Am Life Insurance Company is American General Life Insurance Company

American General Life Insurance Company (often shortened to Am Life or AGL) is a subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation, now operating under the Globe Life brand. The company sells individual life insurance policies directly to consumers, primarily through independent agents and direct mail. It is licensed to operate in all 50 states and has been in business since 1951.

If you're considering a policy from American General or already hold one, you should know how the company operates, what types of policies it offers, and how to find information about your specific coverage. This guide covers the practical details that matter when you're evaluating or managing an American General life insurance policy.

Key Takeaways

  • American General Life Insurance Company is a major issuer of individual life insurance sold through agents and direct mail, not through employers or group plans.
  • The company offers term life, whole life, and universal life policies, with underwriting that typically includes medical questions and sometimes a medical exam.
  • Your policy documents — the declarations page and the actual policy contract — contain your coverage amount, premium, and the exact terms of what is and isn't covered.
  • You can contact American General directly to verify coverage, request documents, or ask about changes to your policy.
  • If you have a complaint about the company or your policy, your state's insurance commissioner's office can investigate.

What types of policies American General offers

American General sells three main categories of individual life insurance. Term life covers you for a set period — typically 10, 20, or 30 years — and pays a death benefit only if you die during that term. Whole life covers you for your entire lifetime as long as premiums are paid, builds cash value over time, and allows you to borrow against that value. Universal life sits between the two: it lasts as long as you pay premiums and the policy has cash value, but the death benefit and premium can adjust based on how the cash value performs.

American General also offers final expense insurance and simplified issue policies, which require fewer medical questions and underwrite faster than standard policies. These typically have lower coverage amounts and higher per-dollar costs, but they're designed for people who have health conditions or want to avoid a medical exam.

The company does not sell group life insurance through employers or associations — it focuses on individual policies sold one at a time. If you're looking for employer-sponsored coverage, you would contact your employer's benefits department, not American General directly.

How to find your policy information

Your policy documents are the source of truth for what you own. The most important piece is the declarations page, usually the first page of your policy, which shows your coverage amount (called the "death benefit" or "face amount"), your monthly or annual premium, the policy type, and the issue date. The full policy contract explains what the company will and won't pay, conditions on the death benefit, and what happens if you stop paying premiums.

If you have your policy documents at home, start there. If you've lost them or need a copy, you can contact American General directly by phone or through its website to request replacement documents. Have your policy number ready — it appears on any premium notices or correspondence you've received. If you don't have a policy number, the company can search by your name and date of birth.

You can also log into your account online through American General's website if you've set up online access. This typically shows your current premium, payment history, and coverage amount, though the full policy contract may need to be requested separately.

Understanding your premium and payment options

Your premium is the amount you pay to keep the policy in force. For term life, the premium is usually fixed for the entire term — you pay the same amount every month or year. For whole life and universal life, the premium can be fixed or flexible depending on the policy design.

American General offers several ways to pay: monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual. Monthly payments are the most common but typically cost slightly more overall because of processing fees. If you pay annually, you usually get a small discount. You can set up automatic payments from a bank account or pay by check or credit card.

If you miss a premium payment, most policies have a grace period — usually 30 or 31 days — during which the policy stays in force even though you haven't paid. If you don't pay by the end of the grace period, the policy lapses and coverage ends. Some policies allow you to reinstate a lapsed policy within a certain window (often one to three years) by paying back premiums plus interest, but you may need to answer health questions again.

What happens when you file a claim

When the policyholder dies, the beneficiary (the person or people named to receive the death benefit) needs to notify American General and provide proof of death — typically a certified death certificate. The company will verify that the policy was in force at the time of death and that no exclusions apply (for example, if the death occurred within the first two years and the application contained material misstatements).

Once the claim is approved, American General pays the death benefit to the beneficiary. The timeframe varies but is typically within two to four weeks, though it can be longer if the company needs additional information or if there are complications. The beneficiary can usually choose to receive the money as a lump sum, in installments, or left with the company to earn interest.

If there's a dispute about the claim — for example, if the company denies it or if there's a question about who the rightful beneficiary is — you have the right to appeal within your state. Your state's insurance commissioner's office can help if you believe the company has acted unfairly.

How underwriting and medical exams work

When you apply for an American General policy, the company assesses your health and risk before issuing coverage. For standard policies, this means answering detailed health questions on the application. Depending on the coverage amount and your age, American General may also require a medical exam — typically a phone or in-person visit where a nurse takes your height, weight, blood pressure, and sometimes blood or urine samples.

The company uses this information to decide whether to issue the policy, at what premium rate, and whether to exclude certain causes of death. If you have a serious health condition, American General may decline the application, offer coverage at a higher premium, or offer coverage with an exclusion (for example, excluding death from a specific condition for a set period).

If you believe the company made an error in underwriting or charged you an unfair rate based on your health, you can request a review. The company must keep records of how it made its decision, and you have the right to see that information and challenge it through your state's insurance department if necessary.

Changing or canceling your policy

You can cancel an American General policy at any time by notifying the company in writing or by phone. Once canceled, coverage ends and you stop paying premiums. If your policy has cash value (whole life or universal life), you may be may have access to to receive that cash value, though it's usually reduced by any outstanding loans against the policy.

You can also make changes to your policy while it's in force — for example, increasing or decreasing the death benefit, changing your beneficiary, or switching payment methods. These changes typically require written request and may be subject to underwriting if you're increasing coverage. Contact American General directly to discuss what changes are possible under your specific policy.

If you're thinking about canceling because the premium is too high, consider asking the company whether you can reduce the death benefit instead, which would lower your premium. For whole life or universal life policies, you might also have the option to use accumulated cash value to pay premiums for a period of time, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if American General is a legitimate company?

American General Life Insurance Company is licensed and regulated by insurance commissioners in all 50 states. You can verify the company's license and check for complaints through your state's insurance department website. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) also maintains a database where you can search for the company and see its financial ratings from agencies like A.M. Best.

What if I can't find my policy number?

Call American General's customer service line with your name and date of birth, and they can look up your policy. You can also check any premium notices, bank statements showing payments, or correspondence from the company — the policy number usually appears on all of these. Once you have it, keep it in a safe place for future reference.

Can I borrow money against my American General policy?

Only if you have a whole life or universal life policy with cash value. Term life policies have no cash value and cannot be borrowed against. If you do have cash value, you can take a loan from the company using that value as collateral. The loan accrues interest, and if you don't repay it, the amount owed is deducted from the death benefit your beneficiary receives.

What should I do if American General denies my claim?

Request a written explanation of why the claim was denied. Review your policy documents to understand the company's reasoning. If you believe the denial is wrong, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner, who can investigate and require the company to respond. You may also have the right to pursue legal action, though consulting an attorney first is advisable.

How do I update my beneficiary?

Contact American General directly by phone or through your online account and request a beneficiary change form. Fill it out, sign it, and return it to the company. The change takes effect once the company processes it. Keep a copy for your records. You should review your beneficiary designation every few years or after major life changes like marriage, divorce, or the birth of children.