Best Life Insurance Companies in Ohio For November, 2024

From my research, MassMutual is the number 1 life insurance company in Ohio.

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Updated: 15 October 2024
Written by Bob Phillips
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My research has determined that MassMutual is the leading life insurance company in Ohio, not necessarily for its market share, but for providing top-notch coverage and service at a low price, which I believe is a winning formula.

Among the top-ranked companies, Mutual of Omaha was best for seniors, Transamerica excelled for younger people, State Farm was praised for customer service, and Nationwide was a great option for smokers. MassMutual also earned high marks for providing the lowest-priced life insurance in Ohio.

Best Life Insurance Companies In Ohio, 2024

transamerica-icon-logo
Best for Seniors - Mutual of Omaha
nationwide-icon-logo
Best for Smokers - Nationwide
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Best for Young People - Transamerica
Best Life Insurance, Ohio, 2024

Compare The Best Life Insurance Providers In Ohio

To help guide your review of the top life insurance companies in Ohio, we've provided a table showing our preferred choices across several key categories.

A.M. Best Rating Online Experience Overall Rating Best For J.D. Power Rating Get A Quote
MassMutual

A++

9.7

4.8

Best Overall

780

Instant Quote
Mutual of Omaha

A+

9.7

4.6

Seniors

801

Instant Quote
Transamerica

A

9.8

4.7

Young Adults

740

Instant Quote
MassMutual

A++

9.7

4.8

Best For Cheapest Life Insurance

780

Instant Quote
Nationwide

A+

9.6

4.6

Best For Smokers

791

Instant Quote
State Farm

A++

9.5

4.8

Best For Customer Service

839

Instant Quote
Scroll to see comparisons

Best Life Insurance Companies In Ohio 2024


Best For Customer Service

Overall Rating
4.8

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

State Farm’s high rankings in customer satisfaction, as recognized by J.D. Powers for many years, highlight the company’s dedication to exceptional service. It’s understandable, as no other insurance company in the U.S. has as many agents as State Farm.

Known for its outstanding customer service, State Farm is highly regarded by policyholders. One of its standout features is the availability of local offices, providing policyholders the option to meet their agents in person for any sales or service needs.

Renowned for its top-notch customer service and quick claim response, State Farm plays a critical role in the life insurance field, where families in mourning rely on their insurer for fast and compassionate support.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Top financial ratings for claims-paying capability
  • Largest network of agents for service
  • Has significantly fewer customer complaints than typical insurers
Drawbacks
  • Limited selection of riders
  • Policies only sold through State Farm agents

Best Overall

Overall Rating
4.8

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

MassMutual was named Best Overall due to its wide variety of strengths. The company provides top-tier life insurance policies, including term, whole, and universal life insurance, at competitive rates, with a broad selection of riders available for customization.

Known as “career agents,” MassMutual’s sales team is highly trained and well-versed in the company’s life insurance products. Their exclusive focus on MassMutual policies is a great advantage for customers who need assistance understanding different life insurance options.

We also factored in MassMutual’s financial strength. The company has been rated A++ Superior by AM Best, indicating its exceptional stability and strong ability to pay claims.

Being named Best Overall is a testament to MassMutual’s dedication to delivering a wide variety of products alongside a well-trained sales force, not just the lowest prices. Although it may not be as well-known or have the same market presence as other Ohio competitors, it remains a highly respected brand.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Superior financial strength
  • Lowest life insurance rates in Ohio
  • Diverse portfolio with a variety of riders
Drawbacks
  • J.D. Power rating lags behind top competitors
  • Can only be purchased via MassMutual agents
  • Whole life insurance not sold online

Best For Seniors

Overall Rating
4.6

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

Known for its strong presence in the senior market, Mutual of Omaha has built trust with seniors over the years. This trust stems not only from the company’s well-known show “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” but also from the specialized training its agents undergo to address senior needs.

Known for its senior life insurance options, the company offers two types of products specifically for seniors with health issues. One of these is a guaranteed-issue policy that requires no medical exams or health questions, making it suitable for seniors facing serious conditions like cancer, stroke, or heart attack.

The simplified-issue policy is the second option, requiring only answers to medical history questions without the need for a medical exam. It’s well-suited for seniors with mild health concerns, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, who want to avoid the exam.

Mutual of Omaha is a trusted name among seniors, who generally pay more for life insurance than younger groups. The company has been a major player in senior insurance, including Medicare supplements and life insurance, for many years. Baby Boomers and their parents have recognized and trusted the brand since childhood.

