Ladder Life Insurance is a term life insurance provider that offers a 100% digital way to get term life insurance. It was founded in 2015 and is based in Palo Alto, California. Ladder allows policyholders to adjust (or ladder) their coverage up or down whenever they want, with no penalty for doing so. This means that as your life circumstances change, you can increase or decrease your life insurance coverage to match your needs. For example, as you pay down your mortgage or your children become adults, you may not need as much coverage. Ladder's policies are issued by highly-rated insurers, including Allianz Life Insurance Company, Amica Life Insurance, and Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company. While Ladder offers affordable coverage, it does not pay interest on its policies.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type of insurance | Term life insurance |
Maximum coverage | $8 million |
Application process | 100% digital for policies under $3 million |
Medical exam required | No, for policies under $3 million |
Age requirements | 20-60 years old |
Riders available | No |
Underwriting partners | Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company, Amica Life Insurance, Allianz Life Insurance Company, S.USA Life Insurance Company |
Customer service availability | Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm PT |
What You'll Learn
- Ladder Life Insurance is an online-only term life insurance provider
- It offers affordable, flexible coverage with no riders or add-ons
- Ladder's stand-out feature is the option to raise or lower your coverage at any time
- Ladder does not offer permanent life insurance
- Ladder's policies are issued by highly-rated insurers
Ladder Life Insurance is an online-only term life insurance provider
Ladder's key feature is its "laddering" option, which allows policyholders to adjust their coverage up or down whenever they want, with no penalties for doing so. This means that as your life changes, your life insurance can change with it – whether you're paying down your mortgage, your kids are becoming adults, or your financial situation improves. The company also offers a 30-day trial period with a money-back guarantee, and an adjustable death benefit.
Ladder's application process is simple and straightforward, with no medical exam required for policies of $3 million or less. For policies above this amount, a quick, free at-home health check may be necessary. The company's policies are issued by highly-rated insurers, including Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, which has an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best.
Ladder's term life insurance policies are available for adults aged 20 to 60, with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years and death benefits of up to $8 million. The company's website features a life insurance calculator tool to help customers identify their optimal coverage based on their individual circumstances.
Overall, Ladder Life Insurance provides a convenient, flexible, and affordable option for those seeking term life insurance. With its online-only approach and focus on simplicity, Ladder is a good choice for those who want to manage their policies easily and make adjustments as their needs change.
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It offers affordable, flexible coverage with no riders or add-ons
Ladder Life Insurance is an online-only term life insurance provider that offers affordable, flexible coverage options that can be cancelled at any time. The company's unique selling point is its "laddering" feature, which allows customers to raise or lower their life insurance coverage as their needs change. This is particularly useful for those with fluctuating financial obligations, such as mortgage payments or children's education costs.
Ladder's policies are basic, with no riders or add-ons available for customisation. This means that customers cannot add a spouse, parent, or child to their policy and cannot access accelerated death benefits or accidental death coverage. While some may see this as a drawback, Ladder justifies this approach by stating that riders are not worth the increased premium costs to customers.
The company's platform is user-friendly, with resources that provide personalised advice and calculations to help customers identify their optimal coverage. Ladder also offers a 30-day trial period with a money-back guarantee, which is uncommon for term life insurance.
In terms of pricing, Ladder advertises affordable coverage, with prices starting at $5 per month for those under 30 years old. The cost of coverage will, of course, vary depending on individual circumstances, and Ladder's website does not offer detailed information on pricing. However, the company's stand-out feature is that it doesn't require a health exam for policies of $3 million or less, making it a convenient and accessible option for many.
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Ladder's stand-out feature is the option to raise or lower your coverage at any time
Ladder Life Insurance is an online-only term life insurance provider that offers affordable, flexible coverage options. Its stand-out feature is the ability to "ladder" your life insurance, allowing you to raise or lower your coverage at any time as your needs change. This means you can increase or decrease your coverage amount throughout the term of your policy without penalty.
Ladder's "laddering" feature provides a level of flexibility not commonly found in the life insurance industry. Typically, life insurance policies are structured with fixed coverage amounts and premiums for the duration of the policy. However, Ladder recognises that life circumstances can fluctuate, and this is reflected in their unique approach to coverage.
