Term Life InsuranceTerm Life Insurance
NationwideNationwide
The extreme sports champion — the most forgiving carrier for high-risk hobbies.
Nationwide
The extreme sports champion — the most forgiving carrier for high-risk hobbies.
About Nationwide
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company has protected American families since 1925 from its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. As a mutual company with over $270 billion in assets, Nationwide is owned by its policyholders rather than outside shareholders. In the term life market, Nationwide stands out on two dimensions: living benefit comprehensiveness and extreme sports tolerance. The Guaranteed Level Term includes all three accelerated benefit rider types — terminal, chronic, and critical illness — at no added premium, with a lifetime acceleration maximum of up to $1 million. Nationwide's underwriting is also the most forgiving in the industry for applicants who participate in skydiving, motor racing, rock climbing, and other extreme activities that typically carry flat extras or declines at competing carriers.
FindInsureWise's Take
Nationwide earns a top recommendation for two distinct reasons: it is the first carrier we consider for clients who participate in extreme sports or hazardous occupations, and it is one of the strongest choices for families who want all three living benefit riders — terminal, chronic, and critical illness — in a single policy. The Intelligent Underwriting wellness credit system can also improve rate class for otherwise borderline applicants. The primary limitation is a $1M living benefit cap and lack of an explicitly published no-exam limit comparable to Banner, Symetra, or Corebridge.
Strengths
- All three living benefit riders included at no added premium: terminal, chronic (2 of 6 ADLs), and critical illness
- Extreme sports underwriting: experienced skydivers, climbers, and motorsports participants often qualify for Preferred rates
- Wellness Credits via Intelligent Underwriting — healthy habits can improve rate class
- Mutual company structure — policyholder-aligned, not shareholder-driven
- A+ (Superior) rated with $270B+ in assets
Considerations
- Living benefit lifetime cap of $1M — lower than Corebridge QoL Flex Term ($2M) or Ameritas ($1.5M)
- No explicitly published no-exam face amount limit in standard materials
- Fewer term length options (10, 15, 20, 30 years) compared to carriers offering any annual duration
Guaranteed Level Term
The extreme sports champion — the most forgiving carrier for high-risk hobbies.
Product Details
Key Features
Extreme Sports Friendly
Skydiving, rock climbing, motorsports — most carriers decline or surcharge heavily. Nationwide's underwriting is among the most tolerant in the industry: experienced participants in many extreme activities still qualify for Preferred rates.
All Three Living Benefits Included
Free built-in coverage for critical illness (cancer, heart attack, major organ transplant), chronic illness (severe cognitive impairment or inability to perform 2 of 6 ADLs with annual lump-sum requests), and terminal illness — the most comprehensive living benefit package available.
Wellness Credits — Automatic Health Upgrade
Nationwide's Intelligent Underwriting system automatically evaluates healthy lifestyle habits and may improve your underwriting class by up to two levels — resulting in lower premiums than your application alone would suggest.
Best For
Thrill-seekers and extreme sports enthusiasts, and clients who want the strongest possible living benefit package built in at no extra cost.