Most “top rated insurance company” lists rank by advertising budget or brand recognition. We take a different approach — ranking by which companies we’d actually trust with our own family’s policies after 18+ years of writing coverage.

You’re about to trust a company with promises that might not come due for 30, 40, or 50 years. How do you know they’ll actually be there?

That’s what insurance company ratings tell you. Think of them as financial report cards provided by independent agencies that examine each company’s books and grade their ability to pay claims and keep promises to policyholders. This guide breaks down the four major rating systems, shows you exactly how to compare them, and ranks the 25 strongest carriers in the industry.

📊 Quick Facts About Insurance Company Ratings

  • 4 major agencies rate insurance companies in the U.S.: A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch
  • A.M. Best is the gold standard — the only agency focused exclusively on insurance
  • A+ or higher from A.M. Best indicates superior financial strength
  • COMDEX scores above 90 place a carrier in the top tier of all rated companies
  • Only 2 companies currently hold a perfect 100 COMDEX: Northwestern Mutual and New York Life

Bottom Line: For long-term strategies like infinite banking or retirement income planning, stick with carriers rated A- or higher by A.M. Best with COMDEX scores of 90+. These companies have proven they can pay claims through recessions, market crashes, and economic uncertainty. Jump to ratings table →

✅ Why Trust This Guide

Insurance & Estates is an independent agency with 18+ years of experience placing policies with all major carriers — not just one company. We’ve earned 285+ five-star reviews on Trustpilot, making us one of the highest-rated life insurance agencies in the country. Our rankings reflect actual client outcomes and placement experience, not advertising relationships or commission rates. Every rating in this guide has been verified against current agency data as of January 2026.

How to Read Life Insurance Company Ratings: What You Need to Know

When choosing a life insurance company, you want to make sure they’ll be around when your family needs them most. Four major agencies grade these companies, and understanding how their scales differ is essential to making an informed decision.

The ability of the company you choose to meet financial obligations and pay claims should be a vital ingredient in your decision making process. According to industry data, companies with A.M. Best ratings of A- or higher have historically maintained claim-paying ability through multiple economic cycles, including the 2008 financial crisis.

Be aware that an A+ from one rating agency is not equivalent to an A+ from another. Each agency uses its own methodology and scale. That’s why we provide this comprehensive overview — so you can recognize which companies truly have the strongest financial foundations.

Each of the four agencies — A.M. Best, Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard and Poor’s — is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). The SEC allows NRSROs to offer ratings that demonstrate the financial strength of insurance companies. For additional consumer guidance, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides comprehensive resources to help consumers make informed decisions.

Rating Agency Comparison at a Glance

Rating Agency Founded Top Rating Categories Focus Our Minimum
A.M. Best 1899 A++ 15 Insurance industry specialist (gold standard) A-
Standard & Poor’s 1860s AAA 21 Credit ratings across all industries A-
Moody’s 1909 Aaa 21 Global credit analysis (uses 1/2/3 modifiers) A3
Fitch 1914 AAA 21 International rating services (30+ countries) A-

Note: An A+ from A.M. Best is not equivalent to an A+ from S&P or Fitch. Each agency uses its own scale. The COMDEX score normalizes all ratings into a single 1-100 percentile for easy comparison.

💡 KEY TAKEAWAY: Four major agencies rate insurance companies: A.M. Best (gold standard), Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch. Each uses different scales, so always compare using the COMDEX composite score for an apples-to-apples view.

Highest Rated Life Insurance Companies

The top 25 companies below are selected based on A.M. Best ratings, with S&P, Moody’s, Fitch, and COMDEX scores included where available. These reflect many of the companies that we write policies for across our client base.

What you won’t find on this list: top-rated companies that don’t sell individual life insurance, or lesser-known captive carriers unavailable to the general public.

📋 The Bottom Line on Ratings

If you remember nothing else: Look for companies with A.M. Best ratings of A- or higher and COMDEX scores of 90+. These companies have demonstrated the financial strength to pay claims through recessions, market crashes, and economic uncertainty.

