Western & Southern Life Insurance Review & Complaints: Life Insurance & Annuities (2024)
Western & Southern Life offers standard life insurance as well as accident and critical illness policies. Western & Southern Life reviews find an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and the company offers a good range of products, although they may not be the lowest-priced option with average $1 million life insurance policy rates at $127/mo. Follow our review to get in touch with a Western & Southern Life financial representative for a personal life insurance quote.
Free Life Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Kristen Gryglik
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Feb 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Western & Southern Life sells life insurance, annuities, and other products through two connected companies across nearly half of the United States. They have been operating for more than 125 years and offer a broad array of financial services. Enter your ZIP code above to get a FREE insurance quote today.
Who owns Western & Southern?
Western & Southern Life Insurance Company was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1888. Today, Western & Southern Life has locations in 23 states as well as the District of Columbia through 138 field offices and a team of independent agents spread out across the United States. Western & Southern Life Assurance Company, a subsidiary of the main company, is responsible for term life insurance and annuity products, while the parent company offers traditional whole life and universal life.
Both are part of Western & Southern Financial Group, which offers a full array of financial solutions including retirement and mutual funds. Some investments are offered through an affiliate.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What life insurance products does Western & Southern offer?
In addition to the common forms of life insurance, Western & Southern also offers accident and critical illness policies. For the purpose of this review, we will focus on the products offered by Western & Southern Life Insurance Company and its subsidiary, Western & Southern Life Assurance, and not the financial products offered by the Western & Southern Financial Group.
Whole Life
Through Western & Southern Life, there are several plans to choose from in three whole life insurance categories. All include cash accumulation, fixed premiums, and permanent coverage.
Simple Choice is a traditional whole life policy that offers three payment plan choices: 20 years to paid, 65 years to paid, and 100 years to paid. The underlying plan is the same with all options, with the only difference being how long the insured makes payments and thus how high each payment will be. Additional premium riders are available for this plan.
The Superior Value Life insurance plan has either a 20-year or 100-year payment plan option. This is a basic policy that does not appear to have any rider options.
The Legacy Master Plan is a single premium whole life policy. Cash value growth is guaranteed until age 100 with this plan, which also increases the death benefit amount.
Term Life
Again, there are three categories offered by Western & Southern Life for term life policies, with different benefits.
The Simple Choice Annual Renewable is the first type of policy offered. These policies offer annual renewable and convertible term coverage, meaning the insured can choose to renew or convert each year. Premiums will increase each year as the insured’s age increases but are not impacted by health changes within a 20-year period up to age 39, or a 15-year period over the age of 39. Issue age for these policies is from 18-61. An accelerated death benefit rider can be added to these policies, along with several other riders.
The Simple Choice Guaranteed Level Term is the second option, with rates that are guaranteed for the entire length of the selected term. 10, 15, 20, or 30-year terms are available. Like the annual, these policies can be renewed or converted, and have a selection of life insurance rider choices including accelerated death benefits.
Term to 25 is Western & Southern Life’s juvenile term life policy and can be issued from birth to age 17. Face value can be $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000. Several riders can also be added to this policy, but the site does not mention anything about convertibility at age 25. This is unusual, as most juvenile policies can be taken over in adulthood and converted.
Read more: What is an accelerated death benefit rider?
Universal Life
Western & Southern has two universal life insurance products. Both offer flexibility and cash accumulation.
Ultra Universal is a flexible premium policy that offers level or flexible death benefit options. Minimum face value is either $25,000 or $100,000 for standard or preferred, with no maximum listed. Issue age for this policy is from birth to 80 years.
With their Protection Universal Life policy, the company is more focused on offering no-lapse coverage with less focus on growing cash value. Issue age and face value minimums are the same as the Ultra, and multiple riders are offered on both policies.
Accident Insurance
The Family Accident Plan is a customizable supplemental plan to help pay added costs of an accident not covered by health insurance or for accidental death. Coverage amounts range from $10,000 for children to $150,000 for adults, and added benefits are available for an accidental death caused by an intoxicated driver or public conveyance. Premiums on this plan are fully refundable if the coverage is not used by age 65.
Critical Illness Insurance
This policy pays a lump sum for a critical illness diagnosis, with benefit amounts from $10,000 to $100,000. Issue age is from 18-69 (64 in California). Benefits are reduced at certain ages or with the use of the policy, and premiums are returned in full upon the insured’s death if the policy has not been used.
Annuities
Western & Southern offers several types of annuities designed to provide retirement income. They differ in terms of premium payment and payout timing. The options are:
- Flexible Premium Deferred Variable
- Flexible Premium Deferred
- Single Premium Deferred
- Single Premium Immediate
Annuities also feature varying levels of risk and return, so it is always best to discuss these with a financial advisor before buying.
Are the rates affordable?
We entered quote information for a 30-year-old male seeking $1,000,000 in 30-year-term life insurance coverage, and were returned a rate estimate of $127.40 per month. The same quote came back at $20.39 per month for $100,000 in coverage. Both quotes stated rates would be “as low as” this number, meaning they could be considerably higher.
