Americo is known for no-medical-exam life insurance, combining modern technology with experienced agent support and competitive rates. Its simplified application lets eligible applicants get quotes, apply, and may receive a decision in minutes. Americo offers term life, whole life, indexed universal life (IUL), and final expense insurance. It is popular with many seniors looking for affordable coverage, with flexible coverage amounts and options that do not require a medical exam. Golden Shield Life Insurance can compare Americo side by side with other insurance companies to see whether it fits your health, budget, and goals.
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Aaron PolkAaron Polk founded Golden Shield Life Insurance after a 2007 accident showed him how fast a steady life can change. He is a licensed independent agent in Atlanta with a background in medical underwriting, and he compares 130+ insurance companies to find coverage that fits. Read more on LinkedIn
Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company offers term life, whole life, indexed universal life, and final expense insurance, with many policies available without a medical exam. Eligible applicants may get a decision in minutes through a simplified application. Rates, coverage amounts, and approval depend on age, health, state, and the policy. Golden Shield Life Insurance can quote and apply with Americo in minutes.
This summary was generated using AI and reviewed by a licensed agent. Coverage, pricing and approval depend on the carrier, the policy terms and your application. Americo is a separate company, and Golden Shield Life Insurance may be compensated when a policy is issued.
Americo is a financially strong life insurance company known for competitive final expense rates, no-medical-exam coverage, and fast applications, although customer complaints are worth reviewing.
Best For: Seniors, final expense shoppers, and applicants seeking simplified underwriting.
Coverage: Term life, whole life, indexed universal life (IUL), and final expense insurance.
Rates: A 55-year-old nonsmoking male was quoted $35.94/month for $10,000 in Eagle Select coverage.
Our Experience: Americo paid my first client's death claim within one week, though individual claims processing times vary.
Key Takeaways: Americo Life Insurance
Financial Strength: Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company holds an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best.
Coverage Options: Term life, whole life, final expense, accidental death, and indexed universal life insurance.
No Medical Exam: Many eligible Americo products use simplified underwriting, with an instant decision application.
Monthly Rates: A 55-year-old nonsmoking male was quoted $35.94 a month for $10,000 of Eagle Select final expense coverage.
Firsthand Experience:Aaron Polk has personally helped Americo policyholders and beneficiaries through the application and claims process.
Independent Comparison: Golden Shield Life Insurance compares Americo with other insurance companies so you can see your options side by side. Call or text Aaron Polk at (678) 884-4653. His customer reviews reflect the service clients receive.
Americo Financial Strength and AM Best Rating
Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company holds an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. It is the third-highest of AM Best's 15 financial strength ratings and reflects AM Best's opinion of the company's ability to meet its ongoing obligations to policyholders.
Financial strength matters because a life insurance policy is a promise that may need to be kept decades from now. A strong rating tells you about the company's finances. It does not tell you how easy the company is to work with, so it is worth reading customer feedback too.
Americo Life Insurance Reviews and Customer Satisfaction
Customer feedback about Americo is mixed, as it is for most large insurers. Positive comments often mention:
Knowledgeable agents: Clear explanations and help choosing coverage.
Helpful representatives: Friendly, patient, and professional service.
Simple applications: Guidance through enrollment and policy processing.
Responsive communication: Timely follow-ups.
When you read reviews online, check which product the reviewer bought. Americo also sells Medicare supplement coverage, and some review pages mix those experiences with life insurance.
Our own experience with Americo's applications and claims handling has been positive.
Is Americo Life Insurance Legit?
Yes. Americo is an established American insurance organization with roots dating to 1909. It is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and sells life insurance and annuities through licensed independent agents.
Most of the policies discussed in this guide are issued by Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company, which holds an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best.
Is Americo a Good Life Insurance Company?
Americo is a strong option to compare if you want simple applications and coverage without a medical exam. It is especially worth a look for final expense insurance, where its Eagle Select rates are competitive for many seniors.
Here is where Americo stands out:
Final expense insurance: Eagle Select whole life policies from $5,000 to $50,000.
Term life: Term 125 offers $25,000 to $450,000 without a medical exam.
Permanent coverage: Whole life and indexed universal life options.
Electronic underwriting: Instant decision applications, with many decisions made while you wait.
Financial strength: An A (Excellent) rating from AM Best.
