Transamerica Life Insurance Review (2026)
Asurgo sells Transamerica's Express Select final expense policy. For a 65-year-old female non-smoker, Express Select costs $52 per month for $10,000 of coverage with day-one full benefits and no waiting period. That is higher than Mutual of Omaha ($41/mo), but Transamerica accepts health conditions that MoO declines (source: Asurgo carrier comparison, June 2026).
Our Take
Why We Recommend Transamerica (and When We Don't)
Transamerica is one of the oldest and largest insurance companies in the United States, with over 100 years of operating history and an AM Best rating of A (Excellent). Their Express Select product is a simplified-issue whole life policy designed for final expense coverage. It requires no medical exam, covers ages 50 to 85, and offers face amounts from $2,000 to $100,000.
We place Transamerica Express Select policies regularly at Asurgo. It is our primary recommendation for clients who do not qualify for Mutual of Omaha's Living Promise. Transamerica's underwriting is more lenient on paired health conditions. Clients with insulin-dependent diabetes, diabetes combined with COPD, or heart disease with stents can often qualify for Level (day-one) coverage through Transamerica when MoO would decline or grade them.
The tradeoff is cost. Transamerica runs approximately 20 to 30 percent higher than Mutual of Omaha at every age. A 65-year-old female pays $52 per month with Transamerica compared to $41 with MoO for $10,000 of coverage. For healthy applicants who pass MoO's underwriting, there is no reason to pay the Transamerica premium. But for clients with more complex health profiles, the price difference buys access to coverage they would not get elsewhere without resorting to a guaranteed-issue product with a two-year waiting period.
Transamerica also offers a separate product called Transamerica Immediate Solutions, which has lower premiums than Express Select. If your health profile is straightforward, ask your Asurgo agent about both products during your quote call. All rates shown in this review are for Express Select.
Quick Facts
Transamerica Express Select at a Glance
| Product name | Express Select (simplified issue) |
|---|---|
| Also available | Transamerica Immediate Solutions (lower rates, different underwriting) |
| Policy type | Whole life insurance |
| Issue ages | 50 to 85 |
| Coverage range | $2,000 to $100,000 |
| Health questions | Approximately 8 (simplified underwriting) |
| Medical exam | None required |
| Underwriting tiers | Level (day-one full coverage) and Graded (2-year waiting period) |
| Tobacco rates | Yes, separate pricing tier |
| AM Best rating | A (Excellent) |
| Included rider | Accelerated death benefit |
| Included service | Everest Funeral Concierge (no extra cost) |
| Monthly cost example | $52/mo for $10K at age 65, female, non-tobacco, Level tier |
Strengths
What Express Select Does Well
Lenient Underwriting on Paired Conditions
Transamerica is more flexible than most carriers when an applicant has multiple health conditions at the same time. Clients with diabetes combined with COPD, insulin-dependent diabetes, or heart disease with stents can often qualify for Level coverage. Mutual of Omaha's underwriting is stricter on these combinations and will often decline or assign a graded benefit period.
Higher Coverage Ceiling
Express Select offers face amounts up to $100,000 for applicants under age 76. Most competing final expense products cap at $25,000 to $40,000. This makes Transamerica a good fit for clients who need more coverage than a typical burial insurance policy provides but do not want to go through full medical underwriting.
Day-One Full Coverage (Level Tier)
Applicants who qualify for the Level tier receive full death benefit coverage from day one. There is no waiting period and no graded benefit schedule. The premium is locked for life and the policy builds cash value over time.
Everest Funeral Concierge Service
Every Transamerica final expense policy includes access to the Everest Funeral Concierge Service at no additional cost. See the dedicated section below for details on what Everest provides.
Weaknesses
Where Express Select Falls Short
Pros
- More lenient underwriting than Mutual of Omaha on paired conditions
- Coverage up to $100,000 (under age 76)
- Day-one full coverage on Level tier
- No medical exam required
- Everest Funeral Concierge included at no cost
- AM Best rating of A (Excellent)
- Over 100 years in business
Cons
- 20 to 30 percent more expensive than Mutual of Omaha at every age
- More health questions (approximately 8 vs. MoO's 5 to 7)
- Graded tier has a 2-year waiting period for non-accidental death
- Coverage drops to $25,000 maximum for ages 76 and older
- Transamerica is not available through every independent brokerage
For healthy applicants who can pass Mutual of Omaha's underwriting, MoO is the better value at every age. Express Select is the right choice when MoO's underwriting is the barrier, not the budget.
