Kansas City Life Insurance Company: An In-Depth Review

🔹 Basic Company Overview
Key Aspect | Details |
Full Company Name | Kansas City Life Insurance Company |
Year Founded | 1895 |
Founders | Founded by William S. Shouse, originally part of a larger conglomerate. |
Headquartered Location | Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
Company Mission Statement | “To provide financial security through life insurance products tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families.” |
Vision and Core Values | Vision: To provide accessible and innovative life insurance solutions. Core Values: Integrity, Accountability, Customer Focus. |
Parent Company | None, operates independently. |
Subsidiaries | Includes various subsidiaries for specific insurance products, particularly in the life insurance sector. |
Number of Employees | Approximately 1,000 employees |
Revenue (latest available) | $1.3 billion (2020) |
Global or Regional Presence | Primarily regional with a strong presence in U.S. and select international operations. |
Public or Private Company | Private |
Stock Market Symbol | Not publicly traded |
🔹 Company Reputation & Recognition
- Customer Satisfaction Ratings: Kansas City Life Insurance enjoys positive customer feedback for its reliable service and strong financial products. Customers appreciate the company’s dedicated service and personalized approach to life insurance.
- AM Best / Moody’s / S&P Ratings:
- AM Best: A (Excellent) – Strong financial performance and ability to meet obligations.
- Moody’s: A2 (Stable) – Strong credit ratings indicating solid financial management.
- S&P: A- (Strong) – Demonstrates consistent financial stability.
- AM Best: A (Excellent) – Strong financial performance and ability to meet obligations.
- Industry Awards and Recognitions: Kansas City Life Insurance has been recognized as a leading life insurer in its region, particularly in the individual and family life insurance markets.
- Trustpilot or Google Reviews Overview: Reviews from customers indicate high levels of satisfaction with customer service, claims processing, and policy options. Ratings on platforms like Google Reviews reflect positive experiences for both policyholders and beneficiaries.
- BBB Rating (Better Business Bureau): A+ rating – The company has a long history of ethical business practices and customer satisfaction.
- Notable Partnerships or Endorsements: Kansas City Life collaborates with financial professionals and institutions across the U.S. to provide group life insurance and other offerings to businesses and organizations.


🔹 Eligibility Criteria
- Who is Eligible:
- Individuals: Life insurance products are offered to individuals, with policies tailored to meet specific financial and protection needs.
- Groups/Businesses: Provides group life insurance policies for businesses looking to offer coverage to employees.
- Individuals: Life insurance products are offered to individuals, with policies tailored to meet specific financial and protection needs.
- Age Limitations:
- Life insurance policies generally range from 18-70 years, with age limitations for certain types of policies like term life or whole life insurance.
- Life insurance policies generally range from 18-70 years, with age limitations for certain types of policies like term life or whole life insurance.
- State Availability:
- Kansas City Life Insurance operates in all 50 U.S. states, with policies available nationwide.
- Kansas City Life Insurance operates in all 50 U.S. states, with policies available nationwide.
- Citizenship or Residency Requirements:
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents to apply for policies, though international business may be available for specific coverage types.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents to apply for policies, though international business may be available for specific coverage types.
- Minimum Health or Financial Conditions:
- Life insurance policies may require basic health underwriting. Specific medical conditions or financial disclosures may be required depending on policy type.
- Life insurance policies may require basic health underwriting. Specific medical conditions or financial disclosures may be required depending on policy type.
- Documents Required to Apply:
- Basic documents for individual life insurance include proof of identity, medical history, and possibly a health screening.
- Group insurance applicants need to provide company financials, tax details, and a group eligibility form.
- Basic documents for individual life insurance include proof of identity, medical history, and possibly a health screening.
🔹 Types of Insurance Offered
- Life Insurance:
- Offers term, whole, and universal life insurance policies, with an emphasis on individual protection and family security.
- Offers term, whole, and universal life insurance policies, with an emphasis on individual protection and family security.
- Auto Insurance:
- Not available, as Kansas City Life specializes primarily in life insurance products.
- Not available, as Kansas City Life specializes primarily in life insurance products.
- Health Insurance:
- Group health insurance available for businesses offering coverage for employees. Does not specialize in individual health plans.
- Group health insurance available for businesses offering coverage for employees. Does not specialize in individual health plans.
- Homeowners Insurance:
- Not offered, as the focus is on life and business insurance rather than personal property.
- Not offered, as the focus is on life and business insurance rather than personal property.
- Renters Insurance:
- Not available, with a focus on life insurance and business products.
