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Safety Abroad

It is recommended that students consult the Government of Canada’s travel advisory based on their intended destination and follow travel health notice for Covid19 and international travel. ​ ​ Safety Abroad supports all York community members in managing risks associated with international travel and provides emergency support when needed. Please contact [email protected] for any further assistance. 

Student Safety Abroad

Step 1: consult the government of canada’s travel advisory  for your destination.

All Students travelling on University-sponsored or sanctioned international programs should consult the Canadian Government's Travel Advice and Advisory reports for their specific country/region. This site will also guide you regarding other particular security threats that may apply to your destination, entry/exit requirements and official travel documentation and health notices, local consular assistance and emergency services.

There are 4 Global Affairs Canada Travel advisory levels​

• Level 1 - Exercise normal security precautions​
• Level 2 - Exercise a high degree of caution​
• Level 3 - Avoid non-essential travel ​
• Level 4 - Avoid all travel ​ ​

Levels 3 & 4 are considered higher risk travel and you require special authorization to travel to these destinations. Please contact [email protected] as soon as posble to learn about the special authorisation process and for guidance on risk mitigation.​

Step 2: Attend a pre-departure workshop with Safety abroad

Safety abroad provide Pre-departure training for all students to support them in understanding the risk associated with travel to their destination and works with them to develop risk mitigation strategies.

Topics covered in pre-departure training​

• Travel preparations (research about destination, flight, accommodation arrangements)​
• Health and Wellness​
• Graduate students should follow The Graduate Student Risk Assessment Guidelines of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) when developing Risk assessment plans. ​
• York International's Travel Safe webpage​
• Guard.me® insurance​
• Inter-cultural awareness​ ​

How to register for Pre-departure Training ​

• To find the next pre-departure session check out the York International Calendar .​
• Sessions will be scheduled in collaboration with Program Coordinators. Students will be required to register in the appropriate pre-departure session. ​
• The full calendar of pre-departure workshops can be found here ​
• Contact Safety Abroad at: [email protected] if you are travelling internationally and would like information or support. ​
• Contact Safety Abroad at: [email protected]  if you are travelling internationally and would like information, support or pre departure training. ​

Step 3: Insurance (guard.me)

York Students traveling abroad for international programs are required to purchase guard.me® insurance.​ ​

To ensure safety and well-being of York students traveling abroad, York University has developed a partnership with guard.me® Insurance. It provides comprehensive insurance coverage and benefits that are in the best interest of the students and the university at-large.​ ​

guard.me® covers medical, emergency, evacuation, and 3rd party liability, among others. Please read the guard.me® benefit summary for more information. Students must register directly with guard.me® .​

If you are currently covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), or another provincial plan, be sure to contact the closest office to find out what regulations are applicable if you are outside Canada for an extended period of time. For more information, visit the  Ontario Ministry of Health  website.

Other Insurance

Travelers should consider trip cancellation and property insurance to cover changes to travel plans, and lost baggage or personal items while abroad.

Property Insurance

Some homeowner insurance policies extend property insurance worldwide. Check your policy to see if you need additional coverage. Normally a copy of the police report filed at the time of loss or theft will be needed before any claim will be considered. Taking preventive measures will decrease the likelihood of theft or property loss. When buying property insurance, ask:

• Is there a maximum amount I can claim?
• What does the insurance cover?
• What is the deductible (what amount will I be responsible for)?
• What items are not covered or get only limited coverage (usually cash, jewellery, computers, etc.)?

If you can't bear to lose something, leave it at home.

Step 4: Add your trip to the Travel Registry

All students participating in University sanctioned international activities are required to enrol in York University Safety Abroad Travel Registry. Your safety and security when going abroad for University activities is our mutual priority and the information provide on this travel registry will enable York to monitor travel advisories and safety/security concerns. It will also allow us to locate and provide help in case of an emergency overseas.​ ​

Please Complete the Safety Abroad Travel registry (You will need your passport York account to log on) at least 3 weeks prior to departure. If you encounter any problems or have questions, please reach out to the Safety Abroad team at: [email protected] ​ ​ ​

Step 5: Register with Canadians abroad

Signing up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service on the Global Affairs Canada website allows you to stay connected to Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.​ ​

If you run into problems because of your dual citizenship , contact the nearest Canadian diplomatic mission abroad (or Australian if Canadian unavailable) immediately.​ ​

If you are an International student please check with individual consular services of you home country. ​ ​

Step 6: Health Check and obtain any required vaccinations

It is the responsibility of all travelers to learn about their host country and take steps to ensure they can stay health and safe. Students should visit their doctor before traveling to enquire about any preventive measures they can take. Please also ensure you have :​

