The Big Lou Insurance commercial claims that Big Lou is just like you — he’s got a few nagging health issues, is about 50 years old, and may be overweight. But is he really like you? Big Lou isn’t a real person; he’s an advertising character created by the life insurance brokerage TermProvider. Okay, so Big Lou isn’t a real person, but what do the Big Lou Insurance reviews say about the insurance options?
Because Big Lou Life Insurance is a brokerage, they sell policies from a variety of insurers, claiming they can help the average person get great coverage at affordable rates. However, Big Lou typically recommends term life insurance, which is rarely affordable or reliable for seniors.
Burial insurance is usually a better choice, providing affordable rates and accessible coverage to seniors with pre-existing conditions. As a top-rated life insurance brokerage, Final Expense Benefits can help you find a policy that fits your budget and health needs.
To learn more about your life insurance options, call us at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or use our free online quoting tool for a personalized pricing estimate.
Key takeaways
Through Big Lou Insurance claims, “he’s just like you”, he’s just an advertising character created by the life insurance brokerage TermProvider.
Big Lou Insurance focuses on term life and universal life insurance, which are poor fits for their senior “every person”.
Term life rates and eligibility can be unfavorable for seniors, who are usually ineligible for low-term rates thanks to unforgiving medical underwriting requirements.
Burial insurance is typically the best choice for seniors. However, Big Lou Insurance doesn’t offer it, leaving a major gap in their catalog for seniors.
Is Big Lou Real?
No, Big Lou isn’t a real person. Big Lou Insurance and the character, Big Lou, were created in 2011 by the life insurance brokerage TermProvider. Founded in 1982, TermProvider specializes in universal and term life insurance and is currently located in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
TermProvider created Big Lou as an advertising mascot to help appeal to their idea of the “every person”. This average person is about 50 years old, may be overweight, or has a few health issues, but still wants to provide coverage to loved ones.
Just like any good life insurance brokerage, Big Lou Insurance’s goal is to connect their clients with quality coverage. However, their focus on term life insurance is not something we recommend to the average Big Lou customer because they focus on term life policies. Term policies are normally used by young adults in good health as income for their family if they pass away. They’re good for younger applicants, but have strict health requirements for seniors and often don’t accept applicants with pre-existing health conditions.
However, Big Lou Insurance advertisements claim term life insurance is an inexpensive choice for seniors with health concerns, which is untrue. Even in their ad’s example, they claim that a 50-year-old applicant with some health issues could get a $1 million term life policy at a $200 monthly premium, which isn’t very likely. But do they have any other options that work for seniors?
Big Lou Insurance Coverage Options
The biggest benefit to working with life insurance brokerages is that they offer a wide selection of coverage options from a variety of insurers. Big Lou Insurance is no different, but their focus on term life and universal life insurance leaves seniors without specialized coverage. Here are the main options:
1
Big Lou Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance offers large death benefits and is usually used by young adults as income protection in case of death. However, these policies only cover part of your life, usually 10 to 30 years. Average benefits range from at least $100,00 to over $5 million.
Big Lou specializes in term life insurance, prominently featuring it across their advertising. They claim it’s affordable and accessible to middle-aged applicants with health concerns, but term life has tough health requirements. Term life premium rates can be expensive for anyone not in great health, something Big Lou Insurance chooses not to mention on their website.
Big Lou isn’t wrong that term life insurance can be an affordable choice for younger applicants, but it’s not ideal for seniors.
2
Big Lou Universal Life Insurance
Unlike term life, universal life insurance covers your whole life, with cash value that accumulates through several investment options. This cash can be used to purchase additional coverage, taken out as a loan, or reduce premium costs.
Universal policies are great for younger applicants looking to grow their cash through investments while offering their loved ones coverage, but they don’t work great for seniors.
Like term life insurance, universal policies have notoriously tough medical underwriting requirements, so most seniors aren’t eligible. Even if they are eligible, they’ll have to pay high rates. Plus, universal policies can lose value if investments perform poorly.