Whether Americo is the right fit depends on the specific policy, the monthly premium, whether you qualify, and how the death benefit is structured. It is not the best choice for everyone, which is why we compare it with other companies before you apply.
Our Experience With Americo Life Insurance
I've personally helped clients purchase Americo life insurance, and one of my earliest experiences with the company involved helping a family receive a death benefit.
Americo paid my very first client's death claim within one week. Since then, every Americo claim I've personally handled has been honored and paid promptly.
That experience is important to me because the real value of life insurance becomes clear when a family needs to file a claim.
I've also worked with Americo's simplified application process, final expense policies, and various underwriting options. What I appreciate is the ability to compare coverage based on a client's actual needs, health history, age, and budget rather than recommending a company simply because it offers a particular product.
A few observations from working with Americo:
Simplified Applications: Eligible Americo products may not require a medical exam.
Final Expense Coverage: Americo offers permanent coverage with immediate and graded benefit options.
Monthly Premiums: We can provide actual quoted examples for different ages and coverage amounts.
Living Benefits: Certain policies offer accelerated death benefits for qualifying illnesses.
Claims Experience: My firsthand claims experience with Americo has been positive, although individual claims and processing times vary.
Who Is Americo Life Insurance Best For?
Americo offers several types of life insurance, so it is worth comparing for people with different needs. Qualifying always depends on your age, health, and answers to the application.
Seniors seeking final expense insurance: Eagle Select whole life offers permanent coverage, fixed premiums, and simplified underwriting for ages 40 to 85.
Applicants who prefer no medical exam: Term 125, Eagle Select, and Instant Decision IUL use instant decision applications instead of a traditional exam.
Smokers and tobacco users: The Quit Smoking Advantage on Eagle Select 1 and 2 may let qualifying smokers start at nonsmoker rates.
Families who need income replacement: Term 125 covers 15 to 30 years, when financial responsibilities are usually highest.
Permanent life insurance buyers: Whole life and indexed universal life offer different forms of lifelong coverage.
Applicants who want living benefits: Term 125 and Instant Decision IUL include critical, chronic, and terminal illness benefits at no extra cost.
Americo Life Insurance Products
Here is a quick look at Americo's current product lineup. Each one is explained in more detail below.
Term 125: Instant decision term life, $25,000 to $450,000.
Term 100: Pays $1,000 for any death, plus $100,000 to $250,000 for a covered accidental death.
Term 125 is Americo's instant decision term life policy, with coverage from $25,000 to $450,000 and no medical exam through $450,000. Premiums stay level for 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. The oldest age you can apply depends on the term you choose.
Americo Term 125 at a glance
Feature
Term 125
Coverage
$25,000 to $450,000
Level premium periods
15, 20, 25, or 30 years
Issue ages
20 to 60 (30-year) up to 20 to 75 (15-year)
Medical exam
Not required through $450,000
Living benefits
Critical, chronic, and terminal illness, no extra cost
Accidental death benefit
Extra 25% of the base benefit
Common carrier benefit
Another 25% of the base benefit
How the Term 125 accidental benefits add up
On a qualifying $200,000 Term 125 policy:
Base death benefit: $200,000.
Accidental death benefit: an additional $50,000.
Common carrier benefit: another $50,000 if the accident happened while riding as a fare-paying passenger on a common carrier, such as a bus, train, or airline.
Term 100 is accidental death coverage, not traditional life insurance. It pays a $1,000 benefit for death from any cause, plus the accidental death amount you choose if death results from a covered accident.
Americo Term 100 benefits
Cause of death
What the policy pays
Any cause, including illness
$1,000 base benefit
Covered accident
$1,000 plus your accidental death amount
Covered common carrier accident
$1,000 plus your accidental death amount, plus an equal common carrier amount
Accidental death amounts: $100,000, $150,000, $200,000, or $250,000.
Ages 20 to 50: 30-year term.
Ages 51 to 60: 20-year term.
Underwriting: No medical exam or health questions.
Term 100 example
On a $200,000 Term 100 policy, the policy would pay the $1,000 base benefit for a death from illness. A covered accidental death adds the $200,000 accidental death benefit to that $1,000. If the accident happened as a fare-paying passenger on a common carrier, an additional $200,000 common carrier benefit applies. The exact amount paid depends on the policy definitions and exclusions.
