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Prudential vs. Protective Life
When these insurers go head to head, the key differences lie in their policy lineups.
Both insurers are industry giants with the financial ratings and reputations to back it up. But they offer slightly different policies and riders.
Life insurance products with Prudential and Protective Life
 Prudential |  Protective Life | |
|---|---|---|
| Term |  | |
| Whole | | |
| Universal | | |
| Variable | | |
| Variable universal | | |
| Indexed universal | | |
| Final expense | ||
| Final expense | | |
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Costs
Your premium is a product of your age, gender, occupation and lifestyle. These insurers have similar price points, though you may be charged a higher premium with Prudential.
If you’re a healthy nonsmoker, here’s what you might pay monthly for a $250,000, 20-year term life policy.
| Gender | Age | Prudential | Protective Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 20 | ||
| Male | 30 | ||
| Male | 40 | ||
| Male | 50 | ||
| Male | 60 |
| Gender | Age | Prudential | Protective Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 20 | ||
| Female | 30 | ||
| Female | 40 | ||
| Female | 50 | ||
| Female | 60 |
*Based on sample rates from Policygenius, August 2019.
Policy riders
With both insurers, you can add riders to your policy to bridge gaps in your coverage. While they each offer a comprehensive set of riders, Prudential focuses more on living benefits.
Prudential Riders
- Waiver of premium rider
- Accelerated death benefit rider
- Accidental death benefit rider
- Serious illness rider
- Estate planning rider
- Cash value rider
- Disability income rider
- Additional death benefit rider
Protective Life Riders
- Waiver of premium rider
- Accelerated death benefit rider
- Accidental death benefit rider
- Child rider
- Disability income rider
- Term insurance rider
- Guaranteed insurability rider
Financial strength
An insurer’s financial strength rating reveals its claims paying ability. Prudential and Protective Life score top ratings with the major agencies, which means they have the funds to pay out claims for the foreseeable future.
In J.D. Power’s latest life insurance study on customer satisfaction, Protective Life ranked seventh of 23 insurers surveyed, and Prudential followed in eighth place.
| Prudential | Protective Life | |
|---|---|---|
| A.M. Best | A+ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| Moody’s | Aa3 (High quality) | A1 (Good) |
| Standard & Poor’s | AA- (Very strong) | AA- (Very strong) |
| Fitch | AA- (High quality) | A+ (Very high quality) |
| J.D. Power | 3 out of 5 circles or “about average” | 4 out of 5 circles or “better than most” |
Customer reviews and reputation
Protective Life has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for the way it engages with customers. The BBB records 51 complaints in the past three years though, with many people complaining about communication issues. Customers award the company 2 out of 5 stars.
Prudential has an D- rating with the Better Business Bureau while it’s in the process of resolving complaints, and it’s earned 1 out of 5 stars with customers. The BBB files 69 complaints in the past three years, most of which related to billing issues and the claims process.
Bottom line
These insurers have similar rates, riders and reputations. The main difference comes down to the policy options. They offer a range of term and permanent policies, but Prudential sells survivorship over whole life insurance.
To find the insurer that best meets your needs, compare life insurance providers.
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