5 Best Long-Term Care Insurance Companies of April 2024
Best Long-Term Care Insurance Takeaways
Our top picks include Mutual of Omaha, New York Life and GoldenCare.
- Long-term care services in the U.S. cost an average of $60,000 to $100,000 a year.
- Long-term care insurance can help you cover LTC costs without depleting your savings.
- The best time to buy LTC insurance is in your mid-50s to early 60s, while you're healthy.
- The two main long-term care insurance options are traditional and hybrid policies.
- Our list features both traditional and hybrid policies with different disbursement options.
Why Trust Us?
Our editors and writers evaluate insurance companies independently, ensuring our content is precise and guided by editorial integrity. Read the full methodology to learn more.
- 11 insurers reviewed
- 5 categories scored
- 25 authoritative sources consulted
Our Top Picks for the Best Long-Term Care Insurance Companies
- Nationwide: Best for Policy Customization
- Mutual of Omaha: Best for Stand-Alone LTC Insurance
- New York Life: Best for Financial Stability
- Northwestern Mutual: Best for Couples
- GoldenCare Insurance: Best for Comparing Multiple Providers
Best Long-Term Care Insurance Reviews
Issue Ages
40-75 (as of last birthday)
Benefit Amount
$2,500 to $20,833 per month
Benefit Period
2-7 years
Elimination Period
90 calendar days
Why we chose it: We chose Nationwide as the best long-term care insurer for policy customization because its CareMatters® II plan is one of the best hybrid policies available. Its numerous terms and customizable design make it stand out from its competitors.
- Offers universal and variable universal life insurance policies with an LTC rider
- Provides inflation protection riders and flexible payment schedules
- Hybrid policies pay cash benefits
- Unlicensed caregivers permitted
- No stand-alone long-term care policies
- Policy with shared pool of benefits not available in NY or CA
- LTC rider isn't available in Montana or U.S. territories
Nationwide offers two hybrid (also called linked-benefit) policies that cater to the needs of both individuals and couples. These policies are tied to a fixed-premium universal life insurance plan that will pay out a guaranteed minimum death benefit — even if you receive long-term care.
- CareMatters® II pays cash benefits, so you can avoid the hassle of having to file for reimbursement every month.
- CareMatters Together℠ is a plan for couples that provides a shared pool of benefits that can be used by either partner.
- Both policies can be funded through a one-time payment or monthly or annual payment for five years, 10 years or up to a specified age.
- Benefit period options range from two to seven years. Nationwide also offers an LTC rider that can be added to some of its life insurance policies.
Nationwide is one of the largest insurers in the United States and was ranked second best for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Life Insurance Study. It also has a low complaint index with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Read Nationwide Long-term Care Insurance Review
Issue Ages
25-79 for traditional policies; 30-79 (75 in NY) for Asset Flex
Benefit Amount
$1,500-$10,000 per month
Benefit Period
2-5 years
Elimination Period
0, 30, 60, 90, 180 or 365 calendar days
Why we chose it: Mutual of Omaha is our choice for the best long-term care insurer for stand-alone LTC policies because it's one of just six companies currently offering stand-alone long-term care plans. Moreover, its higher-tiered policy is highly customizable and even allows policyholders to choose between cash benefits and reimbursement.
- Offers three types of discounts to policyholders
- LTC policies include care coordination services
- Option to change your preferred benefit payment method
- Several optional benefits available, including return of premium and inflation protection
- Couples discount is only available if married or living together for 3 years
- Premiums are likely to increase over time
Mutual of Omaha offers two stand-alone long-term care plans, MutualCare Custom Solution and MutualCare Secure Solution. These include monthly benefits from $1,500 to $10,000, home care benefits like caregiver training, durable medical equipment and home modification, and international benefits for up to 12 months.
- MutualCare Secure Solution allows policyholders to choose between cash benefits or a reimbursement-based structure, offers 24, 36, 48 or 60 months of coverage and three elimination period options (90, 180 and 365 calendar days).
- Mutual Care Custom Solution provides a pool of dollars between $50,000 and $500,000 (in $500 increments), more elimination period options (0, 30, 60, 90, 180 or 365) and can be customized with survivorship and joint waiver of premium add-ons.
