This online-only platform makes it easy to apply for life insurance without a medical exam, but policy options are limited.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Exceptional
Online purchase
Yes
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
Policies offered
Term
A good fit for buying straightforward term life insurance online without a medical exam.
If you live in New York or need to customize your term life policy, choose one of our best term life insurance companies of 2026.
About Fabric life insurance
Previously known simply as Fabric, the company recently changed its brand to Fabric by Gerber Life. It sells term life insurance via an online application process that takes as little as 10 minutes to complete. You can choose from a wide range of term lengths and might be able to buy a large amount of coverage without a medical exam.
Fabric earned 4.3 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, Fabric by Gerber Life is one of our best instant life insurance companies of 2026.
» MORE: Best life insurance companies
Where Fabric by Gerber Life stands out
Not only does Fabric offer generous amounts of term life coverage (usually without a medical exam), but it does so with a fast and convenient online application you can access via the site or mobile app. Policyholders can also take advantage of free family financial planning tools on Fabric’s web portal and app.
Where Fabric by Gerber Life falls short
Fabric doesn’t offer permanent life insurance, so you’ll have to shop elsewhere for lifelong coverage.
While Fabric has close to the expected number of complaints to state agencies for an insurer of its size, policies are issued by a related insurer, Western-Southern Life Assurance Company. Western-Southern Life receives far more than the expected number of complaints.
Fabric life insurance policies
Term life insurance. Fabric sells term life insurance lasting 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years to people 21 to 70 years old in all states except New York. The term lengths you qualify for will depend on your age. You can typically buy a policy worth $100,000 to $1.5 million without a medical exam. For higher coverage amounts up to $5 million, you might need to take an exam. Either way, you’ll fill out a health and lifestyle questionnaire to apply.
Fabric’s term life insurance includes an accelerated death benefit rider, which allows you to access a portion of the policy’s payout early if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness.
» MORE: Compare life insurance quotes
Western-Southern customer complaints and satisfaction
Over three years, Western-Southern Life Assurance — the company that issues Fabric’s policies — has drawn far more than the expected number of complaints to state regulators for a company of its size, according to a NerdWallet analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
How Fabric’s customer experience stacks up
As you might expect from an insurer focused on offering online life insurance, the Fabric by Gerber Life website is easy to navigate. In addition to offering online quotes and a speedy digital application, Fabric provides basic policy details on its site including coverage amounts and term lengths.
You can apply for a policy and manage your account through Fabric’s site or mobile app, although the company doesn’t support online claims.
Fabric’s app, which is compatible with Apple and Android devices, has several added-value features. You can use it to create a free will, open an investment account for your child or sync finances with your partner or spouse.
How Fabric compares to other insurers
Fabric | Ethos | Protective Life | |
|---|---|---|---|
Star rating | |||
Financial strength | Exceptional. | Strong. | Exceptional. |
NAIC complaints | Close to expected. | Fewer than expected. | Fewer than expected. |
Policy types offered | Term, no-exam. | Term, permanent, no-exam. | Term, permanent. |
Online experience | Can apply for and buy a policy online, as well as change beneficiaries. | Can apply for and buy a policy online. | Can apply for and buy a policy online, as well as change beneficiaries and file a claim. |
Transparency on website | Above average. | Above average. | Above average. |
Best for | |||
Read full reviews |
More about Fabric
Launched in 2017 and previously known as Fabric, the company recently changed its brand to Fabric by Gerber Life. Its policies are issued by a related insurer, Western-Southern Life Assurance Company. Gerber Life and Western-Southern Life have the same parent company.
How to contact Fabric
Fabric can be reached by:
Phone: Call 917-765-3572 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Email: Send a message to support@meetfabric.com.
Live chat: Launch a chat during business hours from Fabric’s contact page.
How we rate the best life insurance companies
✅ 445 life insurers reviewed
📝 210 policies assessed
🔢 1,515 data points analyzed
📊 Star rating categories
When NerdWallet evaluates life insurance companies, our editorial team considers the insurer's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the things that matter most to customers buying a long-term financial product. We then weigh these factors carefully:
💰 Financial strength (35%). We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s financial stability and ability to pay claims far into the future. The top life insurance companies have an exceptional financial strength rating of A+ or A++ (Superior).
🗣️ Consumer complaints (35%). Our top-rated life insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators over a three-year period, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners — so you can expect a smoother customer experience.
☎️ Consumer experience (20%). Insurers who allow consumers to contact them by email, phone and live chat earn the highest scores. The same goes for insurers who support online quotes, beneficiary changes and claims.
👀 Transparency (10%). Our methodology gives higher scores to transparent insurers who clearly display information about their policy options, coverage amounts and term lengths (if applicable) on their site.
⭐ What our star ratings mean
Companies with 5 stars are exceptional, with strong financials, diverse policy lineups and great reputations for customer service.
Companies with 4.5 stars are excellent, with solid financials and policy offerings, and good customer service track records.
Companies with 4.0 stars are good, and potentially great for people looking for niche coverage options.
Companies with 3.5 stars or fewer could do better in certain categories, like financial strength and customer complaints.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings or our reviews. Read more about our life insurance ratings methodology and editorial guidelines.
