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Prudential Life Insurance

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6.0

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Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: September 18th, 2023

Regardless of what stage of life an individual may be in, a Prudential life insurance product can help build a strong financial foundation. Prudential carries term, universal, and variable life insurance policies that are customizable to meet individual needs.

The insurance provider stands out for offering survivorship policies that insure two people under one policy.

Prudential has high financial strength ratings, which indicate that it is able to meet its claims obligations.

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Prudential was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. It is a global insurance company that also offers financial services.

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The Good

  • Financial Strength Ratings
  • Positive Customer Reviews
  • Life Policies Available
  • Customizable Life Insurance
  • Online Tools

Financial Strength Ratings

Moody's, A.M. Best, Fitch, and S&P have all awarded Prudential with high ratings regarding their financial strength. These high ratings indicate Prudential's ability to meet its claims obligations, which is especially important for death benefit payouts to beneficiaries.

Positive Customer Reviews

Prudential life insurance reviews on BestCompany.com are largely positive. Reviewers mention competitive pricing, satisfaction with coverage, and good experiences with company representatives. These positive Prudential reviews and ratings show that it is a trustworthy insurer.

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Customer Review: Syl from North Port, Florida

"Prudential has always been responsive to make a change to my life insurance policy. My agent has been courteous, knowledgeable and helpful. I would recommend this company for their professionalism and they go to take care of my family."

Life Policies Available

Prudential's life insurance products and services include term life insurance and three permanent policy options: universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance, and indexed universal life insurance coverage.

Prudential also offers survivorship indexed universal life insurance and survivorship variable universal life insurance policies. These survivorship policies cover two people and pay the death benefit when both of the insured have passed away. However, the policy does not pay the death benefit until both of the insured individuals have passed away.

Many of Prudential's term policies include a conversion option and an accelerated death benefit. The conversion option allows policyholders to convert their policy into a permanent one according to the terms set out in the policy.

The accelerated death benefit allows the policyholder to receive the death benefit early if they become terminally ill. Depending on the kind of policy you choose, you can add riders like a disability waiver of premium to enhance your policy.

A nice feature of permanent life insurance is the cash value accumulation. The cash value can be used at any point, which makes it a living benefit. Each of Prudential's universal policy types grows the cash value in different funds. Each policyholder can choose an investment option or several based on the terms of the insurance policy.

Considering both the survivorship and universal life policies, Prudential offers nine different permanent policy plans. Remember your permanent coverage will last a lifetime as long as you make the premium payments.

If you're looking for a term life policy, universal life, or a survivorship insurance product, you can find good insurance policy options through Prudential. Ask questions about the underwriting for its policies.

Customizable Life Insurance

Prudential offers several personalized and customized life insurance policies, which makes it easy for consumers to find life insurance coverage that fits their situation.

Some of the policy's customizable features include the ability to choose between level or variable death benefits and level, variable, or dynamic premiums. This is great for consumers because it offers them flexibility to adjust their policy terms as their needs change over time. You can also add coverage and protection through optional riders.

Customers choosing a term policy may be able add the following riders to their policy depending on the plan type:

  • The Living Needs BenefitSM 
  • Accelerated Death Benefit
  • Waiver of Premium
  • Accidental Death Benefit
  • Children's Protection Rider

Customers choosing a universal life policy can add the following riders to their policy depending on plan type and state:

  • The Living Needs BenefitSM
  • BenefitAccess Rider
  • Enhanced Disability Benefit
  • Children Level Term Rider
  • Accidental Death Benefit
  • Waiver of Monthly Deductions
  • Overloan Protection Rider
  • Enhanced Cash Value Rider
  • Guaranteed Policy Split Rider
  • Estate Protection Rider

Possible riders for an indexed universal life policy include:

  • The Living Needs BenefitSM
  • BenefitAccess Rider
  • Enhanced Disability Benefit
  • Children Level Term Rider
  • Accidental Death Benefit
  • Enhanced Cash Value Rider
  • Overloan Protection Rider
  • Guaranteed Policy Split Rider
  • Estate Protection Rider

Rider possibilities for a variable universal life insurance policy include:

  • The Living Needs BenefitSM
  • BenefitAccess Rider
  • Accidental Death Benefit
  • Children Level Term
  • Enhanced Disability Benefit
  • Enhanced Cash Value
  • Overloan Protection
  • Rider to Provide Lapse Protection
  • Estate Protection Rider
  • Guaranteed Policy Split Rider

These rider options allow customers to purchase insurance coverage specific to their needs.

