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Life Insurance Basics
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What is underwriting?
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What is underwriting?
What is underwriting?

After you submit an application, underwriting begins. Underwriting is the process life insurance companies use to determine whether they are able to offer life insurance coverage to applicants, and the premiums they charge. Factors including an applicant’s age, sex, health, lifestyle, contribute to the life insurance company’s decision.

Related Questions
Can I choose more than one
beneficiary?
Yes. You are able to choose multiple beneficiaries.
What are key features of Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
Policies?
There are a lot of reasons people go with Guaranteed issue whole life policies.
What is a life insurance
rider?
A rider is a document that becomes a part of a life insurance policy, which can provide additional coverage or benefits.
What does life insurance
cover?
What life insurance covers can be answered in two ways: the expenses it covers, and the types of death it covers.
What is a
beneficiary?
The person(s) who receives the policy proceeds if you pass away while your policy is in force.
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©2026 Ethos Technologies Inc. ("Ethos") Ethos operates in some states as Ethos Life Insurance Services. CA license #0L28949; AR license #100164629. Ethos offers policies issued by the carriers listed at Our Life Insurance Carriers | Ethos Life. Products and their features may not be available in all states. Ethos provides its online wills, trusts, and estate planning documents and services through Ethos Estate Planning, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary. Ethos Estate Planning, LLC is not a law firm and does not provide financial, investment, legal, accounting or tax advice. Complimentary W&T services offered through the perks rider not available in WA and SD; W&T services not available in AK and LA.