Top Life Insurance Companies

Unitrin.Inc is a large corporation dealing with a large diversity of insurance products. The best thing about this insurance company is that it has made things simple for its clientele. Most of us I’m sure get quite tangled up in the web of various insurances and take quite some time to get use to the whole thing. This particular insurance corporation has made individual brands for all its products under the banner of Unitrin.Inc. As a customer who requires insurance I want to be sure for what I want to apply for. Many times we find our selves reading through a Boucher or a website trying really hard to figure out what kind of insurance you require. People who work at Unitrin.Inc have made it simple for their customers to find the product of their desire easily.

Under the brand of Unitrin.Inc you have many sub brands selling various insurance products. Kemper, is one of their sub brands that deals with providing home insurance, personal automobile insurance, personal life insurance, boat owner insurance and many more. If you are looking for a insurance for home appliances or a new gadget that you have purchased then you know that Kemper has it. Anything to do with personal insurance and you’ll be sure to find it here. The next sub brand would be Unitrin Specialty, deals with personal and commercial automobile insurance. Automobile insurance could be tricky and confusing, but at Unitrin.Inc, like I said before you are assured to get everything under one roof. There is a difference when it comes to personal and commercial automobiles. Let’s looks at trucks for example. You could be owner of a truck company looking to get the best insurance possible. Unitrin Specialty will help you find the ideal insurance for any automobile that you own for a commercial reason. You don’t only have to be a owner of a truck company. You could also be a person running a simple door to door delivery business and just have one automobile that you are using for the purpose of your business but even then you can get a cover for commercial automobile insurance.

Unitrin.Inc also has two banks under its banner. Reserve National and Fireside bank are the two banks that operate for Unitrin.Inc. Fireside bank is a bank that deals with industrial law. To make that simple for you it is an automobile financing bank. It deals with collecting outstanding loan dues and check on the regular payments of interest on the customers account. On the other hand Reserve National Bank on the other hand deals with insurance for home and automobile but the difference here is that it is based in more rural parts to reach out to the folks there. It also deals with a lot of health insurance plans too.

Where can you find such diversity without being confused about any product? Unitrin.Inc had emerged as a brand which is not only trust worthy but also customer oriented. This is what makes up great banking and insurance.

Website – https://www.rsli.com
Located – Philadelphia, PA
Phone – 1-800-351-7500
Employees – 350
Revenue (bil.) – $1.2
Description – Employers of all sizes can rely on Reliance Standard for insurance and other benefits products. Reliance Standard Life Insurance, a subsidiary of employee benefits holding company Delphi Financial Group, provides group life, disability, and accident insurance policies that are incorporated into employee benefits packages. Reliance Standard Life Insurance also underwrites dental and vision plans and offers annuities targeting individuals planning for retirement. Independent agents and brokers sell the company’s products throughout the US. Reliance Standard Life Insurance was founded (as Central Standard Life) in 1907 and was acquired by Delphi Financial Group in 1987.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

ycatzz’s Full Review of Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company

My opinion is based wholly upon one aspect of this insurance company.

They offer EXCLUSIONS.

For those of you who need one, you’ll be grateful you’ve finally found a company that allows it. For those of you who don’t know, let me explain.

I have a perfect driving record, never been pulled over, obey laws, etc. However, my husband on the other hand is a menace. He’s not so much a bad driver, just always getting picked up for nuisance items such as Uninspected, Unregistered, Excessive Noise, and so on.

Recently, he finally got a ticket for Uninspected. He’s always managed somehow to sweet talk the cops into letting him go, until now. So, to make a long story short… He didn’t pay the fine, and they suspended his license because of it. Normally, just an administrative violation wouldn’t have upped our rates or caused a cancellation, but since he’s now considered “HIGH RISK” because of the suspension, our cream of the crop policy with Traveler’s Indemnity was canceled. That means not just him, but perfect little me too.

So, I searched high and low for a company that would insure us and couldn’t find one that 1) would insure us because of his “BIG VIOLATION”, i.e. the suspension or 2) didn’t charge outrageous rates as a result.

That is until I found Reliance. I have yet to experience their customer service or their claims department. But they offered me what I needed for the time being-an exclusion on my husband. They allowed me to be insured with my vehicle and excluded my husband from the policy. This allowed my policy to be rated solely on my record – or lack of one should I say. Not only did it save me about $1000 for the next 6 months, but it solved my little “problem” oh, I mean my husband’s problem.

What’s really great is that as soon as he fights his violation in court (and he plans to) and he gets his license back, they’ll immediately add him back onto the policy if I choose. He’ll cost a little more, but not as much as he would through a non-standard policy with a suspended license.

