Last Updated: November 1st, 2025
Ethos Life Insurance is a digital insurance platform that connects customers with policies from top-rated carriers like Legal & General America, Protective, Trustage, Ameritas and John Hancock. You can apply online in about 10 minutes, often without a medical exam, and get approved instantly for term coverage up to $3 million or guaranteed whole life coverage between $10,000 and $25,000.
Life insurance shopping has changed. Ethos Life Insurance launched in 2016 to make buying coverage as simple as ordering something online. No agents, no lengthy paperwork, just a straightforward digital application that gets you covered fast.
But is Ethos legit? Can you really get quality life insurance without sitting through a sales pitch or scheduling a medical exam? Let’s break down exactly what Ethos offers and whether it’s the right choice for your needs.
How Does Ethos Life Insurance Work?
Ethos isn’t actually an insurance company. It’s a third-party platform that partners with highly rated life insurance companies to sell their policies online. Think of it as a marketplace that connects you with coverage from established carriers.
When you apply through Ethos, you’re getting a policy underwritten by companies like Legal & General America, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp, AAA Life, TruStage, and Principal. These are all financially strong carriers with solid industry ratings.
The advantage? You get access to these major insurers without dealing with traditional agents or pushy sales tactics. The entire process happens online, from application to approval.
Is Ethos Life Insurance Legitimate?
Yes, Ethos is a legitimate platform. Here’s why you can trust them:
The policies are backed by A-rated or higher insurance companies with decades of experience. These aren’t startup insurers, they’re established businesses that have been paying claims for years. All of Ethos’s partner carriers hold strong A or A+ ratings from AM Best, indicating financial stability and claims-paying ability.
Ethos uses predictive modeling and data analytics to assess your risk, which is why most applicants don’t need a medical exam. They can pull information from medical databases, prescription records, and other sources to make underwriting decisions.
The company has helped thousands of people get covered since 2016. They’re transparent about who underwrites your policy, and you’ll get official documentation directly from the insurance carrier.
Ethos Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance through Ethos is available if you’re between 20 and 65 years old. Coverage is offered in all states except New York.
You can choose terms of 10, 15, 20, or 30 years with death benefits ranging from $50,000 to $3 million. The policy pays your beneficiaries a lump sum if you die during the coverage period.
Term life is the most affordable option because it’s temporary coverage. It makes sense if you need protection for a specific time frame, like until your mortgage is paid off or your kids finish college.
Application Options
Ethos offers two ways to apply for term coverage:
Simplified Issue uses third-party data and your application answers to make instant decisions. This is perfect if you want to avoid medical exams or aren’t sure you’d qualify for traditional coverage. Most healthy applicants get approved this way.
Fully Underwritten policies through Legal & General America may require a medical exam for some applicants, especially if Ethos needs more health information. This route takes longer but can get you higher death benefits if you’re in good health.
The application asks standard questions about your health, lifestyle, job, and family medical history. Ethos uses your answers along with data from prescription databases and medical records to assess your risk.
Ethos Whole Life Insurance
Whole life coverage from Ethos is designed for seniors aged 65 to 85. These policies are underwritten by AAA Life and are guaranteed issue, meaning you’ll be approved regardless of your health history.
Coverage starts immediately with no medical tests required. You can choose death benefits of $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or $25,000 that last your entire life.
Whole life costs significantly more than term because the coverage never expires and builds cash value over time. Your premiums stay level and never increase.
Special Benefits for Whole Life
The policy includes a graded death benefit, which works like this:
If you die from an accident while covered, your beneficiaries receive the full death benefit immediately.
For non-accidental deaths in the first two years, beneficiaries get your premiums paid plus an extra 30%. Starting in year three, they receive the full death benefit.
There’s also a double death benefit rider. If you die in a covered travel accident, your beneficiaries get 200% of the policy amount.
Your cash value grows tax-deferred, and you can borrow against it for emergencies or retirement income. Keep in mind that outstanding loans reduce what your beneficiaries receive.
Ethos Life Insurance Riders
Ethos keeps things simple. The only rider offered is an accelerated death benefit, which comes included with every policy at no extra cost.
If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, you can access part of your death benefit early to help cover medical bills or other expenses. This reduces the amount your beneficiaries will receive later, but it gives you financial flexibility when you need it most.
Other insurers often charge extra for this rider or offer many more options. Ethos’s limited rider selection makes them less appealing if you want features like disability waivers or chronic illness coverage.
