Veterans Group Life Insurance Review & Complaints: Life Insurance (2024)
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) allows those leaving military service to transfer and continue their life insurance coverage without having to qualify for a new policy. Veterans Group Life Insurance rates can vary based on your age and coverage, with older policyholders paying the highest prices. In our Veterans Group Life Insurance review we find that veterans life insurance rates may be cheaper elsewhere.
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many different insurance providers, which gives him unique insight into the insurance market...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
UPDATED: Mar 10, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 10, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a government program designed to help veterans continue their life insurance after leaving the service. It carries over Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and also allows for increased coverage to veterans once they return to civilian life.
VGLI standard premium rates may be a better deal for you, but you may want to compare VGLI quotes to multiple other companies to see which is best. We can help.
Whether you want to read a complete Veterans Group Life Insurance review or just see some rates, we can help. Enter your ZIP code to compare rates now, then read more below.
Who is Veterans Group Life Insurance?
VGLI benefits are provided through Prudential to allow those leaving military service to transfer and continue their life insurance policy without having to undergo a medical exam or qualify for life insurance elsewhere after separation from service.
Those who are enrolled in the full-time Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program can apply for VGLI within one year and 120 days from separation from service. There is a time limit of 240 days after discharge to apply without having to answer health questions; after that time the applicant’s health may impact eligibility. There are a few eligibility requirements aside from the 240-day period after release from active service. These are:
- Release from active duty or active duty for training where there is no specified call to duty period of fewer than 31 days
- Release, retirement, or other separation from the National Guard or Ready Reserves
- Assignment to Ready Reserves in any branch of service, Inactive National Guard, or the United States Public Health Service Inactive
- Reserve Corps
- Temporary Disability Retirement
- Injury or disability while insured with part-time SGLI which is a type of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance that renders you ineligible for commercial term life insurance policies
This post-separation life insurance for veterans can only be accessed by those who qualify and through the government application process.
A VGLI conversion program is available if you prefer to convert your life insurance policy to a private insurance company. There is no VGLI cash surrender value, however, because it is a term life policy. You may have to undergo a medical exam to switch companies.
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What is the VGLI Life Insurance program?
The coverage available from this individual policy starts at a maximum of the same amount carried under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), with increases in the death benefit available every five years of $25,000. The maximum coverage available is $400,0000. After age 60, the death benefit amount cannot be increased. Thus, a servicemember carrying $100,000 in coverage can obtain this same amount initially, and then add $25,000 every five years until the maximum is reached or they turn 60, whichever comes sooner.
Those who are eligible can also choose to purchase smaller amounts of life insurance in increments of $10,000.
Plans under the VGLI program are renewable term life insurance and remain in force for life as long as premiums are paid and the plan is renewed every five years; health does not impact this. However, rates do go up every five years based on the age bracket of the insured at the time of renewal, which is fairly standard for renewable term insurance.
Coverage is guaranteed for those who are eligible and apply within the time period, regardless of the insured’s health, which can provide peace of mind if you have children, or a family, and are concerned that you may not qualify for other life coverage. If you’re wondering about VGLA vs SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan), they are two different plans entirely, with the latter related to military pension benefits rather than life insurance options.
How much are VGLI Life Insurance rates?
VGLI monthly premiums are set based on the veteran’s age. VGLI monthly premiums are laid out in a table format on the Veteran’s Affairs website. This VGLI rate chart can help you to determine what your monthly premium rates would be while you’re comparing life insurance options.
Monthly premium rates start at $0.80 per month for $10,000 in coverage if the applicant is 29 or under. A $100,000 policy would cost $8.00 per month for that same age group, climbing to $460.00 per month for an applicant over 75.
A $400,000 policy for an applicant 29 or under would cost $32.00 a month. By age 75, those monthly premiums go up to $1840.00 a month, an incredible amount of money to pay for life insurance premiums in retirement. While this plan starts out very affordable, it becomes very expensive for those who need it in force into their senior years. There are private companies that may offer better insurance for veterans, with lower monthly premium rates and comparable insurance benefits.
There is very little information about an additional coverage option that can be added to an individual policy on the website.
How are VGLI Life Insurance claims processed?