Mutual of Omaha is a highly respected brand in the senior insurance market, known for its strong direct mail efforts aimed at seniors and the excellent training its agents receive on the company’s products.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Reasonable premiums for seniors in Ohio
  • A financially sound company
  • Gives peace of mind with well-trained representatives
Drawbacks
  • Smaller agent network in Ohio than other major insurers
  • Slightly higher rate of complaints than its competitors

Best For Young Adults

Overall Rating
4.7

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

Transamerica understands its advantage in offering affordable life insurance to young adults. The company knows that many young people are financially conscious, especially when it comes to life insurance. As a result, their policies are priced to be accessible for younger individuals who want to balance good coverage with a tight budget.

Transamerica’s website is tailored for younger buyers, who appreciate simple and easy-to-find information. The company made sure its site is both informative and easy to use, so customers can easily navigate their life insurance options. Transamerica believes that everyone deserves the security and peace of mind life insurance can offer, no matter their age or financial situation.

Younger adults often don’t see the need for life insurance, making it a difficult market for insurers. Many delay purchasing until after marriage or having children. Nonetheless, companies like Transamerica still pursue this demographic, as their lower mortality rates generate higher profits.

Transamerica received the lowest customer service rating among the companies we reviewed. This could be related to their reliance on independent agents, as some agents who work solo may not offer the same level of service quality.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • No medical exam for qualifying applicants up to $2 million in coverage
  • Online purchase of term life insurance is available
  • Policy amounts up to $10 million
Drawbacks
  • The minimum term life policy starts at $25,000
  • Customer service satisfaction scores are below competitors

Best For Cheapest Life Insurance

Overall Rating
4.8

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

MassMutual has been recognized as Ohio’s top life insurance provider and a financial leader, boasting highly competitive rates across the state. Despite many low-cost term insurers, MassMutual maintains the most competitive pricing in Ohio.

Although life insurance decisions shouldn’t be based entirely on price, it’s an important factor for many buyers. MassMutual provides the best rates for life insurance in Ohio, despite its reputation for professionalism rather than affordability. The company is using competitive pricing strategies to expand its presence in the state.

Price is an important consideration when buying life insurance, especially in today’s economy. MassMutual is a strong choice, offering low premiums and high coverage for term life policies. While their whole and universal life plans may be less competitive, term insurance tends to offer larger coverage amounts since permanent policies are more expensive.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Provides a wide variety of life insurance products
  • MassMutual has a broad network of trained agents to sell its policies
  • The cheapest life insurance option we found in Ohio
Drawbacks
  • No online application process
  • Policies are only available through a MassMutual agent

Best For Smokers

Overall Rating
4.6

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

Nationwide is a trusted company with numerous local offices to help with sales and service. Their slogan, “Nationwide is on your side,” truly applies to smokers in Ohio looking for life insurance. Although their rates for smokers may be slightly higher than some competitors, we believe they offer the best value because of competitive rates, easily accessible agents, and excellent customer service.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Full suite of life insurance products offered
  • Nationwide policies are available through a broad network of trained agents
  • Numerous locations in Ohio
Drawbacks
  • No online application available for life insurance
  • Life insurance must be purchased through a Nationwide agent

How To Find The Best Life Insurance Company For You

Life insurance in Ohio isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here at Insuranceopedia, we understand that everyone’s needs are unique, which is why we review multiple insurers and provide awards across different categories. To discover the best life insurance policy for your needs, we recommend these three steps:

  1. Decide how much coverage you require. Most life insurance providers offer “life insurance calculators” on their websites, which can help you determine the right amount of coverage.
  2. Pick three insurance providers to evaluate. Beyond their pricing, take a look at their financial health. Low premiums might seem appealing, but they won’t matter if the insurer is unable to cover your claims.
  3. Don’t wait—apply for coverage. A lot of shoppers fail to finish the purchase, but time is of the essence when securing your family’s financial protection.

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need In Ohio?

The life insurance coverage you need depends on your unique circumstances. Homeowners tend to need more protection than renters, while those with children or other dependents often require additional coverage.

To provide sufficient protection, life insurance agents usually recommend coverage that’s 10 to 20 times your yearly salary. If your income is $75,000 a year, you might consider a policy of $750,000 to $1.5 million.