- Both plans offer stackable discounts: a 15% discount for insured couples, a 5% discount for married customers, and a 15% discount off your policy for being in good health.
- Optional benefits include inflation protection, return of premium, shared care, waiver of elimination period and a nonforfeiture option.
Mutual of Omaha also earns consistently high customer satisfaction ratings. It ranked third in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Life Insurance Study and has a solid A+ financial strength rating from AM Best.
Read Mutual of Omaha Long-Term Care Insurance Review
Issue Ages
30-75
Benefit Amount
$1,500-$7,000 per month
Benefit Period
2, 3, 5 or 7 years
Elimination Period
90 calendar days (0 for home care under Asset Flex)
Why we chose it: We chose New York Life as the best long-term care insurance company for financial stability because it has superior financial strength ratings from AM Best (A++), Fitch (AAA), Moody’s (Aaa) and S&P (AA+). It also ranks above the industry average in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study.
- Some policies can cover 100% of care costs
- Premiums on stand-alone policies are guaranteed for the first three years
- Offers a return of premium on linked-benefit policies
- New York Life Secure Care and New York Life My Care are eligible for dividends
- Benefit period options and covered benefits may vary by state
- No online quotes are available at this time
- Asset Flex is not eligible for dividends
New York Life offers two stand-alone long-term care insurance options, New York Life My Care and New York Life Secure Care, as well as a linked-benefit policy called Asset Flex.
- New York Life My Care carries a one-time annual deductible ($4,500 to $144,000) and can reimburse policyholders for up to 80% of eligible expenses. Coverage amounts range from $50,000 to $500,000 per lifetime and benefit period options depend on the coverage amount selected.
- New York Life Secure Care features a waiting period (90, 180 or 365 days) as opposed to a deductible and covers 100% of eligible expenses up to the daily maximum ($400). Benefit period options include 2, 3, 5 or 7 years and coverage amounts range from $36,500 to $1,022,000 per lifetime.
- Asset Flex offers up to $750,000 in life insurance and $1,750,000 in long-term care benefits. It features a 90-day elimination period that can be waived for home care if the policyholder creates a personalized care plan with a New York life specialist. These policies are not eligible for dividend payments.
- All three plans offer inflation protection options and a nonforfeiture benefit allowing reduced benefits if the policy is not renewed after the third year. Additionally, a couples discount is available on all plans.
Read New York Life Long-Term Care Insurance Review
Issue Ages
18-79
Benefit Amount
$1,500 – $12,000 per month in $100 increments
Benefit Period
3 or 6 years
Elimination Period
6, 12, 25 or 52 weeks
Why we chose it: Northwestern Mutual is our pick as the best long-term care insurance company for couples because of its higher-than-average spousal discount of up to 30% if both partners are approved (10% if only one does). Companion relationships of two or more years also qualify — even if they're family — provided both partners are of the same generation and plan to continue living together in the future.
- Generous spousal or companion discount of up to 30%
- Waive premiums once you need care, even if you're not receiving benefits
- LTC policies are “participating” policies eligible for dividends
- Up to 20% of monthly benefit can go toward caregiver training
- No online quotes available at this time
- Only two benefit periods: three or six years
- Covers care services rendered only by plan-approved providers
Northwestern Mutual's traditional LTC insurance policy, QuietCare, can be paired with a survivorship benefit rider that allows surviving partners to be exempt from future premium payments after the death of their spouse. To qualify, both spouses would have to be enrolled in a QuietCare policy with this rider.
- Maximum monthly benefits can range from $1,500 to $12,000 in $100 increments.
- You can also choose between four elimination period options: six, 12, 25 or 52 weeks.
- QuietCare policies only cover services offered by providers approved by the plan, and not all approved care providers are certified in every state.
- Lapsed policies can be reinstated within a year once past-due premiums are paid, or within five months if the policyholder has a cognitive impairment.