2026 Pricing
Express Select Rates by Age (Non-Tobacco)
The table below shows monthly premiums for Transamerica Express Select Level tier, $10,000 face amount, non-tobacco. These rates are locked for life and never increase.
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $33/mo | $39/mo |
| 55 | $37/mo | $45/mo |
| 60 | $41/mo | $52/mo |
| 65 | $52/mo | $64/mo |
| 70 | $65/mo | $86/mo |
| 75 | $86/mo | $117/mo |
| 80 | $134/mo | $172/mo |
| 85 | $205/mo | $251/mo |
Rates shown are for Transamerica Express Select, Level tier, $10,000 face amount, non-tobacco, as of June 2026. Your actual premium depends on age at application, gender, tobacco use, and health answers.
Tobacco Pricing
Express Select Tobacco Rates by Age
Tobacco users pay 30 to 50 percent more than non-tobacco applicants. This applies to cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, nicotine patches, and vaping products. Transamerica uses a 12-month lookback period for tobacco use.
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $45/mo | $59/mo |
| 55 | $51/mo | $68/mo |
| 60 | $63/mo | $87/mo |
| 65 | $77/mo | $112/mo |
| 70 | $101/mo | $147/mo |
| 75 | $135/mo | $194/mo |
| 80 | $194/mo | $268/mo |
| 85 | $278/mo | $371/mo |
Tobacco rates apply if you have used any tobacco or nicotine product within the past 12 months. Rates shown are Express Select, Level tier, $10,000 face amount, as of June 2026.
If you are a current tobacco user shopping for final expense coverage, your Asurgo agent can compare tobacco-rated premiums across multiple carriers in a single call to find the most competitive option for your situation.
Head-to-Head
Transamerica vs. Mutual of Omaha: Side by Side
Mutual of Omaha's Living Promise is the most common alternative to Transamerica Express Select. The table below compares both carriers for female non-tobacco applicants at $10,000 of coverage. For a full breakdown including male rates and underwriting differences, see our dedicated comparison page.
| Age | MoO Living Promise | Express Select | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24/mo | $33/mo | +$9/mo |
| 55 | $28/mo | $37/mo | +$9/mo |
| 60 | $33/mo | $41/mo | +$8/mo |
| 65 | $41/mo | $52/mo | +$11/mo |
| 70 | $53/mo | $65/mo | +$12/mo |
| 75 | $72/mo | $86/mo | +$14/mo |
| 80 | $98/mo | $134/mo | +$36/mo |
| 85 | $136/mo | $205/mo | +$69/mo |
When to Choose Transamerica Over MoO
Mutual of Omaha costs less at every age. If you can qualify for MoO's Living Promise, it is the better value. The reason Transamerica exists in our carrier lineup is underwriting flexibility. MoO asks fewer health questions (5 to 7 vs. approximately 8), but evaluates the answers more strictly. Transamerica is more lenient on the following conditions:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes without recent hospitalization or amputation
- Paired diagnoses such as diabetes with COPD, or heart disease with stents
- Recent surgeries that would trigger a decline or graded period with MoO
- Higher coverage needs up to $100,000 (MoO caps at $40,000)
In practice, our agents quote both carriers on every call. If MoO approves you at Level, we place you with MoO. If MoO declines or grades you, Transamerica is typically the next step before guaranteed-issue options like Colonial Penn or Gerber Life.
Not Sure Which Carrier Fits?
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Included Benefit
Everest Funeral Concierge Service
Every Transamerica final expense policy includes access to the Everest Funeral Concierge Service at no additional cost. Everest provides beneficiaries with professional support during one of the most difficult periods in their lives. This is a genuine differentiator. Mutual of Omaha, Colonial Penn, and Gerber Life do not include anything comparable with their final expense products.
Funeral Planning Assistance
Everest helps beneficiaries compare pricing across local funeral homes, understand service options, and make informed decisions about burial or cremation arrangements.
Price Negotiation
Everest's network includes thousands of funeral providers nationwide. They work on behalf of the family to ensure fair pricing during an emotional and time-sensitive process.
Administrative Support
Everest assists with death certificate orders, Social Security notifications, insurance claim filings, and other paperwork that families often struggle to manage on their own.
Grief Counseling Referrals
Everest connects beneficiaries with grief support resources and counseling services in their local area.
