North American sells various life insurance products that address different protection and financial planning needs.
North American Life Insurance Review 2026
North American scores 3.7 out of 5 with MoneyGeek. A $500,000 term policy averages $54 per month for men and $66 for women at age 40.
Read our North American life insurance review for coverage options, pros and cons.

Updated: March 31, 2026
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At a Glance: North American Life Insurance Review

North American
Average Monthly Cost
$54 (men); $66 (women)Average quotes for a $500,000 20-year term policy for a nonsmoker with average weight and health ratingsAges Supported
18-75 (Term), 15 days-85 years (Universal)
- pros
Built-in living benefits for chronic, critical and terminal illnesses
Accelerated underwriting available for qualifying applicants
Term-to-permanent conversion features
consHigher-than-average NAIC complaint index
Coverage available only through licensed agents or financial professionals
Limited digital tools and online application options
North American has provided life insurance and annuity products for over 135 years. The company operates as a member of Sammons Financial Group, one of the largest privately held insurance groups in the United States.
It maintains strong financial stability with an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best and offers term, whole, universal and indexed universal life insurance policies designed for both protection and long-term financial flexibility.
- AM Best rating: A+
- BBB rating: A+
- Average NAIC complaint index: 1.21
- J.D. Power score: 631 (15th)
- WalletHub Customer Rating: 1.3
- Trustpilot: 1.3
- Consumer Affairs: 1
- Max coverage: $5 million
- No-exam policy available: Yes (up to $500,000)
- Terms available: 10, 15, 20, 30
- Ages supported: 18-75 (Term), 15 days-85 years (Universal)
- Riders and options: Accelerated death benefit, children's term, waiver of monthly deductions, guaranteed insurability, accidental death benefit, premium guarantee, waiver of term premium for disability
- Permanent policies: Universal, Indexed Universal
- State availability: 49 states (Not available in New York)
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
North American Life Insurance Products
Term Life Insurance (ADDvantage® Term Life)
North American's ADDvantage® Term Life provides temporary coverage with fixed premiums for 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. Renew until age 95 and switch to permanent coverage without another medical exam. Get this if you need protection tied to a timeframe, like paying off your mortgage or covering income loss.
Healthy applicants who qualify can skip the medical exam through the WriteAway® Accelerated Underwriting program. Approvals happen fast, and you'll often have your policy within 48 to 72 hours.
| $100,000 | $19 | $223 |
| $250,000 | $34 | $408 |
| $500,000 | $54 | $644 |
| $750,000 | $76 | $907 |
| $1,000,000 | $96 | $1,156 |
| $2,000,000 | $188 | $2,254 |
| $3,000,000 | $278 | $3,332 |
| $5,000,000 | $459 | $5,507 |
Rates shown reflect average quotes for applicants with average weight and health ratings. Your premiums may differ based on your age, health, lifestyle and coverage needs.
Guaranteed Universal Life (Custom Guarantee®)
The Custom Guarantee® Universal Life policy provides lifetime protection with flexible premium payments and a guaranteed death benefit.
This universal life insurance policy lets you adjust payment schedules and maintain guaranteed coverage up to age 120.
Indexed Universal Life (IUL)
North American's indexed universal life insurance products combine flexible lifetime coverage with cash value accumulation potential based on market index performance, such as the S&P 500. Each policy includes a 0% floor to protect against market downturns while allowing participation in market growth up to the index cap.
- Builder IUL: Mixes growth with protection when you want long-term cash buildup
- Builder Plus IUL: Adds extra interest-crediting perks and bonus multipliers to boost growth
- Rapid Builder IUL: Builds cash value fast so you get access to funds earlier
- Guarantee Builder IUL: Prioritizes guaranteed death benefits with some accumulation
- Legacy Optimizer: Single-premium IUL for passing wealth or planning your estate
- Survivorship GIUL: Insures two people and pays out after both die, useful for estate planning and leaving a legacy
Each IUL includes living benefits that allow you to accelerate a portion of the death benefit if diagnosed with a qualifying illness. The flexibility to adjust premiums, death benefit amounts and account allocations allows the IUL suite to serve diverse financial needs.
| $100,000 | $59 | $708 |
| $250,000 | $138 | $1,652 |
| $500,000 | $269 | $3,225 |
| $750,000 | $387 | $4,648 |
| $1,000,000 | $502 | $6,024 |
| $2,000,000 | $999 | $11,993 |
| $3,000,000 | $1,495 | $17,942 |
| $5,000,000 | $2,488 | $29,859 |
Rates shown reflect average quotes for applicants in good health. Your actual premiums may be higher or lower based on your age, health, lifestyle and coverage needs.
North American's Life Insurance Riders
North American offers several riders to customize coverage to specific needs.
