Ladder Insurance Review - Pros, Cons, & Coverage

Ladder offers term life insurance through a streamlined process. It provides flexible options that can change as you do.

If you’re looking for flexible term life insurance allowing you to apply to add or reduce coverage whenever you need it, Ladder may be the ideal life insurance option for you.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about life insurance: how to buy it, what it covers, and why you should consider Ladder.

Ladder: What You Need to Know

Ladder distributes term life insurance products issued by multiple insurers in all US states and DC. They offer customized life insurance options for individuals ages 20 to 60.

Thanks to its focus on technology, Ladder eliminates the need for finding and vetting an insurance broker. Simply fill out the online application and begin the process of getting life insurance.

If you’re unsure about how much coverage you need, Ladder provides a handy calculator that allows you to determine the amount of life insurance you need right now. As your needs change, such as the birth of new children or paying off your mortgage, you can easily adjust your coverage down or apply for more.

How Does Life Insurance Through Ladder Work?

You determine exactly how much coverage you need to purchase. You do not need to work through an agent, though you do have the opportunity to work with a licensed and experienced insurance professional for more assistance.

Use Ladder’s calculator to determine how much coverage you need, entering information such as your current mortgage balance, number and ages of any children, any other outstanding debts, predicted educational expenses, and annual projected living expenses of your family.

Choose Your Coverage

Choose your coverage term, from 10 to 30 years. Enter your gender, height and weight, whether you use tobacco, and your birthdate, as well as other demographic information. Answer questions about your family history and any potentially dangerous activities such as hang gliding, then submit your application.

As your life changes and your circumstances shift, you can "ladder down" or apply to “ladder up” your coverage, making Ladder unique in the industry.

Adjust as Needed

Has your child recently graduated college, so you no longer need to factor educational expenses into your life insurance policy?

Ladder down your coverage and save money each month. Did you move into a newer, more expensive home and now owe more on your mortgage? Ladder up by applying for more coverage so your family won’t have to worry about those bills in case something happens to you.

With Ladder, the policyholder is in control of the process and coverage amount every step of the way. All Ladder’s customer support people are licensed, salaried employees, happy to help you every step of the way.

Fair Payouts

If you die during the term of your life insurance policy, the policy payout to your beneficiaries will be the amount of coverage you purchased. There is a provision for death by suicide within the first two years under which a claim will not be paid out.

The money can be used to help cover your mortgage and other outstanding debts, pay for your children’s college expenses, and provide for your family’s daily living expenses. Your life insurance policy will be paid out to your beneficiaries in one lump sum and isn’t considered taxable income.

Who Is Covered?

When you purchase a life insurance policy through Ladder, the owner and the insured are the same, if you are that person, the coverage is based on you and it will only pay the beneficiaries you select in the event of your death.

Life insurance is a good product for anyone to consider, especially:

• Parents with young children
• People who own their homes but owe money on the mortgage
• Those with significant personal debt
• Parents of teenage children headed for college, or who are current college students
• Those who wish to provide living expenses for their families upon their death

Where is Ladder Available?

Ladder is available for purchase to consumers in all 50 states.You can move from Maine to Montana and take your coverage with you!

How Much Does Ladder Cost?

Ladder’s insurance premiums are dependent upon a variety of factors, including your age, coverage needs, overall health, risk factors, and even your activities.

What Does Ladder Cover?

Like any term life insurance policy, the death benefit that is paid out can be used to cover your debts, living expenses, education costs, or anything else your family may need. The money can be used for anything.

You can elect to calculate the coverage of your life insurance to provide for:

• Payment of your debts, including your mortgage, auto loans, or other personal loans
• Educational expenses for your children
• Daily living expenses for your spouse and children
• Contributions to charity
• Care for aging parents or friends in need

Life insurance is paid out to beneficiaries in a lump sum and is not considered taxable income, so you don’t have to worry about your loved ones being taxed on money intended to provide for their needs for years to come.