Term 100 is not a substitute for life insurance. Most deaths are caused by illness, and Term 100 pays only $1,000 in that case.
Americo Accidental Death Benefits
An accidental death benefit pays extra money if death results from a covered accident. Americo offers this protection in three ways:
Built into Term 125: An extra 25% of the base benefit, plus another 25% for a common carrier accident.
Optional on Eagle Select 1 and 2: An accidental death benefit rider can be added to the final expense policy.
Term 100: Coverage built mainly around an accidental death amount of $100,000 to $250,000.
These benefits pay only for a covered accident, under the policy definitions and exclusions. They are not a substitute for life insurance that also covers death from illness. See our guide to accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Americo Whole Life Insurance
Americo's whole life coverage provides a permanent death benefit, premiums that generally stay fixed, and cash value that builds over time, subject to the policy terms.
Americo's main whole life option is Eagle Select, which offers smaller final expense policies with simplified underwriting, a permanent death benefit, and cash value.
Approval depends on health questions and prescription history rather than a medical exam. Eagle Select 1 and 2 include an accelerated benefit for a qualifying terminal illness. Compare the options on our whole life insurance page.
Americo Final Expense Insurance for Seniors
Americo's final expense coverage, called Eagle Select, is whole life insurance designed to help your family pay for funeral costs, medical bills, outstanding debts, and other expenses. Your beneficiary can generally use the money for any purpose.
Eagle Select offers simplified applications with no medical exam, permanent coverage, fixed premiums, and cash value. Eagle Select 1 and 2 pay the full death benefit from the first day, and they include an accelerated benefit for a qualifying terminal illness.
Americo Eagle Select final expense plans
Plan
Coverage
Issue ages
Death benefit
Eagle Select 1
$5,000 to $50,000
40 to 85
Full from day one
Eagle Select 2
$5,000 to $50,000
40 to 85 (smokers 40 to 75)
Full from day one
Eagle Select 3
$5,000 to $25,000
40 to 75
Graded for 2 years
Which plan you get depends on your health answers. Optional riders include an accidental death benefit on Eagle Select 1 and 2, and a child and grandchild term rider on all three plans.
Immediate vs. graded death benefits
Immediate coverage generally pays the full death benefit for a covered death once the policy is in force. Graded coverage limits what is paid for a death from natural causes during the first years. On Eagle Select 3, that period is the first two years, and the full benefit applies from year three. The actual amount paid depends on the contract, how long the policy has been in force, and the cause of death.
Yes, on Eagle Select 1 and 2. Americo's Quit Smoking Advantage lets qualifying tobacco users pay nonsmoker premiums for the first three policy years.
To keep the nonsmoker rate, you must stop using all nicotine products for at least 12 months in a row after the policy is issued and provide proof Americo accepts before the third policy anniversary. Time you were tobacco-free before the policy was issued does not count.
Buy an eligible Eagle Select 1 or 2 policy.
Start at nonsmoker premiums.
Stop using all nicotine products.
Stay nicotine-free for 12 months in a row.
Send Americo the required proof before the third policy anniversary.
If you don't qualify, Americo's client materials for this policy series say the premium stays the same and the death benefit is reduced starting in year four. You can usually choose a higher premium instead to keep the original death benefit. Ask us to confirm the current terms for your state before you apply.
Americo Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL)
Americo Instant Decision IUL combines permanent life insurance with the potential to build cash value. Coverage ranges from $50,000 to $450,000 for ages 18 to 70, with an instant decision application and no medical exam through $450,000.
Interest can be credited from a declared interest account or from options linked to the S&P 500, with a 0% floor on the indexed options. The policy is not directly invested in the stock market, and caps and participation rates can change.
Cash value growth depends on policy provisions, credited interest, insurance charges, and how much you put in. If the policy is underfunded, it can lapse. Critical, chronic, and terminal illness benefits are included at no extra cost.
Cash Back Option universal life
Americo also offers universal life with a Cash Back Option. Coverage ranges from $25,000 to $450,000. At the end of a 20, 25, or 30-year period, the surrender value can equal 100% or 50% of the Cash Back Option premiums paid, not counting rider premiums. Living benefit riders are included at no extra cost.