This is a great way to go for those married couples who think they’re locked into high rates because of one of the spouses bad record. You shouldn’t be punished because of it, especially if the spouse with the bad record doesn’t drive your vehicle. That’s what gets me with insurance policies, just because you’re married, most of them automatically rate both of you on all the vehicles, when that’s not always the case. Since my husband does not drive my vehicle, I shouldn’t have to pay outrageous rates because of his driving record.

I’ve never used their online service. I purchased this policy through a local agent.

blehigh’s Full Review of Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company

I have been a customer of Reliance Insurance for about 7 months now and I too have noticed that every month my amount due changes. It isn’t drastically different, but it goes up and down about $5 a month. I was very skeptical about getting auto insurance online and when my car was in an accident I was really concerned. I contacted a representative at Reliance and she told me a local insurance company would contact me within 24 hours. Sure enough that day I received a call from Kemper Insurance and the representative processed my claim. I had my check two business days after I submitted my estimate and they arranged for my rental car. So far I don’t have any real complaints except I think they should look into why their monthly bills seem to change every month.

jlmaples’s Full Review of Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company

I don’t like reliance, now that i got that out of the way i will tell you why. they gave me the privilege to contribute to their christmas bonuses. i have a car in my name, my husband has a car, simple right, my name goes with my car, my husband’s name goes with his car? well reliance likes to make money by charging more because when i added my husband to my plan they refused to put me on my car because and i quote, ” if they put my husband on my newer car, (that is in my name) they can charge more money”. see, my husband costs more because he is a male, etc. so they put him as the primary driver of my car so that we could give them more money. so if you like to pay more to insurance companies, pick reliance.

Source: http://www.epinions.com

Website – https://www.nationwide.com
Located – Columbus, OH
Phone – 1-877-ON-YOUR-SIDE
Employees – 36,000
Revenue (bil.) – 21.832
Description - If your dreams of tomorrow have you leisurely traversing America behind the wheel of your new loaded Airstream, Nationwide Life Insurance wants to help you plan for this comfortable lifestyle today. The insurance company provides long-term savings and retirement products including individual annuities, group pension plans, consulting, and other investment products and services. Nationwide Life’s insurance offerings include investment life (both individual variable and corporate-owned), as well as traditional and universal life. Nationwide Life Insurance is the life insurance underwriting subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, which is part of the Nationwide Mutual Group of companies.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

Anonymous’s Full Review of Nationwide Life Insurance Company

I was recently involved in an accident with a driver who also had coverage with Nationwide. The other driver ran a stoplight and hit me on the passenger side, totaling my car. In no time was I contacted by two Nationwide medical adjusters who called to ask how I was doing and told me that all my medical bills would be covered. I went to my doctor’s office to be checked and then to the hospital for an x-ray of my neck. Nationwide immediately got copies of my bills and reimbursed me almost immediately. They were courteous, caring, and responsive. They also set me up in a rental car that was directly billed to Nationwide. Before the wreck I had thought about changing insurance companies because I thought that Nationwide’s rates were higher but after this experience I plan to keep my coverage with Nationwide.

Robert Y’s Full Review of Nationwide Life Insurance Company

I’ve been with Nationwide Insurance for a couple of years . . . no problems whatsoever. When my windshield got broke because my neighbor’s kid threw a rock; my glass coverage took care of it without issue. Even when I had an accident I wasn’t given any reason to complain . . . three years ago, when I got in a collision with another driver, my car was totaled and I got hurt pretty bad. The accident wasn’t my fault but I was stressing. . . I thought for sure I wasn’t going to get what my car was really worth. The driver at fault had Nationwide and when the company gave me no trouble with the claims payout, I immediately switched. Haven’t regretted the decision ever. Nationwide Insurance is a top-notch company. Low prices, convenient services and nice people to talk too all around. Anyone out there looking for a good car insurance company should go with Nationwide Insurance.