With Ladder, you can adjust your coverage as your financial responsibilities evolve. For example, as you pay off your mortgage or as your children become financially independent, you may find that you don't require as much coverage. By lowering your coverage, you can also reduce your premiums, which can result in significant cost savings over time.
On the other hand, if your financial obligations increase—perhaps due to growing education costs or a change in income—you have the option to increase your coverage accordingly. This ensures that you always have the right amount of protection to meet your needs.
It's important to note that while Ladder allows you to adjust your coverage at any time, changing the death benefit will impact your premium amount. If you increase your coverage, you can expect to pay a higher premium. Additionally, if your adjusted coverage exceeds $3 million, you may be required to undergo a medical exam.
Ladder's "laddering" feature empowers you to customise your coverage to align with your life stage and financial goals. It offers a dynamic approach to life insurance, ensuring that you're neither overinsured nor underinsured and enabling you to manage your coverage in a way that best suits your evolving circumstances.
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Ladder does not offer permanent life insurance
Ladder Life Insurance is a relatively new company, founded in 2015, and is an online-only term life insurance provider. It does not offer permanent life insurance, nor does it offer other types of insurance like home or auto insurance.
Ladder is a 100% digital platform that offers term life insurance policies to adults aged 20 to 60, with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years and death benefits of up to $8 million. The company allows policyholders to raise or lower their life insurance coverage as their needs change, a process known as "laddering." This feature is unique to Ladder and provides flexibility to its customers.
While Ladder's platform offers resources and tools to help customers identify their optimal coverage, it does not offer permanent life insurance products. Ladder distributes products issued by multiple insurers, including Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, which has been rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best.
Ladder's focus is on providing simple, affordable, and customizable term life insurance policies, which can be cancelled at any time without penalty. The company does not issue its own policies and does not offer permanent life insurance options.
In summary, Ladder Life Insurance is a digital-first company that offers term life insurance with flexible coverage options. However, it does not provide permanent life insurance, and customers seeking such policies will need to explore alternative insurance providers.
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Ladder's policies are issued by highly-rated insurers
Ladder does not underwrite its own life insurance policies. Instead, they are issued by one of four different companies, depending on the state you live in:
- Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company: Rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best.
- Amica Life Insurance: Rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best.
- Allianz Life Insurance Company: Rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best.
- S.USA Life Insurance Company: Rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best.
These insurers have high financial strength ratings, indicating that Ladder has a strong likelihood of being able to pay out its claims. This gives customers peace of mind and confidence in the company's ability to meet its financial obligations.
While Ladder itself does not have an AM Best financial strength rating, its partner underwriters have received high marks, demonstrating their financial stability and ability to fulfil their commitments to policyholders.
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Frequently asked questions
Ladder Life Insurance is a term life insurance provider, meaning that it offers coverage for a specific term or period of time, usually ranging from 10 to 30 years. Term life insurance is not an investment product and does not grow interest. Instead, it provides a death benefit to the policyholder's beneficiaries in the event of their death during the term of the policy.
Term life insurance offers coverage for a specified term or period, such as 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. It is generally more affordable than whole life insurance but does not accumulate cash value. Whole life insurance, on the other hand, is a type of permanent life insurance that covers you for your entire life as long as premiums are paid. Whole life insurance also includes a cash value component that grows over time, which can be borrowed against or used for other purposes.
Ladder Life Insurance offers a digital platform for purchasing and managing term life insurance. They provide a user-friendly interface that allows individuals to obtain quotes, apply for coverage, and adjust their coverage amounts as needed. The company also offers a money-back guarantee, allowing customers to cancel their policy within the first 30 days and receive a full refund.
Ladder Life Insurance offers several advantages, including a fully digital application process, no medical exam requirement for coverage below $3 million, and the ability to adjust coverage amounts at any time. Additionally, Ladder's partner underwriting companies have received high financial strength ratings, indicating a strong ability to pay out claims. The company also offers affordable coverage, with prices starting at $5 per month for individuals under 30 years old.