The average funeral in the United States costs $8,300 to $9,000 according to the NFDA. Everest's pricing support helps ensure that the death benefit goes further by protecting beneficiaries from overpaying during a vulnerable moment. This service activates automatically when a claim is filed and requires no separate enrollment.
Best Fit
Who Transamerica Is Best For
Transamerica Express Select is the right choice in the following situations:
- Declined by Mutual of Omaha. If MoO's underwriting denied or graded you, Transamerica's more lenient health evaluation is the logical next step. It costs more than MoO but significantly less than guaranteed-issue alternatives.
- Paired health conditions. Clients with diabetes combined with COPD, heart disease with stents, or insulin-dependent diabetes often qualify for Level coverage through Transamerica when other carriers would decline.
- Coverage above $40,000. If you need more than $40,000 of final expense coverage without a full medical exam, Transamerica offers up to $100,000 for applicants under age 76.
- Funeral planning support matters. The included Everest Funeral Concierge Service is a genuine value-add that no competing final expense carrier matches.
- Tobacco users who cannot pass MoO. Transamerica's tobacco rates are competitive, and their underwriting is more forgiving when tobacco use is combined with other health factors.
Not Ideal For
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Transamerica Express Select is not the best fit in these situations:
- Healthy applicants. If you can qualify for Mutual of Omaha's Living Promise, you will pay 20 to 30 percent less for the same coverage. There is no reason to pay the Transamerica premium if your health allows a cheaper option.
- Budget-constrained seniors over 80. Transamerica's rates climb steeply after age 75. At age 80, a female pays $134 per month with Transamerica compared to $98 with MoO. The $36 monthly difference adds up to $432 per year.
- Applicants with severe health conditions. If you have been hospitalized in the past 12 months, are on home oxygen, or have had an organ transplant, Transamerica will likely assign the Graded tier (2-year waiting period). A guaranteed-issue product may be more straightforward and sometimes cheaper in that situation.
- Applicants who only need $5,000 to $10,000. At smaller face amounts, the monthly cost difference between Transamerica and MoO is less significant. If your health allows MoO, the savings still matter, but the absolute dollar difference is smaller.
We Sell Both Carriers
Your Asurgo agent quotes Transamerica and Mutual of Omaha side by side on every call. You pick the carrier that fits your health and budget.
Getting Started
How to Apply for Transamerica Through Asurgo
Applying for Transamerica Express Select through Asurgo is a straightforward process that most clients complete in a single phone call.
Step 1: Quote Call
Call (855) 380-9555 or submit a quote request. Your licensed Asurgo agent will ask about your age, gender, tobacco use, and health history to determine which carriers you qualify for. This call takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 2: Health Questions
Your agent reads the 8 Express Select health questions to you over the phone. Based on your answers, you are placed in either the Level tier (day-one full coverage) or the Graded tier (2-year waiting period). There is no medical exam, no blood work, and no doctor visit.
Step 3: Application
If you choose to move forward, your agent completes the application with you on the same call. The entire process, from first call to submitted application, typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 4: Policy Delivery
Most Express Select applications receive a same-day decision. Your policy is delivered electronically or by mail, and coverage begins on the issue date. Over 95 percent of our clients have coverage in place within 24 hours of their application.
Common Questions
Transamerica Life Insurance FAQ
Is Transamerica a good life insurance company?
Is Transamerica life insurance legit?
Does Transamerica require a medical exam?
How much does Transamerica final expense cost?
What is Transamerica Express Select?
Does Transamerica have a waiting period?
Is Transamerica cheaper than Mutual of Omaha?
Can I get Transamerica with diabetes?
What is Transamerica's AM Best rating?
How many health questions does Transamerica ask?
Can I get Transamerica through an independent broker?
Ready to See If You Qualify?
Asurgo sells Transamerica Express Select and 25+ other carriers. One call, real quotes, no obligation.
Get Your Transamerica Quote Or call (855) 380-9555
Nicholas Norminton
Nicholas is a nationally licensed insurance specialist who has personally helped thousands of clients secure life insurance coverage. He built Asurgo into a trusted brokerage serving clients in all 50 states with access to 25+ carriers, including Transamerica Express Select.
Sources
- AM Best Company. Transamerica Life Insurance Company rating report. ambest.com
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Consumer complaint data. naic.org
- Better Business Bureau (BBB). Transamerica Life Insurance Company profile. bbb.org