Primerica Life Insurance Company: The Truth about Primerica

Review of Primerica Life Insurance
by Trent Lorcher (30,053 pts ) , published Sep 16, 2009
4

Primerica Life Insurance Company is one of the largest providers of term life insurance in the United States, but to get the truth about Primerica, look no further than one of its customers.

Primerica Life Insurance Company: Financial Strength
Rating Excellent

There are two ways to discover the financial stability of your life insurance company: (1) die; (2) research the company's financial strength. I prefer the latter (if you prefer the former, you may not want to mention it when applying for coverage).

A.M. Best, a full service credit-rating organization, has given Primerica a superior (A+) financial rating. According to Reuters, A.M. Best bases its rating on Primerica's "leading position in the U.S. term life insurance marketplace, strong risk-adjusted capitalization and favorable liquidity profile,"* which in English means if you die, they have the money to pay.

Primerica Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Citigroup. Because of Primerica's profitability and Citi's need to raise capital, there is a likelihood Primerica could be sold in the near future; this, however, is no reason for policy holders--present and future--to be concerned.

*The full article regarding the truth about Primerica's financial strength is available at Reuters.

Primerica Life Insurance Company Products
Rating Excellent

Life insurance policies don't exactly qualify as fun reading. Most people when they buy life insurance have no idea what they're getting. There's a reason for this. Most life insurance companies don't want you to know what you're getting. Primerica, on the other hand, keeps it simple.

Primerica sells only term life insurance. If you're looking for cash value insurance, go elsewhere (but read this first). Policies range from 10-year term to 35-year term. All Primerica policies are level premium/level term, which means the monthly premium stays the same throughout the term of the policy. Primerica policies automatically come with a terminal illness clause, which allows the policy holder to receive a portion of the death benefit in case of a terminal illness. Most policies can be renewed without a medical examination when the term expires (premiums will increase based on age at renewal).

Here's the truth about Primerica: because it only sells one type of insurance, consumers need not fear the unethical practices of insurance companies of the past. These unethical practices include the implosion of cash value life insurance policies and the bait and switch approach--the agent sells you a crappy term policy, increasing term, for example, and after you complain he persuades you to buy cash value life insurance.

An important part of any purchase, be it life insurance or toe nail clippers, is cost. A criticism of the company in the past has been its high premiums. Within the past several years, Primerica premiums have been reduced considerably and are now extremely competitive.

Shop around.

The Truth about Primerica: The Agents
Rating Excellent

One of the more interesting (for those who find life insurance interesting) aspects of Primerica Life Insurance Company is its agents. The company aggressively recruits, not Wall Street techno-wizards or Insurance gurus, but part-time, average, middle-class Americans. Primerica's hiring practices have been criticized by some (its competitors) because of its high agent turnover. Hiring part-timers and average Joes (and Janes), however, is in line with the company's philosophy of keeping things simple for the consumer.

If you wish to purchase life insuance through Primerica, it must be done through an agent, contact information can be found at the company's website. In addition to answering questions about life insurance, your agent can provide you with a free financial needs analysis to help you get out of debt, pay off your mortgage faster, and save for retirement--many agents are licensed to sell mutual funds and can help you start a Roth IRA, a 403 (b), a 529 College Savings Plan or a self-employed retirement plan.

The truth about Primerica: they just might have a solution for you.

12 Comments

Showing page 1 of 2 (12 Comments)
Nov 11, 2009 5:04 PM
No problem
I'm glad I could help. Here's to hoping you never actually need your life insurance policy.
Nov 10, 2009 9:33 PM
Offrddrver
Thanks
Thanks for the feedback Trent. Best of luck in life and all you do.
Nov 10, 2009 12:07 AM
To Offrddrver
Regardless of what company you're with, it's the agent that you need to be able to trust and depend on. I'd be very concerned if my agent were as non-forthcoming as yours, regardless of the company.

The signature for change sheet, from what I know (and I'm not a licensed insurance agent so double check this) most likely lessens the amount of coverage on the policy and does not change the actual policy other than you'll be getting less insurance at a lower cost.

I have signed things when I was in my twenties that I didn't understand as well and got burned. I would demand that my agent be a bit more forthright or switch companies (make sure you're approved first before cancelling any policy).

The title of the policy is "Term Life Insurance to Age 95"
The term is 30 years planned level premium
The guaranteed payment premium is 20 years*

*I've read the fine print on this. The premium remains level for 20 years guaranteed. For years 21-30 there is a maximum premium higher than the planned premium which can be enacted for catastrophic reasons and would be applied to all policy holders in like situation. In other words they can't single you out for health reasons.

