Anonymous wrote:"Why do you feel you need life insurance?"
Former agent here. Most of us are not independently wealthy (ok maybe on dcum more than usual are wealthy lol) and we need to replace lost income, provide for our families/children, and make sure someone is able to pay for our arrangements once we're dead.
here's a good article that explains (on the last page) how to check S&P ratings or Best ratings to ensure you choose a reputable company.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson20/index.htm