When buyers ask us about North American Company vs. Protective Life for term insurance, they’re comparing two different solutions to the same planning problem: what happens if my health changes and I need permanent coverage later? North American converts through the policy anniversary following age 75 — five years longer than most major carriers, no rider required. Protective’s CCRE rider locks in chronic illness protection at conversion regardless of future health changes. Both are solving for “health uncertainty” — just differently.
In This Article
Live Rate Comparison: North American Company vs. Protective Life
Rates below are pulled live from Compulife® as of June 2025, $500,000 20-year term, non-tobacco, NV. Rates subject to change. Individual outcomes vary.
| Profile | North American Co. | Protective Life | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male, 35, Preferred Plus, $500K 20-yr | $25.96/mo | $19.94/mo | Protective +$6.02 cheaper |
| Male, 45, Preferred Plus, $500K 20-yr | $52.36/mo | $45.02/mo | Protective +$7.34 cheaper |
| Male, 50, Preferred Plus, $500K 20-yr | $80.08/mo | $69.25/mo | Protective +$10.83 cheaper |
| Female, 45, Preferred Plus, $500K 20-yr | $42.24/mo | $35.67/mo | Protective +$6.57 cheaper |
| Male, 45, Standard (Regular), $500K 20-yr | $99.44/mo | $85.81/mo | Protective +$13.63 cheaper |
Rates sourced Compulife® June 2025, NV. Protective Life prices 12–16% more competitively than North American across all profiles. North American’s premium reflects its unique age-75 base conversion window and Guaranteed Insurability Rider. Subject to change. Not an offer of insurance.
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North American Company: Overview
North American Company for Life and Health Insurance (subsidiary of Sammons Financial Group, A+ A.M. Best) has operated since 1886. Its ADDvantage Term is available in 10-, 15-, 20-, and 30-year terms with WriteAway accelerated underwriting (48–72 hour decisions for qualifying applicants).
North American’s Defining Feature: Age-75 Conversion Window
ADDvantage Term converts through the policy anniversary following the insured’s 75th birthday — five years longer than most major carriers, including Protective Life’s base window and Banner Life’s age-70 ceiling. No additional rider required. For a 50-year-old buying a 30-year term, this means a conversion window that remains open through age 75 — keeping the option alive until five years before the term expires, rather than closing 10 years early.
North American’s Other Differentiators
- Guaranteed Insurability Rider: Purchase additional coverage at qualifying life events without re-underwriting. Protective does not offer this.
- Accidental Death Benefit Rider: Available at additional cost.
- WriteAway: Accelerated underwriting with typical decisions in 48–72 hours.
Protective Life Insurance: Overview
Protective Life (A+ A.M. Best, A+ S&P) consistently prices 12–16% below North American. Classic Choice term is available in 10–40 year terms. The CCRE rider — launched July 2024 — is Protective’s answer to North American’s conversion window advantage: it can’t match the age-75 window without a rider, but the CCRE rider guarantees something North American cannot — chronic illness access upon conversion regardless of future health changes.
The Core Comparison: Age-75 Window vs. Chronic Illness Guarantee
| Scenario | North American ADDvantage | Protective (no CCRE) | Protective (with CCRE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base conversion window | ⭐ Through age 75 | 5 years | Up to 18 years |
| Additional rider required? | No | No | Yes — additional premium |
| Chronic illness guaranteed at conversion? | No — re-underwriting likely required | No | ✅ Yes — no new underwriting |
| 50-yr-old, 20-yr term conversion window | Through age 75 (25 years) | 5 years (to age 55) | Up to 18 years (to age 68) |
| 50-yr-old, 30-yr term conversion window | Through age 75 (25 years) | 5 years (to age 55) | Up to 18 years (to age 68) |
Riders: What’s Included vs. What Costs Extra
North American Company — ADDvantage Term
✅ Included: ADB terminal illness; conversion through age 75 as a base feature
➕ Additional cost: Guaranteed Insurability Rider; Waiver of Term Premium for Disability; Accidental Death Benefit; Children’s Term Rider
❌ Not available: Chronic/critical illness riders on term; ROP on ADDvantage
⭐ Age-75 conversion window — industry-leading base window at no additional rider cost
Protective Life — Classic Choice Term
✅ Included: ADB terminal illness (60% / $1M max)
➕ Additional cost: CCRE rider (extends conversion to 18 years + chronic illness at conversion without re-underwriting); WOP; Children’s Term Rider
❌ Not available: Guaranteed Insurability Rider; critical illness on term; ROP (discontinued)
⚠️ CCRE must be elected at application
What We’ve Seen in Our Placements
- A 50-year-old male, Preferred Plus, $500,000 of 20-year term — primary concern was keeping conversion options open as long as possible without extra cost: North American. Age-75 base conversion window at $80.08/mo vs. Protective Classic Choice at $69.25/mo — he paid the $10.83/month premium for the extended window without needing an additional rider.
