Bestow life insurance review 2024
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At a glance
Bankrate's take
Policyholders looking for a quick decision on a term life insurance policy and who prioritize digital tools and streamlined policies might find Bestow fit for their needs.
- Only offers term life insurance
- The application process never requires a medical exam
- Advertises that healthy individuals could receive coverage for as low as $11 per month
- Offers coverage amounts ranging from $100,000 to $1.5 million
New
On September 19, 2023, Transamerica announced that it is partnering with Bestow to leverage technology for enhancing life insurance offerings. This collaboration aims to offer a digital platform that simplifies the insurance process, making it quicker and more intuitive for both customers and agents. The partnership focuses on providing quality financial products efficiently, emphasizing an improved experience throughout the policy lifecycle and reaching the underserved middle market.
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Bestow life insurance review
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team took a deep dive into various life insurance companies, and based on our assessment, Bestow could be one of the best life insurance companies for those looking for AI-powered life insurance application experience and a quick underwriting decision for term life insurance.
Bestow is a Dallas-based life insurance company specializing in offering term life insurance online. The website is mobile-enhanced, making it easy to quote coverage options and purchase life insurance from your phone. Using data and algorithms, Bestow offers quick approval for qualified applicants without the need for a medical exam. All policies offered by Bestow are issued by either Bestow Life Insurance Company or North American Company for Life and Health Insurance.
Bestow presents a new way to apply for life insurance. Traditionally, life insurance companies require an online or in-person application and a medical exam followed by a few weeks of waiting for confirmation. Bestow’s 100 percent online process doesn’t require a medical exam and usually determines eligibility in about five minutes, employing an algorithm instead of a human underwriter to assess eligibility and accelerate the underwriting process.
Its online application collects personal data such as your Social Security number and contact information, which it uses to access publicly available data about the applicant. The company also collects health data, such as prescription drug use, through sources like MIB Group, a not-for-profit corporation that provides underwriting services in the United States and Canada. Applicants also provide information about citizenship, lifestyle, medical history and hobbies.
If the system approves the application, the applicant can then review coverage options, death benefits and monthly premiums before proceeding with purchasing a policy with a credit card. Coverage begins almost instantly for approved applicants. Reasons that applicants might be denied coverage include prior medical history, such as having been diagnosed with cancer in the last 10 years. Smokers may be accepted but could also be subject to higher monthly premiums.
Bestow life insurance coverage types
Currently, Bestow only offers term life insurance. Term life insurance is only active for a certain amount of time (otherwise known as the term) and could be best for people who want extra financial protection during specific parts of their lives, such as when their children are young or while they pay off debt.
Bestow’s life insurance policies are simple — people from 18 to 60 years old can apply for a term of 10, 15, 20 or 30 years, and death benefit options are limited from $100,000 up to $1.5 million. Depending on how much life insurance you need, Bestow might have an option for you.
Be aware that Bestow does not currently offer permanent life insurance policies like whole life insurance or guaranteed life insurance.
Pros and cons of Bestow life insurance
Pros
- Quick coverage approval
- No medical exam required
- Simplified term coverage
Cons
- Not available in New York
- No permanent coverage offered
- Not rated by J.D. Power or the NAIC
Bestow life insurance riders
Many insurance providers offer additional coverage. However, Bestow does not offer any life insurance endorsements (otherwise known as riders) at this time.
Bestow customer satisfaction
Bestow life insurance is not rated by J.D. Power, nor is the North American Company for Life and Health Insurance, one of Bestow’s underwriters.
However, the North American Company for Life and Health has a financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) issued by AM Best. This rating indicates that, historically, the company had the means to pay out claims when necessary. Although this may not be a direct representation of ongoing customer satisfaction, choosing a company that has a historical pattern of financial strength could give you peace of mind.
Bestow insurance customer complaints
Bestow’s data is not included in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index Report. However, because some of Bestow’s life insurance policies are underwritten by the North American Company for Life and Health Insurance, looking into Bestow’s underwriting company’s reviews could be informative.