• official record of immunizations​
• medical certificates​
• your prescriptions (including eye glasses)​ ​

You may be required to show proof of specific immunizations when you enter certain countries, please consult your destination countries embassy for guidance on specific entry requirements. More information can be found on York International's Travel Safe webpage . Please reach out to the Safety Abroad team at: [email protected] if you have any questions. ​ ​ ​ ​

Staff and Faculty Safety Abroad

York University has prepared an International Travel Checklist for Faculty, Librarians, PDVs and Staff that helps you to prepare for your international travel related to the performance of professional responsibilities and provides you with resources for your international travel experience. Your safety and security when going abroad for University activities is our mutual priority and we encourage you to register your travel, determine the travel advisory level and investigate insurance. Adequate research of your destination and safety preparation is essential to your success. This includes research, study, recruitment, teaching, and service-related activities.

1. Travel Registration - Requesting Information on Voluntary Basis

All York community members are encouraged to register their travel on the Travel registry as this will allow York to offer support and emergency assistance. To register your international travel with Safety Abroad please complete York Staff and Faculty Travel registry (You will need your passport York account to log on) as soon as you can. If you encounter any problems or have questions, please reach out to the Safety Abroad team at: [email protected] ​​

2. Determine Travel Advisory Level

It is the responsibility of the traveller to determine that travel destinations are considered safe for university travel. Given that conditions may change, it is important to monitor travel advisories frequently prior to departure, as well as staying current on advisories during your travels.

Prior to travel determine the advisory safety level for your destination as defined by the Canadian Government's Travel Advice and Advisory reports  for your specific country/region.  This site will also guide you regarding other particular security threats that may apply to your destination, entry/exit requirements and official travel documentation and health notices, local consular assistance and emergency services.  

Understanding the risk:

N.B. : It is your responsibility to inform yourself of the advisory level for your destination via the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories and of the risks involved with travel to a high-risk location/area, identified as “avoid non-essential travel” or “avoid all travel”.

3. Insurance

Health Insurance Abroad: Are you covered?

Please be aware that if you are considering travel to high risk areas as defined by the Government of Canada risk level(s) that insurance coverage (travel, health and liability) can change and in some situations coverage can become invalid abruptly with changing conditions in many global destinations.

Before traveling outside Ontario or Canada for University activities it is suggested that you review your international/ out of province medical coverage.  It is important to check prior to planning your travel and again prior to departure. 

Please refer to your benefits booklet for out of country coverage: https://retire.info.yorku.ca/third-page/ .  Please also note printable coverage travel cards are available via the Sun Life Insurance app or Sun Life website, providing contact information for insurance-related needs.

Some potential additional sources of coverage are:

• Purchasing extended benefits plans- insurance providers such as Sun Life, Greenshield & AIG etc.
• Credit Card programs
• Travel Company program 

Please note OHIP no longer provides coverage for travellers outside of Canada. 

At a minimum we recommend you know the answers to and the risks associated with the answers to the following.

• Does your coverage provide international/ out of province medical expense coverage? Please note, in some instances international travel may be described as out of province.
• If international/ out of province medical coverage is provided is there a maximum amount the plan will pay.  For example, some plans will only pay a maximum of $10,000 for international/ out of province medical expenses.
• Is there coverage for repatriation for medical or safety reasons?
• If the Canadian government travel advisory is Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel) or Level 4 (Avoid all travel) is coverage still available? 
• When must you report (pre-treatment is often a requirement)?
• Who must you contact?
• What do you need to provide?
• What do I need to have with me to initiate coverage?

Please note if traveling with family members, the above questions should be asked for each person because their answers could be different.

• Are there country specific requirements? (eg entry/exit requirements, vaccines etc.) Please refer to the   Canadian Government's Travel Advice and Advisory reports  for your specific country/region. 

If you have questions about additional coverage please contact [email protected]

N.B.: It is your responsibility to assess and confirm the health coverage and coverage exclusion(s) applicable to your travels.

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We’re bringing  discounted, easy bus travel  to students across York so you can discover your new city, or keep doing the things you love, for less!

Our fantastic range of money-saving bus tickets will help you cut the cost of getting to lectures, going out with mates or shopping on the weekends, so you can spend more on the things you want to do.

To make it even easier, you can download the First Bus App to plan your journey, buy your discounted student ticket, and even track your upcoming bus live on a map so you're never waiting at the stop for long.

With our reliable bus services across York, you can travel between your accommodation, the campus, the city, the clubs and more - there's never been a better time to hop on board, with big savings that get you far!

Let's go!  Download the First Bus App to:

• Plan your bus journey from A to B, whether that's your next lecture, next shopping spree, or next night out.
• Buy your discounted student bus ticket - from our £2 Student Single, to our £430 Annual, there's a ticket for however you travel.
• Track your bus live on a map within the app, so you know when to head to your closest stop.

