SelectQuote Life Insurance Review 2026

SelectQuote is a life insurance marketplace that connects shoppers with coverage from multiple carriers rather than issuing their own policies. The company positions itself as a comparison platform, with licensed agents helping applicants evaluate options across its partner carrier network. Individuals who want direct carrier relationships may not be an ideal candidate for this company and its services.

Key Takeaways

Best for: Shoppers who want a licensed agent to compare life insurance options across multiple carriers without managing the process alone.

Standout feature: Agent-assisted comparison across several partner carriers under one application process.

Products offered: Term life, whole life, and other permanent life insurance options, including final expense coverage.¹

How to access: Online quote request or phone-based application; policies issued and serviced by the partner insurance company, not by SelectQuote.

About SelectQuote Life Insurance

SelectQuote is a licensed insurance agency and marketplace, not a life insurance carrier. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the company pioneered a multi-carrier comparison model that allows consumers to compare life insurance options from multiple insurers through an agent-assisted process.²

SelectQuote became a publicly traded company in May 2020 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SLQT. In addition to life insurance, SelectQuote offers auto, home, and Medicare-related insurance products.

Through its agent-assisted marketplace, SelectQuote helps consumers compare term and permanent life insurance policies from participating carriers. Once a policy is selected, the issuing insurance company is responsible for underwriting, policy issuance, claims, and ongoing servicing.

SelectQuote Life Insurance Review for 2026

In this 2026 review, we will examine SelectQuote's life insurance products, application experience, underwriting process, pricing model, customer reputation, and overall suitability for different types of buyers.

SelectQuote Financial Strength and Ratings

SelectQuote is an insurance agency, not an insurance carrier, so it does not receive financial strength ratings from agencies such as AM Best, Moody's, Fitch Ratings, or S&P Global Ratings.

Although SelectQuote is not rated for financial strength, third-party organizations typically evaluate its customer experience and business practices, including:

Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+ (Accredited Business)³
Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 stars (Based on more than 11,000 reviews)⁴

These ratings reflect customer satisfaction, complaint handling, and overall business reputation of the company. However, if you purchase coverage through SelectQuote, it's important to review the financial strength rating of the insurer issuing the policy.

SelectQuote Life Insurance Products

SelectQuote's product offering reflects the range of its partner carrier network rather than an in-house product lineup. Shoppers access coverage through agent-assisted comparison rather than applying directly to a single insurer.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance is the primary life insurance product available through SelectQuote's marketplace. Consumers can compare policies from multiple insurance carriers, with term lengths including 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, 25-year, and 30-year options.⁵

Coverage options, policy features, and available terms vary by carrier. Premiums are determined by the issuing insurance company based on factors such as age, health, coverage amount, and underwriting classification.

Whole life insurance

SelectQuote provides access to whole life insurance through its network of insurance carrier partners. Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that offers lifelong coverage, a guaranteed death benefit, and cash value accumulation along with added features such as dividend eligibility, cash value growth, and guaranteed issue options.⁶

However, coverage amounts and eligibility may vary by insurer and policy. Depending on the carrier, applicants may be able to qualify for certain whole life policies without a medical exam or health questions.

Other Permanent Life Insurance

Beyond whole life insurance, SelectQuote may provide access to permanent coverage options such as universal life insurance, indexed universal life (IUL), and final expense insurance through participating carriers.

Since SelectQuote is an insurance marketplace, available products depend on the carriers in its network at the time of application. Shoppers seeking indexed universal life or survivorship life should confirm availability with a SelectQuote agent, as these products may not be accessible through all partner carriers.

SelectQuote Underwriting and Application Process

SelectQuote does not underwrite life insurance policies. All underwriting decisions are made by the partner insurance company selected during the application process, and the experience will vary depending on which carrier evaluates the application.

Medical Exam Requirements

Medical exam requirements depend on the insurance carrier and policy selected. While some policies require a medical exam, others may offer coverage without one. Here are a few underwriting types that most carriers that SelectQuote work with may offer:

Fully underwritten: Requires a medical exam, health questions, and review of medical records.
Accelerated underwriting: May offer coverage without an exam using electronic health and prescription data.
Simplified issue: No medical exam required, but health questions are typically asked.
Guaranteed issue: No medical exam or health questions, usually with lower coverage limits.

SelectQuote agents can help identify suitable carrier options, but all underwriting and approval decisions are made by the insurance company issuing the policy.

How to Apply for SelectQuote Life Insurance

Applying for life insurance through SelectQuote involves comparing quotes, selecting a policy, and completing the insurer's underwriting process. Here’s how you can apply:

Request a quote: Start online through SelectQuote's website or by contacting a licensed SelectQuote agent.
Discuss coverage needs: Provide basic information about your health, lifestyle, and desired coverage amount. Review available life insurance quotes and recommendations from participating carriers.
Complete the application: Submit the required application and supporting information with assistance from your agent.
Schedule a medical exam (if required): Some policies may require a medical exam as part of the underwriting process.
Underwriting review: The insurance carrier evaluates the application and makes the final coverage decision.
Receive approval and coverage: Once approved, the insurer issues the policy and coverage becomes effective according to the policy terms.

Approval timelines vary by carrier and underwriting method, with fully underwritten policies often taking several weeks to process.

