, universal and variable universal life insurance, plus free coverage for low-income parents.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
Yes
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Wide range of term and permanent life insurance policies.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: MassMutual offers a solid range of term, whole, universal and variable universal life insurance, plus free coverage for low-income parents.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
Yes
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Wide range of term and permanent life insurance policies.
Supports online claims.
Low number of complaints.
Cons
Most policies require a medical exam.
Pros
Wide range of term and permanent life insurance policies.
Supports online claims.
Low number of complaints.
Cons
Most policies require a medical exam.
Overview: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., or MassMutual, is one of the largest life insurers in the country. Founded in 1851, it offers a wide range of products, from term life to variable universal life insurance — a type of permanent policy with flexible premiums and investment opportunities. MassMutual is a mutual life insurance company, which means it’s owned in part by its policyholders and pays out dividends to qualifying members. Its 2025 dividend payout is set to be the highest yet at over $2.5 billion
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Very few complaints from consumers.
Offers unique coverage options, such as policies for HIV-positive applicants.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: Guardian sells term, whole, universal and variable universal policies, and caters to people living with HIV with tailored coverage.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Very few complaints from consumers.
Offers unique coverage options, such as policies for HIV-positive applicants.
Cons
Minimal policy details on the site.
Can't buy a policy online.
Pros
Very few complaints from customers.
Offers unique coverage options, such as policies for HIV-positive applicants.
Cons
Minimal policy details on the site.
Can’t buy a policy online.
Overview: Guardian was founded in 1860 and has paid life insurance dividends to its eligible policyholders since 1868. The company paid out $1.4 billion in dividends in 2024, the largest sum in the company’s history
. The insurer stands out for its lenient underwriting standards and is known for making life insurance accessible for people living with certain health conditions, like HIV.
The insurer drew significantly fewer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company its size. Aside from life insurance, Guardian also sells a range of products including dental, vision and cancer insurance.
Policies offered: Term, whole, universal and variable universal.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: The biggest life insurer in the country, Northwestern Mutual offers term and permanent life insurance, and has the lowest complaint ratios of the life insurers we review.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Lower complaint ratio than expected for a company its size.
Highly rated for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power study.
Consistently pays a dividend to eligible customers, which is common among mutual life insurance companies.
Cons
Company website doesn’t give specifics about coverage amounts or riders.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: The biggest life insurer in the country, Northwestern Mutual offers term and permanent life insurance, and has the lowest complaint ratios of the life insurers we review.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Lower complaint ratio than expected for a company its size.
Highly rated for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power study.
Consistently pays a dividend to eligible customers, which is common among mutual life insurance companies.
Cons
Company website doesn’t give specifics about coverage amounts or riders.
Limited riders available.
Pros
Lower complaint ratio than expected for a company its size.
Highly rated for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power study.
Consistently pays a dividend to eligible customers, which is common among mutual life insurance companies.
Cons
Company website doesn’t give specifics about coverage amounts or riders.
Limited riders available.
Overview: Founded in 1857, Northwestern Mutual is one of the largest life insurance companies and the biggest seller of individual policies in the United States, according to the latest data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Universal life policyholders have flexible payment and coverage options, while term life customers have the opportunity to convert their policy to permanent coverage without taking a medical exam.
The company is set to pay $8.2 billion in dividends to qualifying policyholders in 2025
. Northwestern Mutual received significantly fewer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size, making it a trustworthy choice for shoppers.
Policies offered: Term, whole, universal and variable universal.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: Pacific Life sells a broad range of policies, and stands out for providing detailed and easy-to-digest information about each type on its website.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: Pacific Life sells a broad range of policies, and stands out for providing detailed and easy-to-digest information about each type on its website.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Good reputation among its customers.
Offers a variety of term and permanent policies.
Cons
Some policies are not available in New York.
No online quotes.
Pros
Good reputation among its customers.
Offers a variety of term and permanent policies.
Cons
Some policies are not available in New York.
No online quotes.
Overview: Pacific Life has been in business for more than 150 years, and has drawn significantly fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size over the past three years. It has a stellar lineup of permanent life insurance policies, including a competitive indexed universal life insurance policy. These policies typically grow investments based on stock market indexes like the S&P 500. They also have a guaranteed floor, which means your life insurance cash value won’t fall below a certain value if the stock market dives.
Policies offered: Term, universal, variable universal and indexed universal.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Received far fewer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company its size.
May pay dividends to select policyholders.
Offers disability and long-term care insurance in addition to life insurance.
Cons
Website offers little detail about coverage amounts or riders.
Life insurance is available only to those with a Christian affiliation.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Bottom line: Thrivent is a fraternal benefit organization that sells term and permanent life insurance to Christian consumers.
Financial strength ratingThese ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to pay future claims.
Exceptional
Online purchaseThis indicates whether the company offers a way to apply for and purchase policies entirely online.
No
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Policies offeredTerm policies last a set number of years, while permanent policies typically last a lifetime. No-exam policies don’t require a medical exam.
Term & permanent
Pros
Received far fewer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company its size.
May pay dividends to select policyholders.
Offers disability and long-term care insurance in addition to life insurance.
Cons
Website offers little detail about coverage amounts or riders.
Life insurance is available only to those with a Christian affiliation.
Pros
Received far fewer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company its size.
May pay dividends to select policyholders.