Tips for catching the bus:

• When your bus is approaching, remember to always stick your arm out to signal to the driver that you would like to catch this bus. Otherwise your the driver may not know he needs to stop.
• If you've bought a ticket on the First Bus App, make sure your ticket is activated in your wallet and ready to scan before you board. Some tickets may have a time limit after activating, during which the ticket must be scanned on the bus (you will receive a warning about any time limit before confirming activation).
• When on board the bus, make sure to press the bell in plenty of time before your stop. If no bell is pressed, the driver will continue going and you may miss your stop.
• When on board the bus, standing is only permitted on the lower deck, please do not stand on the stairs or the upper deck.
• If there's anything you're unsure on - ask your driver! They are there to help and can advise you on tickets, services and more.

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Stamford bridge.

Diversion route for service 10:

Normal route until Buttercrambe Road junction, then left into Buttercrambe Road, then using the Rosti car park entrance turn around and return to York Road (A166).

Stops not served:

Stamford Bridge.

Articles VPN: GlobalProtect on Windows

Vpn: globalprotect on windows, 6 mar 2024 • knowledge, instructions, before you begin.

• You must have  Duo two-factor authentication  set up on your account before you can use the University VPN.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) - IT Services

Download and install the VPN Software

The University VPN uses a piece of software called GlobalProtect . 

If you are using a University managed Windows laptop then the GlobalProtect software should already be installed and configured, so you can skip straight to  using GlobalProtect . 

If you cannot find GlobalProtect on your managed Windows laptop, you can install it from Software Center:

• Installing software on managed Windows computers using Software Center

To connect to campus-based services from off campus you will need to download and install the GlobalProtect VPN client:

• 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: Frequently asked questions (Microsoft Support)
• Windows 7  &  Windows 8  are  no longer supported by Microsoft or GlobalProtect. We can therefore only provide a best effort level of support. We recommend where possible that you upgrade to a supported version of Windows (10 or 11) as unsupported operating systems can pose an IT security threat.
• Open the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions. Choose the default options during the installation process
• Once the installation is complete, open GlobalProtect. It should be listed under  Palo Alto Networks > GlobalProtect  in the Start menu.

Configure GlobalProtect

GlobalProtect is preconfigured on University managed Windows laptops, so you can skip straight to  using GlobalProtect . 

Once you've installed GlobalProtect, you need to configure it to connect to the University VPN:

• The GlobalProtect window will appear and you will need to enter the portal address: vpn . york . ac . uk :

• Select Connect .
• A log in window will appear and you will have to enter your University username (eg ozw500) and your password.

• Select the Log in  button.
• You will be asked for your Duo two-factor authentication.

• Once you pass the Duo process, your VPN will be connected. The GlobalProtect icon will change to include a shield/protected icon and will be blue and no longer grey.

The University VPN is now configured and connected.

Using GlobalProtect

Connecting and disconnecting the VPN is the same process for managed, unmanaged and personal devices. 

To connect to the VPN:

• Select the GlobalProtect icon in the system tray (beside the time and date). When disconnected, this will look like a grey globe.

• If you don't see it straight away, select the arrow to show hidden icons:

• Alternatively, open the Start menu and type  "Global" . Your computer should search for and find the GlobalProtect app.

• The GlobalProtect window will appear.
• Select  Connect.
• A log in window will appear and you will have to enter your University username (eg ozw500) and your password.

When you are finished using the VPN, you should disconnect. To disconnect:

• Select the GlobalProtect icon in the system tray (beside the time and date). When connected this will look like a globe with a shield/protected mark on it.
• The GlobalProtect box will appear and you can select  Disconnect .

GlobalProtect auto-update

GlobalProtect for Windows will automatically ask you to upgrade when you connect to the VPN if a newer version is available. It is important to always accept this upgrade as it may contain critical security patches. It may also fix issues you would have encountered in the future.

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Green Impact is a United Nations award-winning programme designed to support environmentally and socially sustainable practice in organisations, and is run by Students Organising for Sustainability UK.

In 2022, we celebrated the  50th year of the Department of Computer Science  at the University of York. Our Founding Professor, Ian Pyle, was appointed on 1 January 1973. 

Visit our companion website where we are accumulating articles, memories and ephemera about the history of the department, alongside information about some of the events we held to mark the anniversary.

Department of Computer Science Deramore Lane , University of York , Heslington , York , YO10 5GH , UK Tel: work 01904 325501

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This website is now closed.

Now that the 2023/2024 academic year is over, Travel Society has a new committee and this website no longer shows new society updates. Thanks to all our members and committee for a fantastic year - and here's to the future of the society! Check out the Travel Soc Instagram page for new updates!

