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Global Atlantic Financial Group life insurance review 2021
Formerly known as Accordia, this insurer shines brightest when it comes to indexed universal life policies.
finder.com's rating: 3.5 / 5
★★★★★
- Get a quote if… You’re interested in indexed universal life insurance or if you want to enhance your policy with a long list of riders.
- Pick something else if… You want to apply online or if you’re leaning toward whole life insurance.
18 to 75
Issue Age
$50,000 to $1,000,000
Coverage
Not listed
Medical Exam Required
Details
| Policies | Term, Permanent |
|---|---|
| Coverage maximum | $1,000,000 |
| Term lengths | Level term for 10, 20, or 30 years or Annual Renewable Term |
| Medical exam required | Not listed |
| Available states | All 50 states |
| Issue age | Not listed |
Pros
- Long list of riders
- Life Credits on permanent policies
- Fast Lane underwriting
- Multiple ways to pay
- Financial strength
Cons
- Can’t apply online
- Outdated claims process
- No live chat
- Limited whole life policies
| Riders |
Accelerated death benefit rider Accidental death benefit rider Child rider Critical illness benefit rider Estate protection rider Guaranteed insurability rider Long-term-care rider Policy split option rider Return-of-premium rider Substitute insured rider Waiver-of-premium rider |
|---|
Review by
Katia Iervasi
katia.iervasi@finder.comKatia Iervasi is a staff writer who hails from Australia and now calls New York home. Her writing and analysis has been featured on sites like Forbes, Best Company and Financial Advisor around the world. Armed with a BA in Communication and a journalistic eye for detail, she navigates insurance and finance topics for Finder, so you can splash your cash smartly (and be a pro when the subject pops up at dinner parties).
Expert review
If you have complex needs or you’re in the market for a permanent policy, it may be worth checking out Global Atlantic. Along with a range of riders, it offers four indexed universal life policies and funeral planning products that can ease the burden on your family when you’re gone. It also has a long list of riders that can help you customize your coverage, including a wellness rider that rewards you for living a healthy lifestyle.
But it’s a little old-school — if you have questions, you’ll need to jump on the phone.
Global Atlantic life insurance rates
Global Atlantic doesn’t disclose its rates online. But the rate you’re offered reflects your age, health, lifestyle, occupation and hobbies, as well as the length and amount of coverage. To protect themselves, insurers reserve their best rates for the least risky applicants.
What affects my rate with Global Atlantic life insurance
At Global Atlantic life insurance, underwriters consider the following factors:
- Tobacco use. To reach the Premier or Preferred rate classes, you must be a non-smoker — though up to four celebratory cigars are allowed per month.
- Age. Young, healthy applicants usually pay lower premiums.
- Driving record. For the best rates, your recent record must be free of moving violations, DUIs and reckless driving.
- Criminal history. Global Atlantic won’t accept applicants who are on probation, parole or currently serving time in prison.
- Health. The insurer assesses your cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI and family medical history, and typically charges higher rates when there’s a history of cardiovascular disease, cancer, melanoma, strokes or diabetes.
- Occupation. Firemen, loggers, war journalists and people with other dangerous jobs may pay higher premiums. However, if you’re a pilot, some states offer an Aviation Exclusion Rider.
- Hazardous lifestyle. Do you drive race cars or count skydiving, scuba diving and rock climbing among your hobbies? You may be charged higher rates.
- Alcohol and drugs. To enter the highest rate classes, you must have no history of alcohol or drug abuse or treatment within the past 10 years.
How to get a quote from Global Atlantic life insurance
To get a quote or apply for a policy, call 877-462-8992. Alternatively, you can call a local life insurance agent. Global Atlantic has offices in Iowa, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Texas.
The approval process typically takes three to four weeks, which factors in time for a full paramedical exam. Or if you’re eligible for Global Atlantic’s accelerated underwriting program, Fast Lane, the total turnaround time after the phone interview is one to two business days.
What types of life insurance coverage does Global Atlantic offer?
Global Atlantic sells both term and permanent policies, and specializes in indexed variable life insurance.
