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How Does VGLI Compare To Other Insurance Programs?
Life Insurance
How Does VGLI Compare To Other Insurance Programs?
When you consider whether to obtain coverage under Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI), or some other insurance plan, it is important to evaluate whether (VGLI) will meet your life insurance needs. You may want to consider if:
- the premiums will be affordable for you;
- the coverage is enough to meet your needs or will serve as a supplement to other coverage;
- term insurance is your best option; and,
- the plan contains features that are important to you.
Who Should Apply for VGLI?
Anyone meeting the VGLI eligibility criteria should consider making VGLI part of their insurance portfolio. However, members with medical conditions that may affect their insurability should make obtaining VGLI a priority in their insurance planning.
Most insurance plans use a health review to determine eligibility for insurance coverage. Certain medical conditions can make it difficult to pass this health review and obtain coverage. In the case of VGLI, eligible members can apply during the “240-day no-health” application period and be approved without any health review, regardless of the severity of their health conditions.
Follow this link to learn more about the medical conditions that may make you uninsurable.
Is VGLI Right for You?
To help you choose the right insurance coverage, we have developed a questionnaire for you to compare some basic facts about VGLI to other insurance products you may be considering. We have already filled in the key features of VGLI for you. If you print this page you can enter information about the other insurance products in the "what the other plan offers," column.
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What VGLI Offers |
What the Other Plan Offers | |
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Premium Rates | ||
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Are premium rates based on age? |
Yes – VGLI premium rates are based on age and the amount of coverage only. |
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Are premiums rates different for men and women? |
No – VGLI premium rates are the same regardless of gender. |
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Are premium rates increased for smokers? |
No – VGLI premium rates are the same for smokers and non smokers. |
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Health Requirements | ||
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Will I need to answer questions about my health? |
No – if you apply for VGLI within 240 days after separation, you will not need to answer questions about your health. Note: You have 1 year and 120 days to apply for VGLI. If you apply for VGLI within 240 days of your date of separation, then you will not need to answer health questions. |
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Will I need to get a physical examination? |
No - A physical is not required to apply for VGLI coverage, but if you apply after 240 days following separation, you will need to answer questions about your health. |
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Will there be an investigation of my health? |
No - We will not investigate your health history if you apply for VGLI within 240 days after separation. |
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Can I be excluded if I have or have had mental health issues? |
No - VGLI does not exclude applicants for reasons related to mental health. |
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| Can I be excluded if I have or have had PTSD or TBI? | No - VGLI does not exclude applicants for reasons related to PSTD or TBI. | |
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Coverage | ||
| Will I have help figuring out the right amount of insurance coverage? | Yes - VGLI has an objective Insurance Needs Calculator to help you determine how much coverage you need. | |
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When is my VGLI coverage effective? |
Your full VGLI coverage amount is effective as soon as you are approved and your premium is paid. |
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Will coverage end at a specific age? |
No – Your VGLI coverage will not end unless you request it or fail to pay premiums. |
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Will coverage be decreased at a specific age? |
No - Your VGLI coverage amount will not decrease unless you request it. |
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| Can I be excluded from coverage due to vocation or avocation? | No - VGLI does not exclude applicants based on their job or recreational activities. | |
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Payments | ||
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Can I choose how often to pay premiums? |
Yes – You can choose to pay premiums monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually. |
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Is there a discount if I pay my premiums in advance? |
Yes - VGLI premiums are discounted 5% if you pay annually (smaller discounts are applied to quarterly and semiannual payments). |
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Can I pay premiums by automatic deduction? |
Yes - VGLI premiums can be automatically deducted from your military retirement pay, VA compensation payment, or your bank account. |
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Can I pay premiums by credit card? |
Yes – VGLI premiums can be paid by credit card online or by phone. |
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Other Fees | ||
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Are there any enrollment or membership fees associated with the policy? |
No – VGLI has no enrollment or membership fees. |
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Claims | ||
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Are there special benefits for the terminally ill? |
Yes - You can request a payment of up to 50% of your VGLI coverage if you are diagnosed with an illness that results in a life expectancy of 9 months or less. |
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Is there a contestable period? |
No - VGLI has no contestable period. That means there is no waiting period between when your coverage begins and when a claim would be paid. |
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Is there a suicide exclusion? |
No - suicide claims are not excluded. |
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| Is there a "war" clause? | No - claims due to acts of war, declared and undeclared, are not excluded. | |
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Web Access | ||
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Can I manage my coverage online? |
Yes – VGLI has a full service web site. |
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Important Note: Don't forget that if you determine you want to purchase VGLI:
- you have only 1 year and 120 days from your date of separation from service to apply for VGLI coverage, AND
- if you have medical conditions that may make you uninsurable, you should apply within 240 days from separation because there is no health review during this period. After that period your health will be taken into consideration, and you may not be approved. Follow this link to learn more about medical conditions that may make you uninsurable.