Americo's premiums depend on your age, sex where permitted, coverage amount, product, health, tobacco use, state, and underwriting class. Here are real quotes we ran for Eagle Select final expense coverage.
Eagle Select monthly premiums: Age 55, nonsmokers
Coverage
Male
Female
$10,000
$35.94
$29.59
$15,000
$52.01
$42.49
$20,000
$68.08
$55.39
$25,000
$84.15
$68.28
$50,000
$164.49
$132.76
How much is $10,000 of Americo life insurance?
In our age-55 quotes, $10,000 of Eagle Select cost $35.94 a month for a nonsmoking man and $29.59 for a nonsmoking woman.
How much is $20,000 of Americo life insurance?
At age 55, $20,000 was quoted at $68.08 a month for a nonsmoking man and $55.39 for a nonsmoking woman.
How do smoker rates compare?
Tobacco use raises the price. For $25,000 at age 55, Americo quoted $129.94 a month for a male smoker compared with $84.15 for a male nonsmoker, and $102.25 for a female smoker compared with $68.28 for a female nonsmoker.
What Does Americo Life Insurance Cost at Age 50 or 60?
For $10,000 of final expense coverage, Americo starts at about $26 a month for a woman at age 50 and $35 at age 60.
Monthly premiums: Ages 50 and 60
Age
Coverage
Male
Female
50
$10,000
$31
$26
50
$15,000
$45*
$37*
50
$20,000
$58
$48
50
$25,000
$72*
$59*
60
$10,000
$43
$35
60
$15,000
$63*
$51*
60
$20,000
$83
$66
60
$25,000
$103*
$82*
*Estimate. See the disclaimers at the bottom of this page.
Americo Life Insurance Pros and Cons
Advantages
A (Excellent) AM Best financial strength rating
Simplified underwriting options
No-medical-exam policies
Instant decision electronic applications
Permanent coverage options
Competitive final expense rates
Living benefits on eligible policies
Considerations
Coverage limits differ by product
Approval depends on underwriting
Graded death benefit on Eagle Select 3
Riders vary by product
Some riders cost extra
Availability varies by state
Americo vs. Ethos Life Insurance
We compared Americo Eagle Select and Ethos final expense insurance using age-55 quoted monthly premiums.
Age 55 monthly premiums: $25,000 coverage
Applicant
Americo
Ethos
Male nonsmoker
$84.15
$90.00
Female nonsmoker
$68.28
$76.00
Male smoker
$129.94
$122.00
Female smoker
$102.25
$98.25
Americo quoted lower premiums in the nonsmoker examples, while Ethos quoted lower premiums in the smoker examples.
Price is only part of the comparison. Before choosing, compare how each company underwrites, whether a medical exam is needed, how the application works, when the full death benefit starts, the coverage limits, the riders, and the policy terms. Read our Ethos life insurance reviews for a closer look at Ethos.
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How to Apply for Americo Life Insurance
Americo sells through licensed agents, and most applications are completed electronically. Here is how it works with us:
Request a quote.
Compare the Americo policies you may qualify for.
Choose a coverage amount.
Answer the health and lifestyle questions.
Submit the application.
Complete any additional underwriting requirements.
Review the approved policy and its benefit schedule.
Set up your first payment to put coverage in force.
We walk you through each step, answer questions as they come up, and compare Americo with other companies along the way. Approval and timing depend on your answers and the underwriting review.
Americo Claims and Customer Service
How to file an Americo death claim
Contact Americo by phone, email, or the online claim form.
Provide the insured person's name and policy number, if you have it.
Get the claim forms Americo requires.
Send the required documents, which may include a certified death certificate.
Policyholders can log in to view a policy, make a payment, ask about beneficiary changes, or send a service request through the customer portal and contact page at americo.com/contact.
If you bought your policy through Golden Shield Life Insurance, call us first. As I shared above, my own claims experience with Americo has been positive, and we will help your family keep the claim moving.
Compare Americo Life Insurance Quotes
At Golden Shield Life Insurance, I help shoppers compare Americo's coverage options, monthly premiums, and available benefits with other insurers. Compare policies based on your age, health, budget, and coverage needs.
Americo offers permanent whole life coverage with fixed premiums and cash value, mainly through Eagle Select. Compare the specific policy's rates, benefits, and underwriting before you decide.
