Methodology
How we review carriers
Each carrier gets a 1.0–5.0 score from four weighted factors. The scoring rule is the same for every carrier we cover.
| Factor | Weight |
|---|---|
Price competitiveness Per-$1k monthly cost benchmarked against the cheapest available level-benefit product for the same age, gender, and tobacco profile. | 40% |
No-waiting-period availability Whether the carrier offers a level (day-one) benefit alongside graded or guaranteed-issue plans, and how broad the underwriting eligibility is. | 20% |
Financial strength A.M. Best, S&P, and similar third-party financial-strength ratings — proxy for the insurer's ability to pay claims decades from now. | 20% |
Customer complaints NAIC complaint index, BBB rating, and aggregated review-platform sentiment. | 20% |
What we don't score
- Cosmetic site design, app polish, or marketing budget.
- Legacy reputation that doesn't reflect current pricing or service.
- Third-party endorsements or sponsorships.
Methodology last revised: 2026-05-02. Major changes are versioned and noted here.