Best Life Insurance Companies In Fresno, CA

While I personally believe that MassMutual is the top pick, you may find that another insurer suits your needs better.

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Updated: 12 October 2024
Written by Bob Phillips
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If you call Fresno home, chances are you’ve received a fair share of emails, snail mail, and TV or streaming ads encouraging you to purchase life insurance. With each company claiming to be the best in the city, finding the right life insurer for you can be a challenge, especially when considering factors like your age, health, budget, and more.

This article will delve into an array of the best life insurance companies in Fresno and evaluate their niche, advantages and disadvantages, policy types, customer ratings, and other important factors. Additionally, we will reveal the cost of life insurance in the city.

By reading this far, you’ve demonstrated that you care about securing your loved ones’ lifestyle in the event of your passing. You may also be interested in building cash value on a tax-deferred basis to bolster your retirement savings, finance your child’s or grandchild’s education, or establish a lasting legacy.

No matter your motive, you have come to the right place to discover the optimal life insurance policy in Fresno. Combining my 15 years of experience selling life insurance with hours of research, I have compiled this information to assist you in making an informed decision.

Best Life Insurance Companies In Fresno, CA 2024

Best Life Insurance, Fresno 2024

Compare The Best Life Insurance Companies In Fresno, CA

Just like for most products and services, comparison shopping is vital when it comes to life insurance. Unfortunately, one of the most common errors people make when purchasing life insurance is neglecting to compare the companies they're considering.

Drawing from my own experience representing multiple companies listed here, insights from friends representing others in this comparison, and my own research, I have created a comparison chart to assist you in initiating the process of finding the ideal insurance company that suits your unique needs in Fresno.

Best For A.M. Best Rating Customer Satisfaction Ratings Overall Rating Online Experience Get A Quote
Haven Life

Online Experience

A++

780

4.5

9.9

Instant Quote
Nationwide

Runner-Up

A+

791

4.7

8.9

Instant Quote
State Farm

Customer Service

A++

839

4.7

8.7

Instant Quote
Mutual of Omaha

Seniors

A+

801

4.6

8.5

Instant Quote
Transamerica

Cheapest Term Insurance

A

740

4.8

7.0

Instant Quote
MassMutual

Best Overall

A++

780

4.9

8.8

Instant Quote
Scroll to see comparisons

Our Methodology

In order to arrive at the aforementioned ratings, we took into consideration a range of factors such as the number of years in business, the assortment of policies offered, financial stability, customer satisfaction ratings, and website transparency.

Additionally, my personal experience with these companies was taken into account, as I have had significant experience with all of them with the exception of Haven Life, in order to provide you with the most informed and reliable insights regarding the top life insurance companies in Fresno.

54

Quotes Analyzed

15+

Years Of Industry Experience

25

Brands Reviewed

26+

Research Hours

Reviews Of The Best Life Insurance Companies In Fresno


Best Overall

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

8/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
10/10 Claims/Payouts
10/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

MassMutual, a life insurance provider with over 170 years of experience, is a leading option for Fresno residents seeking customized coverage options.

The company’s wide range of life insurance products offers policyholders the flexibility to tailor their coverage to their individual needs.

What sets MassMutual apart is its status as a mutual company, with policyholders partially owning the company and receiving dividends on some permanent life insurance policies. This unique feature offers potential long-term returns on investment for policyholders.

MassMutual has a solid reputation in the industry, backed by the highest financial ratings. In the 2022 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study by J.D. Power, the company ranked 9th overall in customer satisfaction.

The company’s career agent sales force receives extensive product training, ensuring high-quality service and expertise for policyholders and prospective clients.

While MassMutual’s premiums may not be the lowest, the company offers high coverage limits, with term policies ranging from $100,000 to $10 million.

The premiums are competitive compared to other companies with similar sales models, such as New York Life and Northwestern Mutual Life.

However, one potential downside of MassMutual is that its premiums may be more expensive than those of other insurers that sell policies through independent life insurance agents.

This is due to the high overhead associated with maintaining a career agent sales force. Nonetheless, MassMutual’s reputation and unique features make it an excellent option for those seeking customizable coverage options and potential long-term returns.