Read Northwestern Mutual Long-Term Care Insurance Review
Issue Ages
Varies by company
Benefit Amount
Varies by company
Benefit Period
Varies by company
Elimination Period
Varies by company
Why we chose it: We chose GoldenCare as the best long-term care insurance option for comparing multiple providers because it partners with 18 well-known carriers to help match customers with companies that meet their needs. You can get multiple quotes in one place, and a Golden Care agent can guide you through the process.
- Shop and compare multiple long-term care providers
- Specializes in critical care, life and long-term care hybrid policies, life insurance and annuities
- Partners with multiple LTC providers
- No online long-term care insurance quotes
- The company is an insurance broker, not a carrier
As an online insurance broker, GoldenCare partners with some of the most prominent long-term care insurance providers. The company currently works with 18 insurers (some of which are among our top picks), including Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, Aetna, Thrivent, Securian Financial, OneAmerica and National Guardian Life Insurance Company.
- GoldenCare matches clients with a long-term care specialist who will work on their care plan and recommend insurers that align with their situation.
- It offers critical illness insurance, which may cover loss of income, co-pays, rehabilitation, travel, lodging, home modifications and medical equipment such as wheelchairs and portable oxygen.
- It also offers short-term care insurance policies and various insurance products for Medicare clients.
Read GoldenCare Long-Term Care Insurance Review
Other long-term care insurance companies we considered
While the following carriers didn’t make our list of top long-term care insurance companies, they offer LTC coverage and with attractive features.
OneAmerica (State Life Insurance Company)
- Sells hybrid life insurance and annuity plans with LTC benefits
- Policies underwritten by State Life Insurance Company
- Get LTC benefits for a limited period or opt for guaranteed lifetime benefits
- No stand-alone LTC policies are available
- High complaint ratio
- Low financial strength ratings
OneAmerica is a financial services and mutual insurance company specializing in life insurance and annuity products. It offers hybrid life insurance policies and annuity plans with LTC benefits. It didn't make our list because of its relatively high NAIC complaint ratio.
Read OneAmerica Long-Term Care Insurance Review
Brighthouse Financial
- Guaranteed death benefit and terminal illness benefit
- Cash indemnity plan pays out base benefit regardless of the actual expense amount
- Coverage up to $1,000,000 or more
- No stand-alone LTC policies are available
- Low customer satisfaction ratings
Brighthouse Financial sells a universal life insurance policy called SmartCare that provides long-term care benefits through riders; it does not sell stand-alone LTC policies. Its limited selection of long-term care products, below-average customer satisfaction score and high NAIC complaint ratio disqualified it from our main list.
Lincoln Financial Long-Term Insurance
- Benefits are available internationally
- Two inflation protection options
- Includes care coordination services
- Product features and benefits may vary by state
- Low J.D. Power score
Lincoln Financial offers two hybrid life and long-term care insurance policies with unusually high maximum issue ages (up to 80 years of age). However, the applicant must be in good health and meet other underwriting criteria, which may include income or asset requirements. Additionally, its score on the latest J.D. Power U.S. Life Insurance Study was ten points below the industry average.
Read Lincoln Financial Long-Term Care Insurance Review
Transamerica
- Offers an LTC insurance rider for some of its universal life policies
- Multiple riders available to customize its life insurance policies
- No longer issues new long-term care insurance policies
- LTC rider not available with all life insurance products
- No online claims filing
- Low J.D. Power Score
Transamerica is a financially stable insurer offering a great selection of life insurance policies and riders. However, its low J.D. Power score and high NAIC complaint ratio kept it out of our top picks. Moreover, it no longer issues long-term care insurance policies, and its LTC rider cannot be added to all of its life insurance products.
Read Transamerica Long-Term Care Insurance Review
California Long Term Care Insurance Services (CLTC)
- Works with different carriers
- Offers critical illness insurance, annuities and LTC riders
- Plan information on the site is lacking
- Not available in all states
California Long Term Care Insurance Services, also known as CLTC Insurance Services, is an independent insurance brokerage that specializes in selling long-term care insurance and related products in the state of California. Since CLTC’s services are limited to one state, it did not make our main list.