• Browse the old site

Travel Society UoY

Do you love to travel? Then this is the Society for you! Come to our regular meetings and socials to make friends, find Travel Buddies and share stories about your adventures. You can also join us on our Society planned trips around the country and world!

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Past Socials & Events

Week 10: pub crawl.

19:30 Wednesday 1st May 2024 York Join us for a bar crawl on Wednesday starting at 7:30 PM at Brew York 🍻, followed by Fossgate Social, then Dusk. Hope to see you all there!! Like the message in our society chat if you can join us 💛

Week 9: Hiking Trip - Ilkley

Saturday 27th April Ilkley, West Yorkshire 💐 Join us this Sat, 27th April, for a hiking trip from York to Ilkley! Meet at 9:51 at the station. Wear boots or trainers, pack snacks, and let's explore Cow and Calf Rocks! See you there! 🌸🌼🌻🌺🪷💐🌷🍀☘️🌿🌱🪵

Week 5: Puttstars York ⛳️

Thursday 14th March 2024 Puttstars, York Join us this Thursday at Puttstars for £7.50 each. Secure your spot with a bank transfer - DM us by Tuesday for details! ⛳️

Week 4: Pub Quiz 🤔📝🍻

Wednesday 6th March 2024 Edinburgh Arms 🌟 Join the thrill at our Week 4 Social: Pub Quiz on Wednesday, 6th March! 🍻 Test your knowledge, enjoy good company, and maybe even win some prizes! 🏆🤔 Get ready for an evening of fun, laughter, and friendly competition. Save the date! 📅🎉

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Week 3: Roxy's Ball Games York ♦️♥️🕹️🎳

6:30 PM on Thursday 29th February 2024 Join us at our Week 3 Social at Roxy's! 🎳 Get ready for an evening filled with fun activities including ice-free curling, duck-pin bowling, and shuffleboard! 🥌🎳 Mark your calendars for Thursday 29th Feb at 6:30 PM and make sure to grab your spot for just £8.50! Tickets are available for purchase using the button below. Don't miss out on the excitement! See you there!

• Add to calendar

Week 2: Otley Run 🍻🥂🏃

Saturday 24th February 2024 This weeks social will be on Saturday and we will be doing the Otley Run 🏃 (a bar crawl through Headingley into Leeds). We’ll be heading out on the 14:12 train from York to Headingley so make sure to get your tickets 🎟️ Hope to see you all there!! Best costume will get a free drink so be creative 🥇🙌. Give the message a like if you can join :)

Week 1: Meal out at Turtle Bay

Thursday 15th February 2024 This weeks social will be a meal out at Turtle Bay 🐢 . Please like the message 💚 on our WhatsApp group chat if you can join us as we will need to make reservations. Hope to see you all there!!

International Winter Formal - The Principal

Wednesday 13th December 2023

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Ice Skating Social - York Winter Wonderland

Monday 11th December 2023 - 8:30 PM (arrive for 8:15 PM) Join us for an exciting evening ice skating at York’s Winter Wonderland at the Designer Outlet! ⛸️🎄 Please purchase your ticket via the button below at least 24hrs before the social to ensure you get a place. And let us know on our WhatsApp group chat so we can meet you there! 😄

Chill Bar Crawl - Slug & Lettuce

Tuesday 5th December 2023 - 8PM Join us for a chilled bar crawl social around york. Starting at Slug & Lettuce. We'd love to see you there!

Pub Crawl - The Postern Gate -> Lowther

Thursday 30th November 2023

Chilled Social - Abi's House -> Dusk

Thursday 23rd November 2023

FLAGS: International Party

Thursday 9th November 2023 Manhatta

Bar Crawl starting at The Lowther

Thursday 19th October 2023

Bar Crawl starting at Brew York

Friday 13th October 2023

Thursday 5th October 2023 The Postern Gate -> Dusk -> Lowther -> Flares

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Thursday 28th September 2023

Saturday 27th April 2024 Ilkley, West Yorkshire 💐 Join us this Sat, 27th April, for a hiking trip from York to Ilkley! Meet at 9:51 at the station. Wear boots or trainers, pack snacks, and let's explore Cow and Calf Rocks! See you there! 🌸🌼🌻🌺🪷💐🌷🍀☘️🌿🌱🪵

Marrakesh, Morocco

5th-9th February 2024 Thanks for joining us on our Morocco 🇲🇦 trip! 🌟 We had a lovely time exploring and making memories. Excited for more adventures and socials ahead! 🌍✨

Travel Society

Meet the 2023/24 committee.