Not only does MassMutual offer a variety of life insurance policies in Fresno, but they also provide fixed and variable annuities. These annuities can be a great option if you’re looking for a lifelong income stream after depositing a lump-sum amount.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Detailed breakdown of policies available online
  • Offers both term and permanent policy options
  • Convenient online claims filing process
Drawbacks
  • Only provides term policies online through third party
  • No option to apply for permanent policies online

Runner-Up For Best Overall

Overall Rating
4.7

Key Statistics

9/10 Affordability
8/10 Customer Reviews
8/10 Claims/Payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Nationwide, founded in 1925, is a popular financial services company that offers life insurance in Fresno. While it’s headquartered in Ohio, it has a strong presence in the Fresno market and is known for its exceptional service.

Nationwide provides various life insurance policies, including term life, whole life, and universal life, through its agent sales force and trusted financial professionals. It’s also a go-to option for seniors and the business market, with larger face amounts and annuities available.

What’s great about Nationwide is that it offers more than just life insurance. You can also find long-term care and pet insurance on their website, which is easy to navigate and has detailed descriptions of each product.

One of the standout features of Nationwide is their bundle discount, where you can lower your rates by combining your life insurance with auto and homeowners policies. This simplifies your life and helps protect your family and property with one company.

When it comes to life insurance, Nationwide might not be the best choice if you’re specifically looking for estate planning advice. Their agents usually focus more on property and casualty insurance, and may not have the expertise needed for your specific needs.

But if you’re looking for a bundle discount that includes life insurance, Nationwide could be a good option. Other companies like Liberty Mutual don’t offer life insurance as part of their bundle packages, so this could be a major perk for you.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Competitive premium rates
  • Provides term, whole, and universal life insurance coverage
  • Ability to tailor coverage with riders for personalized protection
Drawbacks
  • No option to receive online quotes or apply for permanent policies
  • Age limitations for term insurance eligibility (must be 70 or younger)

Best For Buying Life Insurance Online

Overall Rating
4.5

Key Statistics

9/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
10/10 Claims/Payouts
8/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

While not one of the oldest insurers around, Haven Life has a strong pedigree as it is owned by MassMutual.

This insurance company caters to individuals who prefer to buy insurance online and from the comfort of their homes in Fresno.

Haven Life’s flagship term life insurance product is Haven Term, which has a maximum death benefit of $3 million. With highly competitive premiums, this product ranks among the best term life insurance options available in Fresno.

What sets Haven Life apart is its fully digital and user-friendly platform. After entering some basic information and selecting a face amount of insurance to get a quote, you can complete a streamlined application in under 15 minutes.

The instructions on the website are clear and easy to follow, making the process simple and hassle-free.

Another significant advantage of Haven Life is that no medical exam is required, so no paramed will be visiting your home or office. Approval will be based solely on the answers to medical questions, and underwriting is known for its fairness.

With competitive premiums, user-friendly platform, and streamlined application process, Haven Life is a top contender among insurance providers.

If you’re on the hunt for an effortless way to purchase term life insurance online in Fresno, Haven Life should be on your radar.

It’s reassuring to know that they’re a subsidiary of MassMutual, a well-known insurer that instills confidence in its policyholders that their claims will be paid.

Additionally, Haven Life has received high marks for their customer service, so you can feel confident that you’ll be well taken care of.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • No medical exam required for policy approval
  • Flexible term options from 5 to 30 years
  • Wide coverage range from $25,000 to $3 million
Drawbacks
  • Does not offer permanent life insurance coverage options
  • No mobile app available for convenient policy management

Best For Seniors

Overall Rating
4.6

Key Statistics

8/10 Affordability
10/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Claims/ Payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Most Fresno seniors are likely familiar with Omaha due to the popular “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” television show, which they may have grown up watching or enjoyed with their children.

As the name suggests, Mutual of Omaha is also a mutual (policyholder-owned) insurance company, based in Omaha, Nebraska. As a former agent, trainer, and manager with the company, I can attest to its solid reputation.

While the insurer does offer life insurance to people of all ages through its subsidiary, United of Omaha, it primarily targets Baby Boomers and their parents.

Mutual of Omaha is a top choice for seniors seeking Medicare Supplement policies, and you may have even come across their travel insurance kiosks at the airport.

In terms of life insurance, Mutual of Omaha offers a diverse range of policies, including term, whole, and universal life. Their prices for permanent insurance tend to be on the higher end, but they remain competitive.

However, where Mutual of Omaha truly excels is with their life insurance for seniors. Their “no medical exam” senior whole life insurance policy, available to individuals aged 45-80, is particularly noteworthy.

Marketed as “Final Expense Insurance,” the policy is essentially a smaller face amount whole life insurance policy that does not require a medical exam.