🔄 January 2026 Update: All ratings verified against current A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch data. MassMutual’s COMDEX adjusted to 98 (previously 100). Only two U.S. life insurers now hold perfect 100 COMDEX scores: Northwestern Mutual and New York Life. Northwestern Mutual announced a historic $9.2 billion dividend payout for 2026 — a record for the life insurance industry. Sources: A.M. Best, EbixExchange COMDEX.
# Company A.M. Best S&P Moody’s Fitch COMDEX Best For
1 Northwestern Mutual A++ AA+ Aaa AAA 100 Whole Life
2 New York Life A++ AA+ Aaa AAA 100 Whole Life
3 MassMutual A++ AA+ Aa3 AA+ 98 Whole Life
4 State Farm A++ AA Aa1 N/A 98 Whole Life
5 Guardian Life A++ AA+ Aa1 AA+ 99 Whole Life
6 Minnesota Life (Securian) A+ AA- Aa3 AA 96 IUL
7 Lafayette Life A+ AA- N/A AA 96 Whole Life
8 MetLife A+ AA- Aa3 AA- 95 Term
9 Prudential (Pruco) A+ AA- Aa3 AA- 95 Term
10 OneAmerica A+ AA- N/A N/A 96 Whole Life
11 Allianz Life A+ AA N/A N/A 94 IUL
12 Banner Life A+ A N/A AA- 94 Term
13 John Hancock A+ AA- A1 AA- 93 IUL
14 Protective Life A+ AA- N/A A+ 92 Term
15 Penn Mutual A+ N/A Aa3 N/A 93 Whole Life
16 Lincoln National A+ AA- A1 A+ 91 IUL
17 Nationwide A+ N/A A1 N/A 90 IUL
18 Principal Life A+ A+ A1 AA- 90 Term
19 Pacific Life A+ AA- A1 N/A 93 IUL
20 Mutual of Omaha A+ AA- A1 N/A 90 Term
21 Transamerica A N/A A1 N/A 84 Term
22 North American (Sammons) A+ N/A A1 N/A 88 IUL
23 Ameritas A A+ N/A N/A 83 Whole Life
24 American General (Corebridge) A A+ A2 A+ 82 IUL
25 Thrivent A++ N/A N/A N/A N/A Whole Life

Ratings current as of January 2026. COMDEX is a composite percentile ranking from EbixExchange based on ratings from A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch. A company must be rated by at least two agencies to receive a COMDEX score. “Best For” reflects the product line where each carrier is most competitive. All company names link to our detailed review. Sources: A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings.

How We Assign “Best For” Designations

Each carrier’s “Best For” category reflects the product line where they deliver the most competitive value based on three factors: policy design flexibility (rider options, premium structures, paid-up additions), cash value or cost performance (dividend history for whole life, participation rates for IUL, rate competitiveness for term), and our direct placement experience across 18+ years and thousands of policies. A carrier tagged “Whole Life” doesn’t mean they only sell whole life — it means that’s where they consistently outperform peers. For deeper comparisons by product type, see our Top 10 Best Life Insurance Companies, Best Convertible Term Life Insurance Companies, and Best Dividend-Paying Whole Life Companies.

About the COMDEX Ranking

The COMDEX rating is brought to you by EbixExchange. Rather than try to decipher four different rating scales, EbixExchange created a composite index that takes the average percentile of a company’s financial strength ratings across all agencies that have rated it.

A company needs at least two ratings from the major agencies to receive a COMDEX score. Rankings are on a scale of 1–100 and reflect how a company ranks relative to all other rated companies. The closer to 100, the stronger the company’s overall financial position.

📋 Perfect 100 COMDEX

As of January 2026, only two U.S. life insurers hold perfect 100 COMDEX scores: Northwestern Mutual and New York Life. A COMDEX of 90+ places a carrier in the top tier of all rated insurers nationwide.

Understanding Each Rating Agency

The four major rating agencies each bring a different perspective to evaluating insurance company financial strength. Here’s what you need to know about each one and how their scales work.

