Independent review
American General Life Insurance Review
A large national insurer, now marketed under the Corebridge Financial brand.
This is a review of American General written by Call For Life Quotes. We are not American General and have no affiliation with the company.
What to know first
- The name on the policy and the name in the advertising are different: policies are issued by American General Life Insurance Company, while the consumer brand is now Corebridge Financial.
- Its guaranteed issue whole life product asks no health questions and requires no exam for applicants between 50 and 80.
- That product carries a two-year graded death benefit — die of natural causes in the first two years and beneficiaries receive a return of premiums plus 10%, not the full face amount.
- The company also writes conventional term and universal life for applicants who can qualify through normal underwriting.
American General Life Insurance Company is one of the larger life insurers operating in the United States. For years it was part of AIG; following a 2022 public offering, the life and retirement business was separated and now operates publicly as Corebridge Financial. Policies themselves continue to be issued by American General Life Insurance Company, which is why you will see both names.
That naming history causes real confusion for shoppers, and it is worth being precise about. If you hold an older AIG-branded policy, the issuing company on your contract is very likely American General Life Insurance Company, and the rebrand does not change the terms of coverage you already bought.
American General at a glance
| Issuing company | American General Life Insurance Company |
|---|---|
| Consumer brand | Corebridge Financial |
| Former parent | AIG, separated through a 2022 public offering |
| AM Best rating | A (Excellent) |
| Guaranteed issue ages | 50 to 80 |
| Guaranteed issue coverage | $5,000 to $25,000 |
Coverage offered
Guaranteed issue whole life
Acceptance is guaranteed within the eligible age band — no health questions and no medical exam.
- Available to applicants aged 50 to 80, with coverage from $5,000 to $25,000.
- There are no health questions, so no one in the age band is turned down for medical reasons.
- A two-year graded period applies: death from natural causes during that window returns the premiums paid plus 10% rather than the full death benefit. Full coverage applies afterward.
- Premiums are guaranteed not to increase.
Term life insurance
Conventional level term coverage for applicants who can go through standard underwriting.
- Offers a wide selection of level term lengths, which suits buyers matching coverage to a mortgage or a working career.
- Requires standard underwriting, which usually means health questions and often a medical exam.
- Generally provides far more coverage per dollar than a guaranteed issue policy for applicants in good health.
Universal and indexed universal life
Permanent coverage with flexible premiums and a cash value component.
- More complex than term or simplified whole life, with performance depending on how the policy is funded and credited.
- Suited to long-term planning goals rather than to covering a funeral bill.
- Illustrations show projections, not guarantees.
Financial strength
American General Life Insurance Company holds an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. For a company issuing guaranteed acceptance policies — where the insurer knowingly takes on applicants it has not medically screened — financial strength is a meaningful consideration, since the promise being made is decades long.
The separation from AIG changed the corporate ownership structure and the consumer-facing brand, not the contractual obligations under policies already issued. Ratings are periodically reaffirmed or revised, so check the current figure before purchasing.
Strengths and trade-offs
Strengths
- Guaranteed acceptance between 50 and 80 with no health questions at all.
- Strong A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best.
- Premiums on the guaranteed issue product are locked and cannot rise.
- A broad product shelf, so applicants who can qualify medically have better-value options available.
- The scale and infrastructure of a large national insurer.
Things to weigh
- Guaranteed issue coverage caps at $25,000, which may not cover more than funeral and immediate costs.
- The two-year graded death benefit means beneficiaries receive premiums plus 10%, not the face amount, if death from natural causes occurs early.
- Guaranteed acceptance is priced for the risk — if you can pass underwriting, you will almost always pay less elsewhere for the same coverage.
- The AIG-to-Corebridge branding change can make it hard to tell which company you are dealing with.
American General may be worth a look if you are:
- Applicants aged 50 to 80 who have been declined elsewhere for health reasons
- People who want coverage in place without answering any medical questions
- Buyers who value the financial backing of a large, highly rated insurer
- Households needing a modest benefit to cover funeral and final costs
American General FAQs
Is American General the same company as AIG?
Not any longer, though the two are historically connected. American General Life Insurance Company was part of AIG's life and retirement business, which was separated through a public offering in 2022 and now operates as Corebridge Financial. Policies are still issued in the American General name.
What does guaranteed issue actually mean?
It means acceptance is guaranteed within the stated age range without health questions or a medical exam. In exchange for taking that risk, the insurer limits the coverage amount, prices the policy higher than a medically underwritten one, and applies a waiting period before the full benefit is payable.
What happens if I die during the first two years?
On the guaranteed issue whole life product, death from natural causes during the first two years returns the premiums you paid plus 10% rather than the full death benefit. After that period, the full benefit applies. Accidental death is generally treated differently — check your policy for the exact terms.
Should I buy guaranteed issue coverage if I am healthy?
Usually not. Guaranteed acceptance is priced to absorb applicants who cannot pass underwriting. If your health allows you to qualify for a simplified or fully underwritten policy, you will typically get more coverage for the same premium and no waiting period.
Compare your options before you decide
We are not American General and cannot quote its policies. What we can do is connect you with a licensed insurance agent in our partner network† who can compare available coverage from one or more carriers.