While no medical exam is required for the senior life policy, applicants must answer questions about their medical history, and there is no guarantee that the policy will be issued.

Despite this, Mutual of Omaha remains a popular and reliable option for Fresno seniors seeking life insurance.

For seniors in Fresno seeking life insurance policies with smaller face amounts, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, Mutual of Omaha senior life is an exceptional option.

The insurer’s underwriting and application approval process is relatively liberal, making it more accessible for many older adults.

Moreover, Mutual of Omaha’s customer service is top-notch, as reflected in its ranking as the third-highest insurer in the 2022 Life Insurance Survey conducted by J.D. Powers

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Consistently receives excellent customer service ratings
  • Shows understanding of the unique life insurance needs of seniors
  • Demonstrates superior financial strength as a company
Drawbacks
  • Does not offer guaranteed issue policy options for those with difficult health histories.
  • Term life insurance rates are relatively high compared to competitors

Best Cheap Life Insurance

Overall Rating
4.8

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
7/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Claims/Payouts
10/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Transamerica Life Insurance provides affordable life insurance for people of all ages in Fresno. Their premiums are the most competitive for younger adults, making it a great option for those who are just starting to plan for their future.

Transamerica exclusively sells its life insurance products through independent life insurance agents, known as “brokers”. This helps to keep their premiums low and ensures that you can get the best policy for your needs.

The Trendsetter Super Policy is Transamerica’s anchor life insurance product, which offers up to $10 million in term life protection. If you purchase this policy and are in excellent health, you may not have to take a medical exam if the policy’s face amount is $2 million or less.

The Trendsetter Super Policy is a convertible term life policy, allowing you to convert your coverage to a permanent life insurance policy during the conversion period specified in the policy.

This allows you to buy a policy with a larger face amount and lower premium initially and convert it to a whole or universal life insurance policy with a higher premium when your income increases.

Transamerica also offers life insurance to foreign nationals working in the United States. To qualify, you must have a global net worth of at least $1 million and be from one of the 47 qualifying countries.

If you’re on a budget and looking for affordable life insurance in Fresno, Transamerica is the way to go. From my personal experience working with Transamerica, they are reliable and efficient in issuing and servicing policies.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Policy options sold by a large network of independent agents for wide accessibility
  • Offers the most affordable rates for term insurance coverage
  • Demonstrates a strong claims-paying ability
Drawbacks
  • Independent agents may not have adequate training or knowledge of the full product offerings
  • Received a higher-than-average amount of NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) complaints

Best For Customer Service

Overall Rating
4.7

Key Statistics

8/10 Affordability
10/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Claims/payouts
7/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

You may have noticed a State Farm office on every other corner in Fresno – that’s because State Farm is known for its network of neighborhood agents.

Their slogan “like a good neighbor” rings true as they are available to help you with insurance and customer service needs.

Founded in 1922, State Farm originally started as an auto insurance company but has since expanded to offer various types of insurance, such as homeowners and renters insurance.

While State Farm is not commonly known for their life insurance products, don’t underestimate the quality of their permanent life insurance policies, such as their whole life offering. I myself have owned their life insurance policies before and have had no issues.

Their term life insurance rates may not be the most competitive, but if you value the personalized touch of working with a local agent, it’s a great choice.

What sets State Farm apart is their commitment to customer satisfaction, with over 18,000 agents in the U.S., 343 claim offices, and 30 operations centers.

This is why they consistently rank at the top of JD Powers’ annual release of life insurers’ customer satisfaction levels.

Having procured State Farm life insurance from a local agent in Fresno, I can vouch for the exceptional service I received and the ease of the purchasing process.

If you’re willing to pay a slightly higher premium for the sake of convenience and top-notch customer care, State Farm is undoubtedly a wise option for Fresno residents.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Highly regarded for its superior customer satisfaction ratings
  • Features numerous conveniently located offices for in-person service
  • Offers term policies that can be converted into permanent policies for long-term flexibility
Drawbacks
  • Policies are exclusively available from company-owned agents, limiting the availability of policy options
  • Age restrictions may limit policy options for those over 65

How To Find The Best Life Insurance Company For You

Not all life insurance companies in Fresno will be a good fit for you as they cater to different needs. For instance, if you’re a 35-year-old seeking $1 million of term life insurance, Mutual of Omaha may not be the ideal choice, but Transamerica or Haven Life could be more suitable.

Alternatively, if you prefer working with an agent directly, companies such as MassMutual or State Farm may better meet your needs than other insurers who use independent agents.

