Male
$33 /month
Female
$29 /month
This company issues instant life insurance policies nationwide, but if you need permanent coverage you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Exceptional
Online purchase
Yes
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Policies offered
Term & no-exam
A good fit for those who want to buy term life insurance online.
Consider one of the companies on our best whole life insurance or best universal life insurance lists if you’re looking for lifelong coverage.
About Ladder life insurance
Ladder sells term life insurance online with no medical exam and generous coverage amounts available, but it doesn’t offer any permanent options.
Ladder earned 4.7 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, Ladder earned a spot on our best instant life insurance companies and best no-exam life insurance policies lists for 2026.
» MORE: Best life insurance companies
Where Ladder stands out
Ladder’s simplified approach to term life insurance allows it to offer no-exam policies for generous amounts in all 50 states. Ladder also stands out for its flexibility. You can adjust your coverage amount at any time, and the insurer will adjust your premium to match. For example, if you decrease your coverage from $1 million to $750,000, your next premium will be 25% cheaper.
Where Ladder falls short
Ladder only offers term life insurance, so those who want the lifelong coverage that permanent policies provide will need to look elsewhere. Ladder also doesn’t offer any riders to customize coverage. And while you can purchase a policy online, the website doesn’t offer a lot of policy details or pricing information for those who are casually shopping.
More Nerdy Perspective
With most companies, once you buy a term life policy, you’re locked in to that amount of coverage. But Ladder allows you to adjust your coverage to match your evolving life insurance needs and make sure you’re not underinsured.
Ladder life insurance policies
Term life insurance. People ages 20 to 60 can apply for Ladder’s term life insurance online, with most policies issued within minutes. You can buy $100,000 to $3 million in coverage without a life insurance medical exam, or up to $8 million with an exam. The instant life insurance policy is offered in term lengths of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years.
» MORE: Compare life insurance quotes
Ladder sample life insurance rates
Below are monthly rates for a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy from Ladder. 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. These rates are applicable in all states except New York.
Age | Monthly rate - man | Monthly rate - woman |
|---|---|---|
20 | $22.54 | $18.67 |
30 | $22.54 | $19.66 |
40 | $32.62 | $28.51 |
50 | $92.99 | $69.23 |
60* | $137.06 | $92.85 |
* Applicants applying at age 60 can get a maximum term of 10 years. The rates here are for a 10-year term. Source: Direct from insurer. Rates reflect the super preferred class and are valid as of 11/4/25. | ||
Ladder customer complaints and satisfaction
A strong sign of consumer satisfaction is how many people complain about their insurance company to state agencies. Over three years, Ladder has drawn fewer 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.
- What Reddit users say about Ladder
Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like life insurance, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about insurers. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Comments on Reddit about Ladder life insurance are mixed. Several people note how affordable the premiums are and how easy the application process is. Others point out that Ladder’s policies are underwritten by other companies, so you should check their financial strength ratings before committing. Some people mentioned having their final approved rate end up higher than the initial quote.
How Ladder’s customer experience stacks up
Ladder’s site is sleek and mobile-friendly, and the online quotes system offers a quick cost estimate. (For a final quote, you’ll need to provide more in-depth information.) The site also features helpful guides and a calculator to figure out how much life insurance you need. The searchable FAQ section has details on Ladder’s policies, such as which riders are available (none) and which term lengths you might be eligible for. However, there isn’t much specific policy detail or pricing information available on the website.
Although Ladder encourages people to apply online, representatives are available. You can click the “contact us” link in the site’s footer. On that page you’ll find a phone number, email and contact form. Customer service is only available three hours a day, Monday through Friday.
We called Ladder’s customer service line and were connected to a friendly representative within a minute. She was able to tell us the maximum amount of term life insurance available — $8 million with a medical exam, or up to $3 million without. When we asked about an accelerated death benefit rider, she accurately said that Ladder doesn’t offer any riders for its policies.
What it’s like to apply for a policy with Ladder
You can access Ladder’s application process directly from the homepage. You’ll go through a series of short screens asking for your contact info as well as basic details like your sex at birth, height, weight and frequency of nicotine use.
Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 23, 2025.
After about 10 screens of questions, we were prompted to enter the last four digits of our Social Security Number to get a quote. The system then checks to ensure it matches your name before it will provide a quote.
How Ladder compares to other insurers
Ladder | Lemonade | Ethos | |
|---|---|---|---|
Star rating | |||
Financial strength | Exceptional. | Exceptional. | Strong. |
NAIC complaints | Fewer than expected. | Fewer than expected. | Fewer than expected. |
Policy types offered | Term & no-exam. | Term & no-exam. | Term, permanent & no-exam. |
Online experience | Can get a quote, apply for and buy a policy online, as well as change beneficiaries and file a claim. | Can get a quote, apply for and buy a policy online, as well as file a claim. | Can apply for and buy a policy online. |
Transparency on website | Average. | Above average. | Above average. |
Best for | Overall life insurance. Instant life insurance. No-medical exam. 40- and 50-year olds. | ||
Read full reviews |
More about Ladder
Ladder was founded in 2015. Depending on where you live, Ladder’s policies may be issued by Ladder Life Insurance Company or one of its partners: Allianz Life Insurance Company, Amica Life Insurance Company, Prudential, TruStage, S.USA Life Insurance Company or Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company.
Ladder has a partnership with personal finance company SoFi and legal document platform NetLaw, which allows SoFi members to create wills for free.
How to contact Ladder Life
Ladder Life can be reached by:
Phone: Call 844-533-7206 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT.
Email: Send a message to help@ladderlife.com or fill out the form on Ladder's contact page.
Live chat: Not available.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Ladder deny my life insurance application?
Why did Ladder deny my life insurance application?
Life insurance companies like Ladder might deny your application for a variety of reasons, including criminal convictions, certain medical conditions, drug or alcohol abuse, or a high-risk occupation. If you’re denied by one company, shop around to see if others might approve your application. A life insurance broker or agent can help.
Why is my Ladder life insurance quote so cheap (or so expensive)?
Why is my Ladder life insurance quote so cheap (or so expensive)?
Setting your premium is part of the life insurance underwriting process, and each carrier does it a little differently. Some companies might charge more than others if you’re a tobacco user, for instance, or you have a pre-existing medical condition. That’s why it’s important to get a handful of life insurance quotes to make sure you’ve found the best price for your particular circumstances.
I'm trying to compare Ladder, Lemonade and Ethos. Which is better?
I'm trying to compare Ladder, Lemonade and Ethos. Which is better?
It depends what type of insurance you’re shopping for. All three of these life insurers sell policies online. If you want lifelong coverage that builds cash value, Ethos sells permanent life insurance while Lemonade and Ladder don’t. Lemonade is among our top picks, including for the best life insurance companies. But if you need customizable term life coverage, Ladder may be a better choice to meet your needs.
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.