Claims can be filed by downloading the claims form, which is readily available on the Veterans Affairs website, and either faxing or mailing it in. A number of different claim forms are available depending on the status of the beneficiary. You will likely need your VGLI control number in order to file.
The company’s website does not offer a VGLI phone number for filing claims, however, there is a phone number offered for questions on Ebenefits by contacting the Office of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (OSGLI). You can contact the OSGLI at 1-800-419-1473. There is a VGLI login on the site that allows you to access your account.
There is no indication of how quickly the death benefit is paid.
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Navigating the Veterans Group Life: Claims Process Insights
Ease of Filing a Claim (online, over the phone, mobile apps)
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) offers a straightforward claims process. Beneficiaries can download the claims form from the Veterans Affairs website and submit it via fax or mail. Unfortunately, there’s no online claims submission or dedicated mobile app for filing claims, which may be a drawback for those seeking digital convenience.
Average Claim Processing Time
While the information on the exact claim processing time for VGLI is not provided, it’s essential to note that the VGLI website does not mention a specific timeline for processing claims. Prospective claimants should contact the Office of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) for information on claim processing times.
Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts
As a government-sponsored program administered through Prudential, VGLI doesn’t have readily available customer reviews or ratings on consumer review sites. Feedback regarding claim resolutions and payouts is limited, making it challenging to provide comprehensive insights into the customer experience with claims under VGLI.
Unveiling Veterans Group Life: Digital Advancements and Technological Features
Mobile App Features and Functionality
Unfortunately, Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) does not offer a dedicated mobile app. This means that policyholders do not have access to features and functionalities typically available through a mobile app, such as policy management, claims tracking, or instant customer support on their smartphones.
Online Account Management Capabilities
VGLI provides online account management capabilities through their website. Policyholders can access their accounts online, view policy details, and find important information about their coverage. However, the absence of a dedicated mobile app limits the ease of access and convenience for managing policies on-the-go.
Digital Tools and Resources
The VGLI website serves as the primary digital platform for policyholders, offering essential information, forms, and resources related to their life insurance coverage. However, VGLI does not provide an extensive array of digital tools or interactive resources that could enhance the overall user experience and engagement with the insurance service.
Are VGLI Life Insurance ratings and consumer reviews positive?
VGLI is not a commercial life insurance company but does go through Prudential Insurance and as a result, does not have a Better Business Bureau (BBB) page or rating. We were unable to locate reviews of VGLI’s service elsewhere on the internet.
As a government-sponsored program, it is not surprising that VGLI doesn’t appear on the usual consumer review sites. Due to the lack of reviews available it is difficult to provide information on how the rate of their services compared to other companies.
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What’s the bottom line?
VGLI has the benefit of allowing coverage to be transferred without health impacting eligibility, but it grows very expensive over time. For those who are in good health, and for those who require lifetime coverage, it may be more affordable to obtain commercial life insurance. VGLI offers only term insurance; for many, the flat rate of a permanent policy will be less costly in the long term. It would be wise for veterans to compare their options, obtain quotes, and consider the long-term affordability of each option prior to making a decision.
With all of the information in the Veterans Group Life Insurance review at your disposal, it’s time to compare rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI)?
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a life insurance program offered to military veterans who have served in the Armed Forces. It provides renewable term life insurance coverage after military service.
Who is eligible for VGLI?
Veterans who were insured under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) during their military service are generally eligible for VGLI. Additionally, members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard who are separating from the military and have SGLI coverage may also be eligible.
How does VGLI coverage work?
VGLI offers renewable term life insurance coverage. Initially, the coverage amount is based on the amount of SGLI coverage the veteran had at the time of separation from the military. The coverage can be continued for the rest of the veteran’s life as long as premiums are paid.
Can I increase my VGLI coverage?
Yes, veterans have the option to increase their VGLI coverage by $25,000 every five years, up to the maximum limit of $400,000. This increase can be done without providing evidence of good health during certain periods.
How do I apply for VGLI?
To apply for VGLI, veterans can complete an application either online or by mail. The application forms and instructions can be obtained from the Veterans’ Affairs (VA) website or by contacting the VA directly.
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many different insurance providers, which gives him unique insight into the insurance market...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.