Like Bestow, the North American Company for Life and Health Insurance is not rated by J.D. Power. However, it does have a lower-than-baseline number of customer complaints for individual life on the NAIC Complaint Index Report, with a 2023 index score of 0.27. This data shows that, on average, the company receives fewer customer complaints with the NAIC compared to other companies of its size.
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Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.
- Coverage for life
- Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
- 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component
Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.
- Fixed premium over term
- No savings benefits
- Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back
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Compare Bestow with other insurers
This Bestow life insurance review is comprehensive, but you may still have questions about whether or not this company is for you. In that case, you may also want to request life insurance quotes from some of the carriers below.
Bestow vs. Ethos
Ethos is another tech-enabled option for life insurance that offers an online application and no medical exam. In addition to term life, Ethos offers whole life insurance, which may make it attractive for those looking for different types of life insurance policies.
Learn more: Ethos Insurance review
Bestow vs. State Farm
In addition to car and homeowners insurance, State Farm offers a wide array of life insurance and financial investment products for every need. The company also earned a 2024 Bankrate Award for Best Term Life Insurance.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Bestow vs. Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha is a highly rated life insurance company that, among other products, offers whole life insurance for people over 50 years old. Universal life insurance is also available. If you’re looking for additional coverage types, Mutual of Omaha also has accidental death insurance available.
Learn more: Mutual of Omaha Insurance review
Our insurance editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of combined experience, and we used our intimate knowledge of the industry to conduct this in-depth Bestow insurance review.
46
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ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
Is Bestow a good insurance company?
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team includes experienced licensed insurance agents. We understand that life insurance can be intimidating, but we’re here to make it easy by giving you the information you need to find the company and policy that makes the most sense for your financial protection goals.
With that in mind, Bestow could be the life insurance company for you, but it depends on how much life insurance you need and what type of policy you’re looking for. If you’re a tech-savvy shopper in the market for a no-frills term life insurance policy without a medical exam, then Bestow could be a solid choice. However, if you need permanent or guaranteed issue life insurance, you’ll have to weigh other options as these policies are unavailable with this company. Ultimately, the easiest way to proceed with determining if Bestow is a good company may be to request a quote online.
What are real-life customers saying about Bestow?
To grasp Bestow customers' experiences, we looked into Trustpilot reviews, offering insights into their journey from application to policy management. It's notable, however, that life insurance reviews, particularly regarding claims and payouts, are less common since many policyholders don't experience this process firsthand. This contributes to fewer in-depth testimonials in this sector, but the feedback on Trustpilot provides a valuable snapshot of what to expect from Bestow in terms of user experience and customer service.
Trustpilot
Bestow reviews on Trustpilot reveal a mixed bag of experiences. Customers appreciate the affordable premiums, efficient online process without medical exams and the ability to obtain coverage for conditions that other insurers might reject. However, some express dissatisfaction with rate increases after initial quotes and concerns over privacy practices, highlighting the importance of thorough research and consideration when choosing life insurance.
Bestow company details
If you need to reach out to Bestow for any inquiries or assistance, here are some ways to contact the company:
- General questions and claims: 1-833-300-0603
- Live chat available: https://www.bestow.com/
- Mailing address: 2700 Commerce St. Ste. 1000
Dallas, TX 75226 - Email: team@bestow.com
State availability
Bestow life insurance is available in all states except for New York.
Bestow tools and benefits
Although Bestow does not sell any products other than term life insurance, it does offer some perks that may help it stand apart from other term life companies, including:
- Bereavement support: Your beneficiary could receive 24/7 grief support through Empathy. This benefit is also available for up to nine more of your loved ones.
- Referral program: You could earn by referring friends and family to Bestow. Since the company states that it will give you a “small token of gratitude,” you will need to reach out to a Bestow representative for specifics.
Frequently asked questions about Bestow
