Get Life Quotes Today is independent. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or paid by Globe Life or Colonial Penn for this page, and calling our number does not connect you to either company. If you already have a policy and need help with billing, changes or a claim, contact the company that issued it directly. The licensed agents we connect callers with may or may not offer these companies' products.
Side by side
| Globe Life | Colonial Penn | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Insurance company | Insurance company |
| Headquarters | McKinney, Texas | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Ownership | Subsidiary of Globe Life Inc., a public company | Subsidiary of CNO Financial Group, a public company |
| AM Best financial strength | A (Excellent), affirmed by AM Best in November 2025 for Globe Life Inc.'s key life and health subsidiaries. Source: AM Best release via Business Wire (opens in a new tab). | A (Excellent), affirmed by AM Best in April 2026 for CNO Financial Group's life and health subsidiaries. Source: AM Best release via Business Wire (opens in a new tab). |
| How it sells | Mostly direct to consumers. Sister companies in the same group sell through agents. | Directly to consumers. |
Globe Life
A publicly traded insurer headquartered in McKinney, Texas. Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company sells life insurance directly to consumers by mail, television and online.
Known for
- Direct-to-consumer term and whole life with no medical exam
- Children's life insurance
- Heavy direct mail and television advertising
What to weigh
- Direct-sold term coverage is often priced in age bands, so the premium can rise as you move into an older band. Ask how the price changes over time.
- Coverage amounts on direct-sold policies are modest compared with fully underwritten term life
- Introductory offers apply to the first payment only. Look at the ongoing premium.
Colonial Penn
A Philadelphia-based insurer and a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group, best known for guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance advertised on television to people aged 50 to 85.
Known for
- Guaranteed acceptance whole life with no health questions and no exam
- Coverage sold in units, where one unit has a fixed monthly price
- Direct sales by phone, mail and online
What to weigh
- The amount of coverage one unit buys depends on your age and sex, and it is lower for older applicants. Ask for the dollar amount of coverage, not only the unit price.
- The guaranteed acceptance policy has a two-year limited benefit period. A non-accidental death in that time pays back premiums plus interest instead of the full benefit.
- People in reasonable health may qualify for more coverage per dollar from a policy that asks health questions
Which one to look at more closely
Neither company is better for everyone. The right fit depends on your age, health, state and what you want the policy to do.
- Look more closely at Globe Life if you want term or whole life and are willing to answer health questions.
- Look more closely at Colonial Penn if you want a policy that cannot turn you down for health reasons, and you accept the two-year limited benefit.
How to check any insurer yourself
- Look up the current financial strength rating at AM Best (opens in a new tab). Ratings change, so check the date.
- Compare complaint records with the NAIC consumer information search (opens in a new tab).
- Confirm the company and the agent are licensed with your state insurance department.
- Ask whether the policy has a waiting period. How graded benefits work.
Sources
- AM Best affirms credit ratings of Globe Life Inc. (Business Wire, November 2025) (opens in a new tab)
- AM Best rating search (opens in a new tab)
- AM Best affirms credit ratings of CNO Financial Group (Business Wire, April 2026) (opens in a new tab)
Facts on this page were checked on October 13, 2026 and can change. This is general information, not a recommendation or insurance advice. Company names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to identify the companies discussed.