Is Americo life insurance good for seniors?
Americo is worth comparing for seniors. Eagle Select 1 accepts applicants through age 85 for $5,000 to $50,000 of permanent coverage.
Does Americo have a waiting period?
Eagle Select 1 and 2 pay the full death benefit from day one. Eagle Select 3 has a two-year graded benefit for natural causes.
What is Americo Eagle Select?
Eagle Select is Americo's final expense whole life insurance, available in three plans with coverage from $5,000 to $50,000.
How long does Americo take to pay claims?
Processing times vary. Americo paid my first client's death claim within one week, but some claims need additional review.
Can I apply for Americo insurance online?
Americo uses electronic applications completed with a licensed agent. Eligible applicants may receive a decision in minutes.
How do I pay my Americo policy?
Americo offers monthly bank draft, and policyholders can also make a payment online through the links at americo.com.
Can I compare Americo with other insurers?
Yes. An independent broker like Golden Shield Life Insurance can compare Americo's rates, benefits, and underwriting with other companies.
Founder and Licensed Life Insurance Agent, Golden Shield Life Insurance · NPN 21216745 Golden Shield Life Insurance · Georgia Agency License 242517
This review is based on my own experience placing Americo policies and helping families with Americo death claims, Americo's published product documents, quotes we ran through Golden Shield Life Insurance, AM Best's financial strength rating, NAIC complaint records, and a side-by-side comparison with other insurance companies such as Ethos. Client experiences are mine; product details come from Americo; quotes and estimates are labeled where they appear.
Last reviewed: . Product details and rates are reviewed as Americo updates its policies.
Disclaimers
About the Rates on This Page
Rates shown are illustrative monthly premium examples for the coverage amounts and classifications indicated. Actual premiums, eligibility, available products, and policy benefits vary by age, state, tobacco use, health history, and underwriting. Quotes are subject to carrier verification and policy terms.
The age 55 rates are quotes obtained through Golden Shield Life Insurance and are not guaranteed offers.
In the age 50 and 60 table, figures marked with an asterisk (*) for $15,000 and $25,000 are estimates based on nearby quotes, not actual Americo quotes. The $20,000 figures come from age-band examples rather than quotes for those exact ages.
The Americo vs. Ethos prices are age 55 quotes for $25,000 of final expense coverage. Compare underwriting, waiting periods, and death benefit terms, not price alone.
Facts on This Page Are Supported By
1Americo Instant Decision Term Series at a Glance. Term 125 and Term 100 coverage, issue ages, accidental benefits, and riders (form 09-051-1, 02/24). americo.com
2Americo Eagle Select Reference Sheet. Eagle Select 1, 2, and 3 coverage amounts, issue ages, death benefits, and riders (11/25). americofinalexpense.com
3Americo Final Expense Client Brochure and Quit Smoking Advantage FAQ. Quit Smoking Advantage rules and rider terms for this policy series. americofinalexpense.com
4Americo Instant Decision IUL Specifications. Coverage, issue ages, crediting options, and living benefit riders (10/25). americoiul.com
5Americo Products at a Glance. Cash Back Option universal life and product availability. americo.com
6Americo Claims. Claims phone, email, mailing address, and online claim form. Accessed October 2026. americo.com/claims
7NAIC Consumer Insurance Search. Look up complaint records for Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company. content.naic.org
Disclaimers
This page is educational and is not financial, legal, or tax advice.
Product descriptions summarize Americo's published materials. Your policy contract controls, and features, riders, and availability vary by product and state.
All coverage is subject to carrier underwriting. Golden Shield Life Insurance cannot promise approval, pricing, or decision times.
Using a living benefit reduces the death benefit. IUL interest crediting is not guaranteed beyond the policy's stated minimums, and an underfunded policy can lapse.
Americo and Ethos are separate companies. Golden Shield Life Insurance is appointed with multiple insurance companies and may be compensated when a policy is issued. See our advertiser disclosure.
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Aaron Polk
Aaron Polk founded Golden Shield Life Insurance after a 2007 accident showed him how fast a steady life can change. He is a licensed independent agent in Atlanta with a background in medical underwriting, and he compares 130+ insurance companies to find coverage that fits.
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