I am also guaranteed coverage until age 95. Obviously the cost of insurance would be based on my age after the initial 30 years has expired (very expensive I might add).

There's also a policy holder toll free number on my policy (1-800-257-4725). I've called the number before and they've been responsive. I'd give them a call.

I hope this helps and, yes, I'm glad you forced me to read my policy again. It's always good to know what you have.

Nov 9, 2009 10:33 PM
Offrddrver
Just a 2nd point of view!
Trent, All,

Ok Trent, you have me convinced that you are not a rep or even linked to a rep. I'm happy to hear you have a good policy for your life situation.

Just to note, I'm not in any way related to any insurance company. (I wish I was, because maybe I could get a better policy at a better price.) I'm a Semiconductor Engineer that just got caught up in too much life insurance as a young adult. I was 25 when I signed for my policy or policies. I trusted people back then.

So, here is a chance for you to help another guy...me.
Can I ask that you share the names of your policies? Not your personal information, but the title of the policy given by primerica?
Why, you may ask, do I want to know this information?
1. Because my rep is calling non-stop to try and get me to change my policies. I really bothers me that she says it will really help her and her mom. By the way she now wants to change my policy to her mom's name. (Very leery.)
2. Because my current policy is very expensive and I'm ready to lose my job in September 2010.
3. Because my rep does not provide me with the NEW policy information. She only provides a "signature for change" sheet. I'm already leery of my current policy, so how does she think I feel about signing a new policy when she doesn't provide a FULL disclosure of the new policy.

Last, have you ever found the policy information available on-line?
At age 35 I now read what I sign. I just wish I would have at age 25.

Thanks for your time, and please understand that I'm just a guy giving a 2nd point of view. Also, please don't feel like I'm attacking you as I'm really not. I actually appreciate that you started this blog so others can see both points of view.
Again, I'm willing to stay with Primerica if someone would just help me with my options.

Enough said, and have a good day.
Nov 9, 2009 3:47 PM
Vaughn
Thank you. However . . .
Thanks for the comments. I have also been a long-time Primerica customer. I would like to suggest, though, that you add some comments related to your vocation. Things like proper use of grammar, correct spelling, and appropriate vocabulary by your respondents!
Oct 14, 2009 5:24 PM
To: Offrddrver
You make some very good points about the importance of knowing what's in your policy. I know exactly what's in mine. That's why I wrote this positive review. I have no ties with the company other than being a customer. I'm a high school English teacher and a writer. I manage my own finances.

Sep 30, 2009 12:31 AM
Offrddrver
Sorry so long, 2nd comments...
Just to note, this is my second blog, so hopefully my first one gets posted.....first.

I want to wrap up my last blog by saying that I'm not for or against Primerica. I will say that I am not pleased at all with my REPS way of doing business. She is being way to pushy, which makes me want to leave even more.

I can say that I'm looking for a new policy with another company, but if I don't find a better one then I'll stay with Primarica. Maybe all policies appear to be a scam. As noted, most people don't know what they are getting. But you can bet I'm doing my FULL homework this time at age 35.

I just don't want other young people to get caught up in the same issue I did, only to find out I screwed up 10 yrs later. READ EVERYTHING YOUNG PEOPLE! And don't just take the word of your rep.....PRIMERICA OR ANY OTHER COMPANY. The REP is a sales person, just remember that!

I once again want to agree with this blog that PRIMERICA appears to be a wealthy company, I'm not questioning that at all. However, so was ENRON, but in the end that did not make them a good company now did it.

THINK, THINK, THINK before you buy any policy.

By the way Trent, thank you for the information, but I must say that you sound like a customer that has ties to a REP in some way shape or form.
But I do believe that you are not a rep.
Hopefully you are just a happy customer giving your positive view without ties.

By the way I've talked with several other companies and be very aware that they try to sell you a HUGE policy, even when you say you don't need that much. It would be nice if someone actually listened to their potential customers.

Have a great week, and please know that I'm just trying to post another mans view on Primerica.

Sep 24, 2009 12:05 PM
To Jean Tales
I'm not affiliated with the actual company. I'm just a customer. I've provided a link to the website and a phone number you can call if you need to contact the company.

http://www.primerica.com/public/protect_your_family.html

1-800-257-4725
Sep 19, 2009 12:46 AM
Cortes
You are Fair
As a Mexican I can tell you that the only opportunity to be someone in this country, was to have a business. And Primerica provides me with this. Thanks for your comment and for being a positive person.
Sep 15, 2009 1:33 PM
billy
Thanks for doing REAL research
Let as many people know about this company and that they need to do this real research because this company has helped my family so much.
Showing page 1 of 2 (12 Comments)