Edward’s Full Review of Nationwide Life Insurance Company

I love Nationwide insurance, it’s the reps that I am not very fond of. I think that as long as you get a hold of the right rep that Nationwide insurance has pretty good rates and services. It seems that every time I call the company I end up having to call back a couple of times – each call gives me a different rep. When I call they all have a different answer to whatever question I have. It’s a hassle to call back three or four times before I get the ball rolling or to get some positive feedback. Don’t get me wrong, I will recommend Nationwide to my friends and family but I will also warn them about some of the inept representatives that I deal with every time I call. My theory is this: if you are going to represent a company, shouldn’t you know what you’re talking about?
Source: http://www.insuranceusa.com

Website – https://www.CIGNA.com
Located – Philadelphia, PA
Phone – 1-800-828-3485
Employees – 30,300
Revenue (bil.) – 17.6
Description – One of the top US health insurers, CIGNA covers nearly 12 million people with its various medical plans, which include PPO, HMO, point-of-service (POS), indemnity, and consumer-directed products. CIGNA also offers specialty health coverage in the form of dental, vision, pharmacy, and behavioral health plans, and it sells group accident, life, and disability insurance. Its customers include employers, government entities, unions, Medicare recipients, and other individuals in the US and Canada. Internationally, the company sells life, accident, and supplemental health insurance in parts of Asia and the European Union, and it provides health coverage to expatriate employees of multinational companies.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

Satogy’s Full Review of CIGNA Life Insurance Company

My mother had had Cigna for a few years, and like most families we just were happy with the doctors that were on the HMO plan, but really had not had to use any of the other features.

In the Fall of 95, I started to get very Ill. I was blacking out ever few feet I walked, I had lost a little over 30 lbs in 2 months and not because I was trying, I was constantly cold, and Then finally a Sharp SEARING pain in my lower back Led me to the hospital.

I was poke and prodded, Operated Twice on, Given 5 Units of Packed Red Blood Cells, and got to get to know every nurse on the ward in my 14 day stay. Due to the Fact that they thought I was going to die I was placed in a Private room, in the ICU ward of the Cancer Floor. Nope, I didnt have cancer I just had a weird thing where my body had stopped producing blood.

I had DR come in and Shake my hand and We never saw them again… until the bills started to arrive. And Boy did they start arriving!

at 19 I was responsible for my Bills (of course my parents were going to help out). On a college Budget, With a Huge Scar down my stomach.. and Orders not to do any work or overstress my self for a year limited my money. The bills were Piling up at the door, And I mean piling up. $8 Tylenol 3 pills, $45 Bedpans, $1000 a DAY room, not to mention the $45,000 surgery (and I had 2!). My bills were Rapidly going over 100,000 and then we saw them pass $200,000. I was shocked I was Just in Shock..

We Called CIGNA to see what our options were, How were we going to handle this!!!!..

A kind Lady answered the phone, answered our Questions, Answered our Prayers. Apparently (I dont know if they still have it) My mother had Paid a little extra into something called a Catastrophe clause , she didnt remember even doing it.

It gave you the ability to Claim one Catastrophe in like 5 years. Well We looked at each other, I asked mY mother if she thought it a good Idea, and she say YES!!!

We owed nothing except for a $50 fee and my After Care. Which totaled about $1000.

That was it. CIGNA With its Excellent Doctors (I had the Best in the State do my surgery, to remove a tumor from my uterus (cause by lack of blood to my reproductive system, my immune system was Doing really ODD things) and saved my Life, my uterus and Gave me the chance to have a healthy boy 2 years later), EXCELLENT Hospital, gave me the chance for Life with out a heavy Medical Bill.

Thank you for everything CIGNA.

dastr8poop’s Full Review of CIGNA Life Insurance Company

Hey kids, it’s me dastr8poop! I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me, I sure thought you had, but it turns out that all it takes is one highly satisfactory customer experience to make me come screaming back to the consumer helpful e-ticket ride that is Epinions.

I’m here today to talk to you about insurance, pacifically CIGNA insurance.

Working as I do in the heath care field, I could tell you all kinds of boring information about CIGNA’s horrible track record and how they reimburse providers at such laughable rates that many doctors and hospitals are canceling their contracts with them. I could go on and on about my own experiences with them as a “recipient” of benefits, and how my account was almost sent to collections because they kept losing my claim. I could go on and on and bore you with all kinds of relevant details, but I choose not to.

Because boring details bore me.

Instead, I’m going to talk to you about one of the things that CIGNA offers as an “extra”. Many insurance companies tout their extras as a way to distract the consumer from the fact that they never pay their claims. Sometime this means bragging about how many doctors are in their “network” or selling you on the fact that the will be no paperwork and you’ll have nothing to worry about if you get sick. CIGNA uses the tried and true 24hr automated health information hotline.

I believe the intent of this service is to provide information about a variety of aliments, and by doing so relieve any fears that the concerned beneficiary might have. Sounds good. I know that there have been times in my life when I’ve been concerned about a rash, or an unusual discharge, or some other kind of rash when a 24hr automated health information hotline would have come in real handy.

