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Ladder Review
Reviews 2,563
Ladder
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Ladder
Ladder
Excellent
Reviews 2,563
Bestmoney Staff
Apr. 16, 2023
2 min read
BestMoney Staff
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.
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 at a glance

9.2
Editorial score

Coverage type

Offers either term or whole life insurance. Term life can be be for up to 30 years.
8.0

Customization of policies

Customizable rates and deductibles, upgrades and downgrades available, decide whether to buy with an agent or buy online
10.0

Customer services and support

Multiple communication options, ability to speak to an agent
8.0

Online experience

Online fast application, learning resources, access to rates before application
10.0

Direct insurer?

Yes, direct insurer
10.0

Ladder Ladder View Rates

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 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. 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,  a medical exam is required—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

Ladder Ladder View Rates

How Safe Is It? 

Policies are issued by highly rated insurers in all states and DC. 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 employs salaried 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

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. Coverage amounts vary by state.

BestMoney Staff
Written by
Bestmoney Staff
Our editorial staff consists of writers who are knowledgeable about financial services. We specialize in simplifying the process of choosing the right provider for your needs.
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See what some costumers are saying about Ladder
Ladder
Excellent
Reviews 2,563
on
Excellent
89%
Great
6%
Average
1%
Poor
1%
Bad
3%
C
callen calloway
3 days ago
Very simple
Very simple, quick and did what I wanted.
M
martin s.
8 days ago
Got insured in a couple of minutes
Got insured in a couple of minutes
S
steven kolb
15 days ago
Very understandable
Very understandable, coherent process; very informative; very easy-to-use format.
s
sarbjit s.
19 days ago
Best price and amazing service!
Best price and amazing service!
G
gage
20 days ago
It was just so easy
It was just so easy. Basically applications should be like this. Thank you
J
jared
22 days ago
Easy and simple
Easy and simple
Y
yolonda williams
22 days ago
The process was super easy
The process was super easy. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. I appreciated the option to pick a lower amount that was suggested in order to be more affordable for me on a monthly basis. The questions were simple and it was over in no time. Got the coverage I needed and it was a very smooth process.
J
jamar n.
22 days ago
Thank you for helping and securing my…
Thank you for helping and securing my life insurance policy the process was fast.
A
arthur luebano
25 days ago
It’s a pretty good insurance company
It’s a pretty good insurance company. I just wish to reach were a little better but all in all it’s great !!
S
scottie c.
a month ago
Simple
The whole process was simple and and streight forward.
D
donna s.
a month ago
Easy to use website and to apply for…
Easy to use website and to apply for life insurance. Great professionals to work with.
consumer-image
trevor clark-zamoider
a month ago
Obtained information when I never applied!
Which is why Ladder processed a fraudulent release for a life insurance policy to a company called Milliman and obtained 15 pages of my medical information without my release. Then don't want to answer questions...hmm I did contact AG and Office of Civil rights for the Hipaa violation. In response to your reply: the application was fraudulent. You still processed it and obtained 15 pages you where not entitled to. Don't give me you verified any thing because your own 3 rd party verifier said you didn't at nexislexus. Nice try.dont worry several organizations are looking into it. You screwed up you own it.
consumer-image
m geiger
a month ago
I’m worth a 100k! I feel pretty good about that!
Extremely easy and affordable. Wasn’t thinking about getting life insurance, but glad I did!
W
william w.
a month ago
no meeting with agents
no meeting with agents, hassle free and priced affordable
M
mary s.
a month ago
Easy and fast process to get a policy
Easy and fast process to get a policy, so far so good!
B
bevo bud
a month ago
Too Easy!
Smooth process. Straight to the point!
M
michael
a month ago
An easy and efficient process; no hassles.
An easy and efficient process; no hassles.
C
carlos c.
a month ago
Super easy and what a great plan
Super easy and what a great plan. Definitely making me feel better
S
shauna r.
a month ago
I had difficulties with another company…
I had difficulties with another company previously that left me feeling helpless. Ladder made me feel special!
c
customer
a month ago
Quick and easy
Quick and easy! Straight forward.
T
tony v.
a month ago
Texting is no an appropriate means of…
Texting is no an appropriate means of communication for discussions regarding life insurance. Ladder contacted me several times asking the same questions. I was asked to upload my drivers license 3 times. The whole process is broken and flawed.
L
leeron zion
a month ago
Very easy quick and great service
Very easy quick and great service
B
bode o.
2 months ago
Life Insurance made simple
