Best Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance (GUL) Companies
I don't care what anyone tells you.
It's not possible to have a "Best" life insurance company. (we will get close though).
Companies change every year. The products and policies they offer change as well. (we update this article constantly)
And the right GUL company for one person's needs will be totally different from the best carrier for someone else. This is due to financial and legacy planning as well as different medical histories of the insured.
What is Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance? (expand to learn more)
Top Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance Companies by Category
Overall
- 1Penn Mutual Life Insurance
- 2Protective Life Insurance
Value
- 1AIG (CoreBridge)
- 2American National
Financial Strength
- 1Mass Mutual
- 2Protective Life
Pricing
- 1Penn Mutual
- 2Protective Life
Riders
- 1Mutual of Omaha
- 2Protective
Underwriting
- 1Prudential
- 2Protective
No Exam
- 1Penn Mutual
- 2American National
Above you have our top guaranteed universal companies based on different criteria.
Below we'll take you deeper into our overall rankings of the best GUL companies, sometimes referred to as "no lapse".
For each company we'll show you:
- Sample quotes
- Company financial strength
- Policy strengths and weaknesses
- Availability of skipping the medical exam
Let's dive in...
2023 Rankings for the Best Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance Companies
(Click to skip ahead to a certain company) Top 16 carrier options not in any particular order since not one carrier will be the best fit for all clients. We will determine your best option based on your profile.
1
American General (AIG)
Secure Lifetime GUL 3
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A - Excellent
- Moody's - A2 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - A+ - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
AIG Guaranteed Universal Life Quotes
45-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $174 | $176 | $187 |
$500,000 | $335 | $338 | $360 |
$1,000,000 | $642 | $648 | $694 |
55-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $231 | $232 | $258 |
$500,000 | $441 | $443 | $495 |
$1,000,000 | $838 | $843 | $949 |
See our full American General GUL review
2
Protective Advantage Choice
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A2 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - AA- Very strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Protective Guaranteed Universal Life Quotes
49-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $199 | $215 | $251 |
$500,000 | $398 | $430 | $502 |
$1,000,000 | $711 | $767 | $896 |
51-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $181 | $197 | $243 |
$500,000 | $361 | $393 | $485 |
$1,000,000 | $663 | $722 | $883 |
See our full Protective GUL review
3
Prudential UL Protector
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A2 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - AA- - Very strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Prudential Guaranteed Universal Quotes
55-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $257 | $257 | $257 |
$500,000 | $502 | $502 | $502 |
$1,000,000 | $939 | $939 | $939 |
50-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $171 | $171 | $171 |
$500,000 | $330 | $330 | $330 |
$1,000,000 | $603 | $603 | $603 |
See our full Prudential GUL review
4
American National
Signature Guaranteed UL
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A - Excellent
- Moody's - Aa2 - Excellent credit
- Standard and Poor's - A - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Age 65 and below can get up to $250,000 in coverage at ANICO without submitting to a medical exam if you are in good health. This means the electronic underwriting checks cannot throw up too many red flags such as the drug prescription report.
Strength
Weakness
American National Guaranteed Universal Quotes
53-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 95 | to Age 105 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $207 | $234 | $238 |
$500,000 | $405 | $460 | $470 |
$1,000,000 | $769 | $881 | $904 |
47-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 95 | to Age 105 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $123 | $145 | $151 |
$500,000 | $239 | $284 | $295 |
$1,000,000 | $468 | $559 | $583 |
See our full American National GUL review
5
Sagicor Sage No Lapse Universal Life Insurance
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A- Excellent
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Sagicor is a leader in the no exam market and will consider up to $500,000 in coverage on their GUL product for those age 65 and below. No exam health classes go down to Standard.
Those with health concerns may still be considered at substandard class levels but will be requested to take an exam.
Strength
Weakness
Sagicor Guaranteed Universal Life Quotes
50-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 120 |
|---|---|
$250,000 | $227 |
$500,000 | $434 |
$750,000 | $652 |
$1,000,000 | $855 |
45-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 120 |
|---|---|
$250,000 | $128 |
$500,000 | $238 |
$750,000 | $357 |
$1,000,000 | $473 |
See our full Sagicor GUL review
6
Mutual of Omaha
Guaranteed Universal Life
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A1 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - AA- Very strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Mutual of Omaha Guaranteed Universal Quotes
50-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $213 | $240 | $249 |
$500,000 | $412 | $465 | $484 |
$1,000,000 | $792 | $897 | $935 |
48-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $165 | $183 | $190 |
$500,000 | $317 | $352 | $365 |
$1,000,000 | $606 | $675 | $701 |
See our full Mutual of Omaha GUL review
7
Banner Life Step UL
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A2 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - AA- Very strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Banner Guaranteed Universal Quotes
45-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 95 | to Age 110 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $286 | $297 | $300 |
$500,000 | $555 | $582 | $582 |
$1,000,000 | $1097 | $1152 | $1152 |
43year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 95 | to Age 110 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $202 | $232 | $232 |
$500,000 | $385 | $445 | $446 |
$1,000,000 | $758 | $878 | $880 |
See our full Banner GUL review
8
Symetra UL-G
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A - Excellent
- Moody's - A2 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - A - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Symetra Guaranteed Universal Life Quotes
50-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 100 | to Age 105 | to Age 120 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $203 | $213 | $225 |
$500,000 | $379 | $423 | $446 |
$1,000,000 | $767 | $833 | $904 |
48-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 100 | to Age 105 | to Age 120 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $164 | $183 | $186 |
$500,000 | $314 | $350 | $357 |
$1,000,000 | $602 | $673 | $688 |
See our full Symetra GUL review
9
Lincoln Financial
LifeGuarantee UL
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A1 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - AA- Very strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Lincoln Financial Guaranteed Universal Quotes
55-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 121 |
|---|---|
$250,000 | $294 |
$500,000 | $588 |
$750,000 | $881 |
$1,000,000 | $1,175 |
50-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 120 |
|---|---|
$250,000 | $195 |
$500,000 | $390 |
$750,000 | $585 |
$1,000,000 | $780 |
See our full Lincoln Financial GUL review
10
North American
Custom Guarantee
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A2 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - A+ - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
11
Mass Mutual UL Guard
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A++ - Superior
- Moody's - Aa2 - Excellent credit
- Standard and Poor's - AA+ - Very strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
12
Cincinnati Life
LifeHorizons LifeSetter GUL
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A - Excellent
- Moody's - A3 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - A+ - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Cincinnati Life Guaranteed Universal Quotes
50-year-old male at Preferred (Select) health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 121 |
|---|---|
$250,000 | $262 |
$500,000 | $513 |
$750,000 | $765 |
$1,000,000 | $998 |
48-year-old female at Preferred (Select) health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 121 |
|---|---|
$250,000 | $192 |
$500,000 | $373 |
$750,000 | $555 |
$1,000,000 | $721 |
See our full Cincinnati Life GUL review
13
Principal Financial
Universal Life Protector IV
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A1 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - A+ - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
If you are in excellent health, you may qualify for Principal's accelerated underwriting. Roughly half of those applicants in the Preferred or Super Preferred health classes will be able to skip the medical exam. This applies for up to $1,000,000 in death benefit.
