Ethos offers three policy types: term life insurance, whole life insurance for seniors and indexed universal life insurance.
2026 Ethos Life Insurance Review: Rates, Pros & Cons
Ethos is an online life insurance broker that matches applicants with policies from carriers like Legal & General America, Ameritas and TruStage. It earned a MoneyGeek Score of 4.2 out of 5 and is best suited for buyers who want same-day coverage without a medical exam.
Read our Ethos life insurance review to learn about available options, pricing, pros and cons.
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Updated: April 23, 2026
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At a Glance: Ethos Life Insurance Review
Ethos
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
3.9/5Customer Experience
3.9/5Coverage Points
Avg. Monthly Rate
$54 (F), $72 (M)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage for 40-year-old nonsmokers.Ages Supported
20-75 (Term), 20-85 (IUL), 55-80 (Whole), 65-85 (Final Expense)
Ethos Life Insurance Policy Options
Ethos Term Life Insurance
Ethos provides term life insurance for people aged 20 to 75, with terms of 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. Beneficiaries receive up to $3 million if the policyholder dies during the term. Rates run above average, with women paying $54 per month and men paying $72 for a $500,000 policy, compared to national averages of $47 and $59, based on our analysis of thousands of quotes.
All Ethos term policies are simplified issue, so no medical exam is required. You simply answer health questions online and receive a decision within minutes, rather than waiting weeks for a lab-based underwriting process. Those who want lower premiums or higher death benefits can apply for fully underwritten policies, which take a bit longer to process.
Ethos backs every term policy with a 30-day money-back guarantee and no cancellation fees. Coverage starts after your first payment, and all policies include free will and estate planning tools. Once the term ends, you can extend coverage, buy a new policy with different coverage amounts or let the policy expire.
Ethos Whole Life Insurance
Available to applicants aged 55 to 80, with coverage up to $25,000, Ethos guaranteed whole life insurance policies are geared toward seniors and serve best as a final expense insurance option to cover end of life costs.
Guaranteed issue life insurance means approval is automatic regardless of health status. But the policies include a graded death benefit: if the insured dies of natural causes within the first two years of the policy, beneficiaries receive a refund of premiums paid plus interest rather than the full death benefit. After the two-year waiting period, the full benefit applies for all causes of death.
As a type of permanent policy, your premiums stay the same 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 Indexed Universal Life Insurance
Ethos offers indexed universal life (IUL) insurance, a permanent policy that builds cash value tied to market index performance, subject to caps and floors. IUL provides lifelong financial protection with potential for cash value growth.
Applicants aged 20 to 65 qualify online by answering health and financial questions, with no medical exam required. Coverage reaches $1 million for simplified IUL, suitable for higher-income earners or those needing larger death benefits.
The policy includes no-cost riders: Care4Life Accelerated Death Benefit, Lifetime Income rider and estate planning tools. Optional riders cover disability or accidental death.
Premiums are flexible.
Policyholders can borrow or withdraw from accumulated cash value, though doing so reduces the death benefit. IUL isn't available in New York.
Ethos’s Life Insurance Riders
Life insurance riders are extra benefits you can add to a policy to fill gaps or give your loved ones more financial stability. Ethos keeps its rider options limited by design, prioritizing straightforward coverage. Available riders include:
Accelerated Death Benefit | Lets policyholders access part of the death benefit early if diagnosed with a terminal illness. |
Care4Life Accelerated Death Benefit | Expands early access to the death benefit for critical, chronic or terminal illness. |
Lifetime Income Rider | Converts accumulated policy value into a stream of retirement income later in life. |
Accidental Death Benefit Rider | Pays an additional benefit if the insured dies from a covered accident. |
Waiver of Premium | Waives premium payments if the insured becomes totally disabled. Available on select policies for an additional cost. |
Return of Premium | Refunds premiums paid if the insured outlives the term. Available on select 25- and 30-year term policies. |
Child Term Rider | Provides term life coverage for the insured's children up to age 25. Available on select term policies for an additional cost. |
Ethos Life Insurance Cost
We pulled thousands of life insurance quotes from over 30 companies based on various age, health classification, tobacco use, coverage amount and policy type profiles. The following tables show average monthly and annual rates for Ethos life insurance policies across multiple age and coverage levels. Based on our analysis, Ethos rates run slightly higher than the national average across its available policy types.
Ethos Term Life Insurance Rates
Data filtered by:
20
40
Female
No
| $100,000 | $21 | $249 |
| $250,000 | $36 | $432 |
| $500,000 | $54 | $649 |
| $750,000 | $95 | $1,139 |
| $1,000,000 | $120 | $1,435 |
| $2,000,000 | $233 | $2,798 |
| $3,000,000 | $347 | $4,160 |
Ethos IUL Insurance Rates
Data filtered by:
20
Female
No
| $100,000 | $20 | $238 |
| $250,000 | $50 | $594 |
| $500,000 | $99 | $1,188 |
| $750,000 | $149 | $1,782 |
| $1,000,000 | $198 | $2,376 |
Ethos Guaranteed Life Insurance Rates
Data filtered by:
55
Female
No
| $5,000 | $27 | $327 |
| $10,000 | $49 | $588 |
| $15,000 | $82 | $981 |
| $20,000 | $109 | $1,308 |
| $25,000 | $134 | $1,605 |
Ethos Final Expense Insurance Rates
Data filtered by:
65
Female
No
| $5,000 | $37 | $447 |
| $10,000 | $67 | $804 |
| $15,000 | $112 | $1,341 |
| $20,000 | $149 | $1,788 |
* Rates shown are averages based on our analysis of Ethos life insurance quotes for nonsmokers in average health. Actual rates vary based on age, health, lifestyle factors and underwriting.
