The best life insurance in North Carolina depends on your coverage needs and budget. North American leads for whole and universal policies, Legal & General averages $35 to $44 per month for term coverage, and Mutual of Omaha provides guaranteed acceptance options averaging $30 to $40 per month.
Best Life Insurance Companies in North Carolina (2026)
We analyzed the best life insurance companies in North Carolina based on average premiums, customer experience and coverage options.
Compare top life insurance providers in North Carolina.

Updated: February 27, 2026
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Top Life Insurance Companies in North Carolina
Whole and Universal | North American | 5 | Whole: $691 (men) $602 (women) Universal: $295 (men) $251 (women) | Whole: $8,287 (men) $7,221 (women) Universal: $3,535 (men) $3,016 (women) |
Indexed Universal | Ethos | 5 | $328 (men) $275 (women) | $3,935 (men) $3,297 (women) |
Term | Legal & General | 4.7 | $44 (men) $35 (women) | $523 (men) $415 (women) |
Guaranteed Acceptance | Mutual of Omaha | 4.7 | $40 (men) $30 (women) | $482 (men) $365 (women) |
No-Exam | Pacific Life | 4.5 | $47 (men) $39 (women) | $566 (men) $464 (women) |
The premiums listed reflect average costs for 40-year-old applicants who don't smoke and purchase $500,000 in coverage, based on MoneyGeek’s review of pricing data. Your individual rate will vary according to your medical history, habits and overall risk profile.
Best Permanent Life Insurance: North American

North American
Average Whole Life Monthly Cost
$691 (men); $602 (women)Based on average quotes for 40-year-old nonsmokers with $500,000 coverage amount.Average Universal Life Monthly Cost
$295 (men); $251 (women)Based on average quotes for 40-year-old nonsmokers with $500,000 coverage amount.
- pros
Coverage limits exceeding $10 million
Full range of cash value policy options
A+ AM Best rating
consMedical exams required for all applicants
Term coverage limited to ages 18 to 60
Fewer rider options than competitors
North American has the best permanent life insurance in North Carolina for policyholders who want cash value growth. Its whole life and universal life policies cover up to $10 million, and indexed universal life options add market upside potential with downside protection. North American holds an A+ AM Best rating, and 77% of customer reviews are positive according to our analysis. The trade-off is that medical exams are required for all applicants, and term coverage is limited to ages 18 to 60. Riders and unique features are also limited compared to competitors, but North American's permanent policies are a good choice if you're prioritizing long-term cash value accumulation.
Best Indexed Universal Life Insurance: Ethos

Ethos
Average Monthly Cost
$328 (men); $275 (women)Based on average quotes for 40-year-old nonsmokers with $500,000 coverage amount.
- pros
No medical exam required for most applicants
Nine index strategies for cash value growth
Living benefit riders included at no extra cost
consPlan options vary by partner
Caps and participation rates can change over time
Ethos is the best indexed universal life insurance company in North Carolina through its partnership with Ameritas, giving you access to nine index strategies including the S&P 500, Russell 2000 and NASDAQ-100. Coverage goes up to $2 million, and most applicants get instant decisions without a medical exam. Ethos includes living benefit riders for terminal, chronic and critical illness at no extra cost, and its A+ AM Best rating backs that up with 95% positive customer sentiment based on our review of consumer review forums. The main drawbacks are that availability varies by partner and caps and participation rates can change over time.
Best Term Life Insurance: Legal & General