Ladder Features

• Founded in 2015
• Issued more than $100 million in life insurance coverage in its first 100 days
• Headquartered in Palo Alto, California
• Offers instant, fully underwritten term life insurance coverage, if approved
• Allows users to dynamically adjust their coverage down or apply for more coverage to meet changing needs
• Offers $100,000 to $8,000,000 in coverage with up to $3,000,000 available 100% online
• Coverage can be adjusted without any fees or hassle
• Licensed and experienced insurance professionals are available to help
• Provides term life insurance in increments from 10 to 30 years
• Coverage available for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who have lived in the United States for more than 2 years
• Offers coverage to people between the ages of 20 and 60 as of their nearest birthday
• Policies issued through multiple insurers who are highly rated

Pros and Cons of Ladder

Now that you’ve got a fair idea of what Ladder is and what makes it different, here are some pros and cons of choosing this fairly new addition to the life insurance industry:

Pros

• Fast, easy, online application
• Instant quotes and decisions
• Coverage up to $3,000,000 available 100% online
• Available in all 50 states
• Adjustable coverage without additional fees
• Licensed and experienced salaried agents available and happy to help
• Health checks (for coverage above $3M) can be done in your home or office
• No cancellation fees or penalties

Cons

• Only term coverage available
• Your actual age plus the term you choose cannot exceed 70
• Depending on your coverage needs, premiums may be high
• Does not offer riders, such as term conversion or Accelerated Death benefit riders

Discounts on Insurance with Ladder

Ladder doesn’t offer discounts on coverage; however, the ability to adjust your coverage amount down allows you to save money.

Ladder Customer Reviews

Trust is an important factor in choosing a life insurance company. We’ve checked around to see what Ladder users are saying about their experience, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

As of 4/14/2023, Ladder has a 4.8 TrustScore rating and 2,531 reviews on Trustpilot, with many of the reviews looking similar to these:

“The process was seamless, easy and very intuitive. As someone who travels a good amount for work and has a busy life, not having to schedule and deal with medical examiners and to have immediate coverage through a highly rated company is the best.” - Joshua

“It was a really fast, really easy process. I did not have to speak with anyone. I was approved instantly, without needing a physical or lab work. I had life insurance approved and my policy PDF in hand 5 minutes after I decided to apply. This was truly spectacular.” - Mike

How to Apply for Insurance with Ladder

Applying for term life insurance through Ladder is a fast, easy process you can do with your laptop or smartphone.

On the Web

1. Go to LadderLife.com.
2. Click “Get Started.”
3. Choose your coverage amount and term. If you’re unsure about how much coverage you need, use Ladder’s calculator for help.
4. Answer the questions on each screen, including your gender, height and weight, whether or not you smoke, and health information about immediate relatives.
5. Once you’ve submitted your application, you should receive a decision and offer, if approved, within seconds.
6. If you are not required to complete a health check, you can accept your policy and be covered within minutes.
7. If you’re applying for coverage above $3M and required to get a health check, it may add a few weeks to the process.

By Phone

Ladder does not support applying over the phone, but does have licensed professionals available to answer questions, if needed.

How to File a Claim with Ladder

If the insured has passed away, filing a claim for life insurance benefits is easy for the beneficiary.

1. Notify Ladder that the policyholder has passed. Send the insured’s full name, date of birth, and policy number, if available, to [email protected].
2. All beneficiaries will be asked to fill out claim forms and provide any additional information.
3. Once Ladder receives all claim forms and supporting information, they submit them to their insurance carrier and keep the beneficiaries notified of the progress.
4. The insurance carrier will process the claim and, if any additional information is required, the beneficiaries will be contacted.
5. Once the claim is settled, the insurance carrier issues the payment directly to the beneficiaries.

How to Contact Ladder

Address: Ladder P.O. Box 456, Menlo Park, CA 94026

Customer service: (844) 533-7206

Website: www.ladderlife.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladderlife/

Twitter: @ladder

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladder/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ladderlife/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGaiapHuaCHaPWqW867u3lg

Medium: https://medium.com/ladderlife

Does Ladder Offer Other Kinds of Insurance?

No. Ladder only offers term life insurance.

Summary

Ladder is unique in the life insurance industry in that coverage is adjustable at any time without any penalties or fees. As your life circumstances change, you can change your coverage to meet your needs.

A fast, easy online application with decisions in minutes sets Ladder apart from the industry. You can fill out the application in the morning and be covered by the afternoon.

The quick decisions and adjustable coverage make Ladder a top choice for young people looking to get insurance to cover their growing families now but who don’t want to pay large premiums for years to come.