Top 7 Cheap Whole Life Insurance Companies

Finding the perfect insurance coverage that fits your needs and budget can be a daunting task, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we’ll be exploring some top-notch companies that offer affordable whole life insurance policies without compromising on the benefits.

So, whether you’re looking for lifelong coverage to protect your loved ones or want to build cash value over time, stick around as we unveil the best options out there. 

Understanding Whole Life Insurance

If you’re looking for lifelong coverage, whole life insurance is worth considering.

Let’s dive into its features, key benefits, and how it compares to other types of life insurance, like term life policies.

Features

Whole life insurance, or permanent life insurance, covers your entire life as long as you keep paying the premiums.

It means your beneficiaries will receive a death benefit whenever you pass away, no matter when.

Key Benefits

The primary benefit of whole life insurance is the guaranteed death benefit.

This assurance can provide peace of mind, especially for individuals with dependents or financial obligations.

In addition to the death benefit, whole life policies often build cash value over time.

This cash value grows tax-deferred and can be accessed during your lifetime through withdrawals or loans.

Keep in mind that withdrawing or borrowing against the cash value can reduce the death benefit, so it’s essential to understand the implications.

Comparisons

Now, let’s compare whole life insurance to term life insurance policies.

Unlike term life, which only covers you for a specified period of time (usually 10, 20, or 30 years), whole life insurance offers lifelong coverage.

Term life insurance policies are generally more affordable upfront since they don’t build cash value and only provide a death benefit if you pass away during the policy term.

On the other hand, whole life insurance premiums are usually higher because of the lifelong coverage and the cash value component.

Another noteworthy type of life insurance is Universal Life Insurance.

Like whole life insurance, it offers a death benefit and builds cash value.

However, universal life policies typically offer more flexibility in premium payments and death benefit amounts, making them more customizable.

Best Cheap Whole Life Insurance Companies

Looking for reliable and budget-friendly options? Check out cheap whole life insurance companies for comprehensive coverage without breaking the bank.

1. Pacific Life

Pacific Life is a well-established insurance company that offers an impressive array of policy endorsements

The company boasts a below-average number of customer complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

When it comes to its life insurance policies, Pacific Life offers several riders that can enhance your coverage.

Among the more common options like accelerated death benefits and a children’s rider, it also provides a unique no-lapse guarantee rider.

This rider ensures that your policy won’t lapse once you’ve paid a certain amount of premium, adding an extra layer of security to your coverage.

However, it’s worth noting that Pacific Life may require medical exams for its insurance policies. Plus, the company doesn’t offer guaranteed issue insurance.

This means that individuals with significant health challenges or high-risk rating factors might find better options elsewhere.

Despite these limitations, Pacific Life is known for its affordability, especially for term life insurance coverage.

Monthly Cost Range: $48 to $1,129

Strengths

• Highly customizable policies with optional riders.
• Superior financial strength rating from AM Best.
• Insurance products available near-nationwide.
• Offers various types of universal life insurance policies.

Weaknesses

• Some policies may require medical exams during the underwriting process.
• No guaranteed issue insurance.
• Lack of online quotes and a mobile app for policyholders.
• Availability of certain products or riders may vary by state.

2. Guardian Life

Guardian Life, an established insurance company, provides a range of policies, including term, whole, and three types of universal life insurance options.

Coverage amounts vary, with whole life policies starting at $25,000 and term, universal, and variable universal policies starting at $100,000.

Whole life policyholders can choose between level premiums or a “limited payment” option, allowing them to pay off the policy in 10, 15, or 20 years, after which no additional premiums are required.

Policyholders can enhance its coverage with various riders, such as disability waiver of premium, long-term care, and an index participation feature (IPF) rider, which links a portion of the cash value to the S&P 500 Price Return Index.

Guardian offers life insurance for individuals living with HIV, provided they meet specific eligibility requirements, including specialist care and antiretroviral therapy.

Though dividends are not guaranteed, Guardian has consistently paid them to permanent policyholders annually since 1868.

In 2023, the company is set to pay out a record-breaking $1.26 billion in dividends.

Monthly Cost Range: $57 to $1,129

Strengths

• Various policy options: term, whole, indexed universal, variable universal, and survivorship.
• Consistent dividend payouts to permanent policyholders since 1868.
• Offers life insurance for individuals with HIV, subject to qualifications.

Weaknesses

• Online quotes and applications are limited to term policies.
• Medical exams and underwriting are required for some policies.

3. Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha, a reputable insurance company established in 1909, holds an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best.

It also ranks third in J.D. Power’s 2022 Life Insurance Study, making it one of the best cheap life carriers.

The company offers a variety of permanent life insurance policies, including whole life and universal life, with term life coverage starting at $100,000.

Mutual of Omaha stands out for offering no-exam whole life insurance, making it an attractive choice for shoppers who prefer not to go through a medical exam for approval.

The whole life insurance policies include a cash value component, providing added benefits and financial security.

While customers can conveniently obtain a quote online, finalizing the application and purchasing a policy requires communication with a representative.

That said, it’s worth noting that Mutual of Omaha only has agents in 46 U.S. states.

Monthly Cost Range: $61 to $1,359

Strengths

• Optional riders offer high customizability for policies.
• Superior financial strength with an A+ rating from AM Best.
• A wide selection of universal policies to choose from provides flexibility to policyholders.

Weaknesses

• No online quotes for policies, requiring customers to contact representatives.
• Lack of guaranteed issue policies, limiting options for individuals with certain health conditions.
• Absence of a mobile app for policyholders.
• Medical exams may be required for most policy applications.