Universal life can be a good option for younger applicants, but it’s often unaffordable, unreliable, and inaccessible to seniors. We recommend that seniors invest in whole life insurance.
3
Big Lou Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance is similar to universal life, providing cash value growth and lifetime coverage. However, it is more reliable for seniors. Whole life rates are locked at the policy’s start, and these policies offer seniors affordable, accessible coverage.
Big Lou doesn’t offer standard burial insurance or whole life insurance. This is a major coverage gap, one that leaves a large amount of the “every person” customer without affordable, accessible policies. However, they do have one whole life option, but it’s very limited.
At Final Expense Benefits, our specialty is burial insurance, a type of whole life policy designed for seniors. Rates are affordable, ranging from $30 to $150 monthly, and benefits are perfect for covering seniors’ needs. Seniors typically use life insurance to cover funeral, cremation, burial plot costs, and other end-of-life expenses, so the average benefit payout of $5,000 to $50,000 is plenty.
4
Big Lou Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
Big Lou’s only whole life option is guaranteed issue life insurance from Gerber Life. Guaranteed policies cover for life and are accessible for seniors with serious pre-existing conditions, but they’re limited and expensive. We typically only recommend guaranteed plans to nursing home-bound seniors or those with major health conditions that would disqualify them from more affordable coverage, such as cancer or dementia.
Underwriting for guaranteed insurance ignores health conditions, meaning Big Lou does have an option for seniors with pre-existing health concerns, but it’s a flawed one. Unlike other whole life policies, Big Lou’s guaranteed plan doesn’t offer cash value growth, and death benefits are capped at $25,000.
In addition, guaranteed plans usually cost at least 40% more than comparable non-guaranteed plans and always have waiting periods. Big Lou’s policy has a two-year waiting period after the policy’s start. If the policyholder dies during that time, benefits will be paid in a modified structure that may reduce and delay them.
While guaranteed life insurance serves a useful role for seniors with major health concerns, those with milder medical issues, like controlled diabetes, can typically qualify for cheaper plans without waiting periods.
If you’re interested in life insurance but seeking better options than Big Lou, contact Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725. We work with over 20 of the top life insurance companies and can help you find a policy that fits your needs.
Big Lou Insurance Reviews: Third Party Rating Services
BBB Rating
The Better Business Bureau evaluates businesses’ ability to navigate and resolve customer complaints. They also provide resolution and review services for customers and businesses. Based on those complaints and resolutions, they rate companies A+ to F.
The BBB rates Big Lou A+, but they aren’t BBB-accredited. This indicates they believe Big Lou is capable but not exceptional at complaint resolution. In addition, their customer rating is only one out of five.
Big Lou Insurance Reviews: Customer Ratings
Dave S
1/5
Applied online and received an automated email stating I would hear from someone in 24 hours – nothing. Filled out again, still crickets after several weeks. Guess because I only want $200K in insurance (no debt, kids grown, lots of assets), not worth their time – only interested in the $1mil policies.
Carl W
1/5
Big Lou advertises all these great rates but beware. They sent me on a 3-month waste of time getting a blood test, Dr records etc. Then wanted me to do a retest of things my Dr gave them. I would not use this company they jerked me around. Never did buy anything from them, wasted my time and effort.
Robbie R
1/5
This company called me back, was rude, and hung up. I called for a life insurance quote, but when I mentioned that their advertisements are offensive. They got very hostile and hung up. Would not recommend. Plus, after reading other reviews, found out their policy quotes are 150-200% higher than their competitors. Sick company. Avoid.
Big Lou Insurance Pros & Cons
Pros
- Simplified Application Process
Just like any life insurance brokerage, Big Lou Insurance agents simply handle most of the life insurance application process. They streamline the process by asking you about your personal health, coverage and budget needs, and policy preferences. However, this is simply the result of working with a life insurance brokerage. - Honest, Transparent Policy Details
Big Lou’s website is honest about pricing details and how your rates are calculated. This transparency is helpful when seeking coverage, but it is also a benefit we provide. We work with over 20 of the best life insurance providers, with a wide range of options and real rate quotes. - Online Quoting Tool
Like Final Expense Benefits, Big Lou offers an online quoting tool. This helps you make a quick, informed decision. - Positive Reviews
Similar to Final Expense Benefits, Big Lou boasts hundreds of satisfied customer reviews.
