Reputation grade
A
Peer-relative, A–F
Insurer profile · NAIC + CMS
New York Life
New York Life's complaint record, claim-denial rate and reputation grade, drawn from published NAIC complaint data and CMS Transparency in Coverage.
- A
- Reputation grade
- 0.31
- Complaint index
- 50
- States active
The verdict
New York Life earns a A reputation grade - far fewer consumer problems than peers of its size, according to the NAIC's published complaint index, its ratio runs 0.31, below the 1.0 market average.
- A
- reputation grade
- 0.31
- NAIC complaint index
Grades are peer-relative within PlainInsurer's dataset. A high complaint ratio is not proof of wrongdoing, larger insurers draw more complaints by volume, which the index normalises.
NAIC complaint index
0.31
1.0 = market average; lower is better
Est. complaint volume
~1,922
across 50 states, index-derived
Reputation grade A (composite score 87.6) - A=Excellent, F=Failing. Based on NAIC complaint ratios and CMS denial data.
Where New York Life sits on complaints
NAIC complaint index vs the market average and the dataset range (1.0 = market average; lower is better)
- Best in data 0.23
Lowest complaint index in PlainInsurer's dataset: 0.23
0.23 complaint index
- Market avg 1
Market average complaint index = 1.0 (NAIC benchmark)
1 complaint index
- New York Life 0.31
New York Life: complaint index 0.31
0.31 complaint index
- Worst in data
Highest complaint index in PlainInsurer's dataset: 3.87
3.87 complaint index
What this shows New York Life's complaint index of 0.31 is 69% below the 1.0 market average for a carrier of its size.
New York Life vs. the full rated-insurer dataset
Complaint index across all rated insurers, bucketed (100% = market average)
31% Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% of 72 rated insurers
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more rated insurers. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source NAIC published complaint index (2024) · 2024
Scale vs. complaint-adjusted score
Each point is a rated insurer, placed by raw complaint count and its size-normalized composite score (lower is better). Complaint counts rise with scale on their own, this shows whether New York Life's score tracks its volume or beats it.
NAIC complaint counts and PlainInsurer composite scores (2024), 72 rated insurers
Complaint record by line of business
| Line | Est. complaints | Complaint index | States active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Insurance | ~1,922 | 0.31 | 50 |
What the data shows for New York Life
According to PlainInsurer's dataset, New York Life has a lower (better) NAIC complaint index than 94% of the 72 rated insurers it tracks and ranks #4 of 16 carriers by complaint ratio in Life Insurance.
New York Life carries a A reputation grade in PlainInsurer's dataset, with a composite score of 87.6 (higher means more consumer friction relative to size). Its NAIC complaint index of 0.31 sits below the 1.0 market average, meaning policyholders escalate fewer disputes to regulators than is typical for a carrier of its premium volume.
New York Life does not appear in the CMS marketplace claim-denial file, which covers individual-market health issuers, common for auto, home and life carriers. The carrier reports activity across 1 line of business.
In short: complaint and denial data show how New York Life compares to peers, not what your own claim experience will be. Weigh price, coverage terms and state licensing before any purchase. Source: NAIC Consumer Information Source complaint data (2024). Reputation grade computed by PlainInsurer from public NAIC data, see methodology.
Use this data wisely. Complaint and denial figures reflect regulatory filings, not individual claim outcomes. A high complaint ratio is not proof of illegal behaviour. This page is informational and is not financial, legal, or insurance advice, verify coverage decisions with your insurer or a licensed agent.
Other A-graded carriers in PlainInsurer's dataset include Lincoln National Life and Principal Financial, and the closest overall composite score to New York Life's 87.6 belongs to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia (87.6).
Other A-graded insurers
Carriers with the same peer-relative reputation grade
| Insurer | Grade |
|---|---|
| Lincoln National Life | A |
| Principal Financial | A |
| TIAA Life | A |
| Mutual of Omaha | A |
| USAA Homeowners | A |
Closest composite score to New York Life
Carriers with the nearest overall composite score (87.6)
| Insurer | Composite score |
|---|---|
| Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | 87.6 |
| Guardian Life | 88.4 |
| Capital Health Plan | 86.5 |
| MercyCare HMO, Inc. | 88.7 |
| USAA | 86.4 |
Frequently asked questions
What does New York Life's grade mean?
New York Life received a grade of A, indicating far fewer consumer problems than peers of its size. PlainInsurer grades insurers on a curve relative to the ~200 carriers in our dataset, using the NAIC complaint index (normalized by premium volume) and Medicare Advantage prior-authorization data where available.
How many complaints does New York Life have?
PlainInsurer estimates New York Life's complaint volume at roughly 1,922 across 50 states, derived from its published NAIC complaint index and market footprint (NAIC does not release exact per-company complaint counts via public bulk data). Raw counts favour smaller insurers, PlainInsurer uses the complaint index itself (complaints relative to premium volume, where 1.0 is the market average) to compare carriers fairly.
How do I file a complaint against New York Life?
Contact your state's Department of Insurance, most accept complaints online, by phone, or by mail. The NAIC also runs a central portal at naic.org. Document your policy number, claim number, dates, and the issue before filing.
Is New York Life a good insurance company?
It depends on your coverage needs, state, and budget. PlainInsurer's A grade reflects far fewer consumer problems than peers of its size relative to peers. Always compare quotes from multiple carriers and check complaint data for your specific state and line of coverage.
What types of insurance does New York Life offer?
Based on NAIC filing data, New York Life reports activity in 1 line of business: Life Insurance. Availability varies by state.
What to do with this
How to act on New York Life's complaint and denial record.
- Compare this carrier side-by-side with another before you buy. Compare insurers
- See how every insurer in your state ranks on complaints and denials. Browse by state
- Understand how the complaint index compares carriers fairly. Read the guide
Complaint ratios normalise by premium volume so larger carriers are not penalised for writing more policies.
Verify New York Life
New York Life is filed with the NAIC under company number 66915. Search that number directly in the NAIC's own public consumer-information tool to cross-check this page against the primary source.
Verify on NAIC Consumer Information SourceSource: NAIC published complaint index data Complaint index, reputation grade for New York Life · 2024 NAIC complaint index aggregates state-DOI consumer complaints, normalized against premium volume (1.0 = market average). Denial rates from CMS Transparency in Coverage PY2025. Reputation grade is PlainInsurer's peer-relative methodology applied to this public data.
Download the data behind this page
The full PlainInsurer extract, covering every insurer including New York Life, is available as CSV and JSON. Underlying federal data is public domain; see our methodology for the compilation and grading method.
Data: NAIC published complaint index (2024). Not affiliated with NAIC or CMS.
Every figure on PlainInsurer comes directly from NAIC MCAS and CMS Transparency in Coverage data; no editor types in numbers. See our editorial standards or methodology, or report an error. Data current as of 2026-07-28. Grades measure only the published complaint/denial data; we don't recommend any insurer or policy.