Rider | Description |
|---|---|
Accelerated Death Benefit | Included with all policies at no extra cost. It allows access to part of the death benefit upon diagnosis of a chronic, critical or terminal illness |
Children's Term Insurance Rider | Provides temporary coverage for dependent children, convertible to permanent insurance when they reach adulthood |
Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider | Waives policy deductions if you become totally disabled for a specified period |
Guaranteed Insurability Rider | This allows purchase of additional coverage at key life events, such as marriage or the birth of a child, without a new medical exam |
Accidental Death Benefit Rider | Provides an extra payout if death results from an accident |
Premium Guarantee Rider | Guarantees premium rates and death benefit protection when required policy conditions are met |
Waiver of Term Premium for Disability Rider | Waives premium payments for term life coverage if the insured becomes totally disabled, maintaining the full death benefit during the disability period |
How to Get North American Life Insurance Coverage
Getting coverage with North American requires working with a licensed financial professional, as the company doesn't sell policies directly to consumers online.
- 2Get a Quote
For term life insurance, get an online quote through the company's website. For permanent coverage options, your agent will provide quotes.
- 3Complete the Application
Work with your agent to complete the full application.
- 4Undergo Underwriting
This process may include a medical exam unless you qualify for WriteAway® Accelerated Underwriting.
- 5Review and Accept Your Policy
Review the terms and accept the coverage by submitting your first premium payment.
- 6Set Up Premium Payments
Establish your preferred payment method and schedule.
North American Claims Process
The North American claims process goes through the company's dedicated Life Claims Department. You can start a claim by phone, email or mail. Claim forms must be submitted with a certified death certificate and proof of identification.
Steps to File a Claim:
- Download and complete the claim form from North American's official website.
- Gather required documents. A certified death certificate is required at minimum.
- Submit all materials to North American by mail or email.
- Await confirmation of receipt and processing status.
Contact Information:
- Phone: 877-733-2524
- International calls: 712-847-1334
- Email: LifeCorrespondence@SFGmembers.com
- Mail: One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193
- Claims Forms: https://www.northamericancompany.com/life-claim-forms
North American Life Insurance vs. Other Insurers
North American's indexed universal life lineup, which includes six distinct IUL products with built-in living benefits, makes it a solid choice if you want long-term cash value and estate planning flexibility. The company also ranks among the best universal life insurance companies, particularly for older applicants.
If you're looking for affordable short-term coverage, North American may not be your best option. Based on our analysis, Transamerica offers the lowest term life insurance rates, averaging $37 per month for 40-year-old nonsmoking women and $46 per month for 40-year-old nonsmoking men. This makes it worth considering if keeping premiums down is the priority. Our cheapest life insurance guide can help you compare options.
North American also doesn't offer whole life insurance. The company won't work if you need guaranteed cash value growth with fixed premiums. Compare the best whole life insurance companies if this is the type of coverage you want.
Is North American Life Insurance Right for You?
North American life insurance works well for people seeking long-term protection and financial flexibility. The company's focus on permanent life insurance options, particularly universal and indexed universal life, makes it ideal for building cash value while maintaining lifetime coverage.
You should consider North American if you're planning multi-generational financial security, earning a high income and building tax-advantaged assets, or own a small business needing succession or key-person coverage. The company works well for consumers who prefer collaborating with financial professionals to customize their coverage.
Weigh North American against other carriers with the help of our best life insurance companies analysis. Compare scores across affordability, customer experience and coverage.
North American Life Insurance Policies: FAQ
Is North American Life Insurance a good company?
Yes, North American is a good life insurance company with an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best and over 135 years in business. It offers coverage choices with built-in living benefits, though policies require working with licensed agents.
Can I buy North American life insurance online?
You can get term life quotes online, but all North American policies must be purchased through licensed financial professionals. The company doesn't sell coverage directly to consumers through its website.
Does North American require a medical exam?
Not always. North American offers WriteAway® Accelerated Underwriting for qualifying applicants, which eliminates the medical exam for eligible term and universal life policies. Approvals can occur within 48 to 72 hours for qualified candidates.
MoneyGeek scored North American using average quotes for a 40-year-old male nonsmoker in average health seeking $500,000 in coverage on a 20-year term. The MoneyGeek Score focuses on Affordability (50%), Customer Experience (30%) and Coverage Options (20%). This scoring approach helps you understand which factors matter most when choosing life insurance that fits your needs and budget.
Related Pages: Other Company Reviews
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.
sources
- North American Company for Life and Health Insurance. "Life Insurance Claim Forms." Accessed March 28, 2026.
- North American Company for Life and Health Insurance. "Policy Change Guidelines." Accessed March 28, 2026.
- North American Company for Life and Health Insurance. "Products At-A-Glance Brochure." Accessed March 28, 2026.
- North American Company for Life and Health Insurance. "Riders Guide." Accessed March 28, 2026.

