Ethos Life Insurance Review 2026

Ethos is a good choice if you’re shopping for life insurance online without a medical exam, especially if you’re interested in straightforward term life or burial policies.

Ethos earned stars 4.5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

Based on these ratings, Ethos is one of our best burial life insurance companies in 2026.

Where Ethos stands out

Launched in 2016, Ethos offers term and permanent life insurance online, with many policies issued within minutes. The fully digital application can be quick to complete, and most people who qualify for coverage don’t need to take a medical exam.

Its policies are underwritten by third-party insurers with strong financial standings and a low volume of consumer complaints.

Where Ethos falls short

Despite being a primarily online insurer, Ethos doesn’t offer a live chat feature on its website. Policies aren’t available in New York.

Term life insurance. Ethos offers term life insurance to people ages 20 to 65 in all states except New York, with coverage ranging from $25,000 to $3 million. You can choose a policy lasting 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 years, and policies are issued by one of five carriers:

• Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.

• John Hancock.

• Legal & General America (also known as Banner Life).

• Protective Life.

• TruStage.

Customers can't cherry-pick the company their policy is issued by, though the same is true for most online life insurance companies with multiple partners.

Ethos doesn’t require a life insurance medical exam, but you’ll need to answer questions about your health. It typically bases its decision on your responses, as well as third-party data — like MIB Group records. But in some cases, an underwriter may contact you asking for more information.

Whole life insurance. The company also sells several types of whole life insurance, including guaranteed issue policies for those 45 to 85 years old. Some applicants are approved instantly, and coverage amounts range from $2,000 to $1 million. Policies are offered through TruStage, and available in all states but New York.

Indexed universal life insurance. Ethos’ indexed universal life insurance (IUL) policies are issued by Ameritas and have a cash value component that can earn interest based on the performance of a stock index. You can customize your coverage with an accelerated death benefit or accidental death benefit rider, which is less common for policies issued online.

» MORE: Compare life insurance quotes

Below are monthly rates for a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy from Ethos. These are sample rates for a nonsmoking man and woman in excellent health — the final quote you’re offered will depend on factors like your age, health, lifestyle, occupation and driving record.

Over three years, Ameritas, John Hancock, Legal & General, Mutual of Omaha, Protective Life and TruStage, the companies that issue Ethos’ policies, collectively drew fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators for companies of their size, according to a NerdWallet analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

» MORE: Best life insurance companies

How Ethos' customer experience stacks up

Ethos’ site is easy to use and navigate, but it provides limited information about policy details and pricing. The company advertises its agent support, and it has customer service representatives available via phone or email.

When we called the customer service line, we waited two minutes before speaking to a human. The representative was able to answer questions about the amount of term life coverage you can buy and how the accelerated death benefit rider works.

Despite being an online-only insurer, Ethos doesn’t have an app or live chat option. You can get a quote, apply and even purchase a policy online but you’ll have to contact Ethos directly to file a claim or change beneficiaries.

What it’s like to apply for a policy with Ethos

Ethos’ online application process is seamless, with a sleek interface. You can start a term life insurance application from the homepage. You’ll then answer standard questions about your financial dependents, health and smoking status, as well as when you need coverage.

Ethos can issue policies on the same day for eligible applicants. If you identify as non-binary or transgender, note that Ethos will ask for your sex at birth, which is fairly standard in the life insurance industry. Ethos uses data such as your motor vehicle records, family medical history and current drug prescriptions to calculate eligibility and set rates.

To help you calculate how much life insurance you need, the application asks whether you have an estate plan, will or any outstanding debt. Ethos then recommends a policy length and coverage amount, and you can use the sliding scale to make adjustments.

If you have questions while you’re filling out the application, you can call 415-915-0665 to connect with an agent.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 13, 2025.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 13, 2025.

Along with life insurance, Ethos also offers services related to estate planning, including help creating a will or a living trust.

Ethos can be reached by:

• Phone: Call 888-384-6754 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.

• Email: Send a message to support@ethoslife.com.

• Live chat: Not available.