John Hancock Life Insurance Review 2026

John Hancock offers multiple life insurance options with rates that fit a wide range of household needs. MoneyGeek ranks John Hancock among the top life insurance companies for people with diabetes.

Read our John Hancock life insurance review below.

Select age group

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: January 16, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

At a Glance: John Hancock Life Insurance

John Hancock

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.3/5Affordability

3.8/5Customer Experience

4.6/5Coverage Points

Average Monthly Cost
$49 (F), $59 (M)
Average Annual Cost
$590 (F), $730 (M)

pros
- Available in all states
- Offers rewards and wellness programs
- Accepts older adults up to 80 (term) and 90 (permanent) years old
cons
- Doesn’t offer whole or final expense insurance
- No online quote or application tool
John Hancock has operated in the U.S. life insurance market for more than 160 years. John Hancock policies include access to rewards and wellness programs tied to health-tracking activities.

You can add Vitality, which gives rewards to members engaging in healthy activities like walking, visiting the doctor or buying healthy food. Aspire with Vitality supports customers with type 1 or type 2 diabetes through activity-based rewards.

John Hancock insurance products and programs are generally available in all states, but some features, like the 30-year term and Aspire with Vitality, may not be offered in some areas. Coverage options, rates, and features vary by state due to local insurance regulations. Contact a licensed agent to confirm availability in your location.
- A.M. Best rating: A+
- NAIC complaint index: 7.77
- J.D. Power score: 644 (11th)
- Customer sentiment: 44.44% positive, 55.56% negative
Term
- Terms: 10, 15, 20, 30
- Max Coverage: $65 million
- Ages Supported: 18-80
Other Policy Types:
- Universal
- Indexed universal
- Variable universal

MoneyGeek’s Take: Is John Hancock Right for You?

If you're a senior concerned about finding life insurance coverage, John Hancock could be an excellent choice for your situation. John Hancock accepts applicants up to 80 years old for term insurance and 90 years old for permanent policies, which is more flexible than many competitors who have stricter age limits. MoneyGeek's John Hancock life insurance review also shows that the insurer is one of the best life insurance companies for diabetics.

It isn't the right insurer for people looking to earn dividends, as the company doesn’t offer whole life insurance.

John Hancock Life Insurance Products

When you're comparing life insurance options, understanding the different types available helps you make the right choice for your family's financial security. John Hancock offers term life insurance and permanent life insurance options, giving you flexibility to match coverage with your needs and budget.

Term Life Insurance Options

Term life insurance covers you for a set number of years. Beneficiaries will receive a death benefit only if the policyholder passes away during the specified period. Term policies cost less than permanent life insurance because they don't build cash value.

John Hancock’s term insurance has four term lengths, including 10, 15, 20 and 30 years. Coverage amounts range from $250,000 to $65 million.

Although term life insurance doesn't accumulate cash value, some John Hancock term policies offer a conversion option to permanent coverage. Certain riders may be available for an additional cost, depending on the policy. Eligible term life insurance policyholders can participate in the John Hancock Vitality PLUS program.

Universal Life Insurance Options

Universal life insurance provides lifetime coverage and includes a cash value component that policyholders can access through loans or withdrawals.

Universal Life Insurance

John Hancock offers basic universal life insurance, which has the potential for cash value growth. Depending on your needs, you can withdraw the cash value or borrow from your policy. Unpaid loans reduce both the cash surrender value and the death benefit. You also risk policy lapse if total loans plus interest exceed the policy's cash value.

The carrier lets you adjust the amount and frequency of their premium payments.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance

Similar to universal life, this type of policy also offers lifetime coverage, cash value growth and premium flexibility. The indexed universal life insurance's earning potential is based on a linked indexed account, which is designed to limit downside risk while offering growth potential tied to market performance.

Variable Universal Life Insurance

Variable universal life insurance offers higher growth potential because cash value depends on investment performance. Cash value growth depends on the performance of selected investment options. Depending on your investment strategy, you can also transfer funds across different investment options.

John Hancock's Life Insurance Riders

A life insurance rider is an optional coverage you can add to your policy at an additional cost. Riders let policyholders adjust coverage to match specific financial risks. John Hancock offers four types of riders.

Rider	Description
Disability Rider	Waives premiums if the policyholder is unable to work for six or more months due to a disability.
Unemployment Waiver of Protection Rider	Waives premiums for up to 12 months if the policyholder becomes unemployed.
Accelerated Benefit Rider	Allows access to the death benefit, up to $1 million, if the insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Critical Illness Benefit Rider	Offers a lump-sum benefit of up to $250,000 if the insured gets diagnosed with a qualified critical illness.

Rider availability varies by state. Contact John Hancock or a licensed agent to confirm which riders are available in your location.

How Much is a John Hancock Life Insurance Policy?

John Hancock calculates life insurance premiums based on several factors. Age plays a major role, with younger applicants receiving lower rates. Health history affects pricing through medical exams and questionnaires. Smoking status influences costs, as smokers pay more than nonsmokers.

