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Banner term life insurance is a type of policy that offers coverage for a specified period, usually 10, 20, or 30 years.
The cost of banner term life insurance varies based on factors such as age, health, and coverage amount. For example, a 30-year-old non-smoker can expect to pay around $20 per month for a $250,000 policy.
This type of insurance is often considered more affordable than whole life insurance, which can be a major plus for those on a tight budget. However, it's essential to consider the potential risks and limitations of banner term life insurance before making a decision.
Policies and Features
Banner Life offers two main types of insurance: term life and universal life.
Banner Life's term life insurance product is called OPTerm, which allows you to choose from term periods of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 years.
You can purchase OPTerm policies between the ages of 20 and 75, with coverage expiration ending on your 95th birthday.
The OPTerm product offers a competitive edge with its renewable feature until age 95, and fully convertible to permanent life insurance.
Here are the available term periods for OPTerm:
Banner Life's term life insurance is ideal for when individuals need coverage for a certain amount of time, and can be bought in large amounts for low rates.
Policies and Features
Banner Life offers two main types of insurance: term life and universal life.
Both types of policies have different features, including monthly premiums, death benefits, and conversion options.
Term life insurance is a policy that pays benefits only for a specific time frame, known as the term.
Banner Life's term life product is called OPTerm, which offers term periods of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 years.
The term period you choose will determine the length of time your beneficiaries can collect their death benefit.
The OPTerm product is renewable until the age of 95, and fully convertible to permanent life insurance.
You can expect to pay more in monthly premiums if you want a higher coverage amount.
For example, a $1,000,000 coverage amount can cost anywhere from $42.40 to $165.75 per month, depending on your age.
Here's a breakdown of the monthly premiums for a $1,000,000 coverage amount at different ages:
You can view and manage your policy, pay a premium bill, or make updates to your account on the Banner Legal & General website.
Riders
Riders are extra benefits you can add to your life insurance policy to make it more comprehensive. You can add a child term rider to cover your children until age 25. This rider is available for both term and universal life insurance policies.
The waiver of premium rider is another option you can consider. If you become disabled, this rider will stop charging your premiums, and your policy will remain in force as long as you're disabled. The disability must occur before you turn 65.
Banner Life also offers a terminal illness rider. If you're diagnosed with a terminal illness, you can receive a portion of the death benefit while you're still alive. This can help cover medical expenses and other costs.
You can also add a term rider to boost or "stack" your policy temporarily. This can be useful if you have higher financial needs, such as children in college. The term rider can be added to a universal life policy or to an existing term policy.
Here are the riders available with Banner Life:
Is Affordable?
Banner Life Insurance is one of the more affordable options on the market. They consider policyholders who have filed for bankruptcy and faced financial hardships in the past.
Their quotes are lower than those of most competitors, making them a good option for affordable insurance. For example, a 30-year-old female can get a quote for $14.36, while a 30-year-old male can get a quote for $17.03.
Banner Life's pricing is about average for older adults, but it's better than some companies, such as Pacific Life and Protective. For a 65-year-old, the monthly premium for a 15-year term policy can range from $103.18 for a female to $131.97 for a male.
Their term life insurance prices are competitive, with a 30-year-old paying around $280, a 40-year-old paying around $414, and a 50-year-old paying around $978.
Health and Underwriting
Banner Life Insurance has a unique approach to underwriting, making it a great option for those with certain health conditions. They offer a Standard Plus rating table for policyholders with a lower than average health class, resulting in significantly discounted premiums.
Their APPcelerate program allows qualified applicants to skip the medical exam and still get approved for life insurance coverage. This is available for individuals between 20-50 years of age, with coverage amounts available up to $1,000,000.
Banner Life also has a Liberal Underwriting policy, which means they consider policyholders with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or blood pressure. They even have a Lab Lift program that lets you submit electronic health records or an attending physician statement instead of taking a medical exam.
Cash Value
Cash Value is a key feature of universal life policies, but it's essential to understand how it works.
A portion of your premium becomes cash value every time you make a monthly payment. This cash value accumulates over time and can be used while you're still alive.
You can withdraw the cash value or use it to pay for your premiums, which can be a big help if you're experiencing financial difficulties.
Your beneficiaries will only receive the death benefit, not the cash value, so it's crucial to use the cash value while you're still alive.
Health Conditions
Banner Life requires a medical exam for most life insurance policies, but they do offer some alternatives for people with certain health conditions. If you're pregnant, you may want to consider other insurance providers, as Banner tends to quote higher monthly premiums for pregnant women than most other insurers.
For diabetics and individuals with high cholesterol or blood pressure, Banner Life is a good option, but it's essential to consult with an independent life insurance agent to determine if it's the best choice for you.