Ethos Customer Experience
Ethos's carrier partners collectively receive fewer complaints than the industry average, per NAIC data. Banner Life holds a complaint index of 0.16, TruStage 0.62 and Ameritas 1.5. A ratio below 1.0 means fewer complaints than expected for a company of that size. Ethos also holds a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating, though must customers mention the application process rather than the claims process.
We found the online application process to be straightforward, completing it in under 10 minutes without a medical exam. Ethos uses third-party data sources, including MIB Group records, motor vehicle records and prescription databases, to verify your responses and determine eligibility. Its approval process automatically moves you to the next best offer if you're declined by one carrier, helping to prevent outright denials.
You can reach Ethos by phone at 415-915-0665 or by email at support@ethoslife.com. Customer service hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
How to Get Ethos Life Insurance
Ethos runs a fully online application with no agent required. Most applicants get a decision the same day, and coverage starts after the first payment. The process is straightforward:
- 1Review your coverage needs
Decide how much coverage you need and which policy type fits your goals before visiting the Ethos website. Knowing your target death benefit and budget upfront will help you compare options faster.
- 2Get an online quote
Enter your age, health details and coverage amount on the Ethos website to generate an instant life insurance quote. The quote tool shows you options based on your profile.
- 3Complete the application and health questionnaire
Answer health and lifestyle questions directly online. No medical exam is required for most people. Depending on your responses, Ethos may ask follow-up questions or route your application to a fully underwritten path, which can take a few additional days.
- 4Review your approval and activate coverage
Most simplified-issue applicants receive same-day approval. Once approved, review your policy documents, confirm any optional riders and submit your first payment. Coverage begins immediately after payment is processed.
Ethos Life Insurance vs. Other Insurers
Ethos | Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance | Term, IUL, Guaranteed Whole, Final Expense | A+ | 4.2 |
Banner Life | Term Life Insurance | Term, Universal | A+ | 4.5 |
Nationwide | No-Exam Life Insurance | Term, Whole, Universal, IUL | A+ | 4.5 |
USAA | Whole & Universal Life Insurance | Term, Whole, Universal, IUL | A++ | 4.7 |
Physicians Mutual | Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance | Guaranteed Whole, Final Expense | A+ | 4.6 |
Transamerica | Final Expense Insurance | Term, Whole, Final Expense | A | 4.5 |
What makes Ethos different is the online experience it offers. MoneyGeek ranks the insurer as the best indexed universal life insurance company for its fast underwriting, built-in living benefit riders at no extra charge and transparent index crediting disclosures.
It also ranks among the top no-exam life insurance companies for buyers who want a fully online path from quote to coverage without a medical appointment. Both distinctions reflect strengths that most traditional carriers don't match in a single product lineup.
If you're looking for the best term life insurance, Ethos may not be ideal. Check Banner Life, Transamerica and Nationwide. The same applies to traditional whole life coverage.
MoneyGeek's best whole life insurance rankings favor USAA, Gerber Life and Protective, all of which offer higher coverage limits and more robust cash value structures than Ethos's whole life product.
Is Ethos Right For You?
Ethos' streamlined application process, strong customer service and customizable policy options make it worth considering.
Ethos is a good fit for buyers who want a straightforward online application without a medical exam. Its term life policies offer coverage up to $3 million, while guaranteed acceptance whole life policies can help seniors plan for final expenses.
The indexed universal life option adds permanent coverage with cash value growth and built-in riders, giving policyholders more long-term flexibility than many similar providers.
Ethos Insurance Reviews: FAQ
Is Ethos life insurance legit?
Ethos operates as an insurance technology company that works with established life insurers, including Legal & General America and Ameritas. These partner carriers issue the policies and hold financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.
What’s the maximum amount of life insurance coverage available from Ethos?
Ethos offers up to $3 million in term life coverage, $25,000 in guaranteed whole life coverage, $1 million in simplified IUL coverage and $20,000 in final expense coverage.
Does Ethos life insurance pay claims?
Ethos' partner insurers pay claims. The claims process, timelines and documentation requirements depend on the specific carrier underwriting the coverage.
Does Ethos life insurance require a medical exam?
Ethos doesn't require medical exams for many buyers. Applicants answer health questions online, though some qualify for fully underwritten coverage with higher benefits.
Can I get Ethos life insurance if I have cancer or other health issues?
Ethos accepts applicants with pre-existing health conditions, though policy types and coverage amounts may be limited.
MoneyGeek scored Ethos using rate data for our baseline profile of a 40-year-old male nonsmoker in average health seeking $500,000 in coverage on a 20-year term. The MoneyGeek Score weights affordability at 50%, customer experience at 30% and coverage options at 20%. Customer experience ratings draw from customer reviews, J.D. Power life insurance study scores, AM Best financial strength ratings and NAIC complaint indexes.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.
His insights — on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance — have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR among others.
Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Sources
- Ethos. "Term Life Insurance Policies." Accessed March 25, 2026.
- Ethos. "Ethos Index Universal Life Insurance (IUL)." Accessed March 24, 2026.