Carrier Reviews
Unbiased, side-by-side reviews of the 40+ A-rated carriers we work with. We compare financial strength, approval speed, no-exam options, and best-fit use cases — so you can choose with confidence.
40+
A-rated carriers
100%
Independent reviews
No
Carrier bias — we shop them all
41
States licensed & serving
In-Depth Reviews
Carriers we recommend
Ratings reflect A.M. Best financial strength, underwriting flexibility, approval speed, and overall value — not a commission incentive. As an independent broker, our team gets paid the same no matter which carrier you choose.
Mutual of Omaha
A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
Pros
- Strong guaranteed issue final expense product
- Living benefits rider included on many term policies
- Decades of brand trust and financial stability
Considerations
- Term rates run higher than some peers for older applicants
Best for
Final expense & living benefits term life
Transamerica
A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Pros
- Competitive term pricing for healthy applicants
- Flexible universal life with cash accumulation
- Accelerated underwriting up to high coverage amounts
Considerations
- Stricter build chart than some competitors
Best for
High-coverage term & universal life
American Amicable
A.M. Best: A- (Excellent)
Pros
- Lenient underwriting for impaired-risk cases
- Affordable final expense whole life
- Accepts many conditions other carriers decline
Considerations
- Lower coverage caps on simplified issue
Best for
Health-complicated & final expense coverage
Foresters Financial
A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Pros
- Member benefits beyond the policy
- Generous simplified-issue whole life
- Favorable pricing for moderate health risks
Considerations
- Product availability varies by state
Best for
Whole life & fraternal member benefits
SBLI
A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Pros
- Some of the most competitive term rates in the market
- Straightforward accelerated underwriting
- Non-medical exam options for qualified applicants
Considerations
- Fewer living-benefit riders than larger carriers
Best for
Budget-conscious term life shoppers
Americo
A.M. Best: A- (Excellent)
Pros
- Final expense policies up to higher ages
- Graded and level death benefit options
- Simple, fast underwriting process
Considerations
- Lower coverage amounts available
Best for
Seniors & final expense whole life
CICA Life (Citizens)
A.M. Best: B++ (Good)
Pros
- Accessible final expense whole life
- Level and graded benefit designs
- Reasonable premiums for the senior market
Considerations
- Lower financial-strength rating than top carriers
Best for
Final expense for the senior market
Royal Neighbors of America
A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Pros
- Fraternal member benefits and discounts
- Women-focused underwriting and pricing
- Solid whole life and term offerings
Considerations
- Smaller carrier with limited product breadth
Best for
Final expense & women-focused fraternal benefits
Aflac
A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
Pros
- Leading supplemental and final expense coverage
- Simple issue whole life with quick decisions
- Brand recognition and financial strength
Considerations
- Supplemental focus; not a full term-life carrier
Best for
Supplemental coverage & final expense
Prudential
A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
Pros
- Industry-leading term and universal life pricing
- Accelerated underwriting to high coverage tiers
- Robust living and chronic-illness benefit riders
Considerations
- Stricter build and family-history guidelines
Best for
High-coverage term & universal life
Athene
A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Pros
- Top-rated fixed and indexed annuities
- Strong lifetime income rider options
- Competitive crediting rates for retirement
Considerations
- Annuity-focused; no traditional term life
Best for
Fixed & indexed annuities for retirement income
Allianz
A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
Pros
- Industry-leading indexed annuity lineup
- Strong downside protection with growth potential
- Excellent reputation in the retirement market
Considerations
- Annuity-focused; longer surrender periods
Best for
Indexed annuities & retirement protection
American Equity
A.M. Best: A- (Excellent)
Pros
- Competitive indexed annuity products
- Lifetime income riders available
- Strong retirement-income focus
Considerations
- Lower rating than top-tier annuity carriers
Best for
Indexed annuities & lifetime income riders
AAA Life
A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Pros
- Trusted brand with simplified issue options
- Whole life and term coverage for members
- Reasonable pricing for the senior market
Considerations
- Product availability varies by state and membership
Best for
Member-focused whole life & term
Fidelity Life
A.M. Best: A- (Excellent)
Pros
- Accelerated issue term and whole life
- Quick non-med decisions for qualified buyers
- Straightforward application process
Considerations
- Lower coverage caps for no-exam paths
Best for
Fast-issue term & whole life
Ethos
A.M. Best: Partnered carriers A- to A+
Pros
- Fully digital, no-exam application
- Same-day decisions for many applicants
- Broad carrier partnerships behind the scenes
Considerations
- Not a direct carrier; backs policies through partners
Best for
Fast, digital, no-exam coverage
Honest Warnings
Carriers we don't recommend
As an independent broker, our team has no obligation to promote any carrier. These are brands we see marketed heavily but routinely underperform on value, coverage, or both — and we won't place a client into them when better options exist.
Lincoln Heritage
High premiums for low coverage
Marketed heavily on TV as final expense insurance, but premiums often cost far more per $1,000 of coverage than comparable simplified-issue whole life from rated carriers. The higher price rarely translates to better benefits.
We can match you with a stronger carrier for the same or lower monthly cost — at no charge.
Colonial Penn
Graded benefits & $9.95/unit pricing
The $9.95-per-unit TV plan sounds simple but buys very little real coverage, and many policies come with a two-to-three year graded death benefit that pays only a return of premium if you pass away early. Better value exists elsewhere for the same monthly cost.
We can match you with a stronger carrier for the same or lower monthly cost — at no charge.
Globe Life
Term renewals & coverage caps
The well-known $1-starts-your-coverage mailer is term life that re-prices as you age and carries low coverage caps. Many policyholders end up underinsured or priced out at older ages when they need coverage most.
We can match you with a stronger carrier for the same or lower monthly cost — at no charge.
AARP / New York Life
Group term & age-banded pricing
The AARP-endorsed plan is group term through New York Life — it re-prices every five years in your age band and ends at 80, leaving seniors without permanent coverage. There are better permanent options at competitive rates.
We can match you with a stronger carrier for the same or lower monthly cost — at no charge.
Already paying one of these carriers?
Let our team review your current policy side-by-side with our 40+ A-rated options. If we can't beat what you have, we'll tell you to keep it.
Not sure which carrier fits you?
Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the carrier offering the best rate and terms — at no cost to you.