Banner Life's APPcelerate program allows qualified applicants to get life insurance coverage without a medical exam, but they must meet certain criteria such as age, tobacco use, prescription use, and pre-existing conditions. This program is available for individuals between 20-50 years of age.
If you have a lower than average health class, Banner's premiums are based on the Standard Plus rating table, which means you may qualify for discounted premiums compared to other providers.
Age
Age is a significant factor in health insurance underwriting. Typically, the younger you are, the less you'll pay.
From the insurer's point of view, it's far riskier to insure someone who's 90 than someone who's in their early 30s.
Benefits and Claims
Banner Life appears to be good at paying claims, with a low NAIC complaint index indicating reliability and efficiency in processing claims. This is a major plus for policyholders who want to ensure their loved ones receive benefits when they need them most.
Banner Life pays out claims within one business day of approval, which is a significant advantage for beneficiaries who need quick access to funds. You can submit a claim packet by email, fax, or regular mail, and the company will review it to ensure the policy was active and the death is covered.
If you're diagnosed with a terminal illness, you can accelerate up to 75% of your death benefit to help with costly end-of-life medical expenses. This can be a huge relief for individuals and families facing a terminal diagnosis.
Living Benefits
Living Benefits can provide financial relief during difficult times. Banner Life offers an ADB, or accelerated death benefit, in the event you're diagnosed with a terminal illness and expected to live 12 months or less.
This benefit allows you to accelerate up to 75% of your death benefit. If you have a policy with a face amount of 400,000, you'll be allowed to take a check for 300,000 while living to help with costly end-of-life medical expenses.
Your family may be depending on that cash, but having the option is a fantastic added benefit. It's essential to consider this strongly before making a decision.
The leftover 100,000 would be provided to your beneficiaries after you pass away. This can be a significant help during a challenging time.
What Do Beneficiaries Need to Do to Collect Benefits?
To collect benefits from a Banner Life policy, your beneficiaries will need to provide a death certificate, a copy of the original policy, and a claims statement to initiate the payout process.
The death certificate is a crucial document that confirms the policyholder's passing.
Beneficiaries can submit the required documents by email, fax, or regular mail to Banner Life.
Banner Life reviews the claim to ensure the policy was active and the death is covered, which typically takes just one business day after approving the claim.
Company and Trustworthiness
Banner Life Insurance Company was founded in 1949 and later acquired as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legal & General Group PLC in 1981. It has undergone several name changes, but officially became Banner Life under its 1981 acquisition.
Banner Life gets an impressive A+ from A.M. Best, indicating strong stability in the insurance industry. It also receives AA ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, further demonstrating its financial strength.
Banner Life has a proven track record, with over 620 billion dollars of in-force life insurance policies and operates on over 80.0 million dollars in profits per year as of 2018. This financial stability is backed by its A+ rating from AM Best and AA- ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.
Here are some key ratings that demonstrate Banner Life's trustworthiness:
- A+ from AM Best
- AA- from S&P Global Ratings
- AA- from Fitch Ratings
- 94 Comdex Rating
Who Owns?
Banner Life is owned by the Legal & General Group, which also owns William Penn Life of New York.
The Legal & General Group acquired Banner Life in 1981, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Is Trustworthy?
Banner Life Insurance Company has a long history dating back to 1836, but it's under the umbrella of Legal and General Group that it's gained its current reputation. The company has been accredited by the BBB for 35 years and has an A+ BBB rating, the highest rating possible.
Banner Life has received an A+ rating from AM Best, indicating strong financial stability. This rating is the second-highest possible score, and only a few other insurers, such as State Farm and Thrivent, have received higher ratings.
In recent decades, Banner Life has become a highly recognized insurance provider, with its subsidiary, William Penn Life Insurance Company of New York, also receiving high ratings. The company has a proven track record of growth and stability, with over 620 billion dollars in in-force life insurance policies and over 80 million dollars in profits per year as of 2018.
Banner Life has also received low complaint rates, with only 4 complaints closed and resolved over the last 3 years, which is an extraordinarily low number. This suggests that the company is committed to doing things by the book and prioritizing its policyholders' well-being.
Here are the ratings from major credit rating agencies:
- A.M Best: A+
- Fitch: AA-
- Moody’s: N/A
- Standard and Poor’s: AA-
- Comdex Rating: 94
These ratings are outstanding, and they give you a clear indication of Banner Life's financial stability and reliability.
Customer Experience
Banner Life Insurance has a strong track record of customer satisfaction, with relatively few complaints reported to state regulators.
The company's NAIC complaint index shows it received far fewer complaints than expected, indicating customers are generally happy with the service.
Banner Life's customer reviews and complaints are overwhelmingly positive, with the company receiving 57% fewer complaints than the average company its size.
While some customers have reported challenges interacting with the customer service team, particularly when dealing with clerical errors or policy changes, overall customer satisfaction remains high.