A.M. Best — The Gold Standard for Insurance

Alfred M. Best started A.M. Best Company in 1899 with the goal of providing financial stability reports on insurance companies. Today, A.M. Best’s Credit Ratings are the most widely referenced in the insurance industry. Their 15-category scale ranges from A++ (Superior) at the top down through A+, A, A- (Excellent), B++ and B+ (Good), and continues down to C (Poor). For long-term life insurance strategies, we recommend carriers rated A- (Excellent) or above. Visit A.M. Best →

Standard & Poor’s — Cross-Industry Credit Ratings

For over 150 years, S&P Global Ratings has helped determine the financial viability of insurers, particularly regarding their ability to pay all claims under existing policies. Their 21-category scale starts at AAA (Extremely Strong) and works down through AA, A, BBB (Good), BB (Marginal), B (Weak), and CCC (Very Weak). Plus and minus modifiers provide additional granularity within each category. Visit S&P Global →

Moody’s Investor Service — Global Credit Analysis

Founded by John Moody over 100 years ago, Moody’s provides credit ratings and risk analysis in over 41 countries. Their unique scale uses letter combinations — Aaa (highest), Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C — with numerical modifiers of 1, 2, or 3 to indicate where a company falls within each category (1 being the highest within that tier). So Aa1 is stronger than Aa2, which is stronger than Aa3. Visit Moody’s →

Fitch Ratings — International Perspective

Founded by John Knowles Fitch in 1914, Fitch offers financial rating services across over 30 countries. Their 21-category scale closely mirrors S&P’s: AAA (Exceptionally Strong) at the top, working down through AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C, with plus and minus modifiers and additional categories for Restricted Default (RD) and Default (D). Visit Fitch Ratings →

Rating Services Criteria

While each agency uses its own methodology, the core areas they evaluate are consistent: the ability of the company to pay existing claims, how well the company is capitalized, how leveraged the company’s assets are, what investments and risks the insurer has taken on, the quality of corporate governance and business structure, how liquid the company’s assets are, and whether the company has proper risk mitigation in place.

💡 KEY TAKEAWAY: A.M. Best ratings of A+ or higher indicate “Superior” financial strength. For long-term wealth-building strategies, stick with A-rated companies or above across multiple agencies.

Why Ratings Matter for Strategic Life Insurance

Most states provide protection through state guaranty associations for policyholders of failed insurers. However, when using life insurance as a financial tool rather than just death benefit protection, the long-term stability of your insurance carrier becomes even more critical.

For Infinite Banking Strategies — The banking concept relies on your ability to access policy cash values through loans for decades to come. Only financially strong companies can maintain competitive loan options and dividend performance over such extended periods.

For Retirement Income Planning — If you’re counting on your cash value life insurance to provide tax-advantaged retirement income, you need a carrier that will be around for the next 30+ years. A-rated and above companies offer that confidence.

For Business Planning Solutions — Key person insurance, buy-sell agreements, and executive benefits require insurance carriers that your business partners and stakeholders can trust completely.

💡 Beyond the Ratings: Using Top-Rated Carriers as Financial Infrastructure

If you’ve moved past conventional financial advice and are looking for something more strategic, financial strength ratings become even more critical. The highest-rated mutual companies on this list aren’t just insurance providers — they’re the foundation of a Volume-Based Banking strategy where your policy becomes the hub of your entire financial system. When you’re routing cash flow through a policy for decades, the carrier behind it needs to be unshakeable. Learn how this works in our guide to the Infinite Banking Concept or explore the Be Your Own Bank framework.

At Insurance & Estates, we specialize in these advanced strategies and only work with carriers that meet our stringent financial rating requirements.

💡 KEY TAKEAWAY: For wealth-building strategies, company stability matters more than just death benefits. Choose A-rated carriers that will be financially strong for 30+ years.

“I’ve seen clients obsess over a quarter-percent difference in dividend rates while ignoring the financial strength of the company behind it. That’s backwards. A great rate from a shaky company is worthless if they’re not around to pay it. When dealing with high cash value policies, we only place clients with A-rated carriers or above.”
— Barry Brooksby, Infinite Banking Specialist

Related Carrier Rankings & Guides

For more on the top rated companies we represent, explore our in-depth carrier rankings by product type:

Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance Company Ratings

What is the highest rated life insurance company?

As of January 2026, Northwestern Mutual and New York Life share the top position with perfect 100 COMDEX scores and the highest possible ratings from all four major agencies. Both hold A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best, AA+ from S&P, Aaa from Moody’s, and AAA from Fitch. Guardian Life is close behind at 99 COMDEX with A++ from A.M. Best. For a full comparison of how these companies perform across specific product lines, see our Top 10 Best Life Insurance Companies ranking.

What COMDEX score should I look for?