Coverage amount and policy type also impact premiums. Term policies cost less than permanent coverage. Longer terms usually have higher premiums than shorter ones. John Hancock reviews your application details and assigns a risk class, which determines your final rate.

The table shows estimated monthly and annual premiums for term life insurance policies:

Data filtered by:


$100,000	$22	$266
$250,000	$37	$447
$500,000	$59	$713
$750,000	$85	$1,027
$1,000,000	$102	$1,233
$1,500,000	$149	$1,801
$2,000,000	$226	$2,731
$3,000,000	$332	$4,012

Life insurance rates and availability vary by state, age, health and other factors. Rates shown are estimates based on our survey methodology and may not reflect your actual premium.

How to Buy Life Insurance From John Hancock

Buying John Hancock life insurance involves comparing options, completing underwriting and submitting an application.

1
Do Your Research
Study the policy offerings and additional coverage options. You can also send an online request to connect with a John Hancock insurance professional.
2
Compare Quotes
Get personalized quotes from multiple insurance carriers. Each insurer calculates premiums differently. Having multiple choices could help you find the most suitable policy at a fair price.
3
Health Check
A health exam is typically necessary when applying for a life insurance policy. This may include an interview, questionnaire and a medical exam. A health check will help the insurance provider with risk assessment.
4
Approval
Once you've picked a policy, proceed with the application. Review the proposed policy and make sure you understand all terms and conditions. Check all types of fees and fines. Clarify all details with your agent. After submitting your application, the insurance carrier will determine whether or not to approve your application.

John Hancock's Life Insurance Claims Process

To file a life insurance claim, notify the company of the policyholder's death. Beneficiaries can submit a death claim notification through the online form or call 888-887-2739 for assistance.

John Hancock requires a certified copy of the death certificate and completed claim forms. The company reviews submitted documents and may request additional information to process the claim. Beneficiaries receive updates throughout the review process.

Visit https://www.johnhancock.com/help-center/life-insurance/claims.html for detailed claim filing instructions and required forms.

John Hancock vs. Other Life Insurance Companies


MoneyGeek Score	4.2/5	4.7/5	4.5/5	4.7/5	4.6/5
Policy Types	Term, Universal, IUL, VUL	Term, Whole, Universal, IUL	Term, Whole, Universal, IUL	Term, Whole, IUL	Term, Whole, Universal
No-Exam Policies?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
NAIC Complaint Index	7.77	N/A	N/A	N/A	0.08
J.D. Power Score	644 (11th)	653 (ninth)	666 (fifth)	N/A	685 (second)
A.M. Best Rating	A+	A+	A+	A+	A++
Customer Sentiment	44.44% positive, 55.56% negative	82% positive, 18% negative	77% positive, 23% negative	95.33% positive, 4.67% negative	90% positive, 10% negative

John Hancock Life Insurance Reviews: Bottom Line

John Hancock offers flexible life insurance options tailored to various needs and budgets. The company's term and universal life policies offer coverage up to $65 million with competitive rates. John Hancock accepts applicants up to age 80 for term insurance and 90 for permanent coverage.

The Vitality wellness program rewards healthy lifestyle choices with premium discounts and perks. John Hancock's Aspire with Vitality serves diabetes patients.

John Hancock doesn't offer whole life insurance or online quotes. Comparing quotes across insurers helps clarify price and coverage differences.

John Hancock Life Insurance Policies: FAQ

Can you borrow from your John Hancock life insurance policy?

Yes, people with universal life insurance policies can borrow from the account’s cash value.

What’s the maximum amount of life insurance coverage available from John Hancock?

John Hancock offers life insurance coverage of up to $65 million.

How We Rated John Hancock Life Insurance

Life insurance pricing shifts based on your age, health and coverage choices. We analyzed John Hancock's term life insurance rates across different buyer profiles to show you exactly where costs jump and where you get the best value for your premium dollar.

Our analysis used three core factors buyers evaluate when shopping:

Affordability (55%)
Customer Experience (30%)
Coverage Options (15%)

Sample Profile Construction

We built our baseline profile around a common life insurance shopper: a 40-year-old male nonsmoker, 5'9", 160 pounds, with an average health rating. We then systematically adjusted one variable at a time, age, gender, height and weight combinations, tobacco use and health status, to find out how each factor affects your premium.

Why Term Length Matters

We analyzed multiple term lengths to reflect common coverage timelines tied to income and debt obligations. A 20-year term protects you through peak earning years and major expenses like mortgages and college costs. A 30-year term extends coverage into early retirement when other assets accumulate. Shorter 10-year terms work for temporary needs or supplementing existing coverage.

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.

Read Full Bio »

sources

John Hancock. "LifeCare." Accessed January 13, 2026.
John Hancock. "Term Life Insurance." Accessed January 13, 2026.
John Hancock. "Permanent Life Insurance." Accessed January 13, 2026.
John Hancock. "Life Insurance Claims Center." Accessed January 13, 2026.