We earn commissions from brands listed on this site, which influences how listings are presented.
2,923 Reviews

Ladder Life Insurance Review

Written by
Bestmoney Staff
The BestMoney editorial team is composed of writers and experts covering a full range of financial services. Our mission is to simplify the process of selecting the right provider for every need, leveraging our extensive industry knowledge to deliver clear, reliable advice.

December 8, 2025

3 min

ladder

Ladder Summary

Ladder offers term life insurance online issued by multiple insurers in all states and DC. U.S. residents aged 20 to 60 can apply for coverage online and get an instant decision. Policies through Ladder are designed to allow users to move their coverage amount up and down by applying online for more coverage or decreasing coverage with a few clicks.

Ladder Pros & Cons

Pros

Online application takes minutes
Instant decisions
100% digital process from start to finish for coverage up to $3M
Ability to decrease or apply to increase coverage as needs change

Cons

No permanent coverage, only term life
ladder

Ladder at a glance

9.2
Editorial score

Industry experience

Founded at beginning of 2015
9.0

Coverage amount and flexibility

Offers coverage of $1 million+
9.0

Customer services and support

Multiple communication options, ability to speak to an agent
9.0

Online experience

Site is easy to use, but doesn't display all relevant information:I had to fill out the full application to see quote
9.0

Direct insurer?

Yes, direct insurer
10.0

Suitable For?

Ladder is designed for people who want coverage that can be increased or decreased in the future in accordance with their changing needs, or who prefer not to be locked into rigid terms. It’s best suited to people who feel comfortable applying for life insurance and other financial products and services online.

Features

Ladder’s term life insurance product is built to give policyholders the flexibility to ladder their coverage in accordance with their needs. For example, if you pay off your mortgage or reach the age where all your children have graduated from college, you can evaluate your needs and reduce the amount of coverage. In doing so, you can potentially save thousands of dollars on premiums. On the flipside, if you decide to purchase a new home or have another child, you might want to apply to increase your coverage to take into account your higher level of liability.

Highlights include:

  • Streamlined, digital application process
  • Direct-to-consumer, term life insurance, without any policy fees or commissioned sales agents
  • Ability to adjust your level of coverage and monthly payments whenever you want
  • Grace period of 61 days in the event that policyholder misses a payment
  • Life insurance calculator offered on the site
  • Extensive support pages with information about term life insurance
  • 30-day “free look” period - if you aren’t happy, Ladder will refund your premium within the first 30 days

Application Process

Anyone aged 20 to 60 who is a U.S. citizen or has been a permanent resident of the U.S. for more than 2 years may apply for coverage. Ladder offers coverage nationwide. You can check your state requirements with Ladder. It can take just a few minutes to get a quote and complete a digital application process. It’s free to apply and get a quote, and there are no obligations.

Here’s how it works:

  • To get started, simply fill out your desired level of coverage and term length.
  • Answer a few questions about your activities, health, and your financial situation.
  • Review your answers, and hit “Submit” when prompted to complete your application.

It’s really that easy. Each qualified applicant is individually underwritten, and you may get an offer for a term life policy that you can accept right away. Health checks are not required for coverage up to $3M. For coverage above $3M, that decision is made on a case-by-case basis. If you are asked to take a medical exam—these are always free and can take place at the applicant’s home or office, whichever is more convenient. Exams excluded, it takes just a few minutes to complete the application. With Ladder, many applicants are able to accept their offer and have coverage begin immediately (subject to payment of first premium).

Policy Types and Terms

Ladder offers one highly customizable product: term life insurance. Benefits are paid in one lump sum to beneficiaries if the policy holder dies during the term, subject to some conditions, such as suicide.

  • Coverage amounts range from $100,000 to $8 million
  • Term lengths are for 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years
  • Policy holders can decrease or apply to increase their coverage and payments at any time, all online

How Safe Is It?

In New York, policies are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York and in all other states and DC by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Investors in Ladder include Canaan Partners and Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, to name a couple, underpinning the market’s confidence in Ladder. Life insurance policy guarantees are backed solely by the issuing insurance company.

Help & Support

Ladder doesn’t employ commissioned agents, so whenever you contact them you can be assured you’re speaking to a directly-employed insurance licensed representative. Staff can be contacted via live chat or toll-free phone number at the following times:

Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm Pacific Time / 11am-8pm Eastern Time.

Ladder at a Glance

Ladder is disrupting the life insurance industry with online, streamlined approval of term life insurance. The name “Ladder” refers to its flexibility, with policyholders able to adjust their coverage level up or down by applying for more at any time in accordance with their changing needs. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar insurance providers, Ladder can get customers who qualify covered in a few minutes.

Physical Address

Ladder

P.O. Box 456, Menlo Park, CA 94026

Disclaimer

Policies issued in New York by Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, New York, NY (Policy form # MN-26) and policies issued in all other states and DC by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Minneapolis, MN (Policy form # ICC20P-AZ100 and # P-AZ100). Only Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York is authorized to offer life insurance in the state of New York.

Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (CA license # OK22568; AR license # 3000140372) distributes term life insurance products issued by multiple insurers – for further details see ladderlife.com. All insurance products are governed by the terms set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Each insurer has financial responsibility for its own products.Submission number 250602-4549461


How do I know I can trust this review?

Our editors are serious about research - we combine our own experience with the services we recommend with reviews that come from verified users–just like you! Together with reviews from industry experts to ensure you choose with confidence and ease.

Written byBestmoney Staff

The BestMoney editorial team is composed of writers and experts covering a full range of financial services. Our mission is to simplify the process of selecting the right provider for every need, leveraging our extensive industry knowledge to deliver clear, reliable advice.

Top Life Insurance
Ethos
Ethos
Read Review|Visit Site
Read all reviews

Must Reads

How to Use Life Insurance to Give Your Child a Head Start
Dec 29, 2025
What is Level Term Life Insurance and How Does it Work?
Dec 29, 2025
Is Term Life Still the Best Option in 2025?
Dec 29, 2025
Read all articles