Globe Life vs Lincoln Heritage

Verdict

Globe Life and Lincoln Heritage both sell small whole life policies without a medical exam, but one is a multi-brand public group and the other a single-product private company. Globe Life (NYSE: GL) sells term, whole life, children's whole life, final expense, accidental death and supplemental health through direct mail, online and phone, plus exclusive agents under American Income Life, Liberty National and Family Heritage. Lincoln Heritage is owned by the family-held Londen Insurance Group and sells one main product, Funeral Advantage whole life, through licensed agents with leads from television, online and phone requests.

Lincoln Heritage's Funeral Advantage offers up to $35,000 for ages up to 85, with level premiums, a short health questionnaire rather than an exam, and a free Personal Funeral Advisor service. It is sold in 48 states, not New York or Washington. Globe Life is available in all 50 states, with a New York company, and its direct term runs up to $100,000. Lincoln Heritage is unrelated to Lincoln Financial, despite the similar name.

On ratings, both hold A (Excellent) from AM Best (Globe Life as of November 2025; Lincoln Heritage as of July 2025, upgraded from A-). Globe Life also has AA- from S&P and Fitch; Lincoln Heritage is not rated by the other agencies per its materials. Globe Life ranked 11th of 23 in the J.D. Power 2026 study; Lincoln Heritage was not ranked. Globe Life disclosed DOJ and SEC inquiries that closed without enforcement action in July 2025 and a pending shareholder class action. Lincoln Heritage's profile notes a $4,500 Connecticut fine in September 2023 for agents selling without the required appointment.

Choose Globe Life if

• You need term coverage up to $100,000 or whole life for a child.
• You live in New York or Washington, where Lincoln Heritage is not sold.
• You want AA- ratings from S&P and Fitch alongside AM Best.
• You are comfortable with a public company whose investigations closed in 2025.

Choose Lincoln Heritage if

• You want a final expense whole life policy for ages up to 85 with up to $35,000 of coverage.
• You value the free funeral planning and price-comparison service.
• You prefer a privately held, family-owned insurer that specializes in final expense.
• You accept that modified coverage may apply if you do not meet the full health requirements.

Key differences

Before you decide

Small final expense policies cost more per $1,000 than underwritten coverage, so price both and a fully underwritten quote if your health allows (how to compare life insurance quotes fairly). Read final expense insurance: what it covers and costs and check the first-years benefit on any modified policy. Rating dates and agency scales are covered in AM Best, S&P, Moody's and Fitch ratings explained.