Best Life Insurance Companies In Tennessee 2025

My findings indicate that MassMutual is the foremost life insurance provider in Tennessee.

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Written by Bob Phillips
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Life insurance doesn’t have to be complicated for Tennesseans. My analysis found that MassMutual is the top provider in the state, offering exceptional service at an affordable price.

Mutual of Omaha is the go-to option for seniors, Transamerica for younger customers, State Farm for service, and Nationwide for smokers. MassMutual also boasts Tennessee’s lowest rates, making it an outstanding choice.

Best Life Insurance Companies In Tennessee, 2025

newyorklifeicon-logo
Best Life Insurance Overall - New York Life
transamerica-icon-logo
Best for Seniors - Mutual of Omaha
progressiveicon-logo
Best for Young People - Progressive Life
state-farm-icon-logo-red
Best for Smokers - State Farm
Best Life Insurance, Tennessee, 2025

Compare The Best Life Insurance Providers In Tennessee

To aid your assessment of Tennessee's top life insurance firms, we've developed a table showcasing our preferred companies and their critical evaluation points

Overall Rating Best For A.M. Best Rating J.D. Power Rating (Best 1000) Online Experience (Best 10.0) Get A Quote
New York Life
4.9

Best Overall

A++

775

9.7

Instant Quote
MassMutual
4.9

Best Overall Runner-Up

A++

801

9.6

Instant Quote
Mutual of Omaha
4.8

Best For Seniors

A+

780

9.7

Instant Quote
Progressive Life
4.8

Best For Young Adults

A+

NR

9.6

Instant Quote
Mutual of Omaha
4.8

Best Cheap Life Insurance

A+

801

9.6

Instant Quote
State Farm
4.8

Best For Smokers

A++

839

9.6

Instant Quote
Scroll to see comparisons

Best Life Insurance Companies In Tennessee 2025


Best Overall Runner-Up

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

MassMutual earned its place as Best Overall Runner-Up due to its extensive insurance offerings. It provides term, whole, and universal life policies at competitive rates, complemented by numerous rider options. Its agents, exclusively selling MassMutual products, are well-trained to deliver expert advice. The insurer’s A++ Superior rating from AM Best underscores its financial stability and ability to pay claims. Despite less visibility in Tennessee, it remains a respected name in the state.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Economical choices in Tennessee
  • Diverse product lineup with numerous accompanying enhancements
  • Leading financial standings
Drawbacks
  • Buying whole life insurance online isn't an option.
  • Policies available exclusively from MassMutual agents.
  • J.D. Power score trails behind top rivals.

Best Overall

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

New York Life, with its iconic headquarters in New York City and offices across the state, is one of New York’s most trusted life insurance providers. Established in 1845, it employs thousands of residents and is a leader in the industry. We selected it as the best overall for its extensive product range, including top-tier term life policies like the Million Plus Level Term 10, which provides fixed premiums for the first ten years and coverage starting at $1 million.

New York Life’s term insurance premiums increase after ten years, but many policies allow conversion to permanent life insurance. Whole life options include plans with customizable payments, useful for people with fluctuating incomes or those who want to finish payments early. The Secure Wealth Plus plan, available for individuals aged 0 to 60, can be paid off in a decade. New York Life is our Best Overall pick due to its size and financial stability, ranking as the third largest life insurer in the U.S. and the largest mutual company.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Choices involving temporary and lifelong insurance coverage
  • Superb customer contentment evaluations
  • Includes a spectrum of financial solutions beyond life insurance.
Drawbacks
  • Young adults and seniors frequently encounter exorbitant insurance premiums.
  • Their offerings exclude variable life insurance.
  • Sold solely via life insurance agents.