A COMDEX score of 90 or above places a company in the top tier of all rated insurers and is a strong indicator of long-term financial stability. For basic term life coverage, a score of 85+ is generally sufficient. However, if you’re using life insurance as a long-term financial tool — for infinite banking, retirement income, or business planning — we recommend sticking with carriers scoring 90 or above. Only about 25 companies in the U.S. currently meet that threshold.

What does an A+ rating actually mean for my policy?

An A+ rating from A.M. Best means the insurance company has “Superior” financial strength and can reliably pay claims and maintain policy benefits. For your policy, this translates to confidence that the company will be there when you need them, whether for death benefits or accessing cash value through loans. A+ rated companies typically maintain stable dividend payments and competitive loan rates over decades.

Which rating agency should I pay attention to?

A.M. Best is considered the gold standard because they focus exclusively on the insurance industry and have been rating insurers since 1899. While S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch provide valuable perspectives, A.M. Best’s ratings are specifically designed to evaluate an insurer’s ability to pay policyholder obligations. Look for companies with A.M. Best ratings of A- or higher, and use the COMDEX score for a quick cross-agency comparison.

How do I know if my insurance company is actually stable?

Check the company’s ratings from multiple agencies — A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch. Look for consistent ratings of A- or higher across agencies. Also review the company’s COMDEX score, which combines all ratings into a single percentile ranking. Companies scoring 90 or above are among the strongest in the industry.

Can these ratings change after I buy a policy?

Yes, ratings can change based on the company’s financial performance, market conditions, and business decisions. Rating agencies review companies annually and may upgrade or downgrade based on their analysis. This is why it’s important to choose companies with consistently strong ratings over many years, not just current ratings.

What happens if my company gets downgraded?

A rating downgrade doesn’t immediately affect your existing policy benefits, but it may impact future performance. The company might reduce dividend payments, increase policy loan interest rates, or become less competitive with new products. If you’re using your policy for strategies like infinite banking, a downgrade could affect the long-term efficiency of your financial plan.

Is my money safe if my life insurance company fails?

Yes, but with limits. Every state has a guaranty association that protects policyholders if an insurer becomes insolvent. Coverage typically ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on your state. However, these protections are meant as a safety net — not a strategy. Choosing an A-rated carrier from the start means you’re unlikely to ever need this protection.

Is whole life insurance from a top-rated company worth it?

It depends on how you plan to use it. As a simple death benefit, term insurance is typically more cost-effective. But when structured properly with paid-up additions and used as financial infrastructure — a place to store capital, access tax-advantaged loans, and build guaranteed growth — whole life from a top-rated mutual company becomes a fundamentally different tool. The key is policy design, not just the product itself. Our guide to whole life insurance pros and cons breaks this down in detail.

Conclusion

When it comes to strategic life insurance solutions designed for wealth-building and financial control, the financial strength of your chosen carrier is non-negotiable. At Insurance & Estates, we place our clients exclusively with companies rated “A, Excellent” or above to ensure long-term stability and performance.

The right company not only provides peace of mind through financial security but also offers the policy features necessary for advanced strategies like Infinite Banking, retirement income planning, and business protection solutions.

Our Pro Client Guides are ready to help you navigate these ratings and design a custom policy solution that aligns with your financial goals. Whether you’re looking for high cash value whole life insurance, indexed universal life, or other strategic solutions, we’ll help you select a carrier that combines financial strength with the specific features you need.

Ready to Work with Top-Rated Insurance Companies?

Now that you understand how to evaluate insurance company financial strength, let our Pro Client Guides help you select the perfect policy from our network of A-rated carriers. We write all types of life insurance with only the most financially stable companies.

  • ✓ Term Life Insurance — Maximum coverage at the lowest cost with A+ rated carriers
  • ✓ Whole Life Insurance — Build cash value with guaranteed growth from top mutual companies
  • ✓ Universal Life Insurance — Flexible premiums and tax-advantaged growth potential
  • ✓ Infinite Banking Strategies — Custom policy design for becoming your own banker

Schedule your complimentary consultation today and discover which A-rated insurance company and policy type best fits your financial goals.

No obligation. No sales pressure. Just expert guidance from Pro Client Guides who specialize in matching you with the strongest, highest-rated insurance companies for your specific needs.