National Guardian Life (NGL)
- Includes international benefits and emergency response system coverage
- Couples can share a policy and premium
- Offers inflation protection and two return of premium riders
- Shared benefit rider allows access to a third pool of money
- Low daily benefit amount ($50 to $300)
- Only two benefit period options, unless you purchase a rider
- Waiver of premium only available when comprehensive benefits are selected
- Not rated by J.D. Power
National Guardian Life offers a traditional LTCi policy called EssentialLTC. It includes international benefits (30 days per calendar year), coverage for caregiver training, respite care, bed reservations and emergency response systems, and contingent benefits in the event of a policy lapse. However, the plan's daily benefit maximums are comparatively low (between $50 and $300) and prospective policyholders only get two benefit period options (two or three years), unless they purchase an extension rider.
Long-Term Care Insurance Guide
The following guide includes details about how long-term care insurance works, what it covers and how much it costs. Keep reading to find out more.
What is long-term care insurance?
Long-term care insurance provides reimbursement or full payment for the costs of extended care, whether it takes place in a long-term care facility or at home. You pay a monthly premium for coverage that begins if you're diagnosed with cognitive impairment or can’t perform two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADL), such as eating, dressing, walking and toileting (using the bathroom).
Is long-term care insurance worth it?
For those who can afford it, long-term care insurance can be worth it. It can help middle-income adults cover costly extended care services later in life. Having long-term care coverage can also help them protect their assets and avoid placing the responsibility of caregiving solely on their loved one's shoulders.
According to the Administration of Community Living (ACL), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most people over 65 will require long-term care sometime in their lives. This statistic is especially relevant to women, as they tend to outlive men by about five years and are more likely to require care for longer.
Long-term care insurance could be especially beneficial to those who:
- Are in their early to mid-50s or early 60s
- Are in relatively good health
- Don't qualify for Medicaid or VA benefits
- Don't have enough money to self-insure
- Want to safeguard their assets and savings
- Want to spare their loved ones the responsibility of caregiving
How does long-term care insurance work?
Long-term care insurance works similarly to health insurance in that you pay a lump sum or monthly premium and the policy will cover qualifying expenses once you require care. However, unlike most health insurance policies, LTC policies are intended to cover custodial or skilled nursing care for a year or more.
A healthcare provider must prescribe long-term care assistance for your insurance policy to cover the services.
Here are some points about how long-term care insurance works:
- Coverage: It pays for assisted living or nursing facilities or in-home care.
- Benefits: Benefits commence when you have a cognitive impairment or can't perform two or more of the six activities of daily living (ADL).
- Disbursement: Companies pay benefits to cover the cost of long-term services either daily, weekly or monthly.
- Premium: The cost of a policy depends on many factors, but average monthly premiums are $75 per month.
What LTC insurance covers
Again, long-term care insurance policies cover the following types of care:
- Custodial care: Refers to assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing and eating. The caregiver doesn’t need to be licensed
- Skilled nursing: Defined as care provided by a licensed medical professional such as a registered nurse (RN).
Despite popular belief, this care can take place in a variety of settings, whether that's an assisted living facility, nursing home or your own home.
Jesse Slome, Director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, says "There are a lot of misconceptions about long-term care because it started as a product that primarily only paid for nursing home care, and that's the scariest proposition out there. But most people don't and won't need nursing home care, or they might for only a short period of time towards the very end."
He adds that the kind of care most of us will require is custodial care for things like getting up and about our own homes.
LTC policies may also cover specialized services, such as:
- Hospice care
- Respite care
- Alzheimer's and dementia care
- Family member training, medical equipment and home modifications
Keep in mind that your policy may include restrictions on how long you can be covered for these specialized services or set limits on how much of your benefit can go toward them. Nevertheless, some insurers may allow exceptions in extraordinary circumstances (such as a global pandemic).
What LTC insurance doesn't cover
While long-term care insurance covers the cost of nursing and custodial care provided in a variety of settings, policies have some notable exclusions. These may vary by policy but generally include:
- Treatment of mental illnesses, not including Alzheimer's Disease or senile dementia
- Self-inflicted injuries or conditions resulting from alcoholism or drug addiction
- Care in government nursing facilities
- Coverage outside the U.S. — yet some policies offer international benefits for a limited time, typically 12 months
- Extended care provided by family members, except in extraordinary circumstances
How much is long-term care insurance?