No barrier to complete my policy application and quick response to schedule a phone conversation with their representative for any questions.
J
julie t.
2 months ago
Ease of applying was super beneficial!!
Ease of applying was super beneficial!!
D
devin c.
2 months ago
The process was very easy and the price…
The process was very easy and the price is the best i have seen!
J
jody f.
2 months ago
Easy to complete
Quick and to the point.
A
ac
2 months ago
Well mapped out phone UI/UX
Well mapped out phone UI/UX. Direct and prompt questions. Easy process and decent pricing
Y
yasmeen
2 months ago
So easy
So easy! Best life insurance experience possible
E
elizabeth s.
2 months ago
It was quick
It was quick, simple and easy to apply.
R
rafael b.
2 months ago
Easy to enroll
Easy to enroll
K
karen duren
2 months ago
It was easy
It was easy. No forgetting passwords and multi-level identifications. A fairly seamless process.
J
john c.
2 months ago
It was simple and quick!
It was simple and quick!
D
dre
2 months ago
Straight to.the point insurance quote
Straight to.the point insurance quote. Easy application. Great experience
T
tim k.
2 months ago
Very simple and easy to use site & Great customer support
Very simple and easy to use site. Had one text from Josh who asked if I had any questions and when I asked my questions, his replies were straight to the point. No trying to upsell me on increased coverage, or anything. He was awesome!
S
sreedhar
2 months ago
Knowledge, Caring and Great Customer Service
My Experience was great right from day one. Ben was very Patient, knowledgeable and very helpful. I had so many questions and I was asking them one question at a time. Every time I asked a question he immediately answered it and followed it to make sure I completely understood and also was available to talk to me whenever I wanted to talk. My entire experience was great and customer service is top of the world. I would give 5 stars for Ben
B
brian f.
2 months ago
Had a little trouble figuring out…
Had a little trouble figuring out website but overall it was fairly easy.
C
candace hall
2 months ago
Very easy process
Easy and quick
R
ronald r.
2 months ago
Everything was laid out very well
Everything was laid out very well
consumer-image
luke netjes
2 months ago
Quick and easy process providing peace of mind
The process was very quick and easy, and provides me with a great deal of comfort in the event that something happens to me. I am in the process of changing jobs, and my new employer has less generous life insurance benefits which necessitated this decision.
G
gg
2 months ago
Coordinators helpful; underwriting team difficult
Sophie was helpful, as much as she could be. But the underwriting process took entirely too long (over four months), and communication was scarce. The underwriting team made little to no attempt to make actual contact with the doctors to understand the context of the files, and mostly misinterpreted the doctors' analysis, confusing preventive care with treatment. I asked several times to arrange conversations between the u/w team and the doctors, and was declined. The process was long, arduous, and far more difficult than it should be -- and the worst part was that no one would pick up the phone when I called to try and expedite. Sophie was lovely and considerate as a coordinator, but unfortunately was not empowered to make any decisions other than acting as a go-between.
c
customer
2 months ago
I had a real person call me to follow…
I had a real person call me to follow up with how everything went and he answered all my questions
M
michelle r.
2 months ago
Easy to navigate
Easy to navigate. But I didn't give full 5 stars because there is no term life or full life option
C
christy e.
2 months ago
Applying was super easy
Applying was super easy
n
nicole leboeuf
2 months ago
So easy to set up!
So easy to set up!
consumer-image
melissa may
2 months ago
Quick, Easy process w very competitive rates
Quick, easy process. I received instant decision. Provides way to see alternative options before finalizing. Very competitive rates. Agent was very helpful with my questions. Easy to set up a quick 15 min call and get your questions answered.
A
autumn h.
2 months ago
Easy breezy process
Easy breezy process. Good coverage for reasonable price.
c
cameron p.
2 months ago
It was great keep up the work
It was great keep up the work
J
jeff m.
2 months ago
Ease of use
Ease of use. I never thought it could be this easy.
P
phillip t.
2 months ago
The service was great!!
The service was great!!
J
john i.
2 months ago
So far the process is seamless
So far the process is seamless, although short of a total policy review I can not give an accurate review at this time.
c
customer
2 months ago
Easy application and they were very…
Easy application and they were very communicative throughout each step!
C
chad p.
2 months ago
Easy application
Easy application
A
amjad m.
2 months ago
Simple and easy
Simple and easy
R
ra
3 months ago
Very very slow process and poor…
Very very slow process and poor communication. However, their rates are competitive. What I worry about is whether I can get hold of them when I need to speak with someone once I have my policy in force.
J
jose m.
3 months ago
Easy process!
Easy process!
L
linda m.
3 months ago
Quick and easy to get a quote
Quick and easy to get a quote. Plus your quote was the best that I found.
N
nsc
3 months ago
Easier than ordering at Starbucks!