Legal & General
Average Monthly Cost
$44 (men); $35 (women)Based on average quotes for a 40-year-old with a 20-year term policy and $500,000 coverage amount.
- pros
Competitive rates for younger applicants
Coverage up to $10 million
Broad age range (20 to 75)
Convert to permanent policy up to age 70
consMedical exam required for all applicants
Legal & General offers the best term life insurance in North Carolina with competitive rates, broad coverage and flexible policy terms from 10 to 40 years. The insurer covers applicants ages 20 to 75 with up to $10 million in coverage, and 25-year-olds pay $26 to $30 monthly. Premiums increase to $155 to $220 monthly by age 60. Legal & General holds an A AM Best rating, a 0.35 NAIC complaint index and 85% positive customer sentiment. Its conversion option extends to age 70, longer than most competitors allow, but medical exams are required for all applicants.
Best Guaranteed Life Insurance: Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha
Average Monthly Cost
$40 (men); $30 (women)Based on average quotes for 50-year-old nonsmokers with $10,000 coverage amount.
- pros
No medical exam or health questions required
Covers ages 45 to 85
Cash value accumulation with borrowing option
A+ AM Best and BBB ratings
consCoverage capped at $25,000
Two-year graded death benefit for natural causes
No medical exam and no health questions are required with Mutual of Omaha’s guaranteed acceptance policies. North Carolina applicants ages 45 to 85 can qualify regardless of medical history. Coverage amounts range from $2,000 to $25,000, and the whole life design builds cash value that policyholders may borrow against.
The company holds an A+ rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from the BBB, reflecting strong financial stability, although 26% of customer reviews are negative. For deaths due to natural causes within the first two years, beneficiaries receive the total premiums paid plus 10% instead of the full death benefit. Accidental deaths are covered from the first day of the policy. Because the maximum benefit is $25,000, this coverage is often used to supplement other life insurance policies.
Best No-Exam Life Insurance: Pacific Life

