Updated September 28, 2026 · AssureCue Editorial Team
Guardian vs Principal
Guardian vs Principal: the differences
| Compare |  Guardian |  Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance types | Dental, Life, Critical illness | Dental, Life, Critical illness, Income protectionCovers more |
| Cover limit | USD 1,000 yearly max (Advantage Starter 2.0) | Dental annual maximum typically $1,000 to $2,000 per year |
| Claims channels | In network dentist direct submission, Phone, Online form (Submit a Claim), Mobile app | Dentist files the claim on the member's behalf (preferred), Member submits their own claim, Online account or mobile app to view claims |
| Age range | 18 and over | Member, spouse and dependents to age 26 |
| Premium from | $17 | Not confirmed |
| Monthly payments | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Excess from | $0 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Provider type (Insurer).
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Key differences
- Principal scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Founded is lower at Guardian: 1860 vs 1879.
- Insurance types: only Principal offers Income protection.
- Claims channels: only Guardian offers In network dentist direct submission, Phone, Online form (Submit a Claim).
- Claims channels: only Principal offers Dentist files the claim on the member's behalf (preferred), Member submits their own claim, Online account or mobile app to view claims.
- Support channels: only Principal offers Email.
Our verdict on each
Guardian
Guardian suits adults in the US who want dental, life and critical illness cover from an insurer running since 1860, with premiums starting at $17. The cost picture is mixed, because that entry figure sits above the €8.37 typical across the site.
Principal
Principal suits anyone whose cover comes through work and who wants dental cover alongside life, critical illness and income protection from the same insurer. It has traded as an insurer since 1879, claims can be filed by the dentist, and dental benefits cap at Dental annual maximum typically $1,000 to $2,000 per year.
Score breakdown
| Area | Guardian | Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Premiums start at $17 with an excess starting at $0 and monthly payments available. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.1Higher |
| Trust | 9.7 | 9.7 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Guardian | Principal |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
Available in 1 country for both.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Guardian | Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Life insurance | 75 of 263 | 42 of 263 |
| Health insurance | 66 of 216 | 38 of 216 |
| Critical illness cover | 19 of 65 | 11 of 65 |
| Dental insurance | 21 of 50 | 13 of 50 |
Sources behind this comparison
Guardian
- guardianlife.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Principal
- principal.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- linkedin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Guardian | Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Seniors | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Monthly | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America | Principal Life Insurance Company |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1860Lower | 1879 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Phone, Email, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Guardian | Principal | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium from | $17above the median | Not confirmed | $16.09 |
| Excess from | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $100 |
Median across 61 listed insurance providers.
Pros and cons
Guardian
Pros
- Premiums start at $17 for dental plans aimed at adults
- The excess starts at $0, so nothing is deducted before a claim is paid
- Cover spans dental, life and critical illness from one insurer
Cons
- Monthly payments are the only payment model listed, so monthly leaves no annual option to compare
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no chat or email channel listed
- The dental entry price of $17 sits above the €8.37 across the site
Principal
Pros
- Cover spans dental, life and critical illness, so dental sits with life, critical illness and income protection under the same carrier.
- Dentists file on the member's behalf as the preferred route, listed in dentist files the claim on the member's behalf (preferred), member submits their own claim and online account or mobile app to view claims.
- Support runs on phone, email and help centre, so a phone line and a help centre back the plan.
Cons
- Cover is limited to Member, spouse and dependents to age 26, so it ends when a dependent leaves that band.
- Dental benefits stop at Dental annual maximum typically $1,000 to $2,000 per year, leaving heavy treatment years to the member's own pocket.
- Support runs on phone, email and help centre only, with no live chat or branch counter listed.
Who each suits
Guardian
Who it suits
- US adults shopping for dental cover alongside life and critical illness policies
- Seniors who prefer an in-network dentist to file claims directly
- People who want the policy premium split into monthly payments
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone outside the US, since the insurer is US based
- Readers who want a pure dental comparison shortlist, because Oney Préstamos ES and Linxea sit in other markets
- Anyone who needs a live chat or email route, since phone and help centre lists neither
Principal
Who it suits
- Members on an employer benefits package who want dental cover alongside life, critical illness or income protection.
- Households happy to let the dentist file, the preferred route in dentist files the claim on the member's behalf (preferred), member submits their own claim and online account or mobile app to view claims.
- US employees and their families, since the insurer is based in the United States.
Who should look elsewhere
- Linxea, whose list is life, leaves a member who wants dental without a dental line.
- Oney, which lists health, life and gadget and adds gadget cover rather than employer benefits.
- Good Sam Insurance Agency, whose auto, home and renters spread suits someone bundling home, auto and pet cover.
Country by country
| Country | Guardian | Principal |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Guardian
How much does dental cover cost at Guardian?+
Dental premiums start at $17. The typical entry price across the site is €8.37, with a lower quartile of €2.92 and an upper quartile of €29.72, so Guardian's starting figure sits above the middle of the market. The published number is a starting point rather than a quote for a particular person.
Is there an excess to pay on a Guardian dental claim?+
The excess starts at $0, which is the lowest point on the scale. At that level nothing is deducted from a claim before it is paid, so more of the benefit reaches you. Plans further up the range can carry a higher excess.
Principal
What kinds of cover does Principal write?+
Principal's listed lines are dental, life and critical illness. Dental is usually reached through a workplace benefits package, while life, critical illness and income protection sit alongside it under the same carrier. The type list shows quickly whether the whole package comes from the same provider.
How much does the dental plan pay out each year?+
The published dental annual maximum typically sits at Dental annual maximum typically $1,000 to $2,000 per year, so that cap is the figure to plan around. Budgeting for crowns, bridges or other restorative work means checking your share once the maximum is reached. The figure sits inside a typical range, so plans within the same group can differ.
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