Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance Review (2026)

About Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance

Established in 2017, Brighthouse trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol BHF. It is among the some of the largest providers of life insurance and annuities in the United States, with $32 million worth of life insurance sold within the first quarter of 2026.²

In addition to life insurance, Brighthouse Financial offers a broad range of annuity products and a hybrid long-term care (LTC) policy option integrated with insurance policies. Brighthouse distributes all products through financial advisors and brokers, rather than direct-to-consumer channels and online pathways.

What is the relationship between Brighthouse Financial and Metlife?

Brighthouse Financial and MetLife are closely connected because Brighthouse Financial was originally part of MetLife. In 2017, MetLife completed a corporate separation that spun off its U.S. retail life insurance and annuity business into a new, independent company called Brighthouse Financial.

All the life insurance policies issued by MetLife before the separation were transferred to Brighthouse Financial. Currently, Brighthouse manages its own products, customer service, underwriting, and claims processes independently and is no longer owned or controlled by MetLife.

Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance Review for 2026

Brighthouse Financial offers a more traditional, advisor-led approach to life insurance, with options that include term coverage, indexed universal life insurance, and hybrid policies with long-term care benefits. This 2026 Brighthouse Financial life insurance review examines its products, underwriting process, customer experience, claims process, and pros and cons to help you decide whether it suits your coverage needs.

Brighthouse Financial’s Financial Strength and Ratings

Financial strength ratings help consumers evaluate an insurer's ability to meet its long-term financial obligations, including paying policy benefits and claims. Brighthouse Financial receives strong ratings from the major credit rating agencies, such as:

• AM Best: A (Excellent)¹
• S&P Global: A³
• Moody's: A3³
• Fitch: A-³

This level of financial strength can provide added confidence that the company is well-positioned to honor claims and support its policies over the long term.

Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance Products

Brighthouse Financial offers a focused life insurance lineup spanning term, universal, and hybrid products, with distribution handled exclusively through licensed financial advisors.

Term Life Insurance

Brighthouse Financial's term life insurance is designed for individuals who need coverage for a specific period rather than lifelong protection. The company offers a one-year term policy that provides a death benefit if the insured passes away during the coverage term.

This coverage may be a practical option for those who need temporary financial protection, such as:

• Bridging a gap in life insurance coverage between jobs.
• Securing additional protection before pension or Social Security benefits begin.
• Covering short-term obligations, including extended travel or temporary financial commitments.

Convertible Whole Life Insurance

Brighthouse Financial’s term life insurance policies may be converted to whole life insurance without additional underwriting or another medical exam. Once converted, the whole life policy provides lifelong coverage and a fixed death benefit, as long as the required premiums are paid.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance

Indexed universal life insurance provides lifelong coverage and the potential to build cash value based partly on the performance of a selected market index.

Rather than investing directly in the stock market, the policy tracks the performance of one or more indices, allowing policyholders to benefit from potential market gains while maintaining a level of protection against losses.

Key features of this type of policy include:

• A death benefit that helps provide financial security for beneficiaries.
• Cash value growth potential linked to the performance of selected market indices.
• Buffer options designed to help reduce the impact of certain market declines.
• The ability to receive tax-advantaged distribution payments, subject to policy terms and applicable regulations.

Hybrid Life and Long-Term Care

Brighthouse Financial offers a hybrid product combining a life insurance benefit with an integrated long-term care benefit in a single policy. Policyholders who do not require long-term care preserve the full death benefit for beneficiaries. If long-term care is needed, the benefit pool can be drawn on to cover qualifying care costs.

Brighthouse Financial’s Underwriting and Application Process

Brighthouse Financial uses a combination of fully underwritten and simplified underwriting processes depending on the product type and coverage amount, with all applications submitted through a licensed financial advisor.

Medical Exam Requirements

Brighthouse Financial uses underwriting to assess eligibility for both its life insurance policies and optional riders. Depending on the coverage amount and an applicant's health profile, a medical exam or health interview may be required.

• Underwriting is required for both the base policy and any selected riders.
• Applicants may need to complete a medical exam or brief health interview.
• Lab tests and medical examinations may be required for higher coverage amounts, particularly policies exceeding $3 million.⁴
• Additional medical records or interviews can be requested if further information is needed during the underwriting process.
• Requirements may vary based on state regulations and individual circumstances.

