John Hancock vs Lincoln Financial
John Hancock vs. Lincoln Financial: Affordable Life Insurance Comparison
Choosing between John Hancock and Lincoln Financial comes down to whether you want rewards for healthy living or streamlined, flexible coverage. Both are highly rated and well-established, but their strengths vary depending on your needs.
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🏢 Company Overviews
John Hancock, a subsidiary of Manulife, is known for innovation in life insurance—especially through its Vitality Program, which rewards healthy lifestyle habits. It’s a popular choice for those interested in digital engagement and premium discounts based on wellness tracking.
Lincoln Financial, founded in 1905, is a Fortune 250 company known for its advisor-based model and policy flexibility, especially in term and indexed universal life. Lincoln often appeals to clients needing higher coverage or complex financial planning.
💼 Financial Strength & Ratings
| Rating Agency | John Hancock | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| AM Best | A+ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| Moody’s | A1 | A1 |
| S&P | AA- | AA- |
| Fitch | AA- | A+ |
📊 Both companies hold strong and stable ratings from all major agencies, offering reliable long-term protection.
📋 Policy Types Offered
| Policy Type | John Hancock | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Term Life | ✅ | ✅ |
| Universal Life (UL) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Indexed UL (IUL) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Variable UL (VUL) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Final Expense | ❌ | ❌ |
| Whole Life | ❌ | ❌ |
🔍 Both companies focus on term and permanent UL-based policies, with no traditional whole life options. Lincoln excels in policy flexibility; John Hancock in lifestyle integration.
🔄 Coverage Options & Flexibility
John Hancock offers customizable Vitality-integrated policies with interactive wellness discounts and smart underwriting tools.
Lincoln Financial provides highly flexible term and IUL policies with face amounts up to $65M, often tailored for wealth protection or business needs.
💡 Lincoln is better for large, customizable policies, while John Hancock stands out for engaging, tech-savvy features.
📝 Underwriting & Application Process
| Feature | John Hancock | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| No-Medical Exam Option | ✅ Up to $3M (Vitality) | ✅ Up to $2.5M (TermAccel) |
| Digital Applications | ✅ Fully online available | ✅ Available via agent portals |
| Accelerated Underwriting | ✅ For qualifying cases | ✅ Streamlined TermAccel process |
| Health Incentive Program | ✅ Vitality Program | ❌ |
📱 John Hancock Vitality gives a more tech-driven experience, while Lincoln has smoother processes for advisors and larger coverage limits.
💲 Pricing & Affordability
John Hancock may offer lower premiums for health-conscious applicants who engage with the Vitality Program.
Lincoln Financial is competitively priced for term coverage, especially for applicants applying through TermAccel.
💸 For young, healthy, and tech-savvy applicants, John Hancock offers savings and perks. For simple, scalable term coverage, Lincoln often wins on base price.
🔄 Alternatives to Consider
Protective Life – Among the most affordable term life providers
Banner Life – Great underwriting flexibility with strong pricing
Mutual of Omaha – Excellent for simplified and final expense coverage
Pacific Life – Strong IUL and VUL options with flexible policy design
🛠️ Riders & Customization
| Rider Type | John Hancock | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated Death Benefit | ✅ | ✅ |
| Waiver of Premium | ✅ | ✅ |
| Child Term Rider | ✅ | ✅ |
| Long-Term Care Rider | ❌ | ✅ (on some UL/IUL) |
| Critical Illness / Living Benefit | ✅ Vitality-integrated | ✅ |
| Return of Premium Rider | ❌ | ✅ (select terms) |
🔧 Lincoln offers more advanced financial riders, while John Hancock excels in wellness-based enhancements through Vitality.
🎯 Best For…
John Hancock is best for:
Tech-savvy, health-conscious individuals
Applicants seeking wellness rewards and activity-based discounts
Moderate to high coverage with digital access and tracking
Lincoln Financial is best for:
High face amount coverage ($1M+)
Business or estate planning needs
Clients who prefer advisor-led support and custom rider options
📊 Pros and Cons (Comparison Table)
| Feature | John Hancock | Lincoln Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Ratings | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent |
| No-Exam Term Coverage | ✅ Up to $3M (Vitality) | ✅ Up to $2.5M (TermAccel) |
| Tech & Digital Features | ✅ Best-in-class Vitality | ⚠️ Advisor-based model |
| Rider Availability | ⚠️ Limited advanced riders | ✅ Strong rider selection |
| Policy Flexibility | ✅ With Vitality choices | ✅ High face & custom design |
| Whole Life or Final Expense | ❌ Not offered | ❌ Not offered |
🤝 Customer Experience & Support
John Hancock provides a tech-forward experience and partners with wellness apps, Fitbit, and Apple Watch for policyholder perks.
Lincoln Financial relies more on advisors for guidance, offering strong support for complex cases and business planning.
📞 Choose John Hancock for innovation and engagement. Choose Lincoln Financial for advisor-driven service and large-scale planning.
🏁 Final Verdict
Choose John Hancock if you:
Want to earn rewards and discounts through healthy living
Prefer an interactive digital experience
Need up to $3M in coverage with minimal hassle
Choose Lincoln Financial if you:
Require high face amount or permanent policy design
Want strong rider options for estate/business coverage
Prefer working with a financial advisor
💡 How to Get a Quote or Apply
John Hancock: Visit johnhancock.com or work with a licensed agent offering the Vitality Program.
Lincoln Financial: Visit lincolnfinancial.com to speak with an advisor or apply through platforms offering TermAccel products.
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See the Guide💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Which company is more affordable: John Hancock or Lincoln Financial?
Lincoln Financial tends to offer more affordable base term rates, while John Hancock may offer savings for healthy individuals through its Vitality program.
Does John Hancock offer rewards for healthy living?
Yes. John Hancock offers its Vitality Program, which rewards policyholders with discounts and incentives for tracking healthy lifestyle habits.
Can I get a no-medical-exam policy from either company?
Yes. John Hancock offers up to $3 million in no-med-exam coverage for eligible Vitality applicants. Lincoln offers up to $2.5 million through its TermAccel program.
Which company is better for large life insurance policies?
Lincoln Financial is often preferred for large, complex policies due to its flexible underwriting and high face amount options.
Do both companies offer digital applications?
Yes. John Hancock provides a more interactive digital experience. Lincoln also offers online tools but relies more on agents.
Which is better for tech-savvy users?
John Hancock is ideal for tech-forward clients who want to engage digitally and earn wellness rewards through the Vitality platform.
Do either offer whole life or final expense policies?
No. Neither John Hancock nor Lincoln Financial offers traditional whole life or final expense insurance.
Who should choose John Hancock over Lincoln Financial?
Choose John Hancock if you want a modern, reward-based life insurance experience and are in good health.
Who should choose Lincoln Financial over John Hancock?
Choose Lincoln if you need high coverage, strong rider customization, and prefer advisor-guided support.
Are both companies financially stable?
Yes. Both companies have strong financial strength ratings from AM Best, S&P, and Moody’s, making them reliable long-term providers.
Blake Insurance Group
Phone: (888) 387-3687
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
Blake Nwosu
Owner & Principal Agent