Since the Western & Southern Life quoting system does not ask for a location, we are unable to compare this to our usual sample rates. We have seen lower rates for both coverage amounts elsewhere but cannot provide a true apples-to-apples comparison on these quotes. The site directs visitors to be connected with an agent for a more accurate quote.
How are claims handled?
Western & Southern Life claims can be filed online, but only by logging into the “My Account” section of the website, which could be difficult for a life insurance beneficiary who does not have the insured’s login information.
Claims can also be filed over the phone by calling a toll-free line, which is available from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. These hours are considerably longer than many other life insurance companies‘ claims line availability. After hours, there is a voicemail line where a message can be left.
There is also an email address and a mailing address offered on the website. We did not notice claims forms available for download.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is Western & Southern Life insurance a good company?
Western & Southern Life has a Better Business Bureau (BBB) page that covers the financial group as well as the two life insurance companies in one. They have an A+ rating, with 28 complaints across the entire group in the past three years. Of those, ten were closed in the past 12 months. Overall, the complaint volume is low for such a large financial services company.
There are 17 customer complaints on Pissed Consumer, and a lot of them seem to focus on billing issues, including policies billing after cancellation. Increased payments and slow claims response or failure to pay claims are also cited. Based on 378 reviews, the rating for Western & Southern Life on Glassdoor was 3.1 out of 5.
We were unable to find much else in the way of complaints about this company, and there does not seem to be any red flags in the complaint content.
A Look on Western & Southern Life Insurance’s Claims Process
Ease of Filing a Claim
Western & Southern Life Insurance provides multiple options for filing claims, ensuring flexibility and convenience for policyholders. One method is through their online portal, which allows policyholders to submit claims electronically.
However, it’s worth noting that this method may require access to the insured person’s online account, which could be challenging for beneficiaries who don’t have login information.
Average Claim Processing Time
The article does not provide specific information about the average claim processing time for Western & Southern Life Insurance. Policyholders interested in this aspect may need to contact the company directly or refer to their policy documents for more information on claim processing times.
Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts
The article briefly mentions customer feedback on Western & Southern Life Insurance’s claim resolutions and payouts. While it states that there are 17 customer complaints on Pissed Consumer, it does not delve into the details of these complaints.
It’s essential for potential policyholders to research customer feedback further to gain a comprehensive understanding of the company’s performance in this regard. Reading customer reviews and contacting the company for references can provide valuable insights into their claim resolution process.
Digital and Technological Features for Western & Southern Life Insurance
Mobile App Features and Functionality
The article does not provide specific details about the mobile app features and functionality offered by Western & Southern Life Insurance. Policyholders interested in utilizing the company’s mobile app should visit their official website or app store listings to learn more about the features, such as policy management, claims submission, and account access, available through the app.
Online Account Management Capabilities
The article mentions that Western & Southern Life Insurance has an online portal where policyholders can log in to manage their accounts.
However, it does not provide in-depth information about the capabilities and features of the online account management system. Policyholders interested in utilizing online account management should visit the company’s website or contact their customer service for a detailed overview of the available functionalities.
Digital Tools and Resources
The article does not provide specific information about the digital tools and resources offered by Western & Southern Life Insurance.
To explore the digital resources available, such as educational materials, calculators, and policy-related documents, policyholders should visit the company’s official website and navigate to the relevant sections or contact their customer service for assistance.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What’s the bottom line?
Western & Southern Life offers a good range of products, although they may not be the lowest-priced option. The complaint volume is low considering the size of the company, and they have a long history and a solid foundation.
For those seeking to purchase life or other products with the assistance of an agent or financial advisor, Western & Southern Financial Group may be worth a closer look.
Get started toward a FREE insurance quote today by entering your ZIP code below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Western & Southern Life Insurance?
Western & Southern Life Insurance is a company that offers various insurance and financial products, including life insurance and annuities. They provide coverage and financial solutions to individuals and families, aiming to protect their financial well-being.
What types of life insurance does Western & Southern offer?
Western & Southern Life Insurance offers several types of life insurance policies, including term life insurance, whole life insurance, and universal life insurance. These policies provide different levels of coverage and benefits to meet the diverse needs of policyholders.
What are the benefits of Western & Southern Life Insurance?
Western & Southern Life Insurance offers several benefits, such as financial protection for loved ones in the event of the policyholder’s death, potential cash value accumulation with certain policies, tax advantages, and the flexibility to customize coverage based on individual needs.
What are annuities, and does Western & Southern offer them?
Annuities are financial products that provide a regular income stream, typically during retirement. Western & Southern Life Insurance offers annuities as part of its product portfolio. Annuities can be a way to supplement retirement income and provide long-term financial security.
How can I get a quote for life insurance or annuities from Western & Southern?
To obtain a quote for life insurance or annuities from Western & Southern, you can visit their official website or contact their customer service directly. They will guide you through the process, gather relevant information, and provide you with a personalized quote based on your needs and circumstances.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Kristen Gryglik
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.