Banner Life's financial strength rating of A+ from A.M. Best means it's very likely to be able to pay out claims, giving customers peace of mind.
Customer Reviews
Banner Life Insurance has very positive customer reviews, with a low number of complaints compared to competing companies.
They receive 57% fewer complaints than an average company of their size, indicating that customers are generally satisfied with the company.
One reason for this positive reputation is their smooth signup process, which is reflected in their customer reviews.
However, some negative reviews do exist, primarily related to challenges interacting with the customer service team, such as clerical errors or policy surrender issues.
To avoid these issues, it's a good practice to get confirmation of any policy actions you take, even small edits like changing a name or updating your mailing address.
Managing My Policy
Managing your policy is a breeze. You can easily view and manage your policy on the Banner Legal & General website.
To get started, simply register or login to your account in the top right of the website. Bennett Bier and his team of licensed life insurance agents have helped thousands of people purchase life insurance online and over the phone.
With their expertise, you can make updates to your account, pay a premium bill, and more. They'll work tirelessly to ensure you have the coverage your family deserves.
Comparison and Buying
Banner Life offers a range of term life insurance policies that can last up to 40 years.
The company has a competitive pricing structure, with a term policy price of $27.96, which is lower than some of its competitors, such as Nationwide at $31.50.
You can apply for a term life policy online, and if you qualify, you can pay online and receive your policy via email within 48 hours.
Banner Life's accelerated underwriting system allows for quick approval and setup of your policy, making the process efficient and convenient.
For more complex policies, such as permanent universal life insurance, you'll need to speak with a Banner Life agent, as these policies cannot be applied for online.
Here's a comparison of Banner Life with some of its competitors:
Other Providers
If you're looking for more options beyond Banner Life, there are several other providers you might consider. Allianz, for instance, offers term life insurance policies that can last up to 60 years.
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AMA Life Insurance is another option, with term life policies that can last up to 45 years. These policies come in a variety of types, including level term life, pure term life, and preferred term life.
Genworth is also worth considering, with term life and permanent life insurance options available. Their policies can last up to 30 years, making them a good choice for those who need temporary coverage.
John Hancock offers a range of policy types, including term life, universal life, variable life, and survivorship life. Their term life policies can last up to 30 years, and they have a strong reputation with a rating of A+ from Standard and Poor's.
Here's a quick comparison of these providers:
Comparison to Other Companies
When comparing Banner Life to other life insurance companies, it's essential to consider their ratings and complaints. Banner Life has an AM Best rating of A+, which is the same as Nationwide, but slightly lower than SBLI's A- rating.
The NAIC Complaint Index shows that Banner Life, Nationwide, and SBLI all have low complaint rates, with Banner Life having a 3-year average of 0.341, which is much better than expected for a company of its size.
In terms of pricing, Banner Life's term policies are competitive, with a price of $27.96, which is slightly lower than Nationwide's $31.50 and SBLI's $27.97.
Here's a comparison of the three companies' policy types:
Banner Life's policy types are limited compared to Nationwide, which offers a wider range of policy options. However, Banner Life's accelerated underwriting system can approve and set up your policy digitally within 48 hours, making the process more efficient.
How to Buy
You can start buying life insurance online with a free quote from the Banner Life website, which also allows you to apply and submit documents electronically.
If you're looking for a term life insurance policy, you can complete the application online, and if you qualify, you can even get approved and set up coverage within 48 hours.
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To buy a permanent universal policy, however, you'll need to speak with a Banner Life agent, as these complex products aren't available for online quotes or applications.
You can find a local Banner Life agent through the company's website, making it easy to get the help you need to purchase this type of policy.
Where to Get
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The Apple Store is a great place to buy Apple Watches, and you can even get a free engraving on your purchase.
You can also check out specialty stores like Fossil and Guess for a wide selection of stylish smartwatches.
Some online marketplaces like eBay and Rakuten often have deals on smartwatches from various brands.
If you're looking for a more personalized shopping experience, consider visiting a local jewelry store that carries smartwatches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Banner Life Insurance pay out?
Yes, Banner Life Insurance pays a tax-free death benefit to your beneficiary if you pass away during the policy term. The payout is typically a lump sum cash payment to support your loved ones.
Do you get money back if you outlive term life insurance?
If you outlive a term life insurance policy, you may get some or all of your premium back with a return of premium (ROP) rider, but standard policies typically do not refund premiums. Consider adding an ROP rider to your policy for potential premium refunds.
Sources
- https://physiciansthrive.com/life-insurance/banner-life-insurance/
- https://www.investopedia.com/banner-life-insurance-review-5079634
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/life-insurance/banner-life-review
- https://ogletreefinancial.com/blog/banner-life-insurance-company-review/
- https://www.spectruminsurancegroup.com/banner-life/
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