The folly, and thus the comedy (because the is always comedy), inherit in this endeavor becomes clear when you take into account the fact that CIGNA has attempted to include every conceivable health concern in their pleasantly voiced-over library.

I would like for you to take a moment out of your busy day and experience for yourself the unnecessary extremes that CIGNA has taken to both waste money and provide their customers with vitally important health care information.

Call the CIGNA 24hr automated health information hotline at:

1-800-564-8982.

To access the health information library, press 2.

When prompted for the 4 digit extension enter: 5228.

Listen. Learn. And above all, be entertained.

Thank you and good night.

veganweb’s Full Review of CIGNA Life Insurance Company

I have Cigna dental insurance and I like it. So far most procedures that I’ve had done have either been at no charge or for a low co-pay. I’ve never had dental insurance before but I seem to have hit the mark with Cigna.

The nice thing about Cigna st-80 is that you don’t have to deal with claims and such. They have a long list of procedures and what you have to pay for them when you go to a participating location, so there’s not a rude surprise when you’re done at the dentist.

Changing dentists couldn’t be easier. I just called them up and they were very friendly and helpful, the entire procedure took just a few minutes.

I really can’t say anything bad about Cigna at this time. The appear to be good solid insurance, at least for Dental insurance.

Source: http://www.epinions.com

Website – https://www.statefarm.com
Located – Bloomington, IL
Phone – 1-888-559-1922
Employees – 68,000
Revenue (mil.) - 61,611
Description - Like an enormous corporation, State Farm is everywhere. The leading US personal lines property/casualty company (by premiums), State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the #1 provider of auto insurance. It also is the leading home insurer and offers non-medical health and life insurance through its subsidiary companies. Its products are marketed via some 17,000 agents in the US and Canada. Competition has increased with the fall of barriers between the banking, securities, and insurance industries. State Farm’s efforts to diversify include a federal savings bank charter (State Farm Bank) that offers consumer and business loans through its agents and by phone, mail, and the Internet.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

old99will’s Full Review of State Farm Life Insurance Company

I have been an excellent customer of State Farm my whole life. I started with an auto policy, then added a homeowners policy, and finually bought life Insurance.
Why State Farm? Because of their agents! I have moved several times and each new agent I have had has been friendly, helpful, capable, and dependable. They get to be almost like good friends even though I only see them a couple times a year. Sure they are getting paid to be your good friend but isn’t that great that when you really need a friend (like after an accident, or when your house is robbed or when your son dies) that your friendly agent is there to help you settle your insurance claim.

Ok this is about life insurance so I will stick to that subject. My agent set up $50,000 policys for both of my kids when I was getting one for myself. They were young- it only cost $168 per year and when they were older they could cash it in and help with college or buy a car or use it as part of a home downpayment–lots of good reasons for buying life insurance on your kids, right. Well the unspeakable thing happened to my son–he died–leaving a brand new wife, some credit card bills etc..

My agent made sure that his life insurance check got to me two days after I notified him of my sons’ death. He delivered it in person. Now $50,000 isn’t going to ease the grief but it sure helped in settling his estate and gave his widow a small nest egg to help her along. Thanks State Farm.

carolah’s Full Review of State Farm Life Insurance Company

First of all, I have been insured with State Farm auto insurance for many years, and have been very satisfied with their service (and even claims when needed). A number of times, I have received dividend checks back (which is basically a cash rebate for your policy) when their actual expenses were lower than what was projected for the year. They avoid the problem of having “hungry” stockholder’s grabbing for huge profits that keep costs of policies up. My experience with this company is that it has been solid and fair-minded company.

So, when my agent recently contacted me to see if I wanted to participate in an insurance “checkup”. He told me that I could save even more money alongside my multi-car insurance discount if I were to decide on an additional policy such as life or health insurance. Since I have health insurance with my employer, I chose a $50,000 life insurance policy.

After that, I was scheduled for a physical with my physician including blood work that was done through the lab. The company paid for all of this. They didn’t find any health problems at all with the physical other than the fact that I am substantially (100 lbs.) over my ideal weight. So, my policy price rating is higher than a person of more normal weight. With my additional discounts on my two car insurance policies, and the discount on my life insurance policy, I feel that this policy is still a good value. I am replacing a life insurance policy from another company that was lower coverage, and that did not require a physical. I won’t quote the prices that I have paid since circumstances can vary so much from individual to individual, and the area that you live in.