SelectQuote Life Insurance Customer Experience

SelectQuote operates an agent-assisted model rather than a fully self-service digital platform. Applicants work with licensed agents by phone throughout the application process, and policy servicing transfers to the issuing carrier once coverage is placed.

Customer Service and Contact Options

SelectQuote agents are available to assist any existing or future policyholders either by phone or by online means. Here’s how you can reach their customer service team:⁷

Phone: (800) 577-2812
Website: selectquote.com

After a policy is issued, customer service for billing, policy changes, and claims shifts to the issuing carrier. SelectQuote's website also offers educational articles, insurance calculators, and a quote request tool to help policyholders get a quote.

SelectQuote Life Insurance Claims Process

Life insurance claims for policies purchased through SelectQuote are handled by the insurance company that issued the policy. Since SelectQuote is an insurance agency and marketplace, it does not process or pay claims. Here’s how you can file a claim:

Identify the issuing carrier: Locate the insurance company listed on the policy documents.
Contact the insurer: Notify the issuing carrier of the policyholder's death and request claim instructions.
Complete claim forms: Fill out the beneficiary claim forms provided by the insurance company.
Submit required documentation: Provide any requested documents, such as a certified death certificate and proof of identity.
Claims review: The insurance carrier reviews the submitted information and verifies policy details.
Receive benefit payment: Once approved, the insurer distributes the death benefit to eligible beneficiaries according to the policy terms.

Mobile App and Online Access

SelectQuote does not offer a proprietary app for life insurance policy management, as ongoing policy servicing is handled by the issuing carrier. SelectQuote's website provides a quote tool and educational resources accessible on desktop and mobile browsers.

SelectQuote Life Insurance Pros and Cons

SelectQuote occupies a distinct position in the life insurance market as an agency rather than a carrier. However its lack of direct products and limited online experience may be a challenge for many buyers.

Pros of SelectQuote Life Insurance

Multi-carrier access through one brokerage allows shoppers to compare term and permanent life insurance coverage without contacting each insurance company individually.
Agent-assisted shopping experience may appeal to buyers who prefer guided conversations rather than navigating a fully self-directed digital process.
Established life insurance brokerage model, meaning policies are issued by established insurance carriers such as Prudential, Pacific Life, and Transamerica.

Cons of SelectQuote Life Insurance

Once a policy is issued, ongoing servicing, billing, policy changes, and claims support are handled by the insurance carrier rather than SelectQuote.
As a call-center-based insurance marketplace, applicants may not always work with the same agent throughout the life of their policy.
Applicants with complex medical histories may have access to a narrower selection of carrier and policy options based on insurer underwriting guidelines.

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Ethos vs. SelectQuote Life Insurance

Ethos and SelectQuote both help consumers obtain life insurance, but they use very different business models. Here’s how they may compare against each other:

Application Experience

Ethos: Offers a fully online application that can be completed without speaking to an agent, making it convenient for applicants who prefer a self-service experience.
SelectQuote: Typically involves working with a licensed agent who helps compare policies and guides applicants through the application process.

Underwriting Process

Ethos: Uses accelerated underwriting for many applicants, allowing eligible individuals to apply without a medical exam and potentially receive a decision within minutes.
SelectQuote: Works with many carriers that may require traditional underwriting, including medical exams and additional documentation, depending on the policy and applicant profile.

Policy Management

Ethos: Provides a centralized experience where applicants can manage their coverage through a single platform from application through policy ownership.
SelectQuote: After a policy is issued, ongoing servicing and policy administration are generally handled by the insurance carrier that issued the coverage.

Best For

Ethos: Best suited for applicants who value speed, convenience, digital-first service, and a simplified path to coverage.
SelectQuote: Better suited for shoppers who prefer agent guidance and want to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies before choosing a policy.

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FAQs on SelectQuote Life Insurance

SelectQuote is best suited for consumers who want to compare life insurance policies from multiple insurers through a single application process. It may appeal to shoppers who prefer working with a licensed agent and value carrier comparisons over a fully digital, self-service experience.

SelectQuote provides access to several types of life insurance through participating carriers, including term life insurance, whole life insurance, universal life insurance, indexed universal life insurance, and final expense coverage. Product availability varies by insurer, state, and applicant eligibility.

To purchase life insurance through SelectQuote, applicants can request a quote online or speak with a licensed agent. The agent helps compare available policies, complete the application, and coordinate any underwriting requirements before submitting the application to the selected insurer.

Medical exam requirements depend on the insurance carrier and policy selected. While some policies available through SelectQuote may require a medical exam, others use accelerated or simplified underwriting that allows eligible applicants to qualify for coverage without an exam.

Life insurance claims are filed directly with the insurance company that issued the policy, not with SelectQuote. Beneficiaries should contact the insurer listed on the policy, complete the required claim forms, and submit any supporting documentation requested by the carrier.

Yes, SelectQuote is a licensed insurance agency founded in 1985 and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SLQT. The company helps consumers compare insurance products from multiple carriers and has been operating in the insurance industry for decades.

Yes, SelectQuote offers access to life insurance products designed for older adults through its carrier network. Depending on age, health, and eligibility, seniors may be able to qualify for term life insurance, whole life insurance, final expense insurance, or guaranteed issue coverage.