New UoY Travel Society crew in town for November 2023 — here for the thrills, spills, and a bit of chaos. Let's make memories! 🌏

Abi - Co-President

Alara - Co-President

Sanako - Treasurer

Elliot - Secretary

Lester - Wellbeing Secretary

Katie - Social Secretary

Iris - Social Media Secretary

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Travelsoc social - week 2 - roxy's.

Week 2 Thursday 29th February 2024 - £5.00

Any questions? Get in touch! We're a friendly society and we'd love for you to join us.

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Best Life Insurance of June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Life insurance is as complicated as the policyholders and beneficiaries who use it. That means there's no single "best" life insurance company. Instead, you can find the best option based on what you want or what you prioritize.

Summary of the Best Life Insurance Companies

• Best for customer satisfaction:   State Farm Life Insurance
• Best for older adults:   Prudential Life Insurance
• Best for agent support:   New York Life Insurance
• Best for long-term care:   Columbus Life
• Best for high returns:   Allianz Life
• Best for term life:   North American Company

Best Life Insurance Companies of 2024

While there is no such thing as the objective best life insurance policy, you will be able to find the best insurance policy for your specific needs. Here are our picks for the best life insurance companies, whether you want to use your life insurance policy to build wealth through cash value or you're just looking for a term life insurance policy .

Best Life Insurance for Customer Satisfaction: State Farm Life Insurance

Bundling is standard, and agents often quote with multiple discounts.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Best in JD Power customer service ratings
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Company offers a range of different insurance products to meet buyer needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Agents are knowledgeable about its products
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Life insurance products are conservative and limited
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may be subject to multi-year waiting periods before they qualify for full payouts on life insurance policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. State Farm agents cannot offer alternative options if State Farm is unable to bind a life insurance policy

State Farm is one of the insurance industry's most prominent insurers offering auto, home, and other insurance. Bundling is standard, and agents often quote with multiple discounts. Its term, universal, and whole life insurance products are no exception.

• Life insurance products include term and permanent life
• Ranks highly for customer satisfaction

State Farm Life Insurance gets the best life insurance ranking in J.D Power's Individual Life Insurance Study, with a score of 843/1,000. The company is also ranked A++ with AM Best for its financial stability with term, universal, and whole life insurance options. 

All State Farm policies have to be purchased through a State Farm agent. Your agent can help you bundle and save or buy one policy. State Farm is also among the companies offering "survivorship universal life insurance ," which means the policy covers two people, and it kicks in after the second person dies. Couples looking to maximize their death benefit for beneficiaries with one premium payment each month may enjoy lower overall costs.

State Farm agents can run quotes and compare options to find the right plans for each applicant. The range of options, discounts, and familiar name all contribute to the popularity of State Farm's life insurance.

Read our State Farm Life Insurance review here.

Best Life Insurance for Older Adults: Prudential VUL Protector Life Insurance

Offers aggressive financial plans.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states (New York residents may have different plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Buyers can withdraw money to pay for nursing home bills due to severe illness or disability
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Knowledgeable agents who can walk you through your options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Financial returns are limited
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited policy options for seniors and other groups who might struggle to find life insurance

The aggressive financial plans offered by Prudential may appeal to many younger buyers and those with a stable income. However, those with lower income or buyers who aren't sure about the financial system may be more hesitant to engage with Prudential. Like many other industry giants, Prudential is working to change this perception.

Prudential Life Insurance is available in all states except New York. New York residents can buy the Pruco Life of New Jersey VUL Protector plan. This plan allows buyers to pull money out of their plan to pay for nursing home expenses. Cash value policy premiums are fixed, so you won't have to worry about extra costs later on. Internal costs are low, which minimizes risk. Due to age, many older adults want a safe investment option for their money. Prudential VUL Protector invests to avoid loss. That also means you're not as likely to see big increases in your available funds outside of what you deposit.

Read our Prudential Life Insurance review here.

Best Life Insurance for Long-Term Care: Columbus Life Insurance

Offers lien method to makes it easier to calculate the financial impact of pulling money out early.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Buyers can pull money out for medical and other bills in the event of disease or disability
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Columbus uses lien method to simplify accelerated death payments
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Company offers a wide range of riders to customize policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may be higher than competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Term policies are not guaranteed to be converted to whole

Best for long-term care and accelerated death benefits.

Columbus Life offers a wide range of riders to customize your policy with affordable premiums. The company also allows you to convert term policies to whole life insurance policies until the end of your term (generally around age 70). For this and many other reasons, customer satisfaction is high.

When using living health benefits (otherwise known as accelerated death benefits), buyers are allowed to pull money from policies early to pay for medical bills, living costs, etc. under certain circumstances. Most companies use a discounted death benefit, which reduces your final payout using two models. Columbus uses the lien method, which makes it easier to calculate the financial impact of pulling money out early.

