American General Life Insurance Review
American General Life Insurance Company, which is part of American International Group, is an international finance and insurance firm operating in more than 80 countries. American General Life Insurance began its operations in 1926 and was acquired by American International Group (AIG) in 2001. It offers a variety of life insurance policies, including term life insurance, universal life insurance and whole life insurance. Its policies are suitable for a broad range of people and are available in all 50 states. Quotes can be requested online, but they will be forwarded to an agent who will contact you with a quote.
- Wide variety of products
- No medical exam
- Customizable coverage
- Large financially strong company
- You cannot get a quote or apply for coverage online.
- No mobile app
- Longer underwriting approval time slows the process
American General Life Insurance Ratings at a Glance
If you're looking to buy life insurance, you want all the details before you make a decision. For example, what type of life insurance should you buy and which provider should you purchase a policy from? Benzinga understands how important this decision is, and you will find a guide below that reviews American General Life Insurance to determine whether or not this insurer is right for your needs.
Table of Contents
- American General Life Insurance Policy Options
- American General Life Customer Service
- American General Life Insurance Premiums
- See All 8 Items
American General Life Insurance Policy Options
Minimum Coverage | No stated minimum |
Maximum Coverage | No stated maximum |
Eligible Ages | Up to age 90 |
Term Lengths | 10 to 30 years |
# of Rider Options | 4 |
AIG American General Life offers a variety of life insurance products, including term, whole life and universal life insurance.
Term Life Insurance
AIG offers term life insurance products to policyholders aged between 20 and 80. Term life policies are available for 10, 15, 30 and 35 years. The coverage amounts can range from $50,000 to $10,000,000. All policies are available with level premiums and can be renewed for a one-year term up to 95 years of age. Term policies can also be converted until age 70. For insureds below 55 years old, a return of premium policies may also be available.
AIG American General Life offers the following term life policies:
- Select-A-Term is unique in that you can choose the coverage period that suits you best from 17 options. A typical insurance company offers only four possibilities. Because of its flexibility, it is a good choice for many consumers.
- Return of Premium Term provides a return of premiums paid if you outlive your policy term. This product might be worth considering if you are looking for a guaranteed payment whether you die or live.
Standard features of American General Life Insurance term policies:
- Benefits accrue faster.
- End-of-life illness: 50% of the death benefit is available for disease or chronic conditions that are expected to cause death within the next 12 months.
- Chronic illness: Partially distributed death benefit is available for those who are unable to perform two or more of the activities necessary for daily living or are cognitively impaired.
You can customize an AIG American General Term Life Policy with the following riders:
- Accidental Death Benefit pays a death benefit in addition to your base policy's death benefit if you die from specific accidental injuries.
- Child Rider pays a death benefit up to the rider amount to the insured parent upon the death of an insured child.
- Disability Income pays a monthly benefit to the primary insured if the primary insured is unable to work due to an injury or illness that is covered.
- Terminal Illness pays up to 50% of the death benefit not to exceed $250,000 for a qualified terminal illness.
- Waiver of Premium waives the premium in the event of total disability of the named insured after six months.
- Select Income pays a monthly benefit to the beneficiary after the death of the named insured.
Term life insurance is an excellent option if you are looking for a lower investment and do not anticipate that you will need life insurance in the future or if you want to convert to a permanent plan later.
Permanent Life Insurance
The policy is effective as long you pay the premiums. Premiums are higher because of two features. First, you pay for the death benefit, which will be left to your loved ones. You can also access a tax-deferred cash value account throughout your life.
American General offers two types of permanent life insurance:
- Guaranteed Issue Whole Life is a no-medical-exam permanent life policy with a death benefit of up to $25,000.
- Universal Life is a permanent policy that allows you to change the death benefit and premium paid over time .
Standard features of American General Life Insurance permanent life policies:
- Coverage is available to advanced ages.
- The policy generates cash value on a tax-deferred basis.
- The cash value can be borrowed.
- Cash value is guaranteed.
- Whole life policy premiums are set and do not change.
- Universal life premiums can be adjusted by the insured.
You can customize an AIG American General Permanent Life Insurance with the following riders:
- Accidental Death Benefit pays a death benefit in addition to your base policy's death benefit if you die from specific accidental injuries.
- Child Rider pays a death benefit up to the rider amount to the insured parent upon the death of an insured child.
- Disability Income pays a monthly benefit to the primary insured if the primary insured is unable to work because of an injury or illness that is covered.
- Terminal Illness pays up to 50% of the death benefit not to exceed $250,000 for a qualified terminal illness.
- Waiver of Premium waives the premium in the event of a total disability of the named insured after six months.
- Select Income pays a monthly benefit to the beneficiary after the death of the named insured.
American General Guaranteed Whole Life is an excellent choice for those aged 50 to 80 looking for guaranteed permanent protection with a budget-friendly fixed premium. In addition, its Universal Life policy is a perfect choice for those just starting in life or recently married who prefer the flexibility to change the death benefit or premiums over time.