Primerica is a legitimate company offering term life insurance policies, but most people can find a better policy elsewhere. They have an A+ rating from A.M. Best and pay 94% of claims within 14 days. Primerica uses a multi-level marketing strategy to recruit new agents who aren't always experts. Their rates are usually higher than the competition.
Primerica's term life insurance policies are straightforward and affordable, but they lack certain features that newer term life insurance products on the market offer. One of the biggest benefits of a term life insurance policy is its conversion feature, which Primerica does not offer. This means that if your policy is about to expire and you can't qualify for coverage due to a health issue, you won't be able to extend your coverage without going through underwriting again.
Primerica also does not offer living benefits, which are becoming increasingly popular in the term life insurance market. Living benefits allow you to access your death benefit if you are diagnosed with a critical illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or stroke.
While Primerica has strong financial ratings and pays claims quickly, their rates are typically 11% to 29% more expensive for the same coverage compared to other insurers. It is always a good idea to shop around and compare rates from multiple companies before purchasing a life insurance policy.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Company Name | Primerica |
Company Type | Multi-level marketing organization |
Number of Lives Insured | 5 million |
Amount of Life Insurance in Force | $693 billion |
Average Daily Benefit Claims Paid | $3 million |
Number of Investment Clients | 2 million |
Total Value of Client Investments | $47 billion |
Number of Complaints Closed Out in the Past Three Years | 158 |
Main Type of Life Insurance Offered | Term life insurance |
Other Products and Services Offered | Mutual fund investments, long-term care insurance, prepaid legal services, auto and homeowners insurance, 401(k) and 457 plans |
Financial Strength Rating from A.M. Best | A+ (Superior) |
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ |
Customer Reviews on BBB | 3.88/5.00 |
What You'll Learn
Primerica's multi-level marketing business model
Primerica is a financial services company that has been in business for over 40 years. It is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock symbol "PRI". The company offers term life insurance coverage and other financial products through its licensed representatives, who are independent contractors rather than employees.
While Primerica denies being an MLM, its business model shares similarities with multi-level marketing. The company has a multi-level structure where representatives earn commissions based on personal sales and the sales of the team they recruit and train. Representatives are encouraged to sell products to their \"warm market," including family and friends, and to recruit new agents from this same pool. The more people they recruit, the more potential sales and revenue they can bring in. Representatives receive a commission for their sales, and their recruiter and recruiter's recruiter also receive a portion of the sale. This structure is often referred to as an \"upside system."
Primerica's representatives are not allowed to represent other insurers, and the company does not provide paid-for insurance lead programs. This means that representatives are incentivized to sell to their personal connections and recruit new agents from their network. While this may provide an opportunity for passive income, it can also lead to uncomfortable situations and potentially strained relationships.
In summary, while Primerica is a legitimate company with a long history, its business model has similarities to multi-level marketing, with a focus on recruitment and an upside commission structure.
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Primerica's high prices
Primerica's prices are reportedly high compared to other companies. The company does not offer competitive pricing, and its rates are 11% to 29% more expensive than equivalent policies from a group of 50 major competing companies. This is likely due to Primerica's structure as a multi-level marketing organization, where agents are encouraged to sell policies to friends and family and recruit them as new agents. Agents receive commissions on sales made by their recruits, and many agents lack experience with life insurance.
Primerica's Custom Advantage policy is also more expensive than its TermNow policy. Custom Advantage is a term life insurance policy that requires a medical exam and has a minimum coverage amount of $150,000. On the other hand, TermNow does not require a medical exam and can provide coverage of up to $300,000. However, TermNow's premiums are significantly higher than Custom Advantage.
Primerica's life insurance products are term life insurance, which means they provide a level premium for a specified period. The company offers term lengths of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years, but older buyers may not qualify for the longer terms. After the level term period ends, policyholders can renew until age 95, but rates will increase with age.
Primerica also offers several riders that allow customers to customize their policies. Each rider typically increases premiums by a small amount. One notable rider is the Increasing Benefit Rider, which allows policyholders to increase their coverage by up to 10% per year for 10 years. This rider is rare in the industry, as most insurers only offer decreasing benefits.
While Primerica's prices are higher than average, the company has a great Financial Strength Rating and pays claims quickly. The company has an "A+" rating from A.M. Best, indicating that it can meet its financial obligations. Additionally, Primerica pays 94% of claims within 14 days on average.
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Primerica's lack of permanent life insurance products
Primerica's life insurance products are limited to term life insurance, and the company does not offer permanent life insurance options such as whole life insurance or universal life insurance. This lack of permanent life insurance products is a significant drawback for individuals seeking long-term financial security and those who prefer the additional benefits that come with permanent policies.
