Guardian Life was found in 1860 and was known as the Germania Life Insurance Company of New York. The company changed its name to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America in 1917 and converted to a wholly mutual company in 1925. The policyholders own the company and profits are distributed to each policyholder in the form of dividends on qualifying policies.
As of 2011, Guardian holds an A++ financial rating from A.M. Best, the highest rating available, and a Comdex rating of 98, among the highest rated insurers in the entire industry. Company assets as of 2010 are approximately $31 billion with a surplus of $4.2 billion.
Guardian has the absolute best disability insurance contract available in the individual market, has a strong history of paying high dividends on participating whole life insurance policies, and low-priced term life insurance. The following products are offered by Guardian:
Level Term Gold – a term life insurance policy with premiums and death benefits fixed and guaranteed for your choice of 10, 20, or 30 years. Conversions are available for the first five years and can be extended for the full term period with the Conversion Extension rider.
Yearly Renewal Term (YRT) Gold – an annually renewable life insurance policy with premiums that increase each year based on age
Guardian L95 – a participating whole life insurance policy with a focus on high early cash values and endowment at age 95. Requires the highest premiums among Guardian’s whole life offerings.
Guardian L99 – a participating whole life insurance policy that balances cash value growth with more affordable premiums and endowment at age 99. Guardian’s most popular whole life policy.
Guardian L121 – a participating whole life insurance policy with Guardian’s lowest whole life premiums, less cash value growth, and endowment at age 121
Guardian ProVider Plus disability – an individual disability insurance policy with the best definitions and guarantees in the entire disability income insurance market. No other company offers a disability contract as strong as Guardian’s! Issue limits of up to $20,000/month in benefits. Click here to learn more about why Guardian’s disability coverage is superior to the competition.
Guardian BOE – an individual disability insurance policy to cover the overhead expenses associated with running a business. Issue limits up to $50,000/month.
Guardian Disability Buyout – an individual disability insurance policy that pays a lump sum in the event of disability. This product is structured for businesses that have partnerships where the owner(s) want to buy out the other owner(s) in the event of a disabling condition that prevents them from performing their duties.
Guardian Retirement Protection Program – an individual disability policy that protects contributions to a retirement account. Covers up to $4,550/month in retirement contributions. Can be attached to ProVider Plus as a rider or issued as a separate policy altogether.
Guardian GSI Worksite Disability – a group disability insurance policy with benefits more similar to Guardian’s ProVider Plus individual policy, but offered on a guaranteed-issue basis when at least 5 employees are applying together.