How to Apply for Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance

Brighthouse Financial sells its life insurance products exclusively through licensed financial professionals, so you cannot apply directly through its website. The application process typically works this way:

• Applications must be submitted through a licensed financial advisor or insurance professional authorized by Brighthouse Financial.
• The process begins with a consultation to assess your insurance needs and select a suitable policy.
• Applicants must complete a formal application and satisfy any underwriting requirements.
• Fully underwritten policies generally take between two and eight weeks to be approved and issued.
• Eligible applicants may receive a faster decision through the SimplySelect no-exam underwriting program.
• Prospective buyers without an advisor can contact Brighthouse Financial for help finding an authorized representative.

Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance Customer Experience

Brighthouse Financial's service model is advisor-centric, with most policyholder interactions managed through the financial advisor who sold the policy rather than directly through the company's consumer-facing channels.

Customer Service and Contact Options

Policyholders can reach Brighthouse Financial's service team by phone for billing inquiries, policy changes, and general account questions. Here are a few Brighthouse Financial contact options:⁵

• Phone: (800) 882-1292/ (833) 208-3017 (available Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET)

The website contains an online policyholder portal that supports policy management, premium payment, and document access. For life insurance policyholders, the financial advisor relationship serves as the primary point of contact for product questions and service requests.

Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance Claims Process

Brighthouse Financial allows beneficiaries to start a life insurance claim either by contacting the company directly or through the financial professional who serviced the policy. Here’s how you can file a claim:

• Claims can be initiated by phone or with the assistance of the policy's financial advisor.
• Beneficiaries must complete and submit Brighthouse Financial's claim form.
• A certified copy of the death certificate is typically required. The original policy document may also be requested if it is available.
• Most claims usually are processed within 30 days after all required documents have been received.
• Claims involving missing information or special circumstances may take longer to review.

Mobile App and Online Access

Brighthouse Financial does not currently offer a dedicated mobile app for policyholders. Instead, customers who want digital account access must use the company’s online servicing portal, which is available through a desktop or mobile web browser.

Through the portal, registered policyholders can view policy and contract details, access important documents, and make updates to coverage or beneficiary information. Brighthouse also allows one-time premium payments online without requiring users to create an account.

Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance Pros and Cons

While Brighthouse Financial provides several unique coverage options and high coverage limits, its advisor-based sales model and limited pricing transparency may not appeal to every shopper.

Pros of Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance

• Strong financial strength rating: Brighthouse Financial holds an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, indicating a strong ability to meet policyholder obligations.
• Hybrid life insurance and long-term care coverage: The company offers products that combine life insurance benefits with long-term care protection.
• No-exam coverage available: Eligible applicants may qualify for indexed universal life insurance coverage of up to $3 million without a medical exam.⁴
• Online policy management: Policyholders can access an online portal to view documents, manage policies, and make account updates.

Cons of Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance

• No direct-to-consumer purchasing option: All policies must be purchased through a licensed financial professional.
• Limited pricing transparency: Brighthouse does not provide online quotes or publicly available pricing information.
• No traditional whole life insurance product: The company's life insurance lineup focuses on term, indexed universal, and hybrid products rather than conventional whole life coverage.

Ethos vs. Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance

Ethos and Brighthouse Financial take different approaches to life insurance. The right choice depends on how you prefer to shop for coverage and the type of policy you need.

Buying Experience and Accessibility

• Ethos: Offers a fully online application process, allowing customers to get quotes and apply for coverage without working with an agent.
• Brighthouse Financial: Requires all policies to be purchased through a licensed financial advisor, creating a more traditional buying experience.

Product Selection

• Ethos: Focuses on straightforward term life, whole life and IUL coverage, making it a strong option for shoppers seeking affordable coverage.
• Brighthouse Financial: Provides term life, indexed universal life, and hybrid life insurance with long-term care benefits.

Underwriting and Approval Speed

• Ethos: Uses accelerated underwriting for all applicants, often providing quick decisions without a medical exam. However, applicants are required to answer a set of health questions to qualify for coverage.
• Brighthouse Financial: Offers some no-exam options, but applications still need to go through an advisor and may take longer to process.

Best Fit Profile

• Choose Ethos if: You want a fast, transparent, and fully online way to purchase life insurance without the need for a medical exam.
• Choose Brighthouse Financial if: You need specialized products or prefer working with a financial advisor as part of a broader financial plan.

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