The cost of long-term care insurance will depend on your age, health status, the type of coverage you need and whether you buy a policy with level benefits or inflation protection.
According to the 2023 Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index published by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), the monthly premium for a policy with $165,000 in level benefits could range between $75 and $225.
Policyholders who want their long-term care insurance benefits to grow annually and keep up with inflation should expect to pay twice as much.
Annual long-term care Insurance costs
Issue Age
$165,000 in level benefits
With 1% yearly increase
With 2% yearly increase
With 3% yearly increase
Wtih 5% yearly increase
55-year-old male
$900
$1,295
$ 1,650
$2,100
$3,500
55-year-old female
$1,500
$2,100
$2,725
$3,600
$6,200
55-year-old couple
$2,080 (combined)
$3,000 (combined)
$3,870 (combined)
$5,025 (combined)
$8,575 (combined)
60-year-old male
$1,200
$1,200
$2,060
$2,060
$3,820
60-year-old female
$1,960
$2,650
$3,325
$4,450
$6,800
60-year-old couple
$2,550 (combined)
$3,425 (combined)
$4,425 (combined)
$5,670 (combined)
$8,550 (combined)
The age at which you apply for coverage is crucial in determining policy costs. A single man purchasing a plan with $165,000 in level benefits could expect to pay $900 annually at age 55. At age 65, he could expect to pay $1,700 per year for the same policy. That’s a whopping 89% premium increase.
Applicant age group
Percentage of applications denied
40 to 49
12.4%
50 to 59
20.4%
60 to 64
30.2%
65 to 65
47.2%
Average costs of long-term care services
Long-term care costs increase annually. National Health Expenditure Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reveals the average cost of assisted living facilities is projected to grow at a rate of 4.7% annually until 2030. Home health care costs are expected to increase at an even higher rate — 7% each year, on average.
This chart shows the average annual costs of typical long-term care options:
Long-term care service
Average annual cost
Increase since 2020
Homemaker services
$59,488
10.64%
Home health aide
$61,766
12.50%
Adult day care center
$20,280
5.41%
Assisted living facility
$54,000
4.65%
Semi-private room in a nursing home
$94,000
1.96%
Private room in a nursing home
$108,405
2.41%
Factors that affect the cost of long-term care insurance
- Age and health: While some insurers offer policies to individuals up to age 79, the reality is that your odds of approval decrease as you age and develop health conditions. Purchasing a policy in your late 40s or mid-50s can also help you secure a lower rate.
- Gender: Statistics reveal women tend to outlive men by about five years, on average. This means women have a higher likelihood of requiring extended care in their later years. Because of this, they also pay more than men for long-term care insurance.
- Marital status: Most insurers offer couples discounts and shared benefits to spouses who purchase long-term care insurance together.
- Insurance company: Since insurers assess risk differently, premiums for similar LTC insurance policies can vary considerably between companies. Discounts, optional riders and other perks also vary by company.
- Elimination period: Most LTC insurance policies have a waiting or elimination period, which is the time between when you require care and when the policy starts paying benefits. Opting for a shorter elimination period means you can start receiving benefits faster, but you'll likely pay higher premiums.
- Benefit amount: Your policy's benefit amount is the most your plan will pay toward your long-term care expenses. The higher your policy's maximum benefit, the higher your premium.
- Optional add-ons: Optional add-ons or riders can significantly increase the cost of your policy. However, benefits like inflation protection may be highly beneficial if you want your benefit to keep up with the rising costs of care.
Types of long-term care insurance
There are two main kinds of LTC insurance policies: stand-alone and hybrid. Understanding the differences between these policies can help you make the right decisions for you and your loved ones.
Traditional long-term care insurance policies
Traditional long-term care insurance policies, also known as stand-alone policies, generally provide a daily, weekly or monthly benefit amount paid out during a predetermined benefit period (typically two to five years). The policy disburses the benefits after an elimination period ranging from 0 to 365 calendar days, depending on the plan.