Best For Seniors

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

Mutual of Omaha has a trusted reputation among seniors, thanks in part to its “Wild Kingdom” show and its highly trained agents. The insurer offers life insurance options tailored for seniors with health concerns. The guaranteed-issue policy eliminates medical exams and health history questions, making it suitable for serious illnesses. The simplified-issue policy, which avoids a medical exam but requires health questions, is ideal for less severe conditions like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Life insurance is more expensive for seniors, but many trust Mutual of Omaha for their coverage needs. The company has a long-standing history of providing senior-friendly products, including Medicare supplements and life insurance. Baby Boomers and their parents have relied on the brand for years, supported by its direct mail campaigns and highly trained agents.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Firm financial assurance
  • Ensures ease of mind with trained professionals.
  • Cost-effective pricing on insurance for seniors in Tennessee
Drawbacks
  • Their Tennessee agent representation is smaller than what major insurers offer
  • Receives a larger share of complaints compared to some rivals

Best for Customer Service

Overall Rating
4.8

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

Recognized for its high customer satisfaction by J.D. Power, State Farm is a leader in the life insurance industry. The company’s vast network of agents provides policyholders with easy access to local, in-person assistance. Known for its exceptional service and prompt claims handling, State Farm offers dependable support to families in their time of need.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Fewer customer issues compared to what's expected in the industry.
  • Superior count of agents tending to customers
  • Maintains high financial ratings to ensure reliable claims processing.
Drawbacks
  • Policies can be bought solely via.
  • State Farm agents offer several limited rider plans.

Best for Young Adults

Overall Rating
4.7

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

Catering to young adults who value affordability, Transamerica designs its life insurance policies to suit their budgets. The website is intuitive and filled with accessible information, created to assist younger buyers in finding the right coverage. Transamerica’s mission is to make life insurance available to everyone, regardless of age or income level.

Life insurance providers face difficulties in reaching younger clients, as many delay buying policies until later in life. Transamerica remains focused on this group due to the profitability of their lower risk profiles. However, it ranked last in customer service in our evaluation, possibly because some independent agents fail to meet expectations.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Those who are eligible can bypass the medical exam for policies valued at $2 million or less.
  • Grants coverage up to $10 million.
  • Purchase term life insurance easily on the web.
Drawbacks
  • The minimum amount of coverage you can choose is $25,000.
  • Earns lower customer satisfaction scores compared to some competitors.

Best For Cheapest Life Insurance

Overall Rating
4.8

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

MassMutual dominates Tennessee’s life insurance market with its competitive rates and financial strength. While other companies offer budget-friendly term life policies, MassMutual continues to provide the best value. Price is a critical factor for buyers, and MassMutual capitalizes on this by offering affordable premiums with generous coverage limits for term policies. However, their whole and universal life policies are priced higher, consistent with the costs of permanent insurance options

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Includes a wide selection of life insurance products.
  • MassMutual policies are distributed by a network of proficient agents.
  • Of the life insurance choices we examined in Tennessee, this one was the least pricey
Drawbacks
  • No online application method exists.
  • It's essential to procure it from a MassMutual agent.

Best For Smokers

Overall Rating
4.8

Key Statistics

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

Why We Like Them

Nationwide has built a strong reputation with many local offices that provide sales and service nationwide. Smokers in Tennessee seeking life insurance will find their motto, “Nationwide is on your side,” to hold true. Despite slightly higher rates for smokers compared to the top competitors, Nationwide is considered the best option for smokers due to its competitive pricing, available agents, and excellent customer service.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Several office spots across Tennessee
  • Delivers a comprehensive suite of life insurance options.
  • Nationwide policies are being sold by a proficient network of agents.
Drawbacks
  • Life insurance applications are not accessible online.
  • You must acquire it from an agent with national service

How To Find The Best Life Insurance Company For You

Choosing the best life insurance in Tennessee means recognizing that every individual’s needs are unique. At Insuranceopedia, we evaluate insurers to offer recommendations across different categories.

Start by identifying your coverage requirements with the help of “life insurance calculators.” Compare three providers, factoring in both costs and financial stability. Finally, complete your application quickly to protect your loved ones without delay.