4. New York Life Insurance

New York Life is a life insurance company that prides itself on providing flexibility and a range of options for policyholders.

Its custom whole life policy is a standout feature, allowing you to tailor premium payments according to your preferences.

You can choose to pay off your policy in five years or choose a different payment schedule that suits your financial situation.

One of the significant advantages of New York Life is the variety of life insurance riders it offers.

These riders can enhance your policy’s coverage and cater to specific needs.

For instance, the chronic care rider, waiver of premium rider, and accelerated death benefit are just a few of the options available to policyholders.

Being a mutual company, New York Life returns value to its policyholders in the form of dividends.

In 2023, it’s set to pay out a staggering $2 billion in dividends.

Another notable aspect of New York Life is its wide eligibility age range, spanning from 0 to 90 years old, varying depending on the policy.

For those seeking financial security on a smaller scale, the minimum coverage amount is $25,000, available for applicants aged 18 and older.

On the other hand, New York Life also caters to those with substantial financial needs, offering coverage up to a staggering $100 million.

The company’s availability encompasses all states, ensuring that individuals across the nation can benefit from its comprehensive life insurance products.

To determine the monthly cost, you’ll need to speak to a New York Life insurance agent.

Strengths

• It offers customizable premium payment options, providing flexibility to policyholders.
• It provides multiple riders that can enhance the coverage and benefits of its policies.
• Track record of receiving fewer complaints to state regulators compared to companies of similar size.

Weaknesses

• Unable to receive quotes or apply for policies online.
• The website does not specify the coverage amount offered for its policies.

5. State Farm

State Farm is a well-rounded insurance company, offering a variety of life insurance policies to meet diverse needs.

Its whole life policies come with death benefits ranging from $10,000 to $250,000, making it accessible to a wide range of customers up to 85 years of age.

Policyholders can benefit from potential dividends, which can reduce premiums or provide access to tax-deferred cash value.

Customization is a strong suit for State Farm, with options to add riders such as children’s term, payor insurance, and waiver of premium for disability.

The company’s focus on customer satisfaction is evident through its exceptional J.D. Power score.

It led to it winning the 2023 Bankrate Award for Best Term Life Insurer for the second consecutive year.

However, it’s important to note that its final expense policies have a maximum death benefit of only $10,000.

Monthly Cost Range: $54 to $1,279

Strengths

• High marks for customer service from policyholders.
• Most customers were very likely to renew their policies.
• Premiums are below the national average in many categories.

Weaknesses

• Higher annual rates for drivers with poor credit.
• Policy purchases must be done through a local agent.

6. Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual offers a comprehensive whole life insurance policy with flexible payment options, allowing you to tailor your premium payments to your preferences.

You have the flexibility to select premium payment terms for 15, 20, or 25 years, or until reaching ages 65 or 100, granting you enhanced control over your coverage.

Being a mutual company, Northwestern Mutual stands as one of the largest individual life insurers in the U.S.

It is set to pay out an impressive $6.8 billion in dividends in 2023, reflecting its dedication to rewarding policyholders and providing long-term value.

The policy options offered by Northwestern Mutual include Whole Life Plus, catering to a diverse range of individuals.

Eligibility spans from 0 to 85 years, ensuring coverage accessibility for various age groups.

The minimum coverage amount is $50,000, while the maximum coverage amount reaches an impressive $80 million.

With availability in all states, Northwestern Mutual offers its comprehensive whole life insurance policy to customers nationwide.

Additionally, the potential to earn dividends adds to the appeal, allowing policyholders to benefit from the company’s financial strength and stability.

Strengths

• Option to convert term life insurance to whole life before policy expiration.
• Mobile app enables convenient payments and tracking of spending habits.
• Available in all 50 states.

Weaknesses

• No guaranteed acceptance of life insurance options.
• Unable to quote or purchase life insurance online.
• Limited customer service hours despite 24/7 phone payment availability.

7. MassMutual

MassMutual offers a range of permanent life insurance policies that come with the option to customize coverage through various riders.

These riders include a long-term care rider, a chronic illness rider, and a yearly term purchase rider, giving policyholders greater flexibility and additional benefits.

That said, you have the potential to earn dividends based on the company’s profits.

MassMutual estimates an impressive payout of almost $1.9 billion to its permanent policyholders in 2023, demonstrating its commitment to providing value to its customers.

The policy options available from MassMutual include Whole Life 100, Whole Life 65, Whole Life 10/12/15/20 Pay, and Whole Life HECV, designed for businesses.

Eligibility spans from 0 to 90 years, varying depending on the specific policy.

For individuals seeking coverage, the minimum amount starts at $25,000, while the HECV policy offers a minimum of $100,000.

With no maximum coverage limit, MassMutual caters to individuals with varying financial needs.

MassMutual offers its comprehensive permanent life insurance policies nationwide.

Policyholders also have the potential to earn dividends, providing an opportunity for long-term financial growth.

Monthly Cost Range: $67 to $1,588

Strengths

• Offers a wide range of 10 whole life policies.
• Possibility of increasing the death benefit for certain policies.

Weaknesses

• No online quote or application option.

To Conclude

In conclusion, finding the best cheap whole life insurance company requires careful consideration of various factors, including policy features, customer satisfaction, and premium affordability.

While different companies offer unique advantages, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option against your specific needs and budget.

This is not an all inclusive list and can change based on age and health conditions.

By conducting thorough research and comparing quotes, you can make an informed decision that provides you and your loved ones with the lifelong coverage and financial security you seek.