The main reason for purchasing this policy was the higher coverage, and the multiple discounts on the car and life insurance policies that I have with this company. My agent did explain that since my weight was a factor in my rate for life insurance, if I were to decrease in weight that another physical could be scheduled in about a year to determine if a decrease in rate is warranted. (The company would pay for this.) Many insurance companies do rate you higher if you are substantially overweight or if you smoke, etc. So, I do not consider this unusual.

rocket11’s Full Review of State Farm Life Insurance Company
I bought my life insurance from State Farm and would recommend it to anyone. The agents are well trained and know their products inside and out. They have both term and permanent plans and my agent was able to find a perfect match for my needs.

Source: http://www.epinions.com

Website – https://www.aetna.com
Located – Hartford, CT
Phone – 1-800-MY-HEALTH
Employees – 35,258 (2008)
Revenue (bil.) – 27.6
Description – Aetna thinks you ought’a have some life insurance. As the life insurance subsidiary of health care giant Aetna, Aetna Life Insurance Company offers group life and individual life insurance policies throughout North America. Aetna Life Insurance was founded in 1853 as a spinoff of Aetna Insurance Company. After more than 150 years in operation, the company has more than 20,000 group life contracts in force. The parent company’s operations are focused on accident and health insurance, while life insurance accounts for less than 10% of total earned premiums.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

momof4’s Full Review of Aetna Life Insurance Company

Costly But Worth It

My family and I never had a problem with Aetna Open Access “High” Option. other then it’s monthly premium. Never had issuses with customer service. In fact on many accounts they came to bat for me when the hospital/Dr. office tried to charge me unnecessary charges when having my baby. The only reason not still going through them is their premium tends to increase by $300.00 a month every couple years.

Lillith’s Full Review of Aetna Life Insurance Company

Worth It?

Yes, Aetna is expensive. If I’m paying over two grand a year on my own health care, I wish they would stop being so hard on what they cover and how much. The postitive things I can say is that one visit to the hospital came to over $7,000 and I only paid $220. The customer service isn’t bad at all. They return calls when they say they’re going to. Is it worth the price? Thats up to you.

Source: http://www.healthinsurancereviewer.com

Website - https://www.usaa.com
Located – San Antonio, TX
Phone - 1-800-531-8722
Employees - 22,000
Revenue (bil.) – $14.418
Description - USAA has a decidedly military bearing. The mutual insurance company serves more than 6 million member customers, primarily military personnel, military retirees, and their families. Its products and services include property/casualty (sold only to military personnel) and life insurance, banking, discount brokerage, and investment management. USAA relies largely on technology and direct marketing to sell its products, reaching clients via the telephone and Internet. The company’s USAA Alliance Services unit provides discount shopping (floral, jewelry, and home and auto safety items), and travel and delivery services to its members.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

knotheadusc’s Full Review of USSA Group Life Insurance

Since we just got married, my husband and I thought it would be prudent for us to increase our life insurance coverage. He still needs to get more so that I will be okay if he dies (currently everything will go to his minor kids, thanks to his divorce settlement). I’m not worth a lot of money right now. I owe a lot of money and I’m bringing in pretty much zilch. I also have newly diagnosed mild asthma and depression that I’ve been treating for about five years. We decided to apply for life insurance anyway, and since we already do business with USAA and have liked the service we’ve gotten thus far, we tried them first. They also sent me a letter right before my 31st birthday, reminding me of the importance of life insurance… mmm hmm… Good salesmanship there, USAA.

Anyway, my husband called USAA and they very quickly set up an appointment for me to have a health exam. A visiting nurse came over to my apartment, took my blood pressure three times, weighed me, measured my height, took blood and urine samples, and asked me a WHOLE BUNCH of questions. The exam took about an hour. I had to fast beforehand. Since I have health issues, USAA had to get my health records from my allergist and psychiatrist. I also had to answer more embarrassing questions about my “mental” condition over the phone with a USAA rep– questions, I might add, that I had already answered during the initial medical exam. I haven’t had any real trouble with depression in several years, but USAA wanted to make darn sure since I still take medication. They weren’t nearly as concerned about my asthma, which, truth be told, probably has a better chance of killing me than depression does (although statistically speaking, depression is co-morbid with a bunch of other problems like heart disease… but I don’t have those problems yet!). I asked my psychiatrist if they had contacted him and he said they had… then he said soberly, “They won’t give you life insurance. Insurance companies don’t like to insure people with psychiatric diagnoses.” then he added cheerfully, “But you can always appeal!” My psychiatrist is competent, but he’s a jerk. I thank God I only have to talk to him for ten minutes at a time every three months.

