Ethos

Ethos Life provides an expedited 100% online process for shopping life insurance with no medical exams or blood tests. Ethos offers same-day coverage options from top-rated carriers, all without the need to talk to an agent (unless you would like to).

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InsuranceRanked Score 4.9
Year Founded 2017
Medical Exam Required? No

Ethos 2024 Review

Bryan Huynh

Product Tester & Writer


Ethos screen shot

Ethos Review – Pros, Cons and Coverage

Ethos provides a fast, easy, underwriting experience that skips medical exams and blood tests for simple health questions on their entirely online application. Their mission has been to make life insurance more accessible and transparent, and their variety of policies and coverages available help accomplish that goal. Because of that, Ethos is an appealing life insurance option.

Ethos offers a few term life policies for anyone ages 20-65, and a guaranteed issue whole life product for anyone 65-85.

Ethos could be a good option to anyone who doesn't want to deal with the traditional months-long process of getting life insurance and wants a quick, easy, alternative with a wider range of products. Many of Ethos’ customers enjoy same-day coverage, meaning that within the day (and sometimes instantly) customers go from being applicants to approved and protected.

Additionally, Ethos’ agents are non-commissioned, so instead of upselling you on a policy their motivation is just to help you find what’s best for you.

Overall, Ethos provides a quick, easy, and accessible way to get life insurance without the long wait or breaking the bank.

What You Need to Know about Ethos

Ethos was founded in 2016 in San Francisco, CA. It is rated “Excellent” on TrustPilot and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

How Does Ethos Work?

Ethos’ proprietary software makes the process of getting life insurance much more accessible and effectively reduces the time to get coverage from months to a matter of minutes.

Their online application leverages technology like AI and machine learning to underwrite consumers in real-time and eliminate extra steps like medical exams, blood work, and paperwork. All you have to do is fill out a few health questions online to find out what you qualify for.

The Ethos process:

  1. Get a quote in seconds using their online calculator here.
    • Note: Customers can do this in seconds without providing any contact info or talking to an agent. However since they aren’t providing any personal info like health history the quote won’t be 100% accurate, but can give an idea of how much coverage could cost.
  2. Fill out the online application in minutes to see what they’ll qualify for and what their final price is.
    • The application is 100% online and can be done in 10 minutes.
  3. Activate your coverage
    • Most customers are approved instantly and can activate their policy right after filling out their application, which means their family doesn’t have to go another minute without protection.

Where is Ethos Available?

Ethos is available in all 50 states except New York.

How Much Does Ethos Cost?

$1 Million in Term Life Insurance starts at just $18/month. Total costs depend on risk factors such as age, weight, medical history, credit history, criminal activity, driving history, prescription medicines, and past insurance claims or denials, plus other factors.

What Does Ethos Cover?

Ethos’ policies can help cover some of life’s biggest expenses, like a home mortgage, debt, your children’s college tuition, and it can also replace lost income. Your policy can also help cover everyday expenses — anything your beneficiaries need, really. Ultimately, it’s up to them to decide how to use the payout. Learn more about how it works.

There are some exclusions that would prevent policy payout, including:

  • Fraud, misstatements, or material misrepresentations of the information provided in your application (which is why it’s important you are completely honest in your application).
  • If the death of the insured is the result of suicide, in the first two years of the policy being in force.

Coverage Limits

Ethos’ offers term policies ranging from 10-30 year term lengths and up to $1,500,000 in coverage (depending on eligibility). They also offer a Guaranteed Issue Whole life policy for U.S. citizens ages 65-85 for up to $25,000 in coverage, which has guaranteed approval, no medical exams or health questions asked.

Ethos Features

  • 4.5/5 stars on TrustPilot and Google
  • A+ Rating from Better Business Bureau
  • No medical exams or blood tests with just a few online health questions
  • Entirely online experience with live non-commissioned agents available if you need guidance
  • 30 day money back guarantee
  • No-fee cancellation
  • No pushy sales reps (you don’t have to talk to an agent unless you want to)
  • Coverage options upward of $1.5 million
  • 10 minutes from application to coverage
  • Same day coverage available
  • Competitive pricing and customizable term lengths.

Pros and Cons of Ethos

Here are some pros and cons we found:

Pros

  • Quick, easy, entirely online application process
  • Coverage options upward of $1.5 million
  • U.S citizens ages 20-85 eligible for instant coverage
  • Available in all states (except New York)
  • Get a quote in seconds, apply in minutes, get covered in just hours
  • No medical exam or blood test necessary
  • No need to talk to an agent unless you want to
  • Excellent reviews on TrustPilot, Google, and Better Business Bureau
  • Great customer service and licensed agent support available via phone, email, text, and chat
  • Transparent and ethical process built for the customer with no hidden fees or gimmicks

Cons

  • Not available in New York

Ethos Customer Reviews

Ethos is a Better Business Bureau-accredited business with an A+ rating.

Most of the reviews of Ethos are positive and have an average rating of 4.8 stars.

“The entire process was super quick and easy. No medical exam, physical, blood work. None of that. Great customer service as well.” - Scott

“The application process was seamless. The turnaround time was great. And the monthly premium is more than reasonable. Also the follow-up from the direct live agent was a plus.” - Bobby

How to Apply for Ethos

  1. Customers should go to ethoslife.com and enter their information into the quote machine.
  2. They’ll then get a preliminary quote.
  3. Then they can fill out a more detailed questionnaire about their lifestyle and medical history.
  4. Ethos will suggest the best policy available for the customer, which they can adjust the price and term (if applicable) to fit their needs.

If customers have questions, they can call Ethos’ customer service team at (415) 322-2037.

How to File a Life Insurance Claim with Ethos

When the insured person dies, it’s the responsibility of the beneficiary named on the policy to contact the insurance company to file a death claim. The insurance company will help the beneficiary with the claim process.

How to Contact Ethos

Website: www.ethoslife.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: Call (415) 322-2037 or text (415) 702-1844. The Ethos team is available to chat M-F 8am-6pm CST.

To activate a policy: Call (415) 855-4331 or email [email protected].

Payment issues: Email [email protected].

Summary

Ethos has simplified and expedited the process of getting insurance into an easy and affordable system. Unlike some competitors in the “insuretech” space, Ethos offers a variety of policies to customers. This makes getting life insurance from Ethos convenient and speedy.

What used to be a months-long process full of confusing applications, faxing paperwork, and spending hours trying to figure out legalese has been eliminated by Ethos’ application process.

With Ethos wide range of product offerings, there will probably be an affordable policy for everyone who applies. Those who want higher policies (over $1.5 million) may want to find another source, but otherwise Ethos has great upside with little risk.

*Quote for a 20-year-old female in excellent health for a Legal & General, America 10-year term policy for $1,000,000 is $18 a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ethos require a long-term commitment?

No. The application is non-binding, 100% free, and won’t affect your credit score. Additionally, each policy has a 30-day free look period with a money-back guarantee. This means that you are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your policy within 30 days of purchase.

How do I know that Ethos is legit?

Ethos offers policies that are backed by industry giants who have been around for centuries and are top-rated for financial strength and stability.

Does Ethos have agents?

Yes. When you apply, you don’t need to talk to an agent if you don’t want to. But if you need help or have questions, there is an in-house team of licensed, expert agents who are happy to help you through any part of the process.

What happens when my coverage term ends?

When your coverage term ends, you have the option to renew your policy until you reach the age of 95 without having to go through underwriting.

We’ll Introduce You!

Get a free no-obligation quote from Ethos

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