Transamerica Life Insurance Review 2026


Transamerica offers term, whole and indexed universal life insurance policies with coverage of more than $10 million. We'll break down Transamerica's rates and what coverage you can get.

Read our full Transamerica life insurance review below.

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Updated: January 16, 2026

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At a Glance: Transamerica Life Insurance

Company Image
Transamerica
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
3.9/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Points
  • Average Monthly Cost

    $37 (F), $46 (M)
  • Average Annual Cost

    $444 (F), $551 (M)
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MoneyGeek’s Take: Is Transamerica Right for You?

Transamerica works well for buyers who want flexibility in term length and coverage amount. We ranked Transamerica among the best life insurance companies in our 2026 analysis, based on pricing, coverage options and underwriting flexibility. 

Coverage amounts of $10 million or more help high-earning households replace income, cover estate obligations and fund long-term financial needs.

The company also made our list of the cheapest life insurance for people with pre-existing conditions.

Transamerica Life Insurance Products

Transamerica sells term, whole, indexed universal and final expense policies. Each product serves different financial planning needs. Term life provides affordable coverage for a set period, while permanent policies build cash value and last your entire life.

Unlike health insurance, life insurance policies don't have deductibles. Beneficiaries receive the full death benefit amount.

Term Life Insurance Options

Term life insurance covers you for a specific period. Premiums stay level throughout your term, and the policy expires at the end unless you renew or convert it.

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    Trendsetter LB

    Offers standard term life coverage with level premiums. You can buy coverage from $100,000 to $10 million if you complete a medical exam. Trendsetter LB includes conversion options that let you switch to permanent coverage later without new underwriting.

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    Trendsetter Super

    Same term lengths as Trendsetter LB but with simplified underwriting for healthy applicants. You can get up to $2 million in coverage without a medical exam. The accelerated application process works well when you need coverage quickly.

Whole Life Insurance Options

Whole life insurance lasts your entire life and builds cash value you can borrow against. Premiums stay level, and the death benefit stays guaranteed as long as you pay premiums. The cash value grows at a rate the insurance company sets, providing predictable accumulation.

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    Transamerica Lifetime

    This whole life policy guarantees level premiums and a death benefit that won't decrease. The policy builds cash value you can access through loans or withdrawals. You can also add riders to customize coverage for your family's needs.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance Options

Indexed universal life insurance ties cash value growth to a stock market index like the S&P 500. You get upside potential when the index performs well, with downside protection through a guaranteed minimum return.

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    Transamerica Financial Foundation IUL II

    FFIUL II links your cash value to index performance with flexible premium payments. You can adjust death benefits and premium amounts as your finances change. The policy includes a guaranteed minimum interest rate even when the index performance drops.

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    Transamerica Financial Choice IUL II

    Lets you spread cash value across different indexes to diversify growth potential. The policy provides more customization than FFIUL II for buyers who want hands-on management of their insurance investment.

Final Expense Life Insurance Options

Final expense insurance covers end-of-life costs like funeral services, medical bills and estate settlement. These policies have smaller death benefits and simplified underwriting designed for older adults. Premiums cost more per thousand dollars of coverage than term life, but approval is easier if you have health issues.

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    Transamerica FE Express Solution

    Coverage with a streamlined application. The policy doesn't require a medical exam, making it accessible for seniors with pre-existing conditions. Death benefits range from $5,000 to $35,000, depending on your age and health history.

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    Transamerica Final Expense Immediate Solution

    Guaranteed acceptance for applicants aged 50–80. You answer health questions but don't need an exam or lab work. The policy pays the full death benefit immediately for approved applicants, unlike graded final expense plans that apply waiting periods.

Transamerica Life Insurance Riders

Riders customize your base policy with additional benefits. Each rider adds specific financial protection or features beyond standard life insurance coverage. Availability depends on the policy type you buy.

Rider
Description

Accelerated Death Benefit (with Nursing Home Benefit)

Pays portion of death benefit early if diagnosed with terminal illness or requires nursing home care

Accidental Death Benefit

Pays additional death benefit if you die from covered accident

Additional Insured

Adds coverage for spouse or other family member on same policy

Base Insurance

Provides guaranteed minimum death benefit regardless of cash value performance

Children's and Grandchildren's

Covers children or grandchildren with permanent insurance that converts to their own policy later

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

How Much is a Transamerica Life Insurance Policy?

