Looking for information about MetLife term insurance? I get it—MetLife is one of the biggest names in insurance, so it makes sense that people search for reviews when they’re shopping for coverage.
For a complete overview, see understanding term life insurance.
Let me give you an honest breakdown of what MetLife offers for term life insurance, along with some insights from my years of experience helping families find the right coverage.
MetLife Company Overview
MetLife has been around since 1868, making it one of the oldest life insurance companies in America. They’re a household name—you’ve probably seen their Snoopy commercials over the years. With over $4 trillion in life insurance coverage in force, they’re definitely a major player in the industry.
From a financial strength perspective, MetLife earns solid ratings:
- A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
- Moody’s: A1
- S&P: A
These ratings indicate strong financial stability, which is important when you’re buying a policy that might need to pay out decades from now.
MetLife Term Insurance Products
MetLife offers several term life insurance options:
MetLife Term Life Express - This is their simplified issue product with limited health questions. It’s designed for quick approval (often same-day) for coverage amounts up to $300,000. Ages 20-65 are eligible, and you can choose 10, 15, 20, or 30-year terms.
Fully Underwritten Term Life - For higher coverage amounts or potentially better rates if you’re in excellent health, MetLife offers traditional underwritten term policies that require a medical exam.
The coverage amounts range from $25,000 up to several million dollars, depending on the product and your financial situation.
Pros of MetLife Term Insurance
Strong Financial Ratings - As I mentioned, MetLife has solid financial strength ratings across all major rating agencies. You want to know the company will be around when your beneficiaries need to file a claim.
Brand Recognition - There’s something to be said for working with a company that’s been around for over 150 years. Many people feel comfortable with names they recognize.
Simplified Issue Options - Their Term Life Express product can be attractive if you want quick approval without medical exams. This can be helpful if you have minor health issues that might complicate traditional underwriting.
Conversion Options - MetLife term policies typically include the ability to convert to permanent life insurance without additional health questions, which can be valuable if your health changes.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
Pricing May Not Be Competitive - Here’s where I need to be honest with you. In my experience shopping rates across dozens of carriers, the big-name companies like MetLife often aren’t the most competitive on price. They can afford higher advertising costs because they charge higher premiums.
Limited Underwriting Flexibility - Large companies often use more rigid underwriting guidelines. If you have any health conditions, a smaller carrier might offer better rates or be more willing to work with your specific situation.
One-Size-Fits-All Approach - MetLife has their products and their rates. They can’t shop around to find you a better deal with a different company—because they ARE the company.
What Metlife Term Insurance Reviews Tell Us
When I look at various MetLife term insurance reviews online, I see some consistent themes:
Customer Service - Reviews are mixed. Some customers report good experiences, while others mention long hold times and difficulty reaching knowledgeable representatives. This seems pretty typical for large insurance companies.
Claims Experience - Most reviews indicate that MetLife pays claims as expected, which is obviously the most important factor. Their size and financial strength generally mean claims get paid without issues.
Pricing Feedback - Many customers mention that they found better rates elsewhere after getting a MetLife quote. This aligns with what I see when I run comparisons for my clients.
The Independent Agent Advantage
Here’s the thing about shopping for term life insurance—why limit yourself to just one company’s rates and underwriting when you could see the whole market?
As an independent agent, I work with dozens of highly-rated carriers, not just MetLife. When someone asks me to help them find term life insurance, I can run quotes with multiple A-rated companies and show them their options side by side.
Sometimes MetLife might be the best option for a particular client. But more often, I find that other carriers offer better rates, more flexible underwriting, or products that better fit the client’s specific needs.
For example, if you’re in excellent health, carriers like Legal & General America or Protective might offer significantly lower rates than MetLife. If you have diabetes or heart issues, other carriers might have more favorable underwriting guidelines.
What to Look for in Term Life Insurance
Regardless of which carrier you choose, here are the key factors I tell my clients to consider:
Financial Strength Ratings - Stick with companies rated A- or better by A.M. Best. You want to know they’ll be around in 20 or 30 years.
Competitive Pricing - Term insurance is largely a commodity, so price matters. A difference of $20-30 per month adds up over the life of the policy.
Conversion Options - Make sure you can convert to permanent coverage without health questions if your situation changes.
Underwriting Flexibility - Some companies are more lenient with certain health conditions than others.
Level Premium Period - Understand exactly how long your rates are guaranteed level.
My Recommendation
Rather than going directly to MetLife and getting just their rates and underwriting decision, consider working with someone who can show you the whole market.
I have access to dozens of top-rated carriers and can help you compare rates, coverage options, and underwriting guidelines to find the best deal for your specific situation. Maybe MetLife will come out on top—but maybe another carrier will save you hundreds of dollars per year while providing the same protection.
The process is simple: I gather some basic information about your health and coverage needs, then run quotes with multiple carriers. You get to see all your options and make an informed decision. There’s no pressure to choose any particular company—my job is to present you with the facts so you can decide what works best for your family.
There’s no cost to compare options. Why not see what else is available before you commit to any single carrier? Get your free comparison quote and make sure you’re getting the best deal available.
- Compare rates across multiple insurers before choosing MetLife, as their brand recognition often comes with higher premiums that could cost you hundreds more annually than smaller carriers.
- Consider MetLife’s Term Life Express for quick approval without medical exams if you need coverage up to $300,000 and have minor health issues that might complicate traditional underwriting.
- Evaluate MetLife’s strong financial ratings (A+ from A.M. Best) and 150+ years in business if financial stability is your top priority for long-term coverage.
- Bring any existing MetLife quotes to an independent agent for review, as they can help you compare terms and identify potentially better value options from other quality insurers.
- Take advantage of MetLife’s conversion options that allow you to switch to permanent life insurance without additional health questions if your needs change over time.