- Not available, with a focus on life insurance and business products.
- Disability Insurance:
- Long-term disability options for business owners and key employees as part of an employee benefits package.
- Long-term disability options for business owners and key employees as part of an employee benefits package.
- Long-term Care Insurance:
- Available for individuals as well as part of employee benefit packages for businesses.
- Available for individuals as well as part of employee benefit packages for businesses.
- Travel Insurance:
- Available for business travelers as part of a group benefits package.
- Available for business travelers as part of a group benefits package.
- Business/Commercial Insurance:
- Not a primary offering. However, certain business life insurance solutions are available, such as key person insurance.
- Not a primary offering. However, certain business life insurance solutions are available, such as key person insurance.
- Pet Insurance:
- Not offered, as the company specializes in life insurance and business coverage.
- Not offered, as the company specializes in life insurance and business coverage.
- Boat/Motorcycle/RV Insurance:
- Not available, with focus on life insurance products.
- Not available, with focus on life insurance products.
- Umbrella Insurance:
- Not available, as Kansas City Life Insurance primarily offers life coverage and business-focused policies.
- Not available, as Kansas City Life Insurance primarily offers life coverage and business-focused policies.
🔹 Plan Details
- Plan Categories:
- Basic: Basic coverage for term life insurance with set premiums.
- Premium: Comprehensive plans offering whole life or universal life insurance with more extensive coverage.
- Custom: Tailored coverage for business owners and high-net-worth individuals seeking specialized life insurance.
- Basic: Basic coverage for term life insurance with set premiums.
- Policy Terms and Conditions:
- Life insurance policy terms vary from 10 years (term) to lifetime (whole and universal). Flexible renewal options for most plans.
- Life insurance policy terms vary from 10 years (term) to lifetime (whole and universal). Flexible renewal options for most plans.
- Waiting Periods:
- Life insurance policies may have a 30-day waiting period for certain claims.
- Life insurance policies may have a 30-day waiting period for certain claims.
- Coverage Limits:
- Life insurance policies provide coverage from $100,000 to $10 million depending on the type and needs of the policyholder.
- Life insurance policies provide coverage from $100,000 to $10 million depending on the type and needs of the policyholder.
- Exclusions and Restrictions:
- Policies may exclude suicide within the first two years and certain pre-existing conditions.
- Policies may exclude suicide within the first two years and certain pre-existing conditions.
- Add-ons or Riders Available:
- Riders include accidental death, critical illness, and disability riders for individuals and business owners.
- Riders include accidental death, critical illness, and disability riders for individuals and business owners.
- Premium Payment Options:
- Available in monthly, quarterly, or annual payment plans. Discounts for annual payments.
- Available in monthly, quarterly, or annual payment plans. Discounts for annual payments.
- Discounts Offered:
- Discounts for multi-policy holders, non-smokers, and employee wellness programs.
- Discounts for multi-policy holders, non-smokers, and employee wellness programs.
🔹 Application Process
- How to Apply:
- Apply online through the Kansas City Life Insurance website, via phone, or through a licensed agent.
- Apply online through the Kansas City Life Insurance website, via phone, or through a licensed agent.
- Time Required for Approval:
- Life insurance: Can take between 7-14 business days for approval after underwriting is complete.
- Life insurance: Can take between 7-14 business days for approval after underwriting is complete.
- Medical Exams:
- Required for policies exceeding a certain coverage limit (typically $500,000).
- Required for policies exceeding a certain coverage limit (typically $500,000).
- Online Quote Tools:
- Available for life insurance and group health insurance quotes.
- Available for life insurance and group health insurance quotes.
- Pre-approval or Instant Policy Options:
- Instant approval is available for term life policies with lower coverage amounts, while whole life policies require a detailed application.
- Instant approval is available for term life policies with lower coverage amounts, while whole life policies require a detailed application.
🔹 Claims Process
- How to File a Claim:
- Claims can be filed through the online portal, mobile app, or by contacting the customer service team.
- Claims can be filed through the online portal, mobile app, or by contacting the customer service team.
- Time Taken to Settle Claims:
- Life insurance claims are typically processed within 30 days after submission of required documents.
- Life insurance claims are typically processed within 30 days after submission of required documents.
- Required Documents for Claims:
- For life insurance: Death certificate, medical records, and proof of policy.
- For life insurance: Death certificate, medical records, and proof of policy.
- Claim Denial Reasons:
- Common reasons for denial include non-payment of premiums, policy exclusions, and insufficient documentation.