Online Tools

Prudential provides several types of tools and informative guides to make your life insurance process easier. Some of the calculators provided are a life insurance need calculator, payment option APR calculator, and more.

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The Bad

  • No Whole Life
  • Limited Customer Service
  • Unknown Information

No Whole Life

While Prudential offers a variety of life insurance policies and riders, it does not offer a whole life insurance policy. If you're interested in that kind of permanent life insurance, you'll need to purchase coverage from another life insurance company.

Limited Customer Service

Prudential's customer service is not available 24/7. The support hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET. These hours are specifically for people with group life insurance through Prudential.

If you have purchased an individual life policy, you can use your online account to view your life insurance policy. Assistance accessing your account is available via phone Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET.

Prudential also does not have a customer chat box option where customers can immediately speak with a representative on the site.

Unknown Information

Policies usually contain exclusions, limitations, reductions in benefits, and terms for keeping them in force. Work with a life insurance agent to be sure you understand the terms of the policy you buy. Once you go to their life insurance page, you can get a quote, contact a professional, or have a professional contact you.

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The Bottom Line

Prudential is a large life insurance company that has built an impressive reputation over its many years in business. It offers great term policy and universal life insurance options. If you're looking for either kind of these policies, Prudential offers good options that can be customized to meet your needs. It also offers survivorship indexed and variable universal life policies for couples.

Unfortunately, unlike some competitors, they do not offer consumers a whole life insurance policy. Customers interested in a whole life insurance policy should look elsewhere.

Prudential has high financial strength ratings and great coverage options, which makes a Prudential life insurance policy worth considering. Customers interested in a term insurance or universal life insurance plan should consider Prudential.

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Star Rating

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3.5

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50 Reviews

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22%

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8%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

28%

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Review Source

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Kristiane R Durfey Pleasant Grove, UT

We currently have prudential life insurance and feel that it is a good company. Their premiums and policies offered were competitive with other companies and it is nice to know that we have insurance and will be covered if and when something happens. Haven't had to use it yet so I don't know how they are at collecting on the policy but we don't intend to find out anytime soon. Fingers crossed.

6 years ago

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Jeff B Orem, UT

I have had a Prudential Life Insurance policy for many years and overall my experience has been great. My only negative interaction was when I moved and my new zip code caused issues with billing. My policy was then suspended and it took some work to get them to realize the mistake and reinstate the policy. I do feel however that they were helpful in resolving the issue. I shopped this policy with other companies and Prudential gave me more coverage for the same price with others. Great Company!

6 years ago

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Scott Orem, UT

I had a small term policy through Prudential that has since expired. I thought it was a good product during the time I had it but have since found much better options. Prudential may have made changes since but I would still look elsewhere.

6 years ago

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Brennan Orem, UT

Decent policy for a decent price. I found that Prudential offered competitive policies but didn't have the same level of service that I found with the policy I got to replace this one. If you go with Prudential you won't be disappointed but there are better options out there.

6 years ago

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janalee sanders Valley Center, CA

we were with Prudential several years ago and were quite pleased. our rep was a very nice man who always took the time to answer any questions that we had. we always felt that he was being open and honest with us. we were able to get the coverage that was right for us at a price that we felt was fair.

6 years ago

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Lori Salt Lake City, UT

We have been happy with our term life insurance policy with Prudential. It is pretty cheap considering the coverage for me and my husband. I don't know a whole lot about other companies but the process was very easy.

6 years ago

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Irene Schmigiel Buffalo, NY

Had one really bad situation with them years ago. Since then, I find it hard to really trust any insurance company.

7 years ago

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Jeferson Paris Fort Lauderdale, FL

Thanks God I did not use my life insurance to provide any feed back but I do receive periodic information and the company seems fine.

4 years ago

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S Suguturaga Orem, UT

The company provides various policies for different situations at a good price point.

6 years ago

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Bill A

Good overall customer service and sales folks are good

7 years ago

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Elizabeth Prothro Albuquerque, NM

Fair pricing and good reliability and follow through.

7 years ago