Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money ( here’s how ). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners , however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page. Whole life insurance has long competed against term life insurance policies. Life insurance agents promise lower premiums and higher benefits with term policies, but unfortunately they may leave out the part where you must go through the application process again to make your old term life insurance policy permanent. As such, whole life insurance is often referred to as permanent life insurance. With a term life insurance policy, the benefits will expire if you don't or can't convert to a whole life insurance policy at that time. The Best Whole Life Insurance Companies State Farm Life Insurance: Best for Customer Satisfaction Prudential Life Insurance: Best for Seniors Columbus Life: Best for Accelerated Death Benefits New York Life Insurance: Best for Insurance Agent Support USAA Life Insurance: Best for Military Members Guardian Life Insurance: Best for People with HIV Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance: Best for No Medical Exam Allianz Life: Best for Investing Whole life insurance offers benefits that don't expire as long as you make your premium payments. Most policies require a medical exam. Insurance companies also ask questions about your medical history. Whether you're just buying a small amount of coverage for death benefits or if you want a more comprehensive policy that could offer benefits during your lifetime, you can customize life insurance to meet your needs. Best Whole Life Insurance Policy for Customer Satisfaction: State Farm State Farm Life Insurance 4 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 839 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius State Farm Life Insurance 4 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 839 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius State Farm Life Insurance Compare quotes with Policygenius Details JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 839 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ Editor's Rating 4 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Best in JD Power customer service ratings Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Company offers a range of different insurance products to meet buyer needs Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Agents are knowledgeable about its products Cons Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Life insurance products are conservative and limited Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Buyers may be subject to multi-year waiting periods before they qualify for full payouts on life insurance policies Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. State Farm agents cannot offer alternative options if State Farm is unable to bind a life insurance policy Highlights Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. More Information Life insurance products include term and permanent life Ranks highly for customer satisfaction Best for Seniors: Prudential Prudential Life Insurance 4. 75 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 75 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 773 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Prudential Life Insurance 4. 75 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 75 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 773 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Prudential Life Insurance Compare quotes with Policygenius Details JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 773 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ Editor's Rating 4. 75 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 75 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states (New York residents may have different plans) Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Buyers can withdraw money to pay for nursing home bills due to severe illness or disability Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Knowledgeable agents who can walk you through your options Cons Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Financial returns are limited Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Limited policy options for seniors and other groups who might struggle to find life insurance Additional Reading Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right Best for Accelerated Death Benefits: Columbus Life Columbus Life 4. 9 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 9 out of 5 Stars AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Columbus Life 4. 9 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 9 out of 5 Stars AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Columbus Life Compare quotes with Policygenius Details AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ Editor's Rating 4. 9 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 9 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Buyers can pull money out for medical and other bills in the event of disease or disability Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Columbus uses lien method to simplify accelerated death payments Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Company offers a wide range of riders to customize policies Cons Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Premiums may be higher than competitors Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Term policies are not guaranteed to be converted to whole Best Insurance Agents: New York Life New York Life Insurance 4. 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 5 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 775 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius New York Life Insurance 4. 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 5 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 775 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius New York Life Insurance Compare quotes with Policygenius Details JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 775 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ Editor's Rating 4. 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 5 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Top marks for financial stability Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 4/5 customer satisfaction rating Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policies available nationwide Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Top life insurance agents to shop wisely Cons Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Policies must be purchased through an agent Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. No online quotes available Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. May require a medical exam Highlights Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. More Information Life insurance provider with policies available across the US Additional Reading Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right Best for Military: USAA USAA Life Insurance 4. 37 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 37 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 881 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius USAA Life Insurance 4. 37 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 37 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 881 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius USAA Life Insurance Compare quotes with Policygenius Details JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 881 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ Editor's Rating 4. 37 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 37 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable pricing starting with $12/month on some policies Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. May offer coverage to military members other companies won't cover Cons Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. 2 year waiting period for full benefits on some policies Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. May focus on death benefits only more than other companies Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Only offers term and permanent options Highlights Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. More Information USAA offers life insurance for the military, veterans, and the public. Additional Reading Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right Best for People with HIV: Guardian Life Guardian Life Insurance 4. 87 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 87 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 787 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ (Superior) View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Guardian Life Insurance 4. 87 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 87 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 787 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ (Superior) View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Guardian Life Insurance Compare quotes with Policygenius Details JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 787 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A++ (Superior) Editor's Rating 4. 87 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 87 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offered nationwide Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Financial stability rating of A++ from AM Best Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No medical exam is available Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Unique coverage options like survivorship insurance and insurance for HIV applicants Cons Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Although you can get an online quote, you will need an agent to purchase a policy Dash icon A dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Site pushes buyers towards term policies first Highlights Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. More Information Life insurance provider with online insurance calculator tool Survivorship insurance and no medical exam policy Additional Reading Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right Best for No Medical Exam: Mutual of Omaha Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance 4. 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 5 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 795 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance 4. 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4. 5 out of 5 Stars JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 795 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ View Full Details Compare quotes with Policygenius Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Compare quotes with Policygenius Details JD Power Customer Satisfaction Rating 795 AM Best Financial Strength Rating A+ Editor's Rating 4. 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A fi