Choosing the right life insurance company in Fresno requires effort and research. Asking these five questions can assist you in your search:

  1. What are the company’s financial ratings?
  2. Does it offer the type of policy I’m looking for?
  3. Do I need the help of a local agent to find the right policy for me?
  4. Are online reviews of the company mostly positive?
  5. Are the company’s rates competitive for my age group?

Finding the answers to these questions will assist you in making a well-informed decision about the life insurance company that best suits your needs.

Keep in mind that your circumstances are unique to you, and the insurer that works best for you may not necessarily be the same as that of your parents or friends.

What is important is ensuring that your family is secure financially and protected in the future.

Largest Life Insurance Companies In Fresno

Some individuals think that choosing the life insurance company with the largest market share means selecting the best.

However, I don’t necessarily agree with this viewpoint. Nevertheless, for those who do, here’s a rundown of the top players in the Fresno market:

Rank Company Name California Market Share
1 New York Life 8.64%
2 Transamerica 7.00%
3 Northwestern Mutual 6.28%
4 MassMutual 5.00%
5 Prudential 4.77%
6 Lincoln National 4.16%
7 Met Life 4.02%
8 Pacific Life 3.61%
9 National Life 3.25%
10 John Hancock 2.91%

While a company’s presence on this list may seem significant, it doesn’t necessarily equate to being the best option for your life insurance needs.

It’s possible that a company simply has a larger marketing budget or more agents in California than its competitors, which could account for their higher market share.

It’s important to carefully consider your individual situation and priorities before choosing a life insurance company.

Average Cost Of Life Insurance In Fresno

Average Monthly Life Insurance Rates For Men In Fresno

Company Rates for $250,000 Death Benefit Rates for $1 Million Death Benefit
Transamerica $9 $19
State Farm $17 $35
Nationwide $11 $22
Mutual of Omaha $13 $27
AAA $15 $31
MassMutual $12 $23

Average Monthly Life Insurance Rates For Women in Fresno

Company Rates for $250,000 Death Benefit Rates for $1 Million Death Benefit
Nationwide $9 $15
Mutual of Omaha $10 $17
MassMutual $9 $17
Progressive Life $11 $50
State Farm $17 $49
Prudential $18 $59

To determine the cost of life insurance policies, 10-year term quotes were collected from major life insurance companies in Fresno using average buyer profile statistics.

These statistics included an average age of 30, and an average weight of 179 pounds for males and 142 pounds for females.

Factors That Impact The Cost Of Your Life Insurance Policy In Fresno

While every life insurance company underwrites policies in their unique way, they all consider the same factors when deciding the cost of life insurance. These include:

  • Age
  • Medical history
  • Policy face amount
  • Height
  • Hobbies
  • Gender
  • Occupation
  • Smoker/Nonsmoker
  • Weight

Life insurance companies typically do not factor in your place of residence when determining your policy premiums.

California Life Insurance Laws To Know

When it comes to enrolling in a life insurance policy in California, there are some unique features in the state’s laws that can impact your choices:

  • “Free look period”: This mandatory period allows a new policyholder to cancel their policy without penalties. In California, the free look period lasts for 10 days.
  • Grace period: This is the amount of time a policyholder has to pay a missing premium without facing penalties. During this time, the insurance coverage remains active. California insurers are required to provide a minimum grace period of 60 days.
  • Claim settlement time period: Once California life insurance companies receive satisfactory proof of death documents, they must settle the payment within 30 days. If they fail to make the payment, they will have to pay interest on the unpaid amount.
  • Contestable period: The contestable period is the amount of time an insurer can challenge potentially fraudulent or misrepresented claims on the coverage application. After this period ends, the policy is usually considered incontestable. In California, life insurance policies become incontestable (except for nonpayment of premiums) after a maximum of two years.

FAQs

How much per month is a $1 million life insurance policy in Fresno?

After examining several factors, life insurance premiums are determined. According to our research, a 30-year-old man can buy a $1 million term life insurance policy for $19 per month, while a woman can purchase the same coverage for $15 monthly.

Is life insurance more expensive in California?

Unlike other types of insurance, such as auto or home insurance, life insurance premiums are not allowed to vary based on the state you live in. Therefore, if you’re considering purchasing life insurance in California, you can rest assured that you won’t be paying more just because you’re a California resident.

Which company has the lowest life insurance rates in Fresno?

In Fresno, Transamerica has the most affordable rates for both men and women.

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