Most insurers offer riders you can add to your LTC policy to increase or modify coverage. For example, a popular rider for long-term care coverage is inflation protection, which keeps your benefit from losing value as the cost of living increases.
Hybrid long-term care insurance policies
Hybrid long-term care policies, also known as linked-benefit policies, typically combine two types of coverage: a life insurance policy or a qualifying annuity and a long-term care rider.
The advantages of a hybrid or linked-benefit policy include:
- A guaranteed death benefit amount that goes to your beneficiaries, regardless of whether you use long-term care benefits.
- Premium payments that are guaranteed to remain the same over the life of the policy.
- Potentially less stringent underwriting and lower pricing for women (a medical exam is still required, though).
- Surrender clauses that let you access the cash value the policy has accumulated over time.
- The possibility of being refunded a portion of the premiums you paid — if you purchased a return of premium rider.
But hybrid long-term care insurance policies also have drawbacks, at least for some. Premiums for hybrid policies can be much higher than for stand-alone LTC insurance, and you may not need life insurance coverage at all.
According to Slome, "a traditional long-term care insurance policy is always going to get you the most financial bang for your buck because it's only doing one thing. People like [the hybrid policy], or they like the concept, because they're being told 'If you don't use this policy, you get a death benefit.' Well, the question you have to ask yourself is, 'Do I want or need a death benefit 15-20 years from now?' because you're not getting it for free."
Ultimately, the choice to purchase a stand-alone policy or a hybrid one will depend on your personal and financial goals. An insurance agent can guide you toward the best life insurance option for your long-term care needs.
Pros and cons of long-term care insurance
- Protect your assets and savings against the high costs of long-term care
- Most policies allow for flexibility in care options
- Provide peace of mind knowing you'll be cared for later in life
- Premiums are generally high
- Some policies have "use it or lose it" benefits
- All policies have exclusions and limitations
How to choose the best long-term care insurance
The best long-term care insurance policy for you will depend on your needs and priorities. With that in mind, make sure your long-term care preferences are well-defined and you have shared your concerns and wishes with loved ones before starting your search.
Once you've defined your needs, shop around and compare policies from at least three insurance companies to get the best price for the type of coverage you want. If you want to save time, a broker like GoldenCare could do some of the legwork for you.
When comparing policies, consider the following:
- Coverage amount: Most long-term care insurance policies have daily benefit maximums as well as lifetime maximums. Consider how much coverage you would need to pay for the type of care you want to receive. A higher coverage amount will mean a higher premium.
- Benefit triggers: Each policy will specify the conditions that must be met before the policy starts paying benefits. Most require a medical professional to certify the insured is unable to perform two or three activities of daily living (ADL) for coverage to kick in.
- Benefit period: The benefit period is the length of time your policy will pay out. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the benefit period can range from two years to a lifetime. Opting for a longer benefit period will increase your premium.
- Covered care settings: Read the coverage details carefully to determine whether the policy will pay out the same benefit amount regardless of where care takes place. The III states some policies may pay out half as much per day if the policyholder elects in-home care.
- Waiting or elimination period: How long must you wait before your policy begins to pay benefits? The longer the waiting period, the higher your out-of-pocket expenses. Yet a policy with a shorter waiting period will generally cost more.
- Reimbursement or indemnity model: Both indemnity- and reimbursement-based policies have their benefits. Under an indemnity policy, if your costs of care are less than your maximum benefit amount, you can use the difference in whatever way you see fit. Under a reimbursement model, spending less than the allotted monthly benefit amount could help you extend your benefit period. It could also ensure the benefit is used for your care if you develop a cognitive impairment and can't manage your finances without assistance.
- Inflation growth option: Inflation protection riders allow your benefit to compound at a fixed percentage year-over-year to keep up with rising costs of care. Adding this and other riders to your policy will increase its cost.
More About Long-Term Care Insurance
- Is Long-Term Care Insurance Worth It?