Best Life Insurance for High Returns on Income: Allianz Life Insurance

Offers life insurance policies for foreign nationals with H-1B visas.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Plans offer high returns on investment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great for investment and long-term retirement planning
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. May increase your income by as much as 20%
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Allianz offers plans for foreign nationals including H-1B visas
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans are meant specifically for high-income adults, alternatives may not be offered

Best for investing and high returns on income.

Allianz Life plans are geared towards high-income adults looking for more tax-free income. Allianz offers a 40% multiplier bonus with a 1% annual assets charge. In short, the professionals managing your investments take 10%. Overall, your investments would pull in an extra 14%-1% asset charge. This means you end up with 3% more than what you deposit every year your life policy is active. This plan offers strong returns when using a life policy to supplement your retirement savings. Allianz also offers specialized plans to grow your income by as much as 20% according to some estimates.

Of note: Allianz also offers plans for foreign nationals, including those with H-1B visas.

Best Life Insurance for Agent Support: New York Life Insurance

Offers aggressive financial products and extensively trained agents.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong life insurance options for financial planning and wealth building
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policies available nationwide
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Knowledgeable life insurance agents
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. May require a medical exam
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers looking for more modest policies may not find the most competitive pricing

If you're preparing for a comfortable retirement or looking to build generational wealth, New York Life is one of the strongest options. If you have questions or genuinely want to understand your life insurance options, New York Life agents are among the most qualified professionals in the business.

• Life insurance provider with policies available across the US

New York Life Insurance agents go through extensive training before they ever hit the sales floor. What does this get you? Policies vary widely, and New York Life offers both large and small payouts. Some policies have significant penalties for early withdrawal, but taking a loan offers more options. Whatever your questions, New York Life agents are trained to offer comprehensive support giving you accurate information about its policies every time. The company comes in at position eight in J.D. Power's latest life insurance customer satisfaction study.

Read our New York Life Insurance review here.

Best Life Insurance for Term Life: North American Life Insurance

Offers term policies alongside accelerated death benefits for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses and more.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers accelerated death benefits for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers conversion for life policies up to 70 years old
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Term policies can be renewed up to age 95 for qualifying applicants
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not all term policies qualify for renewal or conversion

Best Term Policy.

North American Company offers term policies alongside accelerated death benefits for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses and more. The company allows one conversion on a 20-year policy at 15 years or 70 years old (whichever is earlier). The conversion cannot happen later than the five-year marker regardless of which policy you choose or the length. North American Company also offers a term policy with a lower premium renewable up to the age of 95 for qualifying insureds.

Types of Life Insurance

While there's many different types of life insurance policies , broadly speaking, there are two types of life insurance: temporary and permanent. Let's go over each in detail.

Temporary life insurance

Temporary life insurance is often called term life insurance. This type of policy covers you for a set amount of time before expiring, usually between 10-30 years. If you pass away after your policy expires, your family won't receive any benefits. Additionally, your policy won't accrue cash value like a permanent policy. That said, some term life insurance policies offer a conversion from term to whole life insurance, so you can extend your coverage. 

Because its benefits aren't guaranteed, term life policies are generally cheaper than permanent life insurance. That said, the vast majority of term life insurance policies never pay out. on

Permanent life insurance

Permanent life insurance is an umbrella term for a variety of life insurance policies that will insure you indefinitely and guarantee a payout as long as you maintain your policy. Policy types that fall under permanent life insurance includes:

• Whole life insurance
• Universal life insurance
• Variable life insurance
• Variable universal life insurance
• Simplified life insurance
• Guaranteed issue life insurance

These policies vary widely in purpose and intended buyers, but all guarantee death benefits to your loved ones. Some permanent life insurance policies, like whole, universal, and variable have a cash value component , which you can use as a savings tool or to leave your heirs a larger death benefit.

How to Pick the Best Life Insurance Policy for You

Finding the right fit in life insurance starts with finding a trusted insurance agent. Because there are so many state regulations, shopping for homeowners or auto insurance can be easily done online. Life insurance is not required. So it's a voluntary purchase. Many buyers don't know what they need or when they need it. Before making your selection, consider a few things:

Some companies will sell you a policy for your child as soon as they're born. While this may seem morbid, early sign-up means lower rates for a policy your child could enjoy in the future. Regardless, early sign-up equates to more policy for lower premiums and a higher likelihood of acceptance. At 20, you may be healthier and be able to pay into the policy for a longer period compared to when you're 50 with more age-related conditions.

