Corebridge Direct (formerly AIG Direct) is a powerhouse for families who want more than just a death benefit. Its flagship "Quality of Life" term insurance stands out by offering built-in "living benefits," allowing you to access cash from your policy while you are still alive if you suffer a chronic, critical, or terminal illness. While the application process is slower and more traditional than fintechs like Ethos, the ability to customize your term length to the exact year (e.g., 17 years) and the robust living benefits make it a top choice for comprehensive protection.

At a Glance

Parent Company: Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement); A Rated
Policy Type: Term Life (Select-a-Term), Quality of Life, & Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
Age Availability: 20 – 80 (varies by product)
Coverage Amounts: $100,000 – $10 million+
Medical Exam: Required for most best-rate policies; some accelerated underwriting available for healthy applicants under 50.
Term Lengths: Customizable (choose any term between 10 and 35 years)
Application Speed: Traditional (2 – 6 weeks usually)
Key Feature: Living Benefits (access death benefit early for illness)

Pros & Cons

Pros

Quality of Life (Living Benefits): This is the main reason to choose Corebridge. Unlike standard policies that only pay out when you die, Corebridge allows you to pull money from your policy to pay for medical bills if you have a heart attack, stroke, or need long-term care, potentially saving you from bankruptcy.
Select-a-Term: Most companies sell terms in 5-year blocks (10, 15, 20). Corebridge lets you pick the exact year. If your mortgage is paid off in 17 years, you can buy a 17-year policy, saving money compared to a 20-year term.
Financial Strength: As one of the largest insurers in the world (formerly part of AIG), they have substantial financial backing to ensure claims are paid.
Price-Competitive: Despite the extra features, they are consistently among the top 5 cheapest carriers for standard term life insurance.

Cons

Slow Service: Customer service reviews often cite slow processing times and difficulty reaching agents compared to modern digital competitors.
Medical Exams: While some carriers are moving to 100% digital/no-exam, Corebridge is traditional. Expect a nurse visit and blood draw if you want the absolute lowest rate or high coverage amounts.
Strict Underwriting: They can be tougher on certain health conditions (like anxiety or depression) than carriers like Banner Life.

Overview

In 2022, AIG spun off its life and retirement division into a new public company called Corebridge Financial. "Corebridge Direct" is the direct-to-consumer arm of this giant. They sell policies issued by American General Life Insurance Company. If you see "AIG" and "Corebridge" used interchangeably, don't worry, it's essentially the same rock-solid insurance, just under a new brand name.

Rates & Terms

Select-a-Term: This feature allows you to choose term lengths of 10 years, or any specific duration between 15 and 30 years (e.g., 16, 17, 18... up to 30), and even 35 years. This precision prevents you from "overbuying" coverage.
Quality of Life... Insurance: This product typically costs slightly more than "vanilla" term insurance, but the value is immense. It bundles:
- Chronic Illness Rider: Access funds if you can't perform daily activities (like bathing/eating).
- Critical Illness Rider: Access funds if you have a major event like a heart attack, stroke, or invasive cancer.
- Terminal Illness Rider: Access funds if diagnosed with <12 months to live.

Fees & Requirements

Application Fee: None.
Medical Requirements:
- Standard: Most applicants should expect a paramedical exam (height, weight, blood pressure, blood/urine sample).
- Agile Underwriting: Some healthy applicants under age 50 applying for less than $1 million might be able to skip the exam, but it's not guaranteed, unlike with Ladder or Ethos.
Citizenship: Available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Customer Experience

The Process: You can get a quote online, but you usually have to speak to a licensed agent to finalize the application. This is a "high touch" model, not a "do it yourself" app.
Claims: Corebridge is highly rated for its ability to pay claims, though the administrative side can be bureaucratic.

Who It’s Best For

The "What If I Get Sick?" Worrier: If you are more worried about a stroke or cancer bankrupting your family than you are about dying suddenly, the Quality of Life policy is the best product on the market for you.
Specific Timeline Planners: If you have a child who graduates from college in exactly 18 years, buying an 18-year term (instead of 20) saves you two years of premiums.
Value Seekers: Corebridge often wins pricing wars for healthy applicants in their 30s and 40s.

Who Should Skip It

Impatient Buyers: If you need a policy today, go to Ladder or Ethos. Corebridge will likely take 3-4 weeks to approve you.
Those Wanting a Digital-Only Experience: If you hate talking on the phone, Corebridge’s agent-centric model will annoy you.
Tobacco Users: Corebridge’s rates for smokers are often higher than competitors like Banner Life.

Bottom Line

Corebridge Direct (AIG) is a top-tier choice for the strategic buyer. It isn't the fastest, but its Select-a-Term customization and industry-leading Living Benefits make it arguably the most useful policy you can buy. It protects your family not just if you die, but if you get sick and can't work, a safety net that is worth the wait of traditional underwriting.