Pacific Life
Average Monthly Cost
$47 (men); $39 (women)Based on average quotes for a 40-year-old with a 20-year term policy and $500,000 coverage amount.
- pros
Coverage up to $3 million without a medical exam
Competitive rates for both men and women
Low NAIC consumer complaint index
consNo-exam eligibility limited to ages 18 to 60
Limited term length options compared to competitors
Pacific Life provides up to $3 million in life insurance without a medical exam through its accelerated underwriting program for applicants ages 18 to 60. A 40-year-old woman pays about $39 per month for a $500,000, 20-year term policy, while a man the same age pays about $47. The company holds an A rating from AM Best and a 0.08 NAIC complaint index.
Policies include a terminal illness accelerated benefit at no added cost. Optional riders include child term coverage, waiver of premium and guaranteed insurability.
Personalized North Carolina Life Insurance Picks
Use the filterable table below to find life insurance recommendations that match your specific needs. Your rates depend on coverage amount, age, gender, health status and policy term.
| Lincoln Financial | $24 | $285 |
| North American | $29 | $349 |
| Midland National | $29 | $349 |
| Protective Insurance | $29 | $350 |
| Transamerica | $30 | $359 |
| Principal National | $31 | $372 |
| CoreBridge | $32 | $381 |
| Securian | $32 | $383 |
| Guardian Life | $33 | $396 |
| Legal & General | $33 | $397 |
| Pacific Life | $33 | $397 |
| Cincinnati Life | $33 | $399 |
Rates are based on average term life insurance quotes for nonsmokers with average weight and health ratings. Individual costs will vary based on policy type and your profile.
How to Find the Best Life Insurance in North Carolina
Selecting the right life insurance policy in North Carolina involves more than picking the lowest premium. You need to balance cost, coverage features and the insurer’s reliability. The steps below walk you through what to evaluate before you buy.
- 1Set your coverage goal first
Start by calculating how much financial protection your household would need if you were to pass away. Consider income replacement, mortgage balances, debts and future expenses such as college tuition. Having a target coverage amount makes it easier to compare quotes and reduces the risk of buying more insurance than necessary.
- 2Review pricing based on your profile
Life insurance premiums are based on personal risk factors, including age, health history, tobacco use, coverage amount and policy length. Comparing quotes against average rates for someone with similar characteristics helps you gauge whether your rate is competitive.
- 3Evaluate insurer reputation and product options
While pricing is important, financial strength and customer satisfaction also matter. Independent ratings, complaint data and feedback from licensed agents can provide insight into how an insurer processes claims and serves customers. Confirm that the company offers the policy type and riders you need.
- 4Gather quotes from several sources
Request quotes from multiple insurers and through different channels, such as independent agents and online comparison tools. Premiums vary across companies, and shopping around increases your chances of buying coverage at a fair price.
North Carolina Life Insurance Laws
The North Carolina Department of Insurance oversees life insurance policies issued in the state and requires insurers to follow standardized consumer protection rules. These regulations outline how policies must function, how claims are handled and what rights policyholders receive.
- Free Look Period: New life insurance policies must include at least a 10-day review period. During this time, you can cancel the policy and receive a full refund of any premiums paid. If the policy replaces existing coverage, the review period is extended to at least 20 days.
- Grace Period: Individual life insurance policies provide a minimum 31-day grace period after a missed premium payment following the first payment. Coverage remains active during this window. If the insured dies before the overdue premium is paid, the insurer may subtract the unpaid amount from the death benefit.
- Incontestability Period: Insurers have two years from the date a policy is issued to challenge it based on misstatements in the application. After that period, coverage cannot be voided for application errors other than failure to pay premiums.
- Misstatement of Age or Gender: If incorrect age or gender information is provided, the insurer adjusts the premium or benefit amount to reflect accurate details rather than canceling the policy.
- Suicide Provision: If death occurs by suicide within the first two years of coverage, the benefit is limited to the total premiums paid. After two years, the full death benefit applies.
- Death Benefit Payment Timeline: Insurers must issue payment within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss. If payment is delayed beyond that timeframe, interest accrues on the unpaid amount.
- Guaranty Association Coverage: The North Carolina Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association provides protection if a licensed insurer becomes insolvent. Coverage is capped at $300,000 in death benefits per insured individual, and all licensed life insurers in the state participate in the association.
- State of Issue Rule: North Carolina regulations apply to policies that are applied for and issued within the state. Policies issued in another state are governed through that state’s insurance laws.
Best Life Insurance in North Carolina: Bottom Line
Based on MoneyGeek’s evaluation, North American, Ethos and Legal & General rank among the top life insurance companies serving North Carolina. Other highly rated providers include Mutual of Omaha and Pacific Life.
Before choosing a policy, estimate how much financial protection your household needs. Once you have a target coverage amount, request quotes from several insurers to identify the most competitive rate for your situation.
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
North Carolina Life Insurance: FAQ
What is the cheapest life insurance in North Carolina?
Legal & General offers the lowest average term rates, with women paying $35 monthly and men paying $44. Your age, health and coverage amount affect your final premium. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers gives you the best chance of finding the lowest rate for your profile.
Do I need a medical exam to get life insurance in North Carolina?
Many traditional term and permanent life insurance policies in North Carolina require a medical exam. But no-exam and accelerated underwriting options are available for qualified applicants. Guaranteed issue policies also skip exams, though they have lower coverage amounts and higher premiums.
What is the best life insurance for seniors in North Carolina?
Mutual of Omaha's guaranteed acceptance policies cover applicants up to age 85 with no medical exam required. For seniors who qualify medically, Legal & General covers applicants up to age 75 with up to $10 million in coverage.
Is life insurance required in North Carolina?
Life insurance isn't legally required in North Carolina, but mortgage lenders and some business agreements may require coverage as a condition of financing.
Our Review Methodology
We analyzed thousands of quotes from major life insurance providers to show which companies deliver the best combination of affordable rates and reliable service for North Carolina residents.
How Life Insurance Rates Vary by Profile
Life insurance companies price policies differently based on your profile. A company offering the cheapest rates for a healthy 30-year-old may charge much more for a 55-year-old with moderate health issues. We tested multiple profile variations to identify which insurers consistently deliver competitive rates across different customer segments.
Our scoring system weighs five factors to calculate each company's final MoneyGeek score out of five points:
- Affordability (50%): Based on monthly premium quotes from real customer data.
- Customer experience (30%): Considers online tools, quote access, payment options, financial ratings, and consumer reviews.
- Coverage options (10%): We considered each provider's range of policy types, riders and other add-on options.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