The next hurdle was to send in a financial statement. For me, this was also embarrassing. It basically consisted of questions about my income (none), my savings (minimal), my assets (minimal), and my debts (substantial). There were also questions about my husband’s debts and assets. I got the feeling that this was to have proof that if I suddenly died right after the policy was issued, my husband wouldn’t stand to gain too much from my death (ie; he didn’t have too many debts to pay off and/or I didn’t have too many assets to leave to him so that USAA would suspect murder or suicide). I have nothing and owe a lot, so my assets are pretty much in the negative range. My husband also has pretty much nothing other than a decent income. I sent the form in, but USAA called a couple of weeks later and said they didn’t have it. I also got a letter from them, reminding me to send in the form because the quotes they had given me were time sensitive. I guess the form got lost in the shuffle somehow, because I got a call a couple of weeks ago letting me know that they had approved my application, AND they were even giving me the preferred rate.

They were quick to bill us for the premiums for June and July (they backdated it so I would be charged for my first year as though I were still 30). USAA sent me my medical exam results, which were surprising… my cholesterol was a lot lower than I expected it to be!

My husband can’t take out more coverage with USAA because he’s already maxed out with them. Since he’s an active duty soldier, there’s a limit to how much coverage he can get through USAA. So we’ll have to go to another company to get him more coverage.

I like USAA. I think it’s a good company. I’ve always gotten excellent service from USAA customer service agents and you can’t beat the rates on their insurance products or credit cards. But the process of getting life insurance was a real pain in the butt! I am proud of USAA, though, for covering me despite my psych diagnosis. Isn’t that sad? Insurance carriers really do need to come into the 21st century and realize that a psychiatric diagnosis does not automatically mean suicide risk. It’s sad that I should be pleasantly surprised at getting life insurance, despite my depression and cough variant asthma. I’m glad that the people at USAA realize that I’m only 31 years old and basically very healthy– I don’t plan to die anytime soon and consequently, they’ll probably make plenty of money off of me. I also took great pleasure in telling my shrink that not all insurance carriers refuse people with psych diagnoses!

*Note*– I’m basing my experience with claims on other experiences with USAA. I haven’t died yet, so I have no idea how fast they’ll respond to claims on life insurance.

mtrenck’s Full Review of USSA Group Life Insurance

If you are fortunate enough to be eligible to work with USAA, I highly recommend you take full advantage of all they have to offer. Since my father served in the United States Army, I have been lucky enough to have help auto, renters, and homeowners insurance policies with USAA. When I found out my wife was pregnant 22 weeks ago I started shopping around for life insurance. After reviewing all types of options I selected USAA and I couldn’t be happier with my choice.

Price
Since this is one of the most important factors I’ll start with it first. USAA by far offered me the most competitive rates. I pay approximately $17 each month for a 30 year term life insurance policy worth $350,000. Most other companies I looked into listed similar policies in the upper $20’s and low $30’s.

Application Process
The application consisted of three parts… an online application (which could have also been completed over the phone). A phone interview, and a blood draw and urinalysis.

- Online Application: Took about fifteen minutes to fill out. It helped that I was already a USAA customer and all my personal and demographic information was quickly filled in for me. An online price for all terms and levels of coverage was quickly and readily available during the application process and I knew exactly what I was going to pay while going through the application process. Once I submitted the online application I was immediately approved for “interim life insurance” which would have paid out to my wife in the event that I died before actually completing the application process. Very nice feature with USAA.

- Phone Interview: This was done at my convenience with a 1-800 number. It took approximately 15 minutes to complete. This was a relatively painless process, but it helped that I didn’t have any major medical problems. I completed this interview while at work and was comfortable answering the questions at my place of work. If you do have some medical problems, I would suggest you complete this phone interview in the privacy of your house. In any case, the telephone operator conducting the interview was very professional and non-judgmental throughout the entire process.

- Blood Draw/Urinalysis: This was also completed at my convenience at my own home. I was contacted by their “mobile field technician” (or whatever his official title was) and I setup a date and time to take care of this. He drew my blood and collected his samples in the privacy of my own home. Again, very professional and a relatively nice experience for a usually not so pleasant task.

Communication
This has always been excellent with USAA. Every step of the application process I was kept informed via email as to what to expect and what the next step in the process was.

Policy
Fortunately for me I haven’t had the opportunity to take “full advantage” of my USAA Life Insurance Policy. In the event that the policy does have to be paid out over the next few weeks I’m sure my wife will update this epinion!

