2025 Ethos Life Insurance Review: Rates, Pros & Cons

Based on our analysis, Ethos’ term and whole life insurance policies are great for young or old individuals seeking coverage without having to take a medical exam. In particular, its whole life insurance offering is ideal for seniors who are looking for final expense insurance and need guaranteed approval.

Conversely, Ethos’ policies may not suit younger people who are looking for a whole life policy, as the company’s whole life insurance is limited to those aged 55–85. If you’re looking for a whole life policy and are under 55 years old, consider a policy from other companies.

Ethos also offers an indexed universal life (IUL) policy, which provides permanent protection with a cash value component, flexible premiums and built-in riders at no additional cost. This option may appeal to applicants seeking lifelong coverage with growth potential, though availability is limited to certain states.

Learn more about Ethos and the kinds of policies you can get before applying to ensure you’re making the best decision for yourself and your beneficiaries.

Life insurance is a key part of securing your dependents’ financial future. According to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association's (LIMRA) 2025 Insurance Barometer Study, 40% of insured U.S. adults with financial dependents don't feel financially secure. Ethos makes finding a life insurance policy simple with its three streamlined offerings: term life insurance, whole life insurance for seniors and indexed universal life insurance.

Term life insurance is the most affordable life insurance product that Ethos offers. It provides coverage for a set period of time, which can be either 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 years. In the event of the policyholder's death during the term period, their beneficiaries would receive the policy benefit amount, which can be up to $3 million.

Ethos doesn't require any medical exams for its term life policies — applicants only need to answer a few health-related questions online — most of their term policies are simplified issue, allowing for same-day approval and coverage in many cases. Those looking for lower premiums or higher death benefits can apply for fully underwritten policies, which involve a slightly longer process.

If you aren’t happy with your policy, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and no cancellation fees. Plus, all term life policies come with a free will and estate planning tools, and coverage starts after your first payment. Once the term ends, policyholders have the option to extend coverage, get a new policy with different coverage amounts or simply let the policy expire.

Ethos’ term life insurance policies are great options for people between 18 and 69 years old with beneficiaries who will lose income to pay for expenses like mortgages, loans or tuition if they pass away. Since term insurance is generally more affordable than other types of life insurance, it's also a good choice for those on a budget.

Ethos’ whole life insurance policies are geared toward seniors, serving as a final expense insurance option for older people who wish to help their loved ones cover costs like burial expenses once they pass away.

Applicants between the ages of 55–85 are offered guaranteed approval in minutes — regardless of their health status. Guaranteed issue means approval is automatic regardless of health status, though coverage may include waiting periods for certain death causes during the first two years. Ethos allows applicants to answer several health-related questions online. Depending on their responses, they may be asked to respond to certain follow-up questions.

Available benefit amounts range from $1,000 to $20,000, and premiums won’t change throughout your lifetime. After the first payment, coverage starts immediately. If you aren’t happy with your policy within the first 30 days of applying, you can cancel and get your money back.

Ethos’ guaranteed life insurance is best for seniors who want to relieve loved ones of the burden of paying their final expenses. It's also a good option for those with small coverage needs or health concerns.

Ethos also offers indexed universal life insurance, a permanent policy that builds cash value tied to the performance of a market index, subject to caps and floors. This option provides both lifelong protection and the potential for cash value growth.

Applicants can qualify online by answering health and financial questions, with no medical exam required in many cases. Coverage amounts go up to $1 million for simplified IUL or more for fully underwritten plans, making it suitable for higher-income earners or those with larger protection needs. The policy includes no-cost riders such as the Care4Life Accelerated Death Benefit, a Lifetime Income rider, and estate planning tools, along with optional riders for disability or accidental death benefits.

Premiums are flexible, and policyholders can borrow or withdraw from the accumulated cash value, though doing so reduces the death benefit. The IUL product isn't available in every state and can't be purchased in New York.

Ethos’ indexed universal life insurance is best for those who want permanent coverage with the flexibility to adjust premiums and the opportunity to build cash value while maintaining higher coverage levels than many simplified products.

Life insurance riders are extra benefits that can be added to your life insurance policy to fill in gaps or ensure more stability for your loved ones. Ethos doesn't offer many riders as it aims to keep its policies straightforward. It does offer the following:

Life insurance is a great way to secure your family's financial future. With its customizable policies and affordable rates, Ethos is a trusted choice in the U.S. and is worth considering for your life insurance needs.

Our Ethos life insurance review shows that Ethos is best for those seeking simple, no-exam coverage with quick online approval. Its term life policies provide affordable protection of up to $3 million, while its guaranteed acceptance whole life option helps seniors cover final expenses. The company's IUL product adds a permanent coverage option with cash value potential and built-in riders, though it is available only in certain states.

Compare Ethos with other top insurers to determine whether its policies align with your long-term financial needs.

Find answers to common questions about Ethos life insurance to help you determine whether it’s the best option for you.

We rated Ethos across three categories, with the company earning up to five points per category. To create an overall MoneyGeek rating out of 100 points, we used the following weightings:

• Affordability: 50%
• Customer Experience: 30%
• Coverage Options: 20%

We used a standard profile to obtain term life insurance quotes:

• 40-year-old male
• Nonsmoker
• 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds for men
• Average health rating

We modified the profile by age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use and health rating to collect a variety of quotes and determine average Ethos term life insurance costs for several types of customers. We also collected quotes for term life insurance with varying term lengths and coverage amounts.

For guaranteed acceptance life insurance, we gathered quotes for 55- to 85-year-olds. Indexed universal life insurance quotes are based on average costs for 18- to 80-year-olds.