Average Life Insurance Rates In Ohio For Females

Company Rates for $250,000 Coverage Rates for $632,000

Coverage

Nationwide $10 $14
MassMutual $9 $16
Mutual of Omaha $11 $23
Haven $14 $27
State Farm $20 $31

*Rates based on a 10-year term life policy for a 30-year-old female nonsmoker

Average Life Insurance Rates In Ohio For Males

Company Rates for $250,000 Coverage Rates for $632,000 Coverage
Nationwide $10 $16
MassMutual $11 $17
Mutual of Omaha $11 $19
Haven $16 $30
State Farm $19 $33

**Rates based on a 10-year term life policy for a 30-year-old male nonsmoker

Average Life Insurance Rates In Ohio For Smokers

Company Average Monthly Cost
State Farm $39
GEICO $26
Mutual of Omaha $29
Nationwide $34
Protective $40

*Rates based on $632,000 of 20-year term life for a 30-year-old male smoker

Smokers face higher life insurance premiums than non-smokers. However, if you remain tobacco-free for 12-24 months, you could qualify for rates similar to non-smokers, depending on the insurer. You’ll need to take a paramedical exam and a blood test to prove that nicotine is no longer in your system.

Average Life Insurance Rates In Ohio For Young Adults

Company Monthly Cost
Mutual of Omaha $9
Haven $12
State Farm $15
Nationwide $10
AAA $14

*Rates are for a 25-year-old male nonsmoker that purchases a $250,000 20-year term life policy.

Average Life Insurance Rates In Ohio For Seniors

Company Monthly Cost
GEICO $42
Mutual of Omaha $51
Nationwide $49
Haven $93
State Farm $87

*Based on $75,000 of coverage for a 60-year-old male non-smoker buying a 10-year term life contract.

Factors That Impact The Cost Of Your Life insurance In Ohio

Several factors influence the cost of life insurance in Ohio, including:

  • Your life insurance company
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Health status
  • Smoking habits
  • Credit score
  • Riders added to your policy

Men often pay higher premiums than women due to their shorter life expectancy. Smokers also face higher rates for the same reason. In Ohio, your credit score may also be factored into your insurance rate. Adding riders, like a disability waiver of premium or child coverage, can further raise the cost of your policy.

Largest Life Insurance Companies In Ohio

Ohio boasts a wide variety of life insurance companies. Here are the top 5, according to their market share:

Life Insurance Company Market Share
New York Life 9%
State Farm 7%
Northwestern Mutual 6%
Primerica 3%
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance 3%

Ohio Life Insurance Laws To Know

For those looking to buy life insurance in Ohio, it’s important to understand that the state has protective laws in place for policyholders. These regulations include:

Contestable period

Ohio law allows life insurers to deny claims if they uncover false or misleading information in the application within two years from the policy’s start date. After two years, they cannot challenge the policy based on any errors in the application.

Time allowable to settle a claim

For beneficiaries to collect benefits, they must file a claim. By law, Ohio life insurance companies have 30 days to settle the claim.

Free Look Period

You have a 10-day window to review your life insurance policy after it’s issued. If you decide it’s not the right fit, you can return it for a full refund of any premiums paid, and there will be no penalty.

Grace period for missed payments

Should you miss a payment, Ohio law ensures you have 30 days to pay without losing your life insurance coverage during that time.

Our Methodology

We took a thorough and all-encompassing approach to selecting the top life insurance companies. Our evaluation included customer service ratings, product offerings, pricing, and online experience. My own experience selling life insurance and working with other agents has also given me a deeper understanding of their products and services. Our selections were not made based solely on the lowest price, except in the "Best for Cheapest Life Insurance" category. We believe that each of these companies excels in its particular niche, and price should not be the only factor when choosing a life insurance provider.

52

Quotes Analyzed

15+

Years of experience

23

Brands reviewed

27+

Research hours

FAQs

Is life insurance more expensive in Ohio?

The price of life insurance in Ohio is about the same as in other states. Insurers that charge more tend to do so because they’ve had to cover more claims than anticipated.

What is the average monthly cost of life insurance in Ohio?  

We discovered that MassMutual has the best rate for a 10-year term life insurance policy valued at $1 million in Ohio, with a premium of $36 per month.

How much per month is a million-dollar life insurance policy in Ohio?  

Life insurance in Ohio for a 30-year-old male can be as affordable as $11 per month for $250,000 in coverage, and $9 for a 30-year-old female.

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