Easier than ordering at Starbucks!! Amazing rates and terms.
J
jaymey h.
3 months ago
Quick and easy application for…
Quick and easy application for affordable life insurance.
R
rob s.
3 months ago
Super easy and simple!
Super easy and simple!
D
dayna c.
3 months ago
Glad I chose Ladder!
I got a decision for approval of my application in a very timely manor. Ladder offered the amount of coverage that I need for a great price and the customer service is awesome!
L
lester o.
3 months ago
Excellent service!
Simple, fast and efficient! Excellent transaction. Very happy client
P
patrick b.
3 months ago
Ease
Thank you for experience
M
ms. dee
3 months ago
The process of buying life insurance…
The process of buying life insurance was easy and the cost was reasonable.
D
david b.
3 months ago
Excellent!
Very happy with Ladder and it’s convenient service.
P
panomphone s.
3 months ago
Great and quick with a very affordable…
Great and quick with a very affordable fix rate
R
robert b.
3 months ago
Quick and easy.
Quick and easy.
R
rachel d.
3 months ago
easy to use
easy to use. fast & friendly customer service
B
bryan
3 months ago
I enjoyed the personal follow up to…
I enjoyed the personal follow up to help walk me through the process.
M
muzaffer s.
3 months ago
Poor sevice Poor sevice
Poor sevice Poor sevice
R
richard p.
3 months ago
It was very easy to complete an…
It was very easy to complete an application and I was very happy that it was approved on the spot.
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michael caddell
3 months ago
Peace of mind is priceless
The website was easy to navigate not to mention the fact that the prices were affordable. I found peace knowing my family would be taken care of. Thank you ,Ladder for providing the coverage of a lifetime.
M
michael l.
3 months ago
Competitive pricing on custom plans…
Competitive pricing on custom plans with fast reporting, no wrangling, and responsive customer service
A
amanda
3 months ago
Very easy to use and helpful…
Very easy to use and helpful application!
E
elias l.
3 months ago
Quick, simple, affordable
One of the fastest online experiences I've had with any company. As a single, young adult who has yet to start a family, I was surprised at the amount of coverage I could get at an affordable price. Would 100% recommend to friends and family.
J
joshua m.
3 months ago
Ease of process
Ease of process. Get it immediately.
J
janelle l.
3 months ago
It was the ease of the process!
It was the ease of the process!
J
jesse
3 months ago
Easy application
Easy application. Great rate
R
rebecca reitz
3 months ago
Thank you so much for making it an…
Thank you so much for making it an effective experience that was easy to understand. I greatly appreciate it!
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alex chilsholm
3 months ago
So easy to apply and qualify
So easy to apply and qualify. Smooth process.
s
sedric d.
3 months ago
Simple process with pricing in real…
Simple process with pricing in real time to find the most coverage for your budget
F
faisal q.
3 months ago
Excellent application process and done…
Excellent application process and done in 30 minutes!
K
katlyn d.
3 months ago
Easy application affordable policies
Easy application process, fast turn around and policy was very affordable.
K
kristi
3 months ago
It was super quick and easy!
It was super quick and easy!
T
tara h.
3 months ago
Easy process and explanation on why…
Easy process and explanation on why life insurance is important was great.
A
anonymously me
3 months ago
Pretty effortless as for enrolling
Pretty effortless as for enrolling. I hope should my family have to access it, it’s as effortless for them as well.
L
lisa k.
4 months ago
Phenomenal Customer Service!
Phenomenal Customer Service!
J
joy m.
4 months ago
Quick
Quick, easy, and straightforward. User friendly and convenient, would highly recommend it!
S
samaria r.
4 months ago
Insurance process was easy and very…
Insurance process was easy and very reasonable.
C
claudia l.
4 months ago
The experience was quick and easy!
The experience was quick and easy!
S
stephanie s.
4 months ago
Easy peasy
I have never had insurance purchasing go so quick or easily!
R
rhodick h.
4 months ago
Excellent
My experience was excellent very informative and easy to understand.
consumer-image
robert barton
4 months ago
Easy to apply and qualify
Easy to apply and qualify. Some other companies automatically deny you based on 1 "yes" answer in the entire application. This company did not.
H
henry
4 months ago
Easily accessible..
Easily accessible... Customer Friendly... Great Communication Skills.... Ladder
E
elsa a.
4 months ago
The ease of applying.
The ease of applying. Very user friendly.
J
julie a.
4 months ago
Such a great experience
Such a great experience! I referred my family and friends!
S
swift e
4 months ago
It was very easy and straightforward to…
It was very easy and straightforward to process.
J
jesus h.
4 months ago
The most user friendly application I…
The most user friendly application I have ever experienced. I did my research and they have excellent ratings on JD Powers etc… I totally recommend them to friends and family; Not to mention their rates are excellent.
M
mh
4 months ago
Fast
Fast. Exactly what I needed.
D
darryl a.
4 months ago
Easy to use
Easy to use. So much simpler than the back and forth
R
ricardo c.
4 months ago
It was so simple and quick.
It was so simple and quick.