Prudential offers term and permanent life insurance policies designed for income replacement, estate planning and long-term financial strategies. Its lineup emphasizes adjustable premiums, conversion flexibility and early-access benefits while maintaining strong claims-paying ability.
Prudential Life Insurance Review 2026
Prudential earned a MoneyGeek score of 3.9 out of 5. Term life rates average $46 per month for women and $59 for men on a $500,000, 20-year policy for 40-year-old nonsmokers.
Read our Prudential life insurance review below.
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Updated: May 11, 2026
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At a Glance: Prudential Life Insurance Review
Prudential
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ 5
4/5Affordability
3.6/5Customer Experience
4.1/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$46 (F), $59 (M)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for a healthy 40-year-old nonsmoker.Ages Supported
18-75
Prudential Life Insurance Products
Term Life Insurance Options
Term life insurance provides temporary coverage with level premiums and conversion features. These policies serve families, business owners and individuals seeking predictable protection.
Prudential EssentialTerm Val
Focuses on affordability with level premiums and straightforward term lengths. It includes conversion options and selected riders for policyholders who want cost control without long-term commitments.
Prudential EssentialTerm Plus
Adds expanded conversion features designed for long-range planning. The policy supports policyholders who expect changing coverage needs later in life.
Term Essential
Offers level premiums and optional riders that add flexibility during the policy term. It also allows access to living benefit features under qualifying conditions.
PruTerm One
Uses annual renewable terms with premiums that reset each year. Businesses and short-term buyers often use this structure for temporary obligations.
SimplyTerm
A direct-to-consumer term policy available for coverage amounts of $25,000 to $1 million across 10-, 15- and 20-year terms, with no medical exam required in most cases. You can apply entirely online by answering a short health questionnaire.
Whole Life Insurance Options
Prudential whole life insurance focuses on final expense planning with permanent coverage. Policies include fixed premiums and a guaranteed death benefit.
Final Expense Whole Life
Final expense insurance provides lifelong coverage designed to help pay funeral and burial costs. Premiums remain fixed, and coverage stays in force as long as payments continue.
Universal Life Insurance Options
Universal life insurance offers permanent coverage with flexible premiums and cash value potential, allowing you to adjust payments and death benefits within policy limits.
PruLife Essential UL
Includes flexible premiums with no-lapse guarantees when funding requirements are met. Optional riders allow you to tailor coverage for health-related needs.
Cash value growth isn't guaranteed and depends on policy performance, fees and market conditions.
Indexed Universal
Indexed universal life insurance credits interest based on market indexes while limiting downside exposure. Cash value growth depends on index performance and policy limits.
PruLife Founders Plus Indexed UL
Offers fixed and indexed crediting strategies within one policy. Built-in downside limits help reduce the impact of market declines.
Prudential Momentum IUL
Offers cash value growth through multiple indexed strategies. The policy suits long-term planners comfortable with performance-based crediting.
PruLife Survivorship Index UL
Covers two insured individuals under one policy and pays a death benefit after both have passed away. Policyholders often use it for estate liquidity and wealth transfer strategies tied to indexed interest crediting.
Indexed Variable Universal
Indexed variable universal life combines index-linked crediting with variable investment options. Policyholders balance growth potential with higher risk exposure.
FlexGuard Life IVUL
Has growth strategies that use buffers and floors. You can access cash values while managing downside risk.
Variable Universal
Variable universal life insurance allows direct exposure to investment subaccounts with higher growth and risk potential.
VUL Protector
Keeps lifetime death benefit coverage in force with required premium funding. It emphasizes stability of coverage while allowing limited exposure to investment subaccounts.
PruLife Custom Premier II
Supports higher face amounts and flexible premium designs tailored to complex planning needs. Financial professionals typically structure this policy for people seeking customization and investment-linked cash value growth.
PruLife SVUL Protector
Insures two individuals under one policy. The policy focuses on maintaining death benefit coverage while offering access to variable investment options.
Prudential Life Insurance Riders
Riders allow you to tailor coverage based on health and family needs.
Rider | Description |
|---|---|
Waiver of Premium | Keeps coverage active if disability prevents payments |
Accidental Death Benefit | Pays an additional benefit for qualifying accidental death |
Children’s Protection Rider | Adds term coverage for eligible dependent children |
Terminal Illness Rider | Allows early access to the death benefit after diagnosis |
Living Needs Benefit | Accelerates death benefit for qualifying medical conditions |
Rider availability varies by state. Contact Prudential or a licensed agent to confirm which riders are available in your location.
How Much is a Prudential Life Insurance Policy?
Prudential life insurance costs vary based on age, health, coverage amount, policy type and underwriting method. Term policies have lower premiums, while permanent policies cost more due to lifetime coverage and cash value features. Medical exams, tobacco use and selected riders also affect pricing.
