Life insurance is a vital financial protection for your loved ones in case of your death. But how do you choose the best life insurance company and policy for your needs? Here are some factors to consider and compare when shopping for life insurance in West Virginia:
- Annual cost: This is the amount you pay every year to keep your policy active. The cost depends on your age, health, coverage amount, term length and other factors. You can compare quotes from different companies to find the best deal for your budget.
- Payouts: This is the amount your beneficiaries will receive if you die while the policy is in force. The payout can be a lump sum or a series of payments, depending on the policy type and your preferences. You should choose a payout that can cover your debts, funeral expenses, income replacement and other financial needs of your family.
- Benefits: This is the additional features or services that some policies offer, such as living benefits, riders, dividends, cash value and more. These benefits can enhance your coverage and provide more flexibility and options for you and your beneficiaries. However, they may also increase the cost of your policy or reduce the payout amount.
- Types of life insurance: There are two main types of life insurance: term and permanent. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period of time, usually 10 to 30 years. It is cheaper and simpler than permanent life insurance, but it expires at the end of the term and does not accumulate any cash value. Permanent life insurance provides coverage for your entire life, as long as you pay the premiums. It is more expensive and complex than term life insurance, but it has a cash value component that grows over time and can be accessed while you are alive.
To help you compare the pros and cons of different life insurance companies and policies in West Virginia, here are some of the top-rated companies based on market share, customer satisfaction and financial strength:
- Northwestern Mutual: This company has the highest market share in West Virginia, with 11.57% of the premiums written in 2018. It also has the highest customer satisfaction rating among life insurers in the U.S., according to J.D. Power. It offers term, whole, universal and variable universal life insurance policies with various benefits and riders. The average annual cost for a 20-year term policy with $250,000 coverage for a 30-year-old non-smoker male is $156.
- State Farm: This company has the second-highest market share in West Virginia, with 7.21% of the premiums written in 2018. It also has a high customer satisfaction rating among life insurers in the U.S., according to J.D. Power. It offers term, whole, universal and variable universal life insurance policies with various benefits and riders. The average annual cost for a 20-year term policy with $250,000 coverage for a 30-year-old non-smoker male is $282.
- Transamerica: This company has the third-highest market share in West Virginia, with 5.2% of the premiums written in 2018. It also has an average customer satisfaction rating among life insurers in the U.S., according to J.D. Power. It offers term, whole, universal, variable universal and indexed universal life insurance policies with various benefits and riders. The average annual cost for a 20-year term policy with $250,000 coverage for a 30-year-old non-smoker male is $180.
- Globe Life: This company has the fourth-highest market share in West Virginia, with 4.7% of the premiums written in 2018. It also has a below-average customer satisfaction rating among life insurers in the U.S., according to J.D. Power. It offers term and whole life insurance policies with no medical exam required and guaranteed acceptance for people aged 50 to 80. The average annual cost for a 20-year term policy with $250,000 coverage for a 30-year-old non-smoker male is $300.
- Prudential: This company has the fifth-highest market share in West Virginia, with 3.67% of the premiums written in 2018. It also has an average customer satisfaction rating among life insurers in the U.S., according to J.D. Power. It offers term, whole, universal, variable universal and indexed universal life insurance policies with various benefits and riders. The average annual cost for a 20-year term policy with $250,000 coverage for a 30-year-old non-smoker male is $336.
The URLs of each company's website are:
- Northwestern Mutual: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/
- State Farm: https://www.statefarm.com/
- Transamerica: https://www.transamerica.com/
- Globe Life: https://home.globelifeinsurance.com/
- Prudential: https://www.prudential.com/
To summarize, the best life insurance policy for you depends on your personal and financial situation, goals and preferences. You should compare the annual cost, payouts, benefits and types of life insurance policies from different companies to find the best fit for your needs. Based on the information above, the best policy for a 30-year-old non-smoker male in West Virginia who wants a 20-year term policy with $250,000 coverage is from Northwestern Mutual, as it has the lowest annual cost, the highest customer satisfaction rating and a variety of benefits and riders to choose from.