- Term life insurance. The simplest and cheapest policy, term life provides coverage for a set period of time — in this case, 10, 20 or 30 years. Global Atlantic also offers an annual renewable term life policy. The premium stays the same for the 10-, 20- and 30-year terms, while the year-on-year rate typically increases with the annual renewable term policy. All term policies can be converted to permanent life insurance.
- Universal life insurance. Global Atlantic has one universal life policy that provides lifetime coverage and death benefits and becomes a cash asset over time. Universal life payments are flexible, rather than set at a dollar amount, which is ideal for those who foresee income fluctuations or can’t commit to paying the same amount every month. The cash value of the policy can also be tapped into during your lifetime, with interest.
- Indexed universal life insurance. This insurer has three indexed universal life insurance policies on offer for individuals. Like universal life policies, these are financial assets that offer lifelong protection. The main difference is that the cash accumulation portion of your policy is tied to an index, like the S&P 500, which may boost its cash value.
- Survivorship life insurance. Global Atlantic also has an indexed life insurance policy for couples. This policy insures two people on one policy. The death benefit is paid out after the second person passes away.
- Preneed life insurance. Also known as funeral insurance, this whole life policy is available through funeral homes, and sold when you make funeral plans. When you die, your policy will pay out the benefit to the funeral home so they can carry out the wishes laid out in your contract. Global Atlantic has another funeral planning designed for those who want to set aside funds for their final expenses and leave a legacy, it combines whole life coverage with a funeral expense trust or estate planning trust. If you’re interested in this, you’ll need to speak to an insurance agent.
- Accelerated underwriting. Eligible applicants between 18 and 60 years old can get up to $1,000,000 in coverage without a medical exam.
What riders can I add to my Global Atlantic life insurance policy?
Global Atlantic’s website is slim on details. Depending on your policy and state, you may be able to customize your coverage with the following riders:
- Accelerated death benefit rider
- Accidental death benefit rider
- Child rider
- Critical illness benefit rider
- Guaranteed insurability rider
- Long-term-care rider
- Return-of-premium rider
- Substitute insured rider
- Waiver-of-premium rider
These riders only apply to the Survivorship Builder policy:
- Policy Split Rider
- First to Die Rider
- Survivor Insured Rider
- Estate Protection Rider
What is the Global Atlantic Wellness for Life rider?
Available on permanent policies, the goal of this rider is to reward those who maintain healthy lifestyles. Add it to your policy and you’ll score a discount for visiting the doctor once every two years. If you get a clean bill of health and you’ve stayed within your weight range as determined by your policy, you’ll earn a further discount on your premium. This feature also grants you access to the Ask Mayo Clinic 24-hour nurse line.
Global Atlantic life insurance reviews and complaints
Global Atlantic Financial Group doesn’t have a presence on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), though its underwriter, Forethought Life Insurance Company, does. The insurer isn’t accredited with the BBB, but it has an A- rating for its operations and customer service. The BBB has recorded just nine complaints in the past three years, most of which related to billing issues and delayed claims. A a handful of customers have given the company 1 out of 5 stars.
| AM Best financial rating |
A |
| BBB accredited | Yes |
| BBB rating | A- 1/5 out of 5 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 20 January 2021 |
More about Global Atlantic life insurance
Global Atlantic is a multiline insurer that was founded by Goldman Sachs in 2004 before breaking away to become an independent company in 2013. Since then, it’s acquired several subsidiaries. These include Accordia Life & Annuity Co, which issues its term, universal and indexed universal life insurance, while Forethought Life Insurance Company writes its whole life policies for funeral expenses.
Aside from life insurance, Global Atlantic sells annuities and offers retirement and financial planning. It has over $40 billion in assets and holds an A (Excellent) rating with A.M. Best.
While Global Atlantic is a reputable and reliable insurer, it might not suit everyone. If you’re looking for different policy features or riders, compare life insurance companies.
Compare policies and premiums from life insurance companies like Global Atlantic
Frequently asked questions about Global Atlantic life insurance
Life insurance ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
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