Source: http://www.epinions.com

Website - http://www.johnhancock.com
Located – Boston, MA
Phone – 1-800-387-2747
Employees – 22,000
Revenue (bil.) – $34.2
Description - For insurance, all you have to do is sign on the dotted line. John Hancock Financial Services offers insurance, investment products, investment management, and other services. Its insurance products include variable, universal, and term life. John Hancock also provides retirement savings products — annuities, mutual funds, 401(k), and long-term care insurance. One of the US’s largest investors, John Hancock offers institutional asset management services, providing clients with specialty funds in such industries as timber and agriculture. It has about $175 billion under management. John Hancock is owned by Canada’s Manulife.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

imfun4lovin’s Full Review of John Hancock Life Insurance

Consider buying this if you are over 50, even if not from Hancock. My experience was good, policy was issued quickly, the few times I’ve needed to call it went smoothly. So far, no reason to be unhappy. Rates competitive, good reputation, and that’s about all I can say, but I guess I must say more as this is requiring more words. Well, I like them and would recommend them. You have to find an agent that sells for them, but I am sure you can find one in your yellow pages. I used USAA, but that’s for another epinion (they rock!)

Bankrott’s Full Review of John Hancock Life Insurance

Since last week, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company insures my life, and already I am not happy. Based on my application for a Term Life Policy through “MarketPlace by John Hancock” (web- or telephone based insurance applications only), here is why:

After searching the Web for a few months, I chose John Hancock Mutual Life as the underwriter for my new Term Life Insurance Policy. Major influences on the decision were competitive pricing combined with the policy features (20-year term, level premium, and convertible to whole life), as well as the financial health of the company. Major insurance rating agencies such as A.M. Best Company, Moody’s Investor Service, Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Duff & Phelps have bestowed their top ratings on John Hancock.

Applying via the MarketPlace website is supposed to guarantee you the lowest rates available. I had a customer service representative confirm this by quoting me the same policy, as if it was received as a telephone application, and the price was about 40% higher (super-preferred rate).

The online application process takes about 15 to 20 minutes and involves 9 different screens. Required input covers personal and financial information, a not too extensive health questionnaire, beneficiary designation, and other information that is used by the underwriter to assign you to an appropriate risk category. At the end of the web interview you receive a quote and are asked to provide billing information. You can choose between an annual or monthly payment (for cash management reasons I prefer to pay monthly, instead of giving them up-front use of my money) and select a payment method such as Credit Card, EFT, or a plain old invoice. Paying by Credit Card will currently reduce your first year premium by 5%.

I completed the web application on 01/26/2000. Within a couple of days I received a phone call from John Hancock and had to go through a phone interview, which lasted about 15 minutes. Some questions appeared to be duplicates of the online application, most of them though covered my medical health in more detail as well as a lot of info about my parents health. Then the interviewing representative scheduled me for a physical exam, to be conducted at our house.

The physical exam was conducted by a third party medical service. The girl was polite, and asked me the same questions that I had already answered through either the phone or the web. I assume that the company is trying to catch fraudulent applications by asking the same questions over, and over again looking for a discrepancy in the answers given. The exam itself was a blood and urine test, and to the best of my memory, my height and weight were jotted down on the paperwork based on my replies. When the young lady left, I thought the application process was over.

A few days later I received another call from a John Hancock representative, asking when I could meet him for an interview. Wait a minute! I already had the web interview, the phone interview, the physical exam and an interview! Well, they just had to ask me a few more medical questions… All right! I agreed to a meeting within a couple of days.

The gentlemen, who visited me, did not work for John Hancock directly as it turned out, but for another third party service hired to compile and verify my medical records. I was asked to provide names and addresses for any doctor I had used within the last ten years. After four kids my memory is practically zero so the process must have been frustratingly slow for the rep. I ended up going through my Quicken file, just to remember what the name of such and such doctor or practice was, but, hey, I got it together…

This was the last interview and it took place during the latter part of February. After that, I did not hear anything else from John Hancock for a month. Then a letter informed me that they were still waiting for information from one of my recent physicians and I could help speed up the process by contacting my physician to send the requested medical records.

I never got to make that call, because on April 20th (three months after the initial application) I received a call from the underwriting department of John Hancock. Finally the good news that I have been approved! But, alas, my weight was outside of the range required for the super-preferred rate, so my premiums would be based on the standard rate! That rate however is $400 per year higher than the rate I was quoted during the web application. Since I was taken by surprise, I asked a few more questions about the weight limitations for the policy premiums. Well, why didn’t anyone tell me that immediately after the physical? (Rhetorical question! It’s bad for premium revenues, I know!) After hearing that on the two-year anniversary of the policy I could request reconsideration of the premium upon providing only a doctor’s note with a height and weight measurement, I agreed to take the policy. I requested that they send a letter confirming that ONLY my weight (both my parents have heart problems, which is really why I expected a higher premium) played a roll in the premium classification, and that the policy would be eligible for reconsideration within two years. The rep agreed to do that.