As a general rule, never agree to more than you can afford. For the average life insurance agent, their job is to sell you a large policy with a large commission. Consider not only how much you make now, but how likely your current income is to continue. If you work on a project basis and your project is scheduled to end in 12 months, you may want to reconsider a policy premium outside your monthly savings.

How much are you prepared to buy? Some people only want a small policy to cover funerals and other end-of-life expenses. Others build a life policy into their retirement plan. Whatever direction you're going, involving a financial planner could help you make the right decisions. Depending on the carrier, customers can also compare set limits with index universal life policies, which set no limit. These policies never expire, and the value builds over the entirety of your life.

Living Benefits

Life happens unexpectedly. You could be healthy one day and in the hospital the next. Many life policies offer living benefits. These allow you to draw a limited amount out of your policy to cover medical and other bills you cannot pay while sick.

Much like a 401(k), many life insurance policies have penalties for early withdrawal. No matter what policy you want, this question is critical to an informed decision. It's a question of how early you can withdraw and how much you'll lose from the total to have the money in 10 years instead of 30 or after death.

Some policies require insured parties to pay premiums for at least one year before any significant payout would be available. Suicide exclusions are common. Even with no medical exam policies, the company may still do a check for known conditions. An insurance company has to mitigate its risk.

Flexibility

Once you've been denied a life insurance policy, a mark goes on your record. No matter the reasons, other insurance companies may deny you coverage based on the first denial. So consider your whole situation and choose your policy carefully before you submit any applications. Some policies have greater flexibility if you lose your job or otherwise can't make payments. Others will lapse if you miss even one payment.

Payment Type

Even within whole life or term life insurance policies, customers have the option to choose guaranteed fixed or variable rates. Some have guaranteed payouts, but you'll need to ask your agent for details.

What is your intended use? Why are you shopping for a life insurance policy in the first place, and what are your goals? Many successful financial planners also have a background in life insurance. So while they may not be able to find you a specific life insurance policy, financial planners can help you set out a blueprint for your purchase.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Life Insurance Companies

In life insurance, it's easy to get "sold a bill of goods." Many life insurance agents pass a state test to be thrown into the deep end. Agents sell the company product, but not all know the products. In this vein, we look at the products each company offers. We also look at agent training.

A good life insurance agent may not volunteer all facts upfront. But a company's agents should answer questions about its products accurately and in a way the average consumer can digest. Agents should be able to inform you about the long-term benefits and limitations. This will help customers find the right policy for their long-term plan.

We consider affordability, policy sizes available, and performance for a comprehensive assessment in our insurance rating methodology . If you can, we recommend also working with a financial advisor to make a plan for your future with life insurance.

Our Expert Panel for The Best Life Insurance Companies

To inform our choices for the best life insurance companies, we spoke with the following experts:

• Paul LaPiana , head of product at MassMutual
• Barbara Pietrangelo , CFP, CLU, and chair of the nonprofit Life Happens
• Wykeeta Peel , Corporate Vice President and Market Manager, African American Market Unit at New York Life

The Experts' Advice on Choosing The Best Life Insurance for You

How much life insurance coverage do you believe the average buyer should have.

Paul LaPiana, Head of Product at MassMutual

"There are different approaches to determining how much life insurance you need. One is the 'human life' approach, which estimates the current value of your future earning potential. Another is securing specific coverage to pay off debts such as a mortgage or provide for the education of children. A comprehensive protection plan should provide the right amount of coverage over the course of your working life and into retirement."

Barbara A. Pietrangelo, Chair of Life Happens

"There is no one-size-fits-all life insurance policy because everyone is different. One way to get a rough estimate is to multiply your income by 10 to 15; another is adding $100,00 to that amount, should you have a child and anticipate college education expenses.

Your best bet is to talk to a financial professional or use the Life Insurance Needs Calculator on LifeHappens.org to analyze what's right for you."

Wykeeta Peel, Corporate Vice President & Market Manager African American Market Unit at New York Life

"As you consider what policy best meets your needs, it can help to answer four key questions: First, how much death benefit do you need? Second, how long will you need that coverage? Third, what is your budget (or how much monthly premium can you afford to pay?), and finally, what is your investment risk tolerance?

To determine how much death benefit makes sense, it's helpful to think beyond using life insurance to cover funeral expenses and consider whether anyone is relying on the policy owner's income to maintain a lifestyle, pay rent or a mortgage, or fund a child's education and for how long.

There are various rules of thumb regarding the right amount of Life insurance coverage. Some tips can be found online, but they only provide an estimate and don't necessarily factor in an individual's specific needs. In my opinion, human guidance, powered by technology, is required. Basically, it comes down to how much money your loved ones would need to remain on firm financial ground if your earnings were no longer in the picture and that is different for everyone."

What is the biggest opportunity you see for improvement in the life insurance industry?

