Guardian Life review

Guardian Life is built around conversion. All of its level term policies are convertible for the first five years, and the optional Extended Conversion Rider extends that to the full policy, so a parent can switch to permanent whole life later without a new medical exam, based on the health rating they had when they bought. Level term usually runs 10, 15 or 20 years, and Guardian also sells annual renewable term, which can be renewed each year without a medical exam at a higher cost each year. Its term page includes a coverage guide for families, such as adding $100,000 to $150,000 per child for college. Guardian reports $86.8 billion in admitted assets and $9.3 billion in surplus as of December 31, 2024, on a statutory basis. Many employers offer Guardian group life too. Guardian publishes no prices on the term page, and riders may cost extra, so it ranks below insurers with published rates.

Who it is for

families who want guaranteed conversion

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Level term for set periods, usually 10, 15 or 20 years
• All level term policies convertible for the first five years
• Extended Conversion Rider allows conversion for the whole policy
• Annual renewable term renewable without a medical exam
• Convert to permanent whole life without a new medical exam

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Every Guardian term policy is convertible
• Strength: Extended Conversion Rider keeps the option open for the full term
• Strength: $86.8 billion in admitted assets as of December 31, 2024, statutory basis
• Weakness: No published prices on its term page
• Weakness: Standard conversion window is the first five years without the rider
• Weakness: Riders may cost extra and are not available in all states

Key facts

• Common terms: 10, 15 or 20 years
• Conversion: First 5 years; full term with rider
• Admitted assets: $86.8 billion (Dec 31, 2024)
• Published price: None

Where it ranks

Guardian Life is No. 9 in our Best Life Insurance Companies verdict.