Within a few minutes though I realized that the lady on the phone had completely ignored to give me the weight limitations for the class in between, the preferred rate. Smelling foul play, I called John Hancock again. A new representative offered me the weight limitations for all three classes: for the super-preferred and the standard rate they were 6 pounds higher than the amounts given to me by the previous rep! He assured me that his amounts were correct (As if I would trust anything coming from a John Hancock rep at this point…). He also offered some unsolicited, but welcomed advice on how to get the premiums reduced, considering that I was only 4 pounds away from the preferred rate, which would represent a $300 savings from the standard rate. Hence the title of this review!

So, what I have to do now, is lose 4 lbs., get a doctor to weigh me and measure my height. Write a letter “selling” myself as low risk (I don’t do drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol) to the underwriter, pointing out that I was not weighed during the physical exam, and fax the whole thing to John Hancock. All of the above within 30 days! I will certainly give it a try and update this review as needed. I will also take my guaranteed-to-be-satisfied 31 days to consider just canceling the policy and to reapply, once I lose my “baby fat”. By then, they will probably find a different reason to jack up the premiums…

Do I recommend John Hancock Mutual Life?

If you qualify for their best rate, I would. During the comparison shopping process, even my Farmer’s Insurance agent told me that I was getting a good deal with the John Hancock premiums. But I am still terribly upset about the fact that their computer quoted me a rate, which John Hancock’s guidelines say, I don’t qualify for. Is it a pure programming oversight, or could this be conceivably called a “bait-and-switch”? I’ll let you know, if I find out!

Source: http://www.epinions.com

Website - http://www.thehartford.com
Located – Hartford, CT
Phone - 1-860-547-5000
Employees – 31,000
Revenue (bil.) – $25.91
Description - When choosing life insurance, you might find yourself having a heart-to-hart conversation with Hartford Life. As the life insurance arm of , The Hartford Financial Services Group, Hartford Life provides retail and institutional investment products such as annuities, mutual funds, and private placement life insurance. Hartford Life also provides life insurance for wealth protection, accumulation, and transfer, and offers group benefits, as well as fixed and variable annuity products via international operations. The company also operates through subsidiary Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

hwz1’s Full Review of Hartford Life Insurance Group

I am a financial advisor with one of the largest firms in the world and one of our products is life insurance. No, we are not an insurance company, but we offer the products of 11 insurance companies. In other words, we are not pressured to sell our own product. We have the option of selling any the products that any of the 11 companies offer and the pay out is virtually the same from each company. Hence, we use the product that we deem to be the best. Out of the 11, I have found that Hartford is the best.

I work primarily as a stockbroker, but I also do a decent amount of insurance business. I have been to the presentations of all 11 companies that we use and have met with all of the regional sales managers from the various companies. Hence, I feel I have a pretty good idea of which company offers a good product and which company is willing to go the extra mile to meet my clients demands. Yes, I am licensed to sell insurance, but selling life insurance is a complicated business and is one that I think you need an in depth knowledge of in order to sell effectively. 

Source: http://www.epinions.com

Website - http://www.aflac.com
Located - Columbus, GA
Phone - 1-800-992-3522
Employees - 8,292
Revenue (bil.) – $16.6
Description - Aflac’s clients may not welcome accidents and illness any more than a visit from Gilbert Gottfried, but at least their coverage will keep them from financial ruin. Aflac (whose popular ads feature a valiant duck voiced by comedian Gottfried) sells supplemental health and life insurance policies that cover special conditions, primarily cancer. It is one of the largest sellers of supplemental insurance in the US and is an industry leader in Japan’s cancer-insurance market (with 14 million policies in force). Aflac, which is marketed through and is an acronym for American Family Life Assurance Company, sells policies that pay cash benefits for hospital confinement, emergency treatment, and medical appliances.

Source: http://www.hoovers.com

Reviews & Ratings

ksteven’s Full Review of Aflac Life Insurance Company

I purchased Aflac insurance when our medical went down and Aflac Family insurance was approximately the same price per month as our medical insurance went down. Our daughter had just started gymnastics, and I was just waiting for a broken arm or leg. However, our first claim was when my husband tore his achilles tendon while playing in a softball tournament. They were very easy to work with and pay out very quickly. We have also made a claim when our son fell and had to have stitches in his head. They also pay once a year for a wellness checkup ($60 I believe).

JonsGirl’s Full Review of Aflac Life Insurance Company

Source: http://www.viewpoints.com