Life insurance pays money to the people you name if you die. Term life covers a set number of years and is usually the cheapest way to replace income while kids are young or a mortgage is outstanding. Permanent life (whole, universal) lasts your lifetime and builds cash value but costs much more.
California's insurance department ranks the 50 largest individual life insurers by justified complaints per 100,000 policies. Lower is better; across the 50 listed the average was 1.7. Most had very few complaints, so small differences don't mean much. These are legal company names (for example, Pruco Life is Prudential's and Banner Life is Legal & General America's).
| Rank | Company | Per 100k policies | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2 | Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 3 | Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 4 | Lincoln National Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 5 | Pruco Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 6 | American Fidelity Assurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 7 | Texas Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 8 | Usaa Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 9 | Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 10 | Ia American Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 11 | Principal National Life Insurance Company | 0.0 | 0 |
| 12 | Guardian Life Insurance Company Of America | 0.0 | 0 |
| 13 | State Farm Life Insurance Company | 0.1 | 1 |
| 14 | New York Life Insurance Company | 0.7 | 4 |
| 15 | Banner Life Insurance Company | 0.7 | 1 |
| 16 | Gerber Life Insurance Company | 0.8 | 2 |
| 17 | United Insurance Company Of America | 0.9 | 1 |
| 18 | Primerica Life Insurance Company | 0.9 | 4 |
| 19 | United Of Omaha Life Insurance Company | 0.9 | 2 |
| 20 | John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) | 1.0 | 1 |
| 21 | Life Insurance Company Of The Southwest | 1.0 | 3 |
| 22 | Cmfg Life Insurance Company | 1.2 | 1 |
| 23 | Lincoln Benefit Life Company | 1.3 | 1 |
| 24 | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company | 1.3 | 2 |
| 25 | Brighthouse Life Insurance Company | 1.4 | 1 |
| 26 | Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company | 1.4 | 1 |
| 27 | Midland National Life Insurance Company | 1.6 | 1 |
| 28 | Protective Life Insurance Company | 1.7 | 3 |
| 29 | Aaa Life Insurance Company | 1.8 | 5 |
| 30 | Farmers New World Life Insurance Company | 1.8 | 7 |
| 31 | Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company | 1.9 | 1 |
| 32 | American General Life Insurance Company | 2.1 | 9 |
| 33 | Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. | 2.6 | 1 |
| 34 | Nationwide Life And Annuity Insurance Company | 2.8 | 3 |
| 35 | Reliastar Life Insurance Company | 2.9 | 2 |
| 36 | Metropolitan Life Insurance Company | 3.0 | 4 |
| 37 | American Income Life Insurance Company | 3.1 | 11 |
| 38 | Pacific Life Insurance Company | 3.1 | 3 |
| 39 | American National Insurance Company | 3.2 | 5 |
| 40 | Provident Life And Accident Insurance Company | 3.4 | 2 |
| 41 | North American Company For Life And Health Insurance | 3.8 | 2 |
| 42 | American Family Life Assurance Company Of Columbus | 3.9 | 2 |
| 43 | New York Life Insurance And Annuity Corporation | 4.2 | 3 |
| 44 | Jackson National Life Insurance Company | 4.9 | 2 |
| 45 | Prudential Insurance Company Of America | 5.0 | 7 |
| 46 | Transamerica Life Insurance Company | 5.8 | 32 |
| 47 | Bankers Life And Casualty Company | 6.9 | 3 |
| 48 | Americo Financial Life And Annuity Insurance Company | 7.2 | 3 |
| 49 | Everlake Life Insurance Company | 9.9 | 4 |
| 50 | Genworth Life And Annuity Insurance Company | 10.8 | 7 |
Source: California Department of Insurance, Individual Life Complaint Composite Study (2025). Checked 2026-10-12. Financial-strength ratings (AM Best etc.) aren't free to republish, so they're not shown.
We don't compare life insurance prices or policy features yet; we only publish facts we can source.
We don't sell insurance or provide quotes. Facts from regulators and public data only, no paid placement.
Term covers a set period and usually costs much less; whole/permanent lasts for life and builds cash value at a higher cost.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.