Boston Mutual Life Insurance Review

Life insurance provides a safety net for your dependents and loved ones when you pass away. Boston Mutual is a reputable and popular national carrier offering competitive rates and life insurance options to suit your family’s needs. Our review found that Boston Mutual is best for those looking for long-term policies with flexible coverage and benefits.

By Mark Fitzpatrick

Edited by Ashley Jacobs

Updated: October 30, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

MoneyGeek’s Take: Is Boston Mutual Right for You?

Boston Mutual policy offerings are best for individuals and groups looking for long-term life insurance policies with flexible coverage options and benefits. This provider has limited policy options, and those looking for the best short term life insurance for individuals are better with a different carrier.

Most of Boston Mutual’s policies are suited for young working individuals who want to secure the future of their dependents. There are no specific policies tailored for seniors, so companies like State Farm may be a better option for older people.

You can learn more about life insurance plans available at Boston Mutual in our in-depth review to determine if this provider is the best option for you.

At a Glance: Boston Mutual Life Insurance

pros

Annual policy dividends

Medical exams are not required for all policy types

Fewer complaints than average

cons

No online quote features

No online feature for claim submission

No individual term life insurance

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Boston Mutual was established in 1891 and is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts. This national carrier offers life insurance products for both individuals and groups or employees. With a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index of 0.86, this insurer receives fewer complaints than average.

Boston Mutual offers both whole and term life insurance products, but term life insurance is only available for groups or employers. Individuals can only purchase whole life insurance, although there are different policy types to choose from.

The main products available at Boston Mutual include:

Infinite Life Permanent Life Insurance Plan
Legacy Life Select
Legacy Life Express
Employee Life Option Plus
Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Individual life insurance policies offered by Boston Mutual offer coverage levels of up to $250,000. However, coverage for those who elect not to undergo a physical exam or submit medical records is capped at $100,000. Life insurance policyholders are eligible to receive annual dividends. The dividends can be used to pay premiums, build the cash value of the policy or buy additional coverage. Boston Mutual offers various riders that can be added to your policy based on your needs. These include a children’s term rider, which allows you to cover your children from birth up to the age of 25. Accelerated term benefit and accelerated death benefit riders are also available.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Is Boston Mutual Right for You?
At a Glance: Boston Mutual Life Insurance
Boston Mutual Life Insurance Policy Options Explained
Term Life Insurance Options From Boston Mutual
Whole Life Insurance Options From Boston Mutual
Boston Mutual Life Insurance Riders
How to Buy Life Insurance From Boston Mutual
What to Do if Boston Mutual Denies You Coverage

Key Takeaways

Boston Mutual does not offer term life insurance for individuals.

Some whole life plans from Boston Mutual are eligible to receive annual dividends.

Coverage for plans without a medical exam requirement is capped at $100,000.

Boston Mutual Policy Options Explained

The Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA) reports that 68% of insured people with life insurance feel secure, while only 48% of non-insureds feel secure. Life insurance can be an important protection for your dependents when you pass away, so it is worth investing in a policy that fits your situation.

Term Life Insurance Options From Boston Mutual

Boston Mutual’s term life insurance plan is only available for groups or employees. Individuals are not eligible for this policy.

Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

This term policy is available either as employer-paid coverage or employee-paid coverage. The coverage amount is elective, and features such as dependent coverage for spouses and children are available. The accelerated death benefit is available to employees, where they can collect part of their benefit early if they have a life expectancy of no more than 12 months.

Insured employees and their dependents have the option to continue with their policy after leaving employment so they will not lose their benefits on retirement or termination.

Boston Mutual’s term life policy is ideal for employers who want to get group coverage with flexible options and benefits for their employees.

Whole Life Insurance Options From Boston Mutual

Boston Mutual offers whole life policies for both individuals and groups. Whole life insurance policies are lifetime plans with a guaranteed death benefit. These plans accumulate cash value, and some plan types are eligible to receive annual dividends when issued by Boston Mutual.

The main types of whole life insurance policies offered by Boston Mutual include:

Infinite Life

The Infinite Life permanent life insurance plan offers coverage options of up to $250,000. However, the policy limit without a medical exam is capped at $100,000. Premiums are fixed over the lifetime of the policy and will not change with age or health status. Policyholders can choose between monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual premium payments.

The Infinite Life plan offers a guaranteed cash value that is guaranteed not to decline. Policyholders can borrow against part or all of the accumulated cash value. This plan also earns policy dividends annually, which can be used for paying premiums or purchasing additional coverage or can be withdrawn at any time.

Legacy Life Express

The Legacy Life Express whole life plan offers up to $250,000 in coverage with fixed premiums for the lifetime of the policy. You can also get this policy without a physical exam, but coverage will be limited to $100,000. The death benefit does not decrease based on age or health status, and there is no requirement to renew your policy. Premiums can be paid quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

Legacy Life Select

This whole life plan offers coverage of up to $250,000 for federal, state and municipal employees and their families. Coverage of up to $100,000 can be purchased without an exam, and policyholders do not have to renew their plan or prove their insurability. Premiums can be paid quarterly, semi-annually or annually and will remain fixed for the lifetime of the policy.

This policy accumulates cash value at a tax-deferred rate. The cash value can be borrowed at any time by filling out a form.

