What is the minimum acceptable A.M. Best rating for a life insurance company? And is that an important consideration when shopping around?

Hadley, Member

@hadley 10/18/15

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I would not choose a life insurance company with an AM Best rating lower than "A" (Excellent).

What you choose is up to you. The financial strength rating of an insurer is an indication of the insurer's ability to meet their financial obligations and pay their claims.

Each year the III.org (Insurance Informaiton Institutue) issues a list of leading providers of life insurance policies in America.

III.org is a good resource to review statistics about life insurance and top carriers.

In addition, you may want to visit ambest.com to check out financial ratings of insurance companies.

Here is a list of top life insurance companies including their AM Best ratings.

Francisco Ramirez, President, Insuringmyself.com LLC

@FranciscoRamirez 08/17/15

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What is acceptable will really depend on you. Personally, I would stick with B+++ or better rated carriers, preferably A or higher. I can't remember the last time I saw a carrier rated for less than that.

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