Strength
Weakness
Principal Guaranteed Universal Life Quotes
52-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $212 | $242 | $253 |
$500,000 | $425 | $484 | $506 |
$1,000,000 | $804 | $873 | $905 |
49-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $149 | $174 | $183 |
$500,000 | $298 | $348 | $366 |
$1,000,000 | $541 | $614 | $671 |
See our full Principal GUL review
14
Nationwide YourLife
No Lapse Guaranteed UL
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A1 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - A+ - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
Nationwide Guaranteed Universal Quotes
50-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 100 | to Age 120 |
|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $211 | $215 |
$500,000 | $417 | $425 |
$750,000 | $626 | $638 |
$1,000,000 | $804 | $821 |
47-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 100 | to Age 120 |
|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $159 | $162 |
$500,000 | $302 | $313 |
$750,000 | $453 | $470 |
$1,000,000 | $570 | $596 |
See our full Nationwide GUL review
15
John Hancock
UL - G 13
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - A1 - Good credit
- Standard and Poor's - AA- Very strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Yes
Strength
Weakness
John Hancock Guaranteed Universal Quotes
49-year-old male at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $256 | $265 | $273 |
$500,000 | $500 | $518 | $533 |
$1,000,000 | $988 | $1024 | $1055 |
44-year-old female at Preferred health class - pricing listed is per month
Death Benefit | to Age 90 | to Age 100 | to Age 121 |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $176 | $182 | $188 |
$500,000 | $340 | $353 | $365 |
$1,000,000 | $668 | $694 | $718 |
See our full John Hancock GUL review
16
Penn Mutual
Guaranteed Protection Universal Life
Company Financial Ratings:
- A.M. Best - A+ - Superior
- Moody's - Aa3 - Excellent credit
- Standard and Poor's - A+ - Strong
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Not all individuals will require an exam
Why Choose a GUL Policy?
Guaranteed universal life insurance is a good choice for people that want the simplicity and low cost of term insurance without the complexity and high premiums of whole life and regular universal. GUL is a perfect blend for young people all the way up through seniors.
With GUL you get:
- Guaranteed lifetime protection that will not lapse - The reason you have life insurance is to protect against the loss of life and make sure you're beneficiaries will be OK. GUL does that up to age 121.
- Guaranteed level premium payment - Since these policies aren't tied to assumptions on interests rates, they aren't subject to investment performance. Universal life insurance (without the guarantee) was a huge hit in the 80's and 90's but many of these policies are going horribly wrong.
This is causing premiums to rise by a lot, later in life when people don't have the income to support it. The worst part is that many of these people at advanced ages may have trouble replacing their policies at a reasonable cost due to health issues they didn't have 30 years ago.
- Easy to understand - You choose the amount of coverage you want and how long you want it to be guaranteed for. Typical choices include at 110 or age 121. Riders exist to enhance and customize the policy if needed but you don't have to worry about all the moving parts of cash accumulation scenarios in a whole or regular universal product.
- Affordable premium payment - GUL will be a little more expensive than a straight term policy but in return, you get the coverage guaranteed for life and don't have to worry about what happens when that term expires at age 85. Typically at this point, all you will qualify for is a small policy to cover burial expenses.
You can expect a no-lapse universal product to be only about 30% of the cost of a full-blown universal policy where you are trying to build up cash and have to worry about market risk.
Finding the Right Guaranteed Universal Policy for You
We put a lot of time into our rankings in this article and to keeping them accurate and updated.
However...
Just calling the top few companies can be a huge mistake.
Whether you are in great health or have some medical issues, the smallest thing can mean a big difference in the price you pay for life insurance. This is because every company maintains their own underwriting guidelines.
Our suggestion is this:
Get a feel for what you are looking for in a policy, what is important to you?
Then run some quotes on this page. It's configured to only display guaranteed universal life insurance quotes.
Keep in mind: some carriers don't allow their GUL pricing to be put online so the quoter won't be able to give you the full picture but it's a great start.
As an independent broker, we aren't married to any one company and will always listen and advise the best options for each clients situation, without any pressure.
If you hadn't figured it out by now, we are passionate about guaranteed universal life insurance!