- Common reasons for denial include non-payment of premiums, policy exclusions, and insufficient documentation.
- 24/7 Claim Support Availability:
- Available 24/7 via customer support line and the mobile app.
- Available 24/7 via customer support line and the mobile app.
- Mobile App or Online Claim Tracking:
- Track claims in real-time via the Kansas City Life Insurance mobile app.
- Track claims in real-time via the Kansas City Life Insurance mobile app.
🔹 Customer Support
- Contact Methods:
- Available via phone, email, live chat, and mobile app.
- Available via phone, email, live chat, and mobile app.
- Office Hours:
- 9 AM – 5 PM EST, Monday through Friday.
- 9 AM – 5 PM EST, Monday through Friday.
- Mobile App Features:
- The app allows customers to file claims, track policies, and contact customer service.
- The app allows customers to file claims, track policies, and contact customer service.
- Local Agents or Offices Availability:
- Agents available in key U.S. cities.
- Agents available in key U.S. cities.
- Multilingual Support:
- Available for Spanish-speaking customers.
- Available for Spanish-speaking customers.
🔹 Financials & Legal
- Underwriting Company:
- Underwritten by Kansas City Life Insurance Company.
- Underwritten by Kansas City Life Insurance Company.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Fully compliant with state and federal regulations in the U.S..
- Fully compliant with state and federal regulations in the U.S..
- Licensing State-wise:
- Licensed in all 50 U.S. states.
- Licensed in all 50 U.S. states.
- Claim Payout Statistics:
- High payout rate, reliable claims settlement.
- High payout rate, reliable claims settlement.
- Recent Legal Issues or Lawsuits:
- No significant lawsuits or legal issues reported.
- No significant lawsuits or legal issues reported.
🔹 Technology and Innovation
- AI or Machine Learning Use:
- Uses AI for fraud detection and claims automation.
- Uses AI for fraud detection and claims automation.
- Mobile App Rating and Features:
- The mobile app holds a 4.5/5 rating, offering users easy claims tracking and policy management.
- The mobile app holds a 4.5/5 rating, offering users easy claims tracking and policy management.
- Digital Policy Management:
- Fully digital policies that are accessible via the website and app.
- Fully digital policies that are accessible via the website and app.
- Telematics for Auto Insurance:
- Not applicable, as Kansas City Life specializes in life insurance.
- Not applicable, as Kansas City Life specializes in life insurance.
- Online Tools and Calculators:
- Offers quote tools for life and group health insurance.
- Offers quote tools for life and group health insurance.
🔹 Market Position and Competitors
- Market Share:
- Kansas City Life Insurance holds a stable position in the U.S. life insurance market, particularly in individual policies.
- Kansas City Life Insurance holds a stable position in the U.S. life insurance market, particularly in individual policies.
- Top Competitors:
- Northwestern Mutual, MetLife, Prudential, State Farm.
- Northwestern Mutual, MetLife, Prudential, State Farm.
- Comparison with Leading Competitors:
- Kansas City Life stands out with its focus on individual life coverage and personalized service.
- Kansas City Life stands out with its focus on individual life coverage and personalized service.
- Unique Selling Points (USPs):
- Customizable life insurance policies, a strong customer-focused approach, and a long history of financial security.
- Customizable life insurance policies, a strong customer-focused approach, and a long history of financial security.
🔹 Reviews and Testimonials
- Real Customer Stories:
- Customers appreciate Kansas City Life’s personalized service, particularly for family-oriented life insurance policies.
- Customers appreciate Kansas City Life’s personalized service, particularly for family-oriented life insurance policies.
- Complaints and Resolution Rate:
- Few complaints, but the company resolves issues promptly through their customer service team.
- Few complaints, but the company resolves issues promptly through their customer service team.
- Social Media Presence and Engagement:
- Active on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, with strong engagement from customers.
- Active on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, with strong engagement from customers.


🔹 Final Evaluation
Pros:
- Customizable life insurance policies for individuals and families.
- Positive customer reviews and strong claims resolution.
- Reliable financial stability and strong customer service.
Cons:
- Limited auto and property insurance offerings.
- Premiums may be higher for some individual policies.
Who Should Consider This Company:
- Families and individuals looking for comprehensive life insurance solutions.
Who Might Want to Avoid It:
- Those seeking basic auto or property insurance.
Expert Recommendations:
Kansas City Life Insurance is highly recommended for individuals and families looking for reliable and customized life insurance policies. However, for basic auto or property coverage, other providers may be better suited.