Average Cost Of Life Insurance In Tennessee For Females

Company Rates for $250,000 Coverage Rates for $632,000 Coverage
Nationwide $23 $30
Transamerica $26 $37
State Farm $31 $43
Mutual of Omaha $24 $25
MassMutual $22 $24

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

Average Life Insurance Rates In Tennessee For Males

Company Rates for $250,000 Coverage Rates for $632,000 Coverage
Mutual of Omaha $24 $28
Transamerica $26 $42
MassMutual $21 $25
Nationwide $23 $28
State Farm $31 $43

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

Average Cost Of Life Insurance In Tennessee For Smokers

Company Average Monthly Cost
Nationwide $36
GEICO $38
Mutual of Omaha $37
State Farm $42
Allstate $38

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

Life insurance costs more for smokers than for non-smokers. However, you can bring your premiums down to non-smoker levels by abstaining from smoking for 12-24 months, depending on the insurer. Passing a paramedical exam and showing no nicotine in your blood are required to qualify.

Average Life Insurance Rates In Tennessee For Young Adults

Company Monthly Cost
Mutual of Omaha $14
Transamerica $12
State Farm $17
Nationwide $14
Prudential $15

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

Average Life Insurance Rates In Tennessee For Seniors

Company Monthly Cost
Mutual of Omaha $52
Nationwide $55
GEICO $54
Haven $100
Allstate $98

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

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need In Tennessee?

Life insurance requirements vary depending on individual situations. Homeowners typically need more coverage than renters, especially those with dependents such as children who require greater protection.

It’s customary for life insurance agents to recommend coverage that is 10 to 20 times your annual salary to ensure adequate protection for your loved ones. For example, if you earn $75,000 per year, you might need coverage ranging from $750,000 to $1.5 million.

Factors That Impact The Cost Of Life Insurance In Tennessee

Life insurance rates in Tennessee vary based on your insurer, age, gender, health status, smoking habits, credit score, and the addition of riders. Men often pay higher premiums because of shorter life expectancy, and smokers also face increased costs. Credit scores may influence pricing, and riders such as a disability waiver or child coverage can raise the overall cost of a policy.

Tennessee Life Insurance Laws To Know

When evaluating life insurance in Tennessee, it’s key to note that the state has laws designed to protect policyholders

Grace Period For Missed Payments

Tennessee state law offers a 30-day grace period following a missed payment to maintain your coverage

Contestable Period

In Tennessee, a life insurance claim can be denied if the policyholder misrepresented information on their application within the first two years of the policy. After this initial period, the insurer cannot contest the policy based on any inaccuracies.

Free Look Period

After you receive your life insurance policy, you have a 10-day period to examine it. If you decide it’s not right for you, you can return it within this timeframe and get a full refund of any premiums paid, without any fees.

Time Allowable To Settle A Claim

Those eligible for benefits need to submit a claim to their insurer. Tennessee law stipulates that life insurance companies settle claims within 30 days.

Largest Life Insurance Companies In Tennessee

There’s a wide array of life insurance companies in Tennessee. The top five, ranked by their market share, are:

Life Insurance Company Market Share
New York Life 8%
National Life 7%
Prudential 6%
Northwestern Mutual 7%
Guardian Life 5%

Our Methodology

When choosing the top life insurance companies, we employed a comprehensive and meticulous strategy. We considered factors such as customer service, range of products, pricing, and online usability. Drawing from my experience in life insurance sales and agent interactions, I gained valuable insights into their offerings. Our decisions weren't solely based on affordability, except for the "Best for Cheapest Life Insurance" category. Each company excels in its market, highlighting that price should not be the sole determinant in choosing a life insurance policy.

65

Quotes Analyzed

15+

Years Of Industry Experience

26

Brands Reviewed

30+

Research Hours

FAQs

Is life insurance more expensive in Tennessee?

Life insurance costs in Tennessee compare favorably to those in other states. Insurers with higher premiums typically base them on a higher incidence of expected claims.

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

MassMutual’s $34 monthly premium for a 10-year, $1 million term life insurance policy in Tennessee is the best rate we discovered.

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

Life insurance worth $250,000 can be obtained by a 30-year-old man in Tennessee for only $10 each month, with women of the same age seeing comparable rates.

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