What you should know about Life Insurance Ratings and In-force Ratings
Click on any search engine, and search, "What insurance company is the largest?" Besides the size of a company, other factors should also be considered when searching for the right insurance company and policy for you and your beneficiaries.
It’s important to understand what life insurance ratings really mean and how to interpret them. Life insurance ratings involve different factors, including how many policies are sold annually and how many insurance policies are in-force.
In this article, you will learn the difference between insurance providers who sell the most policies versus in-force policies. You will learn how independent financial sources rank an insurance company. Below are several important factors to consider when choosing an insurance company and buying an insurance policy.
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What are the insurance company’s insurance ratings?
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What is the history of a life insurance company?
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How is customer service? How timely are claims processed?
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What type of insurance products does the company provide?
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Does the life insurance company offer products appropriate for your budget or earning power?
Independent Resources for Insurance Ratings
Insurance ratings are usually cited by how many premiums the company has sold (the premium). This means how many insurance policies were sold, and the dollar amount of the insurance sold during a specific period of time.
An in-force rating means an insurance policy is active. The premiums are being paid, or are fully paid, and the insurance company is providing coverage to the policyholder.1
An in-force rating may indicate other key factors. First, it demonstrates the longevity of a policy, which means policyholders are keeping and maintaining their insurance policy. Consistent and high numbers for in-force ratings may reflect satisfied customers who have chosen the appropriate type of policy and costs that work for their budget.
Reputable financial insurance ratings
Listed below are well-known and reputable financial organizations and companies:
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) annually reports the top 25 insurance companies, according to countrywide premiums sold as life insurance policies. This includes the policies sold, and the collective dollar amount of premiums and annuities sold in a specific time period (12 months).2
S&P Global Ratings, an American credit rating agency, reports in-force insurance policies. This company provides high-quality, objective, independent, and rigorous analytical information to the marketplace. Sources cited require membership but can be found online. The S&P Global rating is a forward-looking view derived from dependable data on the growth of the company.3
Globe Life is one of the 20 largest life insurance companies in the United States based on market share for individual policies.4
A.M. Best Company is a trusted and independent rating service that looks at the insurance company’s financial stability and rates accordingly. A.M. Best assesses the creditworthiness of and reports on more than 16,000 insurance companies worldwide.5
A.M. Best Company, an independent insurance analyst since 1899, awarded Globe Life an A (Excellent) rating (cited 8/23) based on its latest analysis of financial strength, management skills, and integrity.6
The ratings reflect Globe Life’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best assesses as excellent, as well as its very strong operating performance, favorable business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
Compared with other widely known life insurance companies, Globe Life consistently ranks first in the number of in-force policies year-over-year (see graph below). This ranking is found on S&P Global (2022).7
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A.M. Best Company, an independent insurance analyst since 1899, awarded Globe Life an A (Excellent) rating (as of 8/23) based on its latest analysis of financial strength, management skills, and integrity.
Total Policy Count In Force
Globe Life Inc.
2022 16,812K
2021 15,178K
2020 13, 967K
Transamerica
2022 8,048K
2021 8.416K
2020 7,805K
State Farm
2022 8,3710K
2021 8,200K
2020 7,961K
Prudential Financial Inc.
2022 7,659K
2021 7,643K
2020 7,756K
Northwestern Mutual
2022 6,326K
2021 6,213K
2020 5,972K
Met Life
2022 6,0817K
2021 6,102K
2020 6,346K
New York Life
2022 5,614K
2021 5,661K
2020 5,654K
Updated March 18, 2024
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How Long Has the Company Been in Business?
The age of a company is a key factor to consider. A company that has significant longevity generally demonstrates stability. You want a company whose financial stability is healthy. Visit the insurance company’s website for information about the insurance company’s history and performance.
Check out an insurance company’s annual reports. The financial annual report is usually found on the company’s website, or you can call and request one. What is their year-over-year growth? Typically, you can view past annual reports and see if they are growing or if they are financially stable.
Several new insurance companies have sprung up on the internet and media in recent years. Be careful and perform your due diligence regarding new insurance companies. Seek out an independent licensed insurance agent or broker and get their insight. Find out all you can about the company. There are insurance scams you want to avoid. Protect yourself and your money. You may have difficulty recouping any paid premiums.
Since our roots began in 1900, Globe Life has been committed to empowering our customers by offering products to help secure their financial future, allowing them to face the unexpected from a position of strength.
How is Customer Service? Are Claims Paid?
What good is an insurance policy if you don’t understand it, or a beneficiary needs guidance and assistance when the time comes to claim the insurance benefit?
Ask a licensed insurance agent or broker information on submitting a claim and how the benefit is paid.
Don’t forget to check out reviews on customer service and the insurance company.
The insurance agent you choose should be giving you great service and helping explain to you and your beneficiaries the process of securing the insurance benefit.
Personalized service is important to Globe Life Insurance agents who give you one-on-one customer service.
What type of insurance products does the company sell?
You may be looking for more than a life insurance plan. Perhaps you aren’t sure if you want a whole life or term life policy. Look at the diversity of products an insurance company sells. This may be helpful in giving you options and having a one-stop insurance company and agent to work with.
With over $224 billion*(per internal Company records) of insurance in force, Globe Life is committed to providing secure life and supplemental health insurance protection to our policyholders today and in the future. You can be assured Globe Life will be there when you need us the most.
What are the premiums (rates) for your budget or earning power?>
An insurance premium is the amount of money an individual or business pays for an insurance policy. What your current earning power or budget is determines the type of coverage you may be able to purchase. Choosing an insurance company that specializes in a price range you can afford can make a difference in your options.
With this information, you are now ready to make informed decisions for your future beneficiaries. Call a licensed insurance agent today.
Sources:
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Insuranceopedia, What does https://www.insuranceopedia.com/definition/377/in-force, Updated February 29, 2024.
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NAIC, 2023 Life Insurance Market Share, Accessed 2024.
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S&P Global, https://www.spglobal.com/, Accessed 2024.
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Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence, compiled April 26, 2023. Market share is based on 2022 direct ordinary premiums, from U.S. subsidiaries only.
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A.M.Best, https://web.ambest.com/ratings-services, Accessed 2024.
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Globe Life Ratings, Accessed 2023.
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Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence, compiled April 26, 2023. Market share is based on 2022 direct ordinary premiums, from U.S. subsidiaries only.
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