The Application Process
Ethos built its reputation on speed and convenience. The entire application happens online and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
You’ll answer questions about your beneficiaries, health conditions, prescriptions, lifestyle habits, and employment. The questions are similar to what any life insurance company asks.
Next, you provide payment information. Ethos may request payment details upfront to streamline policy activation, though charges typically occur only after underwriting is complete and approval is confirmed.
The underwriting process takes 7 to 10 days for most applicants. You’ll get an approval decision and can choose whether to accept your policy. If you have questions, Ethos offers live customer support.
Most applicants qualify without a medical exam. Ethos’s technology analyzes your data and makes a decision based on risk factors. Only some fully underwritten applicants need an exam.
What Ethos Life Insurance Costs
Rates vary based on your age, health, coverage amount, and term length. Generally, Ethos’s starting rates are slightly higher than what you might find with traditional insurers, especially for older applicants.
The convenience factor explains some of the premium. You’re paying for the ability to skip agents, avoid exams in most cases, and get approved quickly.
Younger, healthier applicants typically see better rates. If you’re over 50 or have health issues, it’s worth comparing Ethos against traditional insurers to see which offers better value for your situation.
Pros of Using Ethos Life Insurance
The application is fast and easy. You can complete everything online in under 15 minutes without leaving your house. No scheduling appointments or meeting with agents.
Most people avoid medical exams. Ethos uses data analytics to assess risk, so the majority of applicants get approved based on their health history and application answers alone.
Quick approval times. The underwriting process takes 7 to 10 days instead of weeks or months. You know where you stand fast.
Policies from trusted carriers. Your coverage comes from financially stable, A-rated insurance companies that have been around for decades.
No pressure sales tactics. There’s no agent calling you or pushing additional products. You control the entire process.
Cons of Using Ethos Life Insurance
No coverage in New York. If you live in New York, you’ll need to look elsewhere for coverage.
You might still get denied. Even though most people don’t need exams, Ethos can still reject your application based on health or lifestyle factors.
Limited rider options. The only available rider is the accelerated death benefit. Other insurers offer more ways to customize your policy.
Rates may be higher. Ethos’s premiums, especially for term insurance, can be slightly higher than traditional insurers for older applicants.
Payment information requested early. Ethos may ask for payment details during the application to expedite activation, though you’re typically not charged until after approval is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ethos Life Insurance a real insurance company?
Ethos is a licensed insurance platform, not an insurance company itself. They partner with established carriers like Legal & General America, Banner Life, and AAA Life that actually underwrite and back your policy. These are legitimate, A-rated insurers with strong financial stability.
Does Ethos Life Insurance actually pay out claims?
Yes. Claims are paid by the underlying insurance carrier that underwrites your policy, such as Legal & General or Banner Life. These companies have been paying claims for decades and are regulated by state insurance departments.
Can I get Ethos Life Insurance without a medical exam?
Most applicants qualify without a medical exam through Ethos’s simplified issue process. They use predictive analytics and data from medical databases to assess your risk. Some fully underwritten applicants may need an exam if additional health information is required.
Is Ethos Life Insurance good for seniors?
Ethos offers guaranteed issue whole life insurance for ages 65 to 85, which is specifically designed for seniors. You’ll be approved regardless of health conditions, and coverage starts immediately with death benefits between $10,000 and $25,000.
How long does Ethos Life Insurance approval take?
The application takes about 10 minutes to complete online. Underwriting typically takes 7 to 10 days, though some simplified issue applications get instant approval decisions.
What happens if I’m denied by Ethos?
If Ethos denies your application, you can apply directly with traditional insurers or work with an independent agent who can shop multiple carriers on your behalf. Some companies specialize in high-risk applicants.
Can I cancel my Ethos policy?
Yes. Most term life policies have a free look period, usually 10 to 30 days after purchase, where you can cancel for a full refund. After that, you can cancel anytime, but you won’t get a refund of premiums paid.
Key Takeaways
- Ethos is a digital platform that sells policies from top-rated carriers like Legal & General America and Banner Life, not an insurance company itself.
- You can apply online in about 10 minutes and most people get approved without a medical exam using simplified issue underwriting.
- Term life coverage is available for ages 20 to 65 with death benefits from $50,000 to $3 million for 10, 15, 20, or 30-year terms.
- Whole life insurance for seniors aged 65 to 85 is guaranteed issue with coverage from $10,000 to $25,000 that lasts your entire life.
- The main trade-offs are limited rider options and slightly higher rates than traditional insurers, but you gain speed and convenience.
Ready to protect your family? Get a free life insurance quote and see what coverage options fit your needs and budget.