Data filtered by:
20
40
Female
No
| $100,000 | $17 | $207 |
| $250,000 | $30 | $361 |
| $500,000 | $46 | $551 |
| $750,000 | $64 | $768 |
| $1,000,000 | $81 | $971 |
| $2,000,000 | $156 | $1,867 |
| $3,000,000 | $228 | $2,735 |
| $5,000,000 | $375 | $4,499 |
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. This review is for informational purposes only and isn't insurance advice. Consult with licensed insurance professionals for personalized recommendations.
How to Buy a Prudential Life Insurance Policy
Ready to move forward with Prudential? The application process varies depending on which policy type fits your needs. Some policies go through a licensed agent or financial professional, though some are available online. Here's what you'll need to do:
- 1Figure out your coverage needs and policy type
Decide how much coverage you need and whether term or permanent life insurance fits your goals. Your budget, income, number of dependents and long-term financial plans all help you pick the right policy type and coverage amount.
- 2Connect with a licensed agent or apply online
For EssentialTerm Plus and permanent policies, contact a Prudential agent or financial professional to start the application. If you're buying EssentialTerm Val, use the insurer's online quote tool for a quick estimate. SimplyTerm applicants can apply at Prudential's website by answering a short health questionnaire.
- 3Complete the application and health questionnaire
You’ll complete a health questionnaire regardless of the policy type. Depending on your age, coverage amount and underwriting method, Prudential may also require a medical exam before issuing a decision.
- 4Go through underwriting
Prudential reviews your application, health history and any exam results to determine your health rating and premium. Applicants who qualify for the simplified application process may receive a faster decision without a full medical exam.
- 5Review your offer
Once approved, review your policy terms and select any riders you want to add. Pay your first premium to activate your policy.
Prudential's Life Insurance Claims Process
Prudential lets beneficiaries file life insurance claims online, by phone or through an agent. Claimants submit a death certificate and policy information.
After review, Prudential pays approved claims as a lump sum or structured option based on policy terms. Claim timelines depend on documentation completeness.
Visit Prudential for more information.
Prudential Life Insurance vs. Other Insurers
Prudential competes well on product variety and flexibility but falls behind competitors on customer satisfaction. You'll want to compare Prudential against top-rated life insurance companies if customer service is a priority. Consider getting quotes from Banner Life and Nationwide, which earned higher MoneyGeek Scores, to ensure you're getting the best combination of rates and service for your financial protection needs.
On price, Prudential is competitive but not the market leader. Prudential's permanent policy options, living benefit riders and flexible underwriting for applicants with health conditions give it an edge for buyers with complex planning needs. If rate is your priority, comparing Prudential against the cheapest life insurance options available will give you a clearer picture of where it stands on cost alone.
Is Prudential Right for You?
Prudential fits buyers who need flexible underwriting, policy customization or access to living benefit riders. It works well for applicants managing chronic health conditions, variable income or long-term planning needs. Our Prudential life insurance review also found the insurer to be one of the best life insurance companies with living benefits.
Comparing Prudential with other life insurance companies can help you evaluate coverage options and pricing.
Prudential Life Insurance Policies: FAQ
Does Prudential offer no-exam life insurance?
Yes. Prudential offers no-exam life insurance for applicants who meet eligibility criteria set by the insurer.
Can Prudential term life insurance convert to permanent coverage?
Yes. Many Prudential term policies include conversion options without new medical underwriting.
Do Prudential life insurance policies pay dividends?
No. Prudential sells non-participating policies, which means you shouldn't expect dividend payments. Life insurance dividends apply to participating policies.
MoneyGeek evaluated Prudential life insurance using a baseline profile of a 40-year-old male nonsmoker, 5'9", 160 pounds, with an average health rating seeking $500,000 in coverage on a 20-year term. Rate data was based on our collected quotes. MoneyGeek Score weighting: Affordability 50%, Customer Experience 30%, Coverage 20%. Customer experience scores draw from J.D. Power rankings, AM Best financial strength ratings, NAIC complaint indexes and other online customer ratings.
Related Pages: Other Company Reviews AAA Life Insurance Review
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.
His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.
Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Sources
- Prudential Financial. "File a Life Insurance Claim." Accessed March 26, 2026.
- Prudential Financial. "Life Insurance: Policies, Information & Quotes." Accessed March 26, 2026.
- Prudential Financial. "Universal Life Insurance Policies & Quotes." Accessed March 26, 2026.
- Prudential Financial. "What Is a Term Life Insurance Policy?." Accessed March 26, 2026.
- Prudential Financial. "Indexed Universal Life Insurance Policies." Accessed March 26, 2026.
- Prudential Financial. "Indexed Variable Universal Life Insurance." Accessed March 26, 2026.
- Prudential Financial. "Variable Universal Life Insurance." Accessed March 26, 2026.