Employee Life Option Plus

This whole life plan is available to employees and union members. This policy is an endowment at age 95, meaning that the policyholder will be paid the face value of the policy on reaching age 95. The policy has fixed premiums and does not require the policyholder to apply for their spouse, children or grandchildren to be covered.

Policyholders who buy the minimum amount of coverage have the right to purchase the remaining amount of the guarantee issue limit at future approved enrollments. Employees can also keep their coverage if they leave the employer or retire by making payments directly to Boston Mutual.

Boston Mutual whole life insurance policies are a good option if you have dependents or want a policy that is eligible for annual dividends. These plans will also benefit you if you want coverage without exams and with flexible premium payment options.

Boston Mutual’s Life Insurance Riders

Life insurance riders are optional add-on benefits that you can add to your standard life insurance coverage. Riders allow you to customize your policy based on your individual needs and can either be added to the policy when signing up or during the term of the policy.

Rider	Description
Children’s Term Rider	This rider covers your children from birth (15 days old) to the age of 25. After this period, the coverage can be converted into an individual life insurance policy.
Accelerated Benefit Option	This rider is an automatic add-on to your life insurance policy at no extra cost. It ensures that in case of terminal illness or injury, your policy will advance you a cash payout.
Accidental Death Benefit	This rider offers extra security to your beneficiaries by ensuring that if you die as a direct result of an injury due to a covered accident, your beneficiaries will receive double the death benefit.
Payor Waiver of Premium Benefit	Boston Mutual offers this rider to ensure that in case you become permanently disabled, the premiums on your life insurance policy will be waived.
Premium Deposit Fund (PDF)	This rider ensures that the premiums deposited into the Premium Deposit Fund (PDF) and the interest earned can be applied to your future or overdue premiums.

How to Get Boston Mutual Life Insurance

Boston Mutual is a national carrier offering life insurance policies in all states. It is best to research the type of policy that best suits your needs, then contact the provider for a quote and more information.

How to Buy Life Insurance From Boston Mutual

1
Do Your Research
Boston Mutual offers different types of policies, so it is important to figure out which plan will suit you best based on coverage level, premiums and benefit options. Take time to check the company’s website for more information on its plans and compare your options. You can also contact a representative for more details.
2
Compare Quotes
Life insurance plans require a long-term commitment, so it is important to find a plan that suits your budget. Compare quotes for different plans and evaluate premium payment options to ensure that you pick a plan that suits your financial situation.
3
Health Check
Boston Mutual does not require exams for all policies, but keep in mind that your coverage will be capped at $100,000 without a physical exam or medical records. If you want more coverage, you will need to undergo exams or submit your medical records.
4
Approval
Once your application is complete, your Boston Mutual representative will advise you on the terms and details of your policy. You can set up automatic payments for your policy or pay by mail.

What to Do if Boston Mutual Insurance Denies You Coverage

Your life insurance policy application might be declined. These steps will help you find an alternative or suitable option for coverage.

1
Contact Your Broker
If your policy has been declined, find out the exact reason why from your representative or broker. This will guide you on what you need to do to get coverage or seek an alternative.
2
Lifestyle Changes
If the insurance company finds that your health or lifestyle is high-risk, it may postpone approving your application. Making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight or getting preventive care can help improve your insurability.
3
Explore Other Options
Apart from life insurance, you can also get coverage from plans like a final expense cover to protect your beneficiaries. The availability of such plans may vary depending on the insurer, and costs may be high.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Mutual Life Insurance

MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about Boston Mutual life insurance to help you learn more.

Can you borrow from your Boston Mutual life insurance policy?

Yes, Boston Mutual’s whole life policies earn a guaranteed cash value that you can borrow against to meet your financial needs. Any outstanding loans against your policy will impact the death benefit payable to your beneficiaries upon your death.

What’s the maximum amount of life insurance coverage available from Boston Mutual?

Boston Mutual policies have a maximum limit of $250,000 with a physical exam, and the limit for policies without a medical exam is $100,000.

Do life insurance policies from Boston Mutual pay dividends?

Some life insurance plans from Boston Mutual, such as the Infinite Life plan, are eligible to earn dividends annually when issued by the company. Keep in mind that dividends are not guaranteed.

Can you get life insurance from Boston Mutual if you have cancer?

It might be possible to obtain life insurance from Boston Mutual Life Insurance if you have cancer, but this will depend on individual factors, including your diagnosis. You can contact a representative from Boston Mutual for guidance on what your eligibility and options are.

Do life insurance policies from Boston Mutual cover death by drug overdose?

Most life insurance policies cover accidental death, which may include accidental drug overdose. Each type of policy has exclusions for what is not covered. Speak to a Boston Mutual representative to get clarification on coverages and exclusions for your preferred plan.

Do life insurance policies from Boston Mutual cover death by suicide?

Most life insurance policies have a suicide clause that excludes coverage of suicide within a certain period after the policy is issued. However, exclusions can vary depending on the type of policy and the issuer, so it is best to speak to a Boston Mutual representative for clarification on whether your preferred policy covers death by suicide.

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About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

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sources

Boston Mutual. "About Us." Accessed October 30, 2024.
Boston Mutual. "Employee Life Insurance Solutions." Accessed October 30, 2024.
Boston Mutual. "Individual & Family Life Insurance Solutions." Accessed October 30, 2024.
NAIC. "Boston Mut Life Ins Co National Complaint Index Report." Accessed October 30, 2024.
LIMRA. "2022 Insurance Barometer Study." Accessed October 30, 2024.