Offers disability and long-term care insurance in addition to life insurance.
Cons
Website offers little detail about coverage amounts or riders.
Life insurance is available only to those with a Christian affiliation.
Overview: Founded in 1902, Thrivent is a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society serving Christian consumers — you’ll need to attest your faith to become a member and apply for life insurance or other financial products. The company offers a range of term and permanent life insurance, including joint policies to cover spouses or business partners. Thrivent also emphasizes social responsibility; resources are available to support members' volunteer activities and charitable donations. As a mutual company, Thrivent has consistently paid out dividends to members, and it’s set to pay out $564 million in 2025 — the highest sum yet.
Term life insurance provides temporary coverage for a set number of years, usually one to 30. It’s the cheapest and most popular type of coverage, and insurers can stand out in the market for offering competitive prices, riders and more. These term life insurance companies all scored at least four and a half stars, and most offer a range of term lengths:
Whole life insurance typically lasts your entire life. As a type of permanent life insurance, it also builds cash value over time. We’ve compared whole life companies based on factors like coverage flexibility and the potential to earn dividends. These companies scored at least four and a half stars:
Best no-medical-exam life insurance companies in 2025
With no-medical-exam life insurance, the application process is streamlined. Depending on the policy you choose, you might have to answer some questions about your health and lifestyle, though some policies skip both the exam and questionnaire. These companies scored four stars or more:
Shopping for coverage? Follow these steps to find the right life insurance for your needs.
1. Decide on a type of life insurance
Term life insurance is sufficient for most people. It lasts a set number of years — like 10, 20 and 30 — and is designed to cover you for the years when you have the most financial obligations. The premiums stay the same, so you'll know exactly how much the policy will cost over time.
If you need lifelong coverage, permanent life insurance is another option. There are a few policies that fall under this umbrella, including whole life insurance, universal life insurance and variable life insurance. These policies typically don't expire as long you keep up your premiums, and they build cash value at either a fixed or variable rate. Once you've accumulated enough cash value, you can begin to withdraw or borrow against those funds.
The next step is determining how much life insurance you need. Check out our comprehensive guide to learn different ways to crunch the numbers.
A simple way to calculate your life insurance needs is to think about everything you pay for now and everything you expect to pay for in the future. This list could include everyday expenses like child care, utility bills and groceries, as well as long-term costs like college tuition and mortgage payments. Once you have a number, subtract the value of any assets you own. The final dollar figure is the gap a life insurance policy can help to fill.
Although many companies sell similar policies, some focus on certain products — such as whole life — or on particular customers, such as seniors who need life insurance. You can narrow down your options by focusing on the companies that specialize in the type of insurance you’re looking for.
More about top-rated life insurance companies
Looking for a specific type of life insurance policy? Check out NerdWallet’s top picks across these categories:
When NerdWallet evaluates life insurance companies, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account and why:
Policies offered. There are many types of life insurance on the market, and they fall into three key categories: term life insurance, permanent life insurance and no-exam life insurance. The right policy for you depends on your needs and budget, but the best life insurance companies offer a broad range of coverage types to cater to most people.
Financial strength. We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. For life insurance, NerdWallet typically recommends considering insurers with ratings of A- or higher. The top life insurance companies have an exceptional financial strength rating of A+ or A++.
Complaints. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Our top-rated life insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints, so you can expect a smoother customer experience.
Buy online. We consider it a bonus when an insurer allows you to apply for and buy a policy completely online.
Life insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s life insurance ratings are based on consumer experience, complaint index scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for individual life insurance, and weighted averages of financial strength ratings, which indicate a company’s ability to pay future claims. Within the consumer experience category, we consider ease of communication and website transparency, which looks at the depth of policy details available online. To calculate each insurer’s rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does life insurance cost?
The average cost of life insurance is $26 a month, according to Covr Financial Technologies. This is based on a healthy, nonsmoking 40-year-old buying a 20-year, $500,000 term life policy. Life insurance rates vary between policies and insurers, so it's important to compare life insurance quotes from a handful of companies to make sure you're getting the best possible price for the coverage you need.
What types of life insurance can I get?
There are two main types of life insurance. Term life insurance offers temporary coverage for a set period of time, like 10, 20 or 30 years, and pays out if you die within that time frame. Permanent life insurance typically lasts your entire life. It also has a cash value component that grows over time, and once it reaches a certain level, you can begin to take out loans against your policy.
Can I get life insurance without a medical exam?
If you want to skip the life insurance medical exam, you can still buy life insurance, though your options may be more limited. Some types of no-medical-exam life insurance may still require you to answer questions about your health and lifestyle, while others bypass both the questionnaire and medical exam.
What's the cheapest life insurance company?
The cheapest life insurance companies can vary based on your age, gender, smoking status and the type of coverage you want. It's worth comparing quotes from multiple companies to get the most competitive rate.
is $26 a month, according to Covr Financial Technologies. This is based on a healthy, nonsmoking 40-year-old buying a 20-year, $500,000 term life policy. Life insurance rates vary between policies and insurers, so it's important to
. Term life insurance offers temporary coverage for a set period of time, like 10, 20 or 30 years, and pays out if you die within that time frame. Permanent life insurance typically lasts your entire life. It also has a
can vary based on your age, gender, smoking status and the type of coverage you want. It's worth comparing quotes from multiple companies to get the most competitive rate.
