A++ Life Insurance Company Ratings: Is It Worth It?

A++ Life Insurance Company Ratings are where it’s at if you want security right?

Imagine this scenario: You sign up for a 20-year term life insurance policy that promises great benefits and cheap premiums.

The Bad News: You make your payments on time every month and 15 years into the term and then you die in a tragic accident.

The REALLY Bad News: Your insurance company goes bankrupt and is unable to pay your family the death benefits they’re owed.

Psst: Just to provide a little comfort, quite often struggling life insurance companies are taken over by a healthier insurer…

…and just in case they’re not, each state has a Guaranty Association which is meant to protect policyholders from JUST this scenario!

…but that still doesn’t mean you’ll get what you signed up for!

So what if after all those years of paying your premiums, your family is still left struggling?

This nightmare situation is the one thing ALL policyholders dread so of COURSE, an A++ rated company is the answer to your worries…

Right?

Well maybe NOT!

Huntley Wealth Insurance Services

Before I dig into the ins and outs of choosing a GREAT life insurance company, I want to give you some sincere words of advice.

YEP…

The best way to find a wonderful deal with an insurer that will stand the test of time is to work with an independent agent.

…and NO this isn’t because I am one. It’s because life insurance ain’t a one size fits all deal. No siree.

Not to mention the fact that some really awesome companies that are financially fit DON’T have A++ ratings.

If you want a customized policy, with the most affordable rates – get in touch with an independent agent and let them sift through the avalanche of information to uncover a gem of a deal created specifically for you.

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Get started with a free life insurance quote now!

Remember, Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

Chris, cheap premiums are my primary concern. Hey, I’ve got kids to think about…

YES, you do – and this is why I would contend that you need to consider a whole lot more than saving a couple of shekels…

I wish I could tell you how many people have come into my office looking for “CHEAP” life insurance. 

Let’s face it – NO one wants to spend a lot of money on life insurance premiums. Come on – why would you, when a trip to Cabo sounds like a whole lot more fun?

You know, I get it. We all want to save money and if you shop for life insurance properly you can save thousands and thousands over your term. 

…BUT you should NEVER skimp on the quality of your policy because you want to save a couple of bucks.

Sadly LOTS of people underinsure themselves or go with the wrong company because it looks like a deal.

What Not To Do

Ok was I clear enough? hahaha.

Seriously. Cheaper is NOT always better. In fact, in life insurance, it can get you into a boatload of trouble…

…and that’s NOT to say you shouldn’t watch your pennies.

The thing is, you want to make sure that the company you sign on with is financially stable and that means you need to check out their rating. 

Factors such as economic instability can impact whether a life insurance company can meet its obligations and pay its customers as needed.

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What Should You Look For?

Ugh, Ok, I hear ya – but what exactly are good life insurance company ratings?

GREAT question – let’s dig a little further because it’s not all that straightforward!

Without knowing if a company is financially strong, you’re essentially punching in the dark and hoping for the best when it comes to selecting a life insurance company.

To help you sort through hundreds of options, financial rating agencies have implemented a grading system! Here are examples of the grades you need to know from the three of the top rating companies:

AM Best

• Superior: A+ & A++
• Excellent: A & A-
• Good: B+ & B++
• Fair: B & B-

Standard & Poor’s / Fitch

• Very Strong Financial Performance: AAA
• Strong Financial Performance: AA
• Good Ability to meet Financial Commitments: A
• May be effected in an economic downturn: BBB

As you can see their systems differ but the message is the same.

By the way – don’t consider a company at all if the rating is less than those I listed above. Frankly, if I were you I’d never go below an A rating – there’s no need to take on the additional risk.

If you’ve heard of ‘A++ Rated’ life insurance companies maybe you are wondering what all the hype is about.

Just as life insurance companies assess the risk of insuring you, you should consider the risk of signing up with them.

Factors That Determine Ratings

Higher life insurance company ratings are meant to make consumers feel like they can sleep better with protection from a winning company!

Rating agencies use various factors to assess life insurance companies that include:

• Company financial holdings
• Management Style
• Amount of premiums collected and amount of benefits paid to customers
• Business focus
• Company structure

Is An A++ Policy Worth The Extra $$$?

Using these life insurance company ratings to your advantage can make choosing a policy easier and a less risky decision for you and your family.

Because financial rating agencies are independent organizations, each uses their own unique formula to determine the financial strength of an insurance company.

So you can’t necessarily assume an A++ rating means the same thing to every agency and as you can see Standard & Poors doesn’t even have one!

The key is to refer to a reputable ratings agency that makes you feel comfortable such as S&P, A.M Best and Fitch!

A.M. Best uses an A++ rating for insurers they feel are the best of the best (Standard & Poor’s equivalent would be an AAA). It’s pretty nice to know that the company you selected is on VERY secure ground and will be able to make good on your death benefits.

The thing is Premiums are more expensive for these companies than for those with lesser grades. So let’s check out some cost comparisons right now!

A++ Rated Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance

• A 41-year-old male with a preferred rating looking for 30-year term will pay $82.25 per month for term insurance. Over 30 years he will pay $29,610.00 if he lives to the end of his term!

A+ Rated Banner Life Insurance

• A 41-year-old male with a preferred rating looking for 30-year term will pay $75.68 per month for term insurance. Over 30 years he will pay $27,244.80 if he lives to the end of his term!

A Rated Cincinnati Life Insurance

• A 41-year-old male with a preferred rating looking for 30-year term will pay $73.92 per month for term insurance. Over 30 years he will pay $26,607.60 if he lives to the end of his term!

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The Total Savings: A++ Rated vs. A Rated

Wow! I bet you could think of a lot of ways to spend that money.

The thing is, all of the companies I listed above are EXCELLENT purveyors of insurance. YEP. In fact, they are rated as such. So I would not hesitate to recommend any of them to my clients. 

I actually give these small drops in ratings less credence than picking the WRONG A++ rated company for your particular circumstances. 

To give you an idea – let’s say you are stuck on selecting an A++ rated insurer and you ask me to get you a policy through Massachusetts Mutual…

….BUT they are tough on a medical condition you have. Hmmm…now you don’t qualify for a preferred rating at all – they’ve dropped you down to standard.

BOOM your premiums go up to $128.50. Ouch! 

…BUT you still qualify for that preferred policy at Cincinnati Life because they’re more lenient for your medical condition. The decision to go with the A++ policy is gonna cost you:

OUCH – That Could Buy a Car

Why You Need The Help Of An Independent Life Insurance Agent

Of COURSE, you should always avoid insurers that are rated poorly or ‘vulnerable’ by any financial rating agency. 

This is simply common sense. You want the life insurance company you pick to fulfill your family’s needs when you’re gone.

But this is just one part of your homework and in fact, an A++ rating may not be worth as much to you as picking out the right company for your personal circumstances. 

Financial ratings are AWESOME and you shouldn’t really consider any companies that don’t have excellent life insurance rating.

…but the truth is if you pick that A++ rated company and they ding your health rating, you may spend thousands and thousands more than you should have.

Plan for Your Family TODAY!

That’s why you need to speak to a Huntley Wealth agent today.

We know about life insurance company ratings AND the ins and outs of the underwriting guidelines. Not to mention the fact that we have over a decade of experience in the industry, which means we can provide insider information about customer service and the reality of making a claim. 

YES an A++ is a terrific thing – but please don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. A company with an excellent (A) rating should not be disregarded if they are the right company for your needs.

Be a superhero and bulletproof your Family’s financial security today! 

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