If you answered “false” to that statement, you’re definitely not alone. Plenty of prospective life insurance buyers are intimidated by everything from the terminology to the anticipated price tag.

Your anxieties are absolutely normal. It’s why at Ethos, we make it our mission to ease the worries of potential and current customers and dispel common misconceptions around the life insurance process. Our business is 100% customer-focused, and we make it our goal to make sure the experience our customers have goes against any negative notions they may hold about the life insurance industry.

If you’ve been avoiding the topic of life insurance for any reason—maybe you’re afraid you’ll need a medical exam or will need to sign some binding contract just to get the conversation started—we’re here to separate truth from fiction. Our products are simple, easy to understand, and created with you and your family in mind.

Here are four of the most common expectations potential customers have, along with four realities that hopefully put things into perspective and help you feel more positive, confident, and informed about the life insurance process.

Expectation #1: “I’ll need a medical exam or a blood test to get life insurance.”

The Reality: Let’s clarify this one right off the bat. While many life insurance providers require applicants to undergo medical exams or receive extensive lab work, that’s not the case at Ethos. Instead, we ask our applicants to answer a few quick questions regarding their health status and history, and that’s that. Our expedited underwriting process uses proprietary technology and predictive modeling to provide instant decisions, which allows us to get a full picture of your health through the interview process. There’s no need to worry about scheduling doctor’s appointments or lab visits, meaning you can focus your time on the reason why you’re getting life insurance—your loved ones.

Expectation #2: “I’ll have to go through an agent, who’ll try to upsell me.”

The Reality: We know you may or may not be comfortable speaking to an agent. With our application process, there’s absolutely no need to work with an agent—unless you want to! If you do choose to speak with someone, know that our agents are non-commissioned, which means there will be no upselling of any kind—period. Instead, our qualified, friendly experts are here to help you understand more about life insurance, and to work with you to find the best policy for your needs. Even if you want to just talk out the details, they’re happy to help.

We know your time is valuable. Traditional in-person appointments with life insurance agents could take hours, and even extend into multiple appointments where they may indeed try to upsell you. Even going through the application process over the phone can be time-consuming, with sessions often taking upwards of 45 minutes. We’re happy to offer a life insurance experience where you can take control of your experience, and protect your family in a matter of minutes.

Expectation #3: “Life insurance is too expensive and complicated.”

The Reality: If you think of life insurance as a luxury purchase only certain people in certain income brackets can afford, you’re certainly not the only one. In fact, according to LIMRA’s 2020 Insurance Barometer Study, most people consistently overestimate the price of life insurance. The study found that more than half of Americans estimate the cost of a term life insurance policy to be more than three times the actual cost and that younger Americans are likely to estimate the cost to be as much as five times the actual cost.

Clearly, this is a common misconception that’d we’d like to put to rest. Not only do we believe that everyone is entitled to a life insurance plan that fits into their lifestyle, but we offer a wide range of policy options at prices that help make that a reality. For example, for as little as $50 a month, you could get your family $700,000 in coverage that can be used to pay off home loans, debts, child care, living expenses, or anything else your loved ones need. You can always tailor your policy to fit your budgets and your needs because we believe that life insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for your family.

Expectation #4: “The application process is time-consuming and commitment heavy.”

The Reality: We understand that life has enough paperwork and red tape. At Ethos, our online application can be completed in minutes, and as many as 50% of applicants get coverage the very same day. Within one week, around 80% of applicants are approved, giving you the peace of mind that comes with a quick turnaround.

If you’re worried about committing to something permanent too soon, know you can choose to withdraw from the process at any time without penalty—not to mention, our application is 100% free, and doesn’t affect your credit score in any way.

We also offer a 30-day free-look, money back guarantee—meaning that if you’re not happy with your policy in the first 30 days for any reason, we’ll refund your payment in full, no questions asked. After that 30-day window, you are also free to cancel your policy at any time if it doesn't work for you, with zero cancellation fees.

To put it simply, we do things differently here at Ethos. We believe life insurance should be affordable, accessible, and available to anyone who wants it. If you’re ready to learn more, visit our site and get started on your free online application today.