"Increased accessibility through digital and other channels as well as through underwriting enhancements. Increased tailoring of products and features. And an increased emphasis on health and wellness programs."

"Having enough qualified insurance professionals to walk potential buyers through the multiple benefits of life insurance will be pivotal to the growth of the industry. Education is a key factor here, as professional agents also need to be able to explain life insurance and its benefits in an easy, digestible way, especially when there are so many misconceptions about life insurance."

"The need for life insurance is greater than ever. In fact, a recent New York Life Wealth Watch survey found that 37% of adults have been thinking about life insurance more often these days – and half of adults report that financial products that provide protection (50%) and reliability (50%) are more important now compared to last year. This may be especially true for middle-market and Cultural Market families.

Our organizational structure of having Cultural Market agents embedded in the communities where we live and work allows us to understand the needs of diverse communities and develop solutions that resonate with them."

What advice would you give to buyers who are debating whether or not to buy life insurance?

"It is difficult to say with any certainty how healthy you will be years from now. That's why securing life insurance, and insuring your insurability, today, when you are the youngest you'll ever be again, and perhaps your healthiest is a wise decision."

"Do you love someone? If the answer is yes, then life insurance is certainly something you should consider. Many buy gifts and experiences to express their love, but haven't considered that life insurance is just another way to say I love you. Nothing says support like ensuring your family's financial security and peace of mind."

"If you have someone depending on your income, you should consider purchasing life insurance. A death benefit from a life insurance policy can replace income from the loss of a breadwinner, ensure a family can stay in their home, fund educational or retirement expenses, address debt and so much more.

A life insurance policy can also help you grow your family's wealth over time. Once the risk of an unexpected loss has been managed, you can begin to think more broadly about your family's financial future. Life insurance can enable your mindset to shift from death to growth."

What's the most important thing buyers should look for when choosing a life insurance agent/company to buy from?

"With life insurance, you are securing a future commitment that may be decades away. Research the company behind the policy to ensure it has high financial strength ratings, longevity, and an excellent track record of paying claims."

"When looking for an insurance agent or company, be sure to do your research. When comparing companies, be sure to remember that the policy features that fit you and your loved ones best is the most important factor. Don't automatically assume you should buy from the higher-rated company.

If the policy from the other company has more of what you're looking for, it might be the better choice. If you're unsure where to start, try the Life Happens Agent Locator to find an insurance professional in your area."

• "The insurers' track record: At its core, life insurance is protection - a hedge against the unexpected - and you are paying premiums in exchange for the promise that the insurer will be there when you need them, so the financial strength and track record of the company backing your policy is critical.
• Customer service: Are service professionals available by phone and digital channels? Is there is an online dashboard where you can manage your policy? Beyond ensuring assistance is available after you purchase a policy, it's also critical to ensure you have access to trusted advice and guidance before you buy.
• Flexibility in conversion: How easy is it to change? Life can be unpredictable and while term insurance can cover your loved ones through a critical period of time, you may decide that access to cash value is an important piece of your strategy.
• Accelerated online applications : Online applications are convenient but don't replace human guidance. Keep in mind that accelerated online applications may have a maximum coverage amount, meaning that you may not be able to get all the coverage you may need exclusively through an online process.
• A range of payment options: It's important to understand how often you're required to make premium payments and whether and how often you can change the frequency of payments."

Best Life Insurance FAQs

According to JD Power's 2023 life insurance study, State Farm is the highest-rated life insurance company when it comes to overall customer satisfaction. However, you still may want to shop around for quotes from various insurers if you're looking to purchase a new policy.

There isn't one best life insurance company, because the best option for you will depend on the type of policy you're looking for. It's best to work with a qualified insurance agent to help you find the best coverage. If you're deciding between multiple similar options, it's also worth consulting J.D. Power's life insurance customer satisfaction study . The latest study ranks State Farm as the top pick for individual life insurance, outpacing Nationwide by three points.

The best type of life insurance policy for you will differ from someone else's, as your policy should be tailored to your needs. The best policy for you will be affordable and will offer the benefits best suited to your situation. For example, some policies are only meant to cover end-of-life expenses such as burial and funeral arrangements, whereas others include living benefits like a cash value insurance plan , which you can borrow against during your lifetime.

Some life insurance policies are advertised as "no medical exam." This doesn't mean the insurer won't ask you about known conditions or look at medical records. Policies with no medical exam also tend to offer lower benefits with higher premiums. Most companies have a network of medical examiners, some of whom can come to your home. You can find our guide on the best no exam life insurance here.

Each situation is different and requires a knowledgeable life insurance agent to assess your best options. Bring all your questions and the coverage you're looking for to an insurance agent near you to explore your options.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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