Pacific Life Insurance Review & Complaints: Life Insurance (2024)

Premiums
Claims
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Financial Strength

Pacific Life Insurance Company is a financial company offering a wide range of products including life insurance and annuities. Founded in 1868, this mutual company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

The company was initially founded by Leland Stanford, a California governor and founder of Stanford University. Stanford was also the first policyholder of his newly founded company, and his wife used his policy’s death benefits to pay Stanford University professors after his passing.

In 1885, the company expanded to begin providing accident insurance. It would later merge with Conservative Life, and became a mutual company during the Great Depression.

Today, Pacific Life continues to use the mutual firm model, which means the product provider is owned by the policyholders rather than shareholders. Mutual insurance companies often distribute profits to policyholders by way of dividends or reduced premiums.

What insurance products are offered?

Pacific Life offers a range of life insurance products to both individuals and businesses. Individuals can select from term or permanent life products sold through various bundles.

Term Life Insurance Policy

Pacific Life term insurance policies come in standard, level term, as well as increasing premium, which they call Pacific-ART.

Level term polices are issued for a specific length of time with a pre-determined annual premium. The coverage amount does not change, and the neither does the premium. Once the term is up, an individual must apply for new coverage or go without.

The Pacific-ART policy is designed for those looking for short-term life insurance coverage. Every year the policy is renewable, and the insured has the option of getting a medical exam or not. The rates are recalculated each year, and getting a clean bill of health can keep the cost lower.

Permanent Life Insurance Policy

Pacific Life’s bread and butter is their permanent life insurance products, specifically their universal life plans. They offer a number of different options designed to meet specific needs, and each one comes with life insurance protection as well as an investment component.

It is important for anyone looking at permanent life insurance solutions to understand the underlying product completely. Whole and universal life is heavily sold by life insurance agents across the country because they pay the highest commissions and earn the most money for the insurance companies. (read our “how do life insurance companies make money?” for more information). They are also extremely expensive compared to term polices. In many cases, they can be 10-20x more for the same death benefit. They are complicated investment vehicles, and they should be studied before simply purchasing based on a life insurance agent’s recommendation.

Additional Products

In addition to life insurance, Pacific Life Insurance Company has a wide range of retirement products, such as annuities and mutual funds.

How to Get Pacific Life Rates

We were unable to obtain a term life insurance quote at the time of this review, so this category will not be factored into the overall rating.

Pacific Life Insurance Claims Process

Ease of Filing a Claim (Online, Over the Phone, Mobile Apps)

Pacific Life Insurance offers multiple channels for filing claims, ensuring convenience for policyholders. You can initiate the claims process by calling their customer service line at 1-800-347-7787, available Monday to Friday from 5 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. This phone-based approach allows for quick and personalized assistance.

Average Claim Processing Time

Pacific Life doesn’t specify an average claim processing time in the provided information. The speed at which claims are processed can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the claim and the completeness of the required documentation. It’s advisable to inquire about the expected processing time when filing a claim directly with the company.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

The available information does not provide specific customer feedback on claim resolutions and payouts. Evaluating customer satisfaction with claims handling typically requires access to customer reviews and surveys, which may be available on the company’s website or through independent review platforms.

Prospective policyholders should consider researching customer experiences to gauge the company’s performance in this aspect.

Digital and Technological Features of Pacific Life Insurance

Mobile App Features and Functionality

The content provided does not include details about Pacific Life’s mobile app features and functionality. Many insurance companies offer mobile apps that allow policyholders to manage their accounts, file claims, and access policy information on the go.

To assess the convenience and features of Pacific Life’s mobile app, individuals may need to download and explore the app or visit the company’s official website for more information.

Online Account Management Capabilities

The information provided does not elaborate on Pacific Life’s online account management capabilities. Many insurance companies offer online portals that enable policyholders to view and manage their policies, make payments, and access important documents.

Prospective policyholders should visit Pacific Life’s website or contact the company directly to inquire about the available online account management features.

Digital Tools and Resources

The content does not provide specific details about the digital tools and resources offered by Pacific Life Insurance. Insurers often provide educational resources, calculators, and other digital tools to help policyholders make informed decisions about their coverage.

To learn more about the digital resources available from Pacific Life, individuals should visit the company’s official website or reach out to their customer service.

What are the consumer research and complaints?

Is Pacific Life annuities good? Although Pacific Life Insurance is not accredited on the Better Business Bureau website, it has an A+ rating. There have been only four customer complaints listed in the last three years, one of which was closed in the last 12 months. Three of four complaints were in regards to product and service and one in advertising/sales.

What is their financial strength?

What’s the bottom line?

Pacific Life has been around for a long time selling life insurance. They are a nationally recognized company with thousands of agents selling their products across the country. Anyone interested in permanent life insurance products may want to check them out.

Someone in the market for term life insurance will probably want to look elsewhere. Companies that primarily focus on universal and whole life rarely have competitive rates on term policies. Additionally, insurance agents have been known to push individuals into the more costly permanent insurance products, even when a term policy would suffice. There is no specific evidence that shows Pacific Life agents doing so, it is just a common practice in the insurance industry as a whole.