- A 46-year-old female, Preferred Plus, $500,000 of 20-year term — family history of autoimmune disease, wanted chronic illness access guaranteed at conversion: Protective with the CCRE rider. North American’s age-75 window is generous, but it can’t guarantee chronic illness access if health changes. The CCRE locked it in from day one.
- A 38-year-old male, Preferred Plus, $750,000 of 20-year term — wanted the Guaranteed Insurability Rider because his income was growing rapidly: North American. Protective doesn’t offer the GIR. The ability to add coverage at future life events without re-underwriting was the specific need.
- A 42-year-old male, Preferred Plus, $500,000 of 30-year term — straightforward, no specific conversion or rider needs: Protective at $49.16/mo vs. North American at $59.84/mo. No reason to pay the North American premium without a specific conversion or GIR need.
Individual outcomes vary. Anonymized placement examples, not guarantees of outcome.
The Verdict
Choose North American Company if:
- You want the longest base conversion window at no extra rider cost — age 75 beats every other carrier on this metric
- You’re 45–55 buying a 20- or 30-year term where the age-70 cutoff at most carriers closes the window years before the term expires
- You want the Guaranteed Insurability Rider — Protective doesn’t offer it
- You want an Accidental Death Benefit Rider
Choose Protective Life if:
- Price is a primary driver — Protective saves $6–$14/month across all profiles above, adding up to $1,440–$3,360 over 20 years
- Chronic illness protection guaranteed at conversion is the priority — the CCRE rider is the only way to lock this in, and North American can’t match it without re-underwriting
- You want a 25-, 35-, or 40-year term — North American caps at 30
North American’s age-75 window and Protective’s CCRE rider solve for different versions of the same planning need. We can help you identify which fits your situation. Call 888-972-0024 or get a free quote online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes North American Company’s term insurance unique?
The ADDvantage Term converts through the policy anniversary following age 75 as a base feature — no additional rider or premium required. Most major carriers cap at age 70. For a 50-year-old buying a 20-year term, this means a conversion window open through age 75 rather than closing at 70. North American also offers a Guaranteed Insurability Rider not available from Protective.
Is North American Company or Protective Life cheaper?
Protective Life prices 12–16% more competitively per June 2025 Compulife data. Male, 45, Preferred Plus, $500K 20-year: North American $52.36/mo vs. Protective $45.02/mo — $7.34/month difference. North American’s premium reflects its age-75 conversion window and GIR availability.
Does North American offer a Guaranteed Insurability Rider?
Yes. The GIR allows purchasing additional coverage at qualifying life events without new medical underwriting. Protective Life does not offer this rider on Classic Choice term.
Does Protective or North American offer better living benefits?
Both include terminal illness ADB in the base product. Neither offers chronic or critical illness riders directly on term as standalone features. Protective’s CCRE rider provides guaranteed chronic illness access upon conversion without re-underwriting — a form of future-proofed coverage North American cannot match. North American’s age-75 window provides more time to make the conversion decision, but doesn’t guarantee the terms of that conversion if health has changed.