Life insurance costs depend on age, health, coverage amount and policy type. Transamerica prices policies based on life expectancy factors. Younger, healthier applicants pay less per month because they're less likely to die during the policy term. Smokers pay roughly double what nonsmokers pay for the same coverage.

The table below shows average term life insurance costs for people with average height, weight and health based on our 2026 survey of life insurance companies. Your actual premium will differ based on your situation and the underwriting information you provide.

Data filtered by:
20 years
Select
Male
No
$100,000$16$192
$250,000$27$323
$500,000$46$551
$750,000$68$815
$1,000,000$88$1,054
$1,500,000$131$1,569
$2,000,000$174$2,084
$3,000,000$260$3,114

Life insurance rates and availability vary significantly by state, age, health, medical history, lifestyle factors and coverage amount. Rates shown are estimates based on our 2026 survey methodology and may not reflect your actual premium. Individual quotes may differ from these averages.

How to Buy Transamerica Life Insurance

Start your Transamerica application online or contact a licensed agent. Online applications walk you through coverage selection, beneficiary designation and health questions. The process takes 15-30 minutes for most applicants.

  1. Answer questions about your age, health history, family medical background and lifestyle. Be honest on your application. Misstatements can void coverage later. Transamerica uses your answers to determine eligibility and pricing.
  2. For policies requiring medical exams, Transamerica schedules a paramedical visit at your home or workplace. A technician collects blood samples, urine samples, blood pressure readings and basic measurements. The exam takes about 30 minutes and costs you nothing.
  3. Transamerica reviews your application and medical results. Simple cases get approved in days, while complex health histories may take several weeks. The company may request additional medical records from your doctor.
  4. Once approved, you'll receive your policy documents. Review the coverage details, beneficiaries and riders carefully. You have a free look period to cancel and get a full refund if the policy doesn't meet your needs.
  5. Pay your first premium to activate coverage. Transamerica offers monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual payment options. Setting up automatic payments from your bank account often earns a small discount.

Transamerica's Life Insurance Claims Process

Beneficiaries file claims by calling 800-523-7900 or submitting the online claims form. You'll need a certified copy of the death certificate and the policy number. Transamerica reviews the claim and verifies the policy was in force at the time of death. The company checks that all premiums were paid and no exclusions apply.

Transamerica pays death benefits directly to named life insurance beneficiaries. You can choose a lump sum payment or a structured settlement that spreads payments over time. Lump sums give immediate access to funds, while structured settlements provide guaranteed income streams.

Transamerica vs. Other Life Insurance Companies

MoneyGeek Score
4.4/5
4.7/5
4.5/5
4.7/5
4.6/5
Policy Types
Term, Whole, IUL, Final Expense
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
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.08
J.D. Power Score
615
653
666
N/A
685
A.M. Best Rating
A
A+
A+
A+
A++
Customer Sentiment
49.81% positive, 50.19% negative
82% positive, 18% negative
77% positive, 23% negative
95.33% positive, 4.67% negative
90% positive, 10% negative

Transamerica Life Insurance Company Review: Bottom Line

Transamerica has term, whole and indexed universal life insurance policies. It offers coverage amounts up to $10 million for term policies and flexible underwriting that accommodates some pre-existing conditions. Choose Transamerica if you need high coverage limits, want multiple permanent insurance options or have health conditions that make approval difficult elsewhere.

Customer satisfaction scores are lower than ratings for other top-ranked competitors, with Transamerica placing 18th in J.D. Power's individual life insurance study. Mixed customer reviews suggest inconsistent service experiences. Compare insurers with higher customer satisfaction scores and stronger digital tools if service experience and online access matter most to you.

Compare Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Transamerica Life Insurance Policies: FAQ

What types of life insurance does Transamerica offer?
Does Transamerica offer life insurance without a medical exam?
Can I convert my Transamerica term life policy to permanent coverage?

How We Rated Transamerica Life Insurance

Shopping for life insurance means comparing companies that price risk differently. We built this Transamerica life insurance review around the three factors buyers actually weigh:

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

Our Sample Profile

We started with a baseline: 40-year-old male nonsmoker, 5'9", 160 pounds, average health rating. We then adjusted age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use and health rating one variable at a time to map how Transamerica prices different applicants.

We also analyzed different term lengths because your obligations change over time.

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About Mark Fitzpatrick


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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.


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