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Best Life Insurance Companies for Veterans for 2024

Prudential Veterans’ GroupLife is our top pick

Active-duty military personnel are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in life insurance coverage offered through Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and that benefit continues for 120 days after leaving military service. Within 120 days of leaving service, you have the option to convert your current SGLI policy into a civilian one. Additionally, life insurance companies for veterans offer specially designed policies. 

To identify the best life insurance companies for veterans, we researched dozens of companies and data points, then narrowed down our choices to insurers with positive ratings and reviews and a history of serving veterans and their families. We also prioritized companies that offer multiple different policy types, including whole life policies, and have exclusions for things like PTSD and mental health concerns. Additionally, we considered plan pricing and those that provide coverage options for family members and spouses.

Best Life Insurance Companies for Veterans for 2024

Compare life insurance quotes with our partner Covr Financial from multiple providers before buying.

Best Overall : Prudential Veterans' Group Life Insurance


Prudential

 Prudential

  • Medical Exam Required: No
  • Plans: 11
  • Issue Ages: Doesn’t disclose
Why We Chose It

Prudential Veterans' Group Life Insurance offers veterans a guarantee of lifetime coverage with no medical exam requirements and it's a reputable company with a long industry history, which is why it's our best overall choice.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Coverage for active service members and veterans

  • No medical exam necessary in most cases

  • No exclusions for mental health, PTSD, or TBI

Cons
  • Strict eligibility requirements

Overview

Founded in 1875, Prudential has an A+ rating from AM Best. It provides coverage for millions of active service members and hundreds of thousands of military veterans with VGLI, a program established with the Veterans' Insurance Act of 1974.

Administered by Prudential on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs since the launch of the VGLI program, this product guarantees lifetime coverage for the rest of a veteran's life, no matter what happens to your health or employment status, as long as you pay your premiums. You have one year and 120 days after leaving active military service to enroll. If you apply within 240 days, no medical questions will be asked of you.

The monthly premium for $150,000 of coverage is $19.50 per month for a 35-year-old veteran and $100.50 per month for a 55-year-old veteran.

Online quotes are available on the websites for Prudential and Veterans Affairs. For assistance over the phone, you can call the company directly Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

Read the full Prudential Life Insurance review.

Best for Senior Veterans : American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA)


AAFMAA

AAFMAA

  • Medical Exam Required: No
  • Plans: 11
  • Issue Ages: Up to 84
Why We Chose It

We picked AAFMAA as the best for senior veterans because it offers life insurance policies tailored especially for them. AAFMAA has several policies to choose from and covers veterans up to age 84.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Offers a cheaper alternative to VGLI

  • Offers no medical exam insurance policies

  • Has been in business since 1879

Cons
  • Coverage not available in all states

Overview

Founded in 1879 when the War Department realized there was a need to take care of soldiers after Custer's Last Stand, AAFMAA offers term life insurance and whole life insurance, specifically for veterans, with coverage available nationwide (although only available to military retirees and their spouses in Washington, D.C., Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin).

In addition, the company offers no medical exam life insurance policies, including ANNUITYLife and Wealth Builder Life which are designed for older veterans and their spouses.

Instant online quotes are available on AAFMAA's website, without having to speak with an agent. Otherwise, interested customers can speak to an insurance sales representative over the phone, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST.

The company's Level Term I plan offers coverage up to age 49 and its Level Term II offers options ranging from five to 30 years of term life coverage.

An online quote for a nonsmoking 35-year-old male veteran for $150,000 in coverage costs $8.65 per month for Level Term I and $10.35 per month for Level Term II. Whole life monthly premiums range from $136.24 (for the pay-for-life option) to $357.30 for a seven-year premium duration. For a nonsmoking 55-year-old male veteran seeking up to $150,000 in coverage, insurance costs $45.45 per month for Level Term II. Whole life monthly premiums range from $295.41 (for the pay-for-life option) to $708.60 for the seven-year premium duration.