- How Long-Term Care Can Protect Your Inheritance
- Alternatives to Long-Term Care Insurance
- Best Long-Term Disability Insurance Companies
- Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes: Care and Cost Differences
- Types of Long-Term Care Facilities
- Social Security and the 2024 COLA: Everything You Need to Know
Long-Term Care Insurance FAQs
How much does long-term care insurance cost?
What is hybrid long-term care insurance?
When should you buy long-term care insurance?
Is long-term care insurance worth it?
What are long-term care insurance state partnership plans?
You see, to be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet the income and asset limits determined by your state. If you exceed those limits, you must spend down your assets to qualify for Medicare. But if you purchase a partnership-qualified policy, you get dollar-for-dollar asset protection. So, for every dollar you spend on long-term care coverage, you get to protect a dollar of your assets from that spend-down requirement.
Who needs long-term care insurance?
How We Chose The Best Long-term Care Insurance Companies
To find the best long-term care (LTC) insurance companies in the industry, we extensively researched LTC products and their features, benefits and costs. With a clear understanding of the different types of policies available, we evaluated insurers based on the following criteria.
Customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction scores provide valuable insight into how clients perceive a company's services. To select the best long-term care insurers, we carefully considered the results of the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study.
With the exception of Golden Care, a broker that offers the convenience of working with different carriers, all of our top picks have above-average customer satisfaction ratings based on J.D. Power's latest findings.
Financial strength
In the U.S., insurance guaranty associations protect policyholders if an insurance company becomes insolvent by managing claims and transferring policies to financially stable carriers. Despite this protection, policyholders may be affected by delayed claims processing and administrative hassles if their insurer goes out of business.
With this in mind, we carefully vetted the insurance carriers on our list to ensure they have good or excellent financial strength ratings from major credit rating agencies like A.M. Best, Moody's, S&P and Fitch Ratings. All of these carriers have a strong or excellent ability to meet their future insurance obligations.
Consumer complaints
In our thorough evaluation of carriers, we also reviewed long-term care insurance complaint data as collected by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
We carefully reviewed NAIC Company Complaint Index report data from the various subsidiaries of the companies featured in our list. This was done to ensure the data didn't exceed market averages or suggest significant issues with the companies' service quality, underwriting, claims processes or sales and marketing practices.
Coverage options and benefits
There are three long-term care insurance options available to consumers:
- Stand-alone LTC insurance
- Hybrid policies that combine life insurance with LTC benefits
- LTC insurance riders that can be added to select life insurance products
These three options have unique features and benefits, and product details may vary by company and state. So while it's hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison of long-term care insurance products, we pared down our list of top providers by choosing those who offer several policy options, highly customizable plans or exclusive benefits.
Flexibility and customizability
Insurance policies aren't one-size-fits-all products, and long-term care insurance is no exception. When it comes to choosing a policy, customizability is key. Having multiple different policy features to choose from can help you tailor your policy to your projected future needs.
With that in mind, we chose companies that offer several elimination and benefit period options and allow flexibility with regard to how premiums can be paid and benefits can be used. Several of our top picks also waive the elimination period for certain types of care and offer nonforfeiture benefits, so policy owners can receive a partial benefit or premium refund after a lapse in coverage.
Cost savings and inflation protection
We also considered projected future increases in the cost of care to narrow down policy features that safeguard consumers' investments. One such feature is inflation protection. This optional add-on increases the benefit amount each year, typically by a fixed percentage, so your investment isn’t eroded by rising costs.
All of our selections offer inflation protection as well as other cost-saving benefits or add-ons, including potential for dividend payments, discounts or shared benefits for couples, guaranteed premiums and return of premium options.
Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index Data
When vetting companies, we referenced the latest Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index Data published by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTC) to understand cost trends within the LTC insurance industry. We also spoke to experts like Jesse Slome, Director of the AALTCI, in order to understand which features consumers should focus on when purchasing long-term care coverage.
Summary of Money’s Best Long-term Care Insurance of 2024
- Nationwide: Best for Policy Customization
- Mutual of Omaha: Best for Stand-Alone LTC Insurance
- New York Life: Best for Financial Stability
- Northwestern Mutual: Best for Couples
- GoldenCare Insurance: Best for Comparing Multiple Providers