Permanent life insurance, such as whole life insurance or universal life insurance, offers lifelong coverage and provides additional benefits that are not available with term life insurance. These benefits include the ability to accumulate cash value over time, which can be borrowed against or withdrawn under certain circumstances. Permanent policies also offer more flexibility, as they can be customized with various riders and can be converted from term to permanent coverage.
The absence of permanent life insurance options at Primerica may not be a concern for those who only need temporary coverage or prefer the simplicity and lower initial cost of term life insurance. However, for those seeking comprehensive and long-lasting financial protection, the lack of permanent life insurance products at Primerica is a notable limitation.
Primerica's term life insurance products may be sufficient for individuals who want basic coverage for a specific period, such as until their children become financially independent or until their mortgage is paid off. Additionally, term life insurance is generally more affordable in the initial years, making it a viable option for those on a tight budget.
In summary, while Primerica's term life insurance products can meet the needs of those seeking temporary coverage, the company's lack of permanent life insurance options may be a significant disadvantage for those who desire lifelong financial protection and the additional benefits associated with permanent policies.
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Primerica's limited term life insurance products
Primerica offers a range of term life insurance products, which provide coverage for a specific period of time, known as the "term". If the insured person dies within the "term" of the policy, and the policy is still active, then the death benefit is paid out to the beneficiary.
Primerica's term life insurance products include the Custom Advantage and TermNow policies. Custom Advantage requires a life insurance medical exam and has a minimum coverage amount of $150,000. On the other hand, TermNow does not require a medical exam and can be issued quickly, with coverage available up to $300,000. Due to the lack of a medical exam, TermNow's rates are typically higher than those of Custom Advantage.
Primerica's term life insurance policies are available in increments of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years, with a maximum term of 35 years. However, older buyers may not qualify for the longest lengths. For example, the 35-year term policy is only available to buyers between the ages of 18 and 45.
Primerica's term life insurance products can be customized with several riders, including:
- Increasing Benefit Rider: This rider allows the policyholder to increase their coverage amount by up to 10% per year over 10 years.
- Waiver of Premium Rider: This rider waives the policyholder's life insurance premiums if they become disabled and unable to work.
- Terminal Illness Rider: This rider provides access to some or all of the death benefit if the policyholder is diagnosed with a qualifying terminal illness.
- Child Rider: This rider covers all eligible children in the policyholder's family.
Primerica's term life insurance products are sold through its full- and part-time representatives, and there is no option to purchase them online. The company has received recognition for its life insurance products, including being named the "#1 Most Trusted Life Insurance Company" by Investor's Business Daily in 2022.
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Primerica's poor customer service
Primerica, a multi-level marketing company, has received a large number of negative reviews regarding its customer service. Many customers have complained about the company's poor customer service, with issues such as long hold times, non-responsive representatives, and difficulty cancelling policies or obtaining refunds.
One common issue raised by customers is the difficulty in reaching a representative. Several customers have reported being put on hold for extended periods, sometimes up to 45 minutes, only to be disconnected or transferred to another department without resolution. This has caused significant frustration, especially for those trying to cancel policies or request refunds.
Another issue highlighted by customers is the lack of responsiveness from Primerica representatives. Some customers have complained that their calls or emails go unanswered, making it challenging to address their concerns or queries. This lack of responsiveness can lead to anxiety and frustration, especially when dealing with time-sensitive matters.
Furthermore, customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the company's refund policy. In some cases, customers who have requested refunds, particularly for recruitment or training fees, have encountered challenges in obtaining their money back. While Primerica has addressed some of these complaints, there are still instances where customers feel they have not received adequate resolution.
In addition to these issues, some customers have also reported feeling misled or deceived by the company's sales tactics. There are complaints suggesting that Primerica focuses more on recruiting new agents than on selling insurance, with agents encouraged to sell policies to friends and family and recruit them as new agents. This has left some customers feeling that they were not provided with transparent information about the company's practices.
Overall, while there are also some positive reviews for Primerica's customer service, the number of negative reviews highlights areas where the company could improve its service delivery to enhance customer satisfaction.
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Frequently asked questions
Primerica recommends that you take out a policy that is ten times your annual salary. However, you should also consider your financial responsibilities, such as mortgage payments and childcare, as well as your end-of-life expenses.
Primerica's term life insurance costs roughly 11% to 29% more than equivalent policies from a group of 50 major competing companies.
Primerica pays out an average of $5.1 million in benefit claims every day.
Cancelling your Primerica life insurance works the same as with any other provider. Contact the company by calling (800) 257-4725 or emailing [email protected].