Best for Disabled Veterans : United Services Automobile Association (USAA)


USAA

 USAA

  • Medical Exam Required: Yes
  • Plans: 3
  • Issue Ages: Doesn't specify
Why We Chose It

The company offers life insurance plans that cater to disabled veterans. It also has high ratings and online quotes.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Has been in business since the 1920s

  • Customers can add their children to their policies

  • Policies for disabled veterans

Cons
  • Medical checkup is required to rate the policy

Overview

With the highest rating available from AM Best of A++ (Superior), USAA is also on our overall list of best life insurance companies. It has been in business since 1922 and offers a variety of life insurance policies for active military and veterans, including term, whole, and universal life.

Online quotes are available, but you must create an account first. Otherwise, interested customers can reach out to the company over the phone Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

You can also apply to get a policy in the company's mobile app, with the process taking about 20 minutes. At that point, a free medical exam is required and will be scheduled at a time that works for you. This appointment can be done at your home or wherever you choose. Within a couple of weeks, USAA will review your eligibility and determine your premium.

The company offers term life insurance policies for as little as $12 a month for military members that includes coverage during wartime and up to $25,000 in assistance to cover the cost of severe injuries. Policyholders can retain this coverage—guaranteed—after leaving active duty. These policies, available in increments of 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years, can be upgraded to whole life insurance and universal life insurance as well. USAA gives retiring military members the option to replace SGLI once they leave active duty with the ability to lock in premiums—even for retiring military members who are disabled.

Read the full USAA Life Insurance review.

Best for Families : Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA)


USBA

 USBA

  • Medical Exam Required: No
  • Plans: 8
  • Issue Ages: Doesn't specify
Why We Chose It

The company is ideal for veterans with families because it offers family plans, coverage for married couples, and coverage for dependents.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Has been in business since the 1950s

  • Offers a family plan

Cons
  • Not available in all states

Overview

Founded in 1959 to meet the needs of military personnel, USBA offers veterans term and whole life insurance to replace SGLI when they leave the military. Policies are underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, which has received an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best.

Instant online quotes are available. You can also call the company and speak with a sales agent Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

A nonsmoking 35-year-old male can expect to pay $18 per month for $150,000 of 20-year level term insurance and $163.50 per month for lifetime value whole life insurance. A nonsmoking 55-year-old male can expect to pay $38.50 per month for $150,000 10-year level term insurance and $433.50 per month for lifetime value whole life insurance.

The company has a first-to-die policy called the USBA Double Value Two for One Family Group Level Term Life Plan. This offers equal coverage for married couples with one joint monthly premium and pays upon the death of the first spouse. This is an appealing choice for veterans and their families looking to maximize their budget. The monthly premium for $150,000 in coverage is $15.75 for nonsmoking couples ages 31 to 40 and $51 for nonsmoking couples ages 51 to 55. Dependent children can be added to the plan for just $1.50 more per child per month.

Best Children's Rider : Military Benefit Association (MBA)


Military Benefit Association

 Military Benefit Association

  • Medical Exam Required: No
  • Plans: 2
  • Issue Ages: Up to 90
Why We Chose It

Children are covered for free up to $12,500 with Military Benefit Association's (MBA) Term Insurance to Age 90 Plan. Optional add-ons even allow children to become members in their own right starting at age 25, making MBA our top pick for a plan with a children's rider.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Is underwritten by MetLife Inc.

  • Has been in business since the 1950s

  • Eligible children may be covered at no extra cost

  • Offers coverage for policyholders up to age 90

Cons
  • No whole life insurance plans are available

Overview

Founded in 1956, MBA offers 10- and 20-year term life insurance for veterans as an alternative to or supplement for existing VGLI coverage. The company's life insurance policies are underwritten by MetLife, Inc., which has received an A+ rating from AM Best. As an added benefit to senior veterans, MBA offers an additional term life insurance plan that provides coverage up to age 90.

