Self-Service

Buy Life Insurance Online
Without Talking to Anyone

You don't want to call a broker. That's fine. Here are the companies where you can apply directly — from your phone, at 2 AM, no conversation required.

Here's the Deal

A handful of life insurance companies let you get a quote, fill out an application, and get covered — all online, all by yourself. No phone calls, no back-and-forth with an agent.

These "direct-to-consumer" carriers have built their entire process around people who want to handle it themselves. Most don't require a medical exam. Some can get you a decision in minutes.

Below are the ones worth looking at. Each one has a different process, different pricing, and different strengths. We'd recommend checking at least two or three before you commit — pricing varies more than you'd think.

Why People Go Direct

👍 The Upside

  • Total privacy. No one calls you, no one has your number. You deal with a website, not a person.
  • Do it on your own schedule. Apply at 2 AM from your phone while your partner's sleeping. Or in a waiting room while your kid's at dance class. Whenever works for you.
  • Fast decisions. Many of these carriers can approve you in minutes with no medical exam required.
  • Simple process. Answer questions online, pick your coverage, enter payment. Done.

⚖️ The Trade-Off

  • No unbiased advice. Each company can only sell you their own product — they'll tell you theirs is the best. Nobody's shopping the whole market for you.
  • You won't see everything. Some of the most competitive policies are only available through brokers. Going direct means you're only seeing a slice of what's out there.
  • You have to do the legwork. To compare properly, you'd need to get quotes from each company separately and compare them yourself.
  • Pricing can be higher. If you're paying for convenience, that's a valid choice — but know that a broker can usually find a lower rate, especially for larger policies.

Our honest take: If you're young, healthy, and buying a smaller policy (under $500K), the price difference between going direct and using a broker is often small. But if you're over 40, have any health history, or need more coverage — a broker can usually save you real money. Here's how that works →

Where to Apply Directly

Each of these companies lets you get a quote and apply online without picking up the phone.

Adjust your coverage as your life changes

  • 100% online application — done in minutes
  • No medical exam for coverage up to $3 million
  • Unique "laddering" lets you reduce coverage over time and lower your premium
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
Coverage: $100K–$8M Terms: 10–30 yr Exam: Usually no

Multiple carriers, one simple application

  • Compares quotes from multiple carriers for you (Ameritas, Banner, Protective, and others)
  • No medical exam — health questionnaire only
  • Can get covered in as little as 10 minutes
  • Includes free will and trust documents
Coverage: $100K–$2M Terms: 10–30 yr Exam: No

A note on Ethos: Ethos is technically a broker platform, not a carrier — they compare quotes from several insurance companies and present you the best option. That's actually a plus if you're going the self-service route, since you'll see more than one company's pricing without having to fill out multiple applications.

Tips for Shopping on Your Own

1

Get at least 2–3 quotes

Pricing varies significantly between carriers — especially if you have any health history. The first quote you get might not be the best one.

2

Watch for the health class

A "Preferred Plus" rate is wildly different from a "Standard" rate. If one carrier gives you Standard and another gives you Preferred, the second one will be cheaper — even if their base pricing is higher.

3

Don't skip the fine print on "no exam"

No medical exam doesn't always mean no health questions. You'll still answer a detailed questionnaire, and inaccurate answers can void your policy later.

4

Check if your state is covered

Not every carrier is available in every state. Ethos isn't available in New York, for example. Check before you spend time on an application.

5

Use our rate tables to benchmark

Before you commit, check your age on the CoverSavvy Term Life Index to see what rates look like across the market. If the direct quote you're getting is significantly higher, a broker might save you money.

Changed Your Mind?

If you've looked at a few quotes and want someone to shop the whole market for you — no pressure, no cost — we're here.

Learn About Our Broker Service Call Us: (512) 649-7977

Our service is free. Policies cost the same whether you buy through us or direct.

Ready to Shop on Your Own?

Pick a carrier above, get a quote, and compare. If you want help later, we're a phone call away.

Back to Carrier List ↑ Check Market Rates

CoverSavvy is an independent life insurance brokerage. We don't receive compensation from any of the carriers listed on this page (yet — affiliate partnerships coming soon).