Americo Life Insurance Review

Company overview and ratings

Americo is a privately held insurance group based in Kansas City, Missouri. Policies are issued by Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company, founded in 1946 as The College Life Insurance Company. Its parent, Americo Life, Inc., also owns Great Southern Life, founded in 1909.

Americo reports an A (Excellent) AM Best rating as of January 2026, the third highest of 15 categories. It is licensed in every state except New York.

Eagle Select final expense

Americo’s current final expense line is Eagle Select, which replaced the older Eagle Premier series. Eagle Select 1 and 2 pay a level benefit from day one. They issue from age 40 to 85, starting at $5,000, with a $40,000 maximum on Americo’s November 2024 sheet.

Eagle Select 3 is a graded plan for ages 40 to 75, from $5,000 to $25,000. The death benefit is graded in the first two years and pays 100% from year three. Ask your agent for the exact graded schedule in your state, since the summary sheet does not list it.

Smokers get a Quit Smoking Advantage on Select 1 and 2. They pay non-nicotine rates for three years. If they show 12 months without nicotine before the third anniversary, the benefit stays level; if not, the face amount is reduced and the premium stays the same.

Riders and underwriting

Eagle Select 1 and 2 include a terminal illness rider at no cost. It can advance up to 50% of the benefit, to a maximum of $20,000, if life expectancy is 12 months or less. Optional riders add accidental death coverage and term coverage for children and grandchildren.

Americo issues Eagle Select on an accept-or-reject basis using the health questions, with no exam. Its electronic application gives an instant decision. That speed helps people who want an answer during the first call. Read how health affects your plan on our waiting periods guide.

Americo also sells AdvantageWL, a fully underwritten whole life policy. Its underwriting guide allows non-medical issue up to $99,999 at certain ages, using prescription history.

Mortgage protection and term

Americo is a large player in mortgage protection. Its Instant Decision Term Series includes Term 100 and Term 125, simplified-issue level term from $25,000 to $450,000 without an exam. You do not need a mortgage to buy it.

Critical, chronic and terminal illness riders are included at no extra charge. The CBO 100 and CBO 50 versions are universal life designs similar to return of premium term. They return 100% or 50% of base premiums at the end of the period. Payment Protector pays its benefit as monthly income.

Americo also sells Continuation 25 and 10, a decreasing whole life design. The benefit stays level for 15 to 30 years, then drops to 25% or 10% of the face amount for life.

Who Americo fits

Americo suits people who want an answer quickly. Its instant-decision e-app works well for phone appointments, and final expense starts as young as 40.

Its term series fits homeowners who want mortgage protection with living benefits and no exam, up to $450,000. The cash-back versions fit buyers who want premiums returned if they outlive the coverage period.

It is a weaker fit for people over 75 who need a graded plan, since Eagle Select 3 stops at 75. New York residents cannot buy Americo.

Pros and cons

Pros: instant decisions on final expense and term; final expense from age 40; living benefit riders included on term; a cash-back option for people who dislike losing premiums.

Cons: an A rating rather than A+; graded plan stops at 75; not available in New York. Americo’s own sheets list different Eagle Select maximums, so confirm the current limit before you apply.

Buying through an independent agent vs direct

Americo sells through agents and does not offer final expense directly online. Its health questions are accept-or-reject, so an agent who knows the questions can tell you before applying whether Eagle Select 1, 2 or 3 is realistic. If not, they can move you to another carrier on our final expense comparison.