Aside from the veteran, family members can also obtain policies. Spouses are eligible for $1 million in coverage. All policies come with free coverage for each dependent child for up to $12,500 per dependent. And, as an optional add-on, customers can apply for $10,000, $20,000, or $25,000 of additional term coverage for each unmarried child under 21 years old (or 25 years for full-time students who are unmarried and are dependents of the policyholder). Beyond that, eligible children can become MBA members starting at age 25.

Instant online quotes are available on the company's website. Interested customers can also call the company and speak with a sales agent Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.

For $150,000 in coverage benefits, a nonsmoking 35-year-old male can expect to pay $9.30 per month for term life insurance, while a nonsmoking 55-year-old male can expect to pay $46.50 per month. 

Final Verdict

Transitioning back to civilian life can be a difficult adjustment. With so many immediate changes, it can be hard to think about the distant future, but it's important to plan ahead and ensure your loved ones are protected once you pass away. Each of the life insurance companies on this list can offer you that peace of mind. However, we recommend checking out Prudential Veterans’ Group Life Insurance as our top pick overall due to its strong financial strength, overall positive ratings, and long history in the industry. And with no medical exam requirements, Prudential Veterans' Group Life Insurance will simplify the application process, giving you one less thing to worry about when transitioning from active duty.

Compare the Best Veterans' Life Insurance Companies

Company Medical Exam Required Coverage Capacity Issue Ages Premiums Policies Offered
Prudential Veterans' Group Life Insurance
Best Overall
No Up to $10,000,000 Doesn't specify $19.50+/month Term and various universal life
AAFMAA
Best for Senior Veterans
No $10,000–$1,000,000 Up to 84 $8.65+/month Term and whole
USAA
Best for Disabled Veterans
Yes Varies Doesn't specify $12+/month Term, whole, and universal
USBA
Best for Families
No Varies Doesn't specify $18+/month Term and whole
MBA
Best Children's Rider
No Varies Up to 90 $9.30+/month Term
What Is Life Insurance?

More Ratings of Top Life Insurance Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Life Insurance Can I Get as a Veteran?

    It can be more difficult for veterans to get traditional insurance policies due to residual mental and physical health issues. Life insurance for veterans considers the challenges that these people face and provides them with alternatives. However, there are providers that have excellent life insurance specifically for veterans, such as the five reviewed here.

  • Do U.S. Veterans Get Free Life Insurance?

    No. Veterans can get a plan through the VA, which offers SGLI to active duty members while they're serving, as well as VGLI with up to $500,000 in coverage and Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) for those that meet certain eligibility criteria. However, veterans must still pay for the plan. They can also use a non-profit organization, such as MBA, or get coverage from a private insurance company, but they must pay for life insurance coverage.

  • When a Veteran Dies Is There a Death Benefit?

    It depends. You may qualify for death benefits from the VA if you're paying for the veteran's burial and funeral costs. For other life insurance policies, it will depend on the plan and coverage chosen.

  • What Does the VA Pay for When a Veteran Dies?

    When a veteran dies, their surviving loved one may be eligible for a VA-granted burial allowance for burial and funeral costs, plot or interment allowance for the cost of the gravesite, and transportation reimbursement for the cost of transporting the veteran’s remains to the final resting place. Surviving spouses and children of wartime veterans who meet certain income requirements could also be eligible for a monthly survivors pension from the VA.

Methodology

We reviewed dozens of life insurance companies to find those that offer the best options for veterans, based on overall ratings, history of serving veterans, range of plan offerings, pricing, plan features, and coverage options for family members and spouses. These are all important criteria for those looking for life insurance coverage after leaving the military.

Life Insurance for Veterans
Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.
  1. AM Best. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Prudential Financial, Inc. and Its Life/Health Subsidiaries."

  2. AM Best. “AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of United Services Automobile Association, Its Subsidiaries and USAA Capital Corporation.”

  3. AM Best. “New York Life Insurance Company.”

  4. AM Best. “AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of MetLife, Inc. and Its Life/Health Subsidiaries.”