The Difference Between Ethos and the Traditional Life Insurance Process

How is Ethos different from traditional insurers?

Not an insurance expert? Don’t worry—most people aren’t. With a traditional insurance provider, you’d typically start with an agent meeting, fill out a paper application, and schedule a medical exam (including a blood and urine test), often weeks in advance. Then, you’d usually have to follow that up with evidence. Think bank statements, medical records, and a background check. On top of all that, you might have to submit all these documents via snail mail. It could take months before you hear back on whether your application is approved or not.

At a glance, life insurance may seem intimidating, even painful, due to the mountain of paperwork, medical exams, and phone calls or in-person meetings with agents you may face when applying through traditional providers. To top it off, it can be scary to think about your family’s future without you, so even having a conversation about life and death can be challenging.

Sounds stressful, right? We thought so too. That’s why we created Ethos, to make applying for life insurance much more simple.

How does Ethos work?

With Ethos, this same process has been streamlined to a quick online application. Thanks to the power of predictive analytics, Ethos can provide a personalized estimate in a few seconds.

First, we gather a few bits of information about you to provide an initial life insurance quote. Based on what we learn about you, we will offer you three policies that we think will fit your needs best. You can always personalize your coverage amounts as well. After you select coverage, you fill out the online application, which you can finish in about 10 minutes. And then boom. Your application is done.

Your application will be reviewed and you'll get your approval decision–many times within a few days. Most of the time, Ethos does not require medical exams. However, in a few instances underwriters will require one if they need additional information. If this is the case for you, the medical exam is short, convenient, and free.

When your application is approved, a licensed Ethos expert will reach out to make sure all the details are buttoned up and make any adjustments to your coverage (if you want) before your policy is issued.

And then you’ll be covered! You’ll have peace of mind knowing your family’s future is protected.

What does life insurance cover?

Any type of life insurance can be used to protect your loved ones and also safeguard your financial legacy. To understand the different types of life insurance, read about the differences between term and permanent life insurance.

Life insurance payouts can be used by your family to help cover any and all of life’s expenses, namely a home mortgage, car payments, or student loan debt. You can apply it to future expenses like your children’s college tuition. It can also be used to help cover day-to-day expenses, like groceries and childcare.

Do you have a business you want to leave in good hands or have someone else who depends on you financially? Life insurance is a great option to help make sure they can stay afloat financially in case anything happens to you. And the best part is, it’s never been easier to apply for a policy. Our application can be completed in minutes, and our process is streamlined to get you covered quickly.

What if I already have coverage?

You may already have a life insurance policy through your employer and are weighing the benefits of buying a personal policy. And if it was a hassle for you the first time, then why would you want to undergo the same process?

Consider the fact that your employer-provided policy might not be enough to cover your loved ones, especially if your household grows or your financial goals change. And if you leave the company, that coverage might not stay with you. Financial experts generally recommend that you apply for coverage at least 10X your annual salary. Most employer-sponsored policies offer only 1-2X your salary, leaving a potential gap that could overburden family if you suddenly passed away. That’s why many people buy personal policies to supplement the coverage they receive through work. At Ethos, we offer term life insurance policies of up to $1.5 million and term lengths between 10 and 30 years. We also offer whole life insurance policies for applicants 60 and above, with a death benefit of up to $25,000.

If you already have life insurance through work, double check that it provides enough coverage for your family. For a quick gut check of your life insurance needs, try our handy coverage calculator.

How do I get started?

Our online application can be done in minutes by just answering a few questions about yourself. Learn more about Ethos and find out your personalized quote by visiting our site.