Opinions on Guardian for whole life policy?

I cannot find many opinions of Guardian on the board, I was curious to hear them. Thanks.

If you're going to buy a whole life policy, use a dividend-paying investment grade policy offered by one of the big three mutuals: Mass Mutual, New York Life or Northwestern Mutual.

Seriously, don't look elsewhere. You'll regret not using of these companies.

But Guardian may be better for disability insurance (depending upon your occ).

If a company is offering you Guardian, is it worth it to turn it down and go with something like Northwestern Mutual instead?

Yes, it is. In my experience, I've dissected dozens of companies and none of them hold up to what the Big 3 can offer as far as whole life goes.

just wanted to quickly chime in with both pricespector's 3 company recommendations and the reasoning stated.

Add USAA if you have access to such.

Couldn't agree more with price. Any of these 3 is a great deal! :)





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In reply to the posts that only say there are three top mutual companies - they need to look closer at the performance of Guardian Whole Life Policies. Before purchasing a significant amount of whole life I researched the companies financial strength, dividend history, and other cost factors. I found that all four were similar with Guardian and Northwestern Mutual rising to the top. If you look at the 40 year dividend history for these two companies you find them to be almost identical. Guardian 7.88 - NWM 7.86.

Guardian is a good company. They may have similar performing returns and also a long history, but the reason they are the big three is because they all have AAA/A++ ratings for financial strength and Guardian is a AA/A+ company. For many, this difference will mean very little; to others it will mean everything.

Guardian is a good company. They may have similar performing returns and also a long history, but the reason they are the big three is because they all have AAA/A++ ratings for financial strength and Guardian is a AA/A+ company. For many, this difference will mean very little; to others it will mean everything.
The mouse squeaks one more time: USAA. They are mutual, huge, run with class, and their whole life beats all four of those other carriers. That's if we're strictly talking about the product and company.

Downside: you gotta know what you're doing or be very, very dilligent in trying to find the maybe 1 or 2 professionals (out of 100?) in their call center who knows what they're talking about.

And even then, you may not be able to get his direct number for the next phone call . . . I'm not sure about that.

In my mind, part of the pleasure of buying a good life insurance policy is getting to shake the hand of the gentleman or lady who might be delivering a claim-check to my wife or child when I die.

I recently left a large Mutual carrier but made sure to identify the right young man who I would want in that role for me. And I don't plan to replace those policies any time soon, even though I could probably get a better deal right now with a no-load or low-load policy and a 1035 exchange.

So, having said all that, I guess I just talked myself out of USAA, unless I'm mistaken about their distribution model, or unless you're working with a fee-based advisor who will serve that role, perhaps?

(Mouse scurries away, tail between legs . . .)

you gotta know what you're doing or be very, very dilligent in trying to find the maybe 1 or 2 professionals (out of 100?) in their call center who knows what they're talking about.

i bank with and use USAA for property casualty issues. two "commodity-like" financial products. i dont agree that their par-wl are superior to the larger mutuals. and your reason for 'perhaps' not using them for financial service matters is exactly what keeps me from placing business with them. i have seen my fair share of USAA clients having products that were not what they thought they were and not what they wanted cause they spoke to one of the 98 in the call center.

i bank with and use USAA for property casualty issues. two "commodity-like" financial products. i dont agree that their par-wl are superior to the larger mutuals. and your reason for 'perhaps' not using them for financial service matters is exactly what keeps me from placing business with them. i have seen my fair share of USAA clients having products that were not what they thought they were and not what they wanted cause they spoke to one of the 98 in the call center.
I confess I've not read a recent study or done a recent comparison, but the last time I did I saw USAA's WL on top of the heap (not by much, mind you).

It wouldn't surprise if they've slipped because they can't keep up with the others on product design improvements. They're committed to too many lines, IMO.

(There's no need to swing at that softball however big it might be on the tee where I placed it.)

no swinging, i agree. both with your comment on too many lines (aka State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers) as well as their distribution model (advisory methodology).