Cons
- Incompatible Options
Big Lou has few options for seniors, so you may not find the best coverage for your needs. In addition, their focus on term life insurance may take a lot of the control out of your hands. You should get the policy you want at an affordable price, rather than being pressured into an incompatible term policy. - No Burial Insurance
Though Big Lou’s partner providers offer guaranteed whole life insurance, there isn’t any affordable burial insurance for seniors. - Higher Premiums
Big Lou doesn’t decide the premiums their providers charge, but term life often has unfavorable underwriting practices that assign high rates to seniors with health concerns. Our no-pressure approach can help you find the coverage you want — without getting you stuck in a policy that overstretches your budget. - Pushy Customer Service
Though many Big Lou insurance reviews are positive, some warn about high premiums, pushy agents, and a lack of respect. That’s not what you want out of your life insurance agency. Final Expense Benefits is here to respect your needs at every step of the life insurance process.
Burial Insurance: A Better Choice for Seniors than Big Lou Insurance
Also called final expense insurance, burial insurance is the best coverage for most seniors. With affordable rates, accessible coverage, and benefits tailored to seniors’ needs, burial insurance is an outstanding option for seniors seeking reliable coverage for funerals and more.
Final Expense Benefits only works with the top burial insurance providers and are proud to share real rates, so you can make an informed decision.
Here are sample rates from some of our top providers. These rates are for a benchmark $10,000 burial insurance policy, calculated using a non-smoking applicant with no pre-existing conditions:
| Company |
Male 50y/o |
Female 50y/o |
Male 60y/o |
Female 60y/o |
Male 70y/o |
Female 70y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$34 |
$27 |
$50 |
$40 |
$70 |
$56 |
|
|
$31 |
$26 |
$43 |
$35 |
$71 |
$53 |
|
|
$31 |
$24 |
$44 |
$33 |
$75 |
$53 |
|
|
$34 |
$29 |
$45 |
$35 |
$79 |
$59 |
|
|
$33 |
$26 |
$48 |
$36 |
$82 |
$58 |
These figures are estimates only, based on a $10,000 burial insurance policy for a non-smoking applicant with no pre-existing conditions.
If you’re interested in these or any of our great life insurance partners, call us at (866) 786-0725 to learn more. To see how much coverage you need or how much it might cost, check our free funeral cost calculator and quoting tool.
Our Review and Final Thoughts
Working with a life insurance brokerage is a smart choice because it can simplify the life insurance application process and help you avoid mistakes that could lead to your application being denied. However, it’s crucial to choose the right agency.
Unfortunately, Big Lou may not be the best life insurance brokerage for seniors because of their customer reputation issues and focus on term life insurance.
Big Lou Insurance could be a much better choice for seniors if they offered more variety. Unlike Big Lou Insurance, Final Expense Benefits’ partners not only offer term, universal, and guaranteed life insurance, but also provide the best choice for seniors, burial insurance.
Seniors looking for affordable, quality coverage should try burial insurance — without pushy agents trying to connect you to a poor fit, like term life insurance. Call us at (866) 786-0725 to check our top-rated options and to start your application today.
FAQ
Is Big Lou real?
Big Lou is a fictional advertising character created by the life insurance brokerage TermProvider. He’s a fictional “every person”, designed to appeal to older people seeking coverage for loved ones despite health concerns.
Is Big Lou Life Insurance legit?
Big Lou is a legitimate life insurance brokerage, though their advertising may fool some people into thinking they are a life insurance provider.
What is Big Lou at TermProvider?
Big Lou is a subsidiary brand created by the life insurance brokerage TermProvider.