Globe Life is a legitimate, regulated insurance company, but it operates differently from most insurers and has a history of complaints that matter to your decision

Globe Life (formerly Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company) is a real company licensed to sell life insurance in all 50 states. It is regulated by state insurance departments, files financial reports with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and has been in business since 1951. You can verify its license status through your state's insurance commissioner's office.

That said, legitimacy and "good choice for you" are not the same thing. Globe Life specializes in burial insurance and small-face-value policies sold door-to-door and through direct mail. It has faced thousands of complaints to state regulators and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about sales practices, policy cancellations, and difficulty getting claims paid. The company has paid settlements to state attorneys general multiple times. None of this makes it a scam — it is a licensed company that pays claims — but it does mean you should understand what you are actually buying before you sign.

Key Takeaways

  • Globe Life is licensed and regulated by state insurance departments, but specializes in small policies and has a long record of consumer complaints about how it sells and handles claims.
  • The company often targets older adults and people with limited access to traditional insurance, and uses high-pressure sales tactics that regulators have repeatedly cited.
  • Policies are typically small (often $5,000 to $25,000) with high premiums relative to the death benefit, making them expensive compared to term life insurance from other carriers.
  • You can buy the same coverage for less money from mainstream insurers like State Farm, Mutual of Omaha, or through online brokers, even if you have health issues.

How Globe Life's business model works

Globe Life makes money by selling small burial and final-expense policies to people who cannot or will not buy traditional life insurance. The policies are usually $5,000 to $25,000 in death benefit. Premiums are high relative to the payout — you might pay $50 to $100 per month for a $10,000 policy, depending on age and health.

The company sells almost entirely through direct mail, door-to-door agents, and telemarketing. It does not use online underwriting or work with insurance brokers the way mainstream carriers do. This sales model is expensive to run, which is one reason premiums are higher than you would pay for the same coverage elsewhere.

Globe Life also uses what is called may provide issue underwriting for many policies, meaning it will not turn you down for health reasons. That sounds like an advantage — and it can be, if you have serious health problems — but the company prices that risk into the premium. You pay more because the company accepts people it would normally reject.

The complaint pattern and what regulators have found

State insurance regulators and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have documented repeated problems with Globe Life's sales and claims practices. The company has paid settlements to multiple state attorneys general, including New York, California, and others, for deceptive sales practices and improper policy cancellations.

Common complaints include: agents misrepresenting what the policy covers, customers discovering they were enrolled in policies they did not remember requesting, difficulty reaching customer service, and claims being delayed or denied. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' complaint database shows Globe Life receives complaints at a higher rate than most other life insurers.

These complaints do not mean the company is a fraud. It means the company has a documented pattern of aggressive sales tactics and customer service problems. If you buy a policy, you will likely get paid if you die — but you may have a harder time getting answers about what you bought, and you may pay more than necessary.

What you actually pay versus what you get

A concrete example: a 65-year-old might pay $60 per month ($720 per year) for a $10,000 Globe Life policy. Over 20 years, that is $14,400 in premiums for a $10,000 death benefit. The beneficiary would receive $10,000 when the person dies.

The same person could buy a $25,000 term life insurance policy from a mainstream carrier for $30 to $40 per month, even with a health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. Over 20 years, that is $7,200 to $9,600 in premiums for $25,000 in coverage — more than double the death benefit for less than two-thirds the cost.

Globe Life's advantage is that it will insure people who cannot get approved elsewhere. But most people can get approved elsewhere, and at a much better price. Before you sign with Globe Life, get quotes from at least two other carriers — State Farm, Mutual of Omaha, Banner Life, or an online broker like PolicyGenius or Haven Life. You may be surprised how affordable real term insurance is.

Red flags in how Globe Life sells

Watch for these warning signs if a Globe Life agent or telemarketer contacts you:

  • Pressure to decide immediately or sign without reading the full policy document.
  • Vague language about what the policy covers or what it costs over time.
  • Promises that the policy is "free" or "no cost" for the first month or year (you will be billed later).
  • Enrollment in a policy you did not explicitly request in writing.
  • Difficulty getting a clear, written explanation of the death benefit, premium, and any waiting periods.

If any of these happen, do not sign. Legitimate insurance companies will give you time to read the policy, answer your questions clearly, and confirm your request in writing before charging you anything.

When Globe Life might actually make sense

Globe Life is not always the wrong choice. It makes sense if:

  • You have serious health problems and have been turned down by other insurers.
  • You need a small death benefit ($5,000 to $15,000) for burial or final expenses and cannot may have access to for term insurance.
  • You have already shopped other carriers and found their premiums unaffordable.

Even then, get the policy in writing, read the entire document before you pay anything, and confirm the death benefit, premium, and any waiting periods. Do not rely on what an agent told you over the phone.

How to verify Globe Life's license and check complaints

To confirm Globe Life is licensed in your state, visit your state insurance commissioner's website and search for "Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company" or "Globe Life" in the licensed insurers database. Every state has one.

To read complaints filed against the company, search the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' complaint database at www.naic.org. You can also file a complaint with your state insurance commissioner if you have a problem with a policy.

You can also check Globe Life's financial strength rating through A.M. Best, Moody's, or Standard & Poor's. These agencies rate how likely an insurance company is to pay claims. Globe Life's ratings are typically in the middle range — not the strongest, but not weak either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Globe Life actually pay my death benefit when I die?

Most likely yes. The company is licensed and regulated, and it does pay claims. However, it has a history of delaying claims and requesting extensive documentation. Read your policy carefully to understand any waiting periods (some policies have a period where they will not pay if death is from natural causes) and make sure your beneficiary knows where to find the policy documents.

Can I cancel a Globe Life policy and get my money back?

Yes, most states have a "free look" period of 10 to 30 days after you receive the policy. If you cancel during that time, you get a full refund. After that, you can cancel anytime, but you will not get back the premiums you have already paid. There is no cash value to withdraw.

What is the difference between Globe Life and a regular term life insurance policy?

Term life insurance is temporary coverage (10, 20, or 30 years) at a fixed price. Globe Life policies are usually permanent (they do not expire) but have much smaller death benefits and higher premiums relative to payout. Term insurance is cheaper and gives you more coverage, but requires medical underwriting. Globe Life is easier to get approved for but costs more for less protection.

Is Globe Life a scam?

No, it is not a scam. It is a licensed insurance company that pays claims. However, it has a documented history of aggressive sales practices, misleading marketing, and customer service problems. It is a legitimate company with real problems, not a fraudulent one.

Where can I buy life insurance if Globe Life turns me down?

Globe Life rarely turns anyone down. If you are looking for alternatives, try Mutual of Omaha, Banner Life, or online brokers like PolicyGenius, Haven Life, or Term4Sale. Many of these will work with people who have health conditions. You can also contact a local independent insurance agent who represents multiple companies.