Gerber Life Insurance Review 2025
Gerber Life Insurance offers a variety of policies, earning it a 3.0 NerdWallet rating. While the company is popular, especially for its children’s life insurance, it also receives a higher-than-expected number of consumer complaints.
Overview
Pros:
- Offers policies without a medical exam.
- Sells policies for various life stages including children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Cons:
- High number of consumer complaints.
- No mobile app for managing policies.
Gerber Life is a popular choice for parents seeking life insurance for their children, but potential customers should carefully consider both its strengths and weaknesses.
About Gerber Life Insurance
Gerber Life Insurance, with its 3.0 NerdWallet rating, offers a range of policies. In 2022, Western and Southern Financial Group, Gerber’s parent company, acquired the Fabric life insurance company, which now issues policies under the Gerber Life brand.
Gerber’s products include term and whole life insurance policies, with a focus on family-oriented options. The company offers policies for all phases of life, from children to seniors.
Gerber Life Insurance Policies
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Term Life Insurance: Adults can purchase $100,000 to $300,000 of coverage online with terms of 10, 20, or 30 years. Medical exams are generally not required, and most applicants receive a decision quickly. Exams are required for applicants aged 51 and older seeking coverage over $100,000. Coverage amounts up to $2 million are available by contacting a Gerber representative.
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Whole Life Insurance: Gerber offers three types of whole life insurance:
- Whole Life: Coverage options range from $50,000 to $1 million for adults. While medical history is considered, a medical exam might not be necessary. Representatives can discuss coverage above $300,000.
- Guaranteed Issue Whole Life: Generally, adults between 50 and 80 can apply for $5,000 to $25,000 in coverage without a medical exam. Acceptance is guaranteed. South Dakota has a $15,000 maximum, and New York’s maximum application age is 75.
- Guaranteed Whole Life for Children and Teens: The Gerber Life Grow-Up Plan is a whole life policy for children with coverage ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Parents, grandparents, or legal guardians can obtain this coverage for children aged 14 days to 14 years. The coverage doubles at age 18, and the child becomes the policy owner at age 21. Gerber also offers a whole life policy for teens.
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Endowment Life Insurance: The Gerber Life College Plan is marketed as a college savings plan that combines with adult life insurance. This policy pays out a lump sum on a set date or upon the insured’s death, whichever occurs first, covering the parent, with an expiration date corresponding with the child’s high school graduation. Coverage ranges from $10,000 to $150,000. The return rate depends on the policy, and returns are taxed.
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Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: Gerber’s accident protection insurance provides a payout if the insured dies or suffers a disabling injury—like the loss of a hand or eyesight—due to an accident. It does not pay out for death from illness or natural causes. Coverage ranges from $50,000 to $250,000 or $25,000 for a spouse.
Gerber Customer Complaints and Satisfaction
NerdWallet’s analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners indicates that Gerber has received more than the expected number of complaints for its size over a three-year period. This is an important factor to consider when evaluating the company.
Gerber Sample Life Insurance Rates
Gerber Life’s rates fluctuate based on age, state, and gender. The example rates below show the monthly premiums to insure a male child in Connecticut.
Source: Direct from insurer. These rates are standard for a male child in Connecticut and were generated on 10/15/24.
What Reddit Users Say About Gerber
Reddit discussions about Gerber often focus on whether child life insurance is worth buying, as it is Gerber’s most well-known type of coverage. Many users believe that children don’t need life insurance because they don’t have dependents, and that parents could better use their money in 529 plans or savings accounts. Others feel that a small amount of life insurance on a child might help cover funeral or medical costs if something unfortunate happens. There are also posts from young adults questioning the value of Gerber whole life plans bought for them when they were children.
Questions from Reddit: Experts Answer
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Should I buy a Gerber life insurance policy for my child? It’s generally more important for parents to have life insurance than to purchase a policy for their child. The payout can provide assistance with lost income, childcare, or other expenses in the event of a parent’s death. A child term rider might be a good alternative if you want some coverage for your children.
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What should an adult do with a Gerber life insurance policy that their parents or grandparents bought for them? The best approach depends on your individual circumstances. It might be wise to keep the policy if you have health issues that make it hard to obtain life insurance elsewhere. If you’re young and healthy, purchasing term life insurance may offer more extensive coverage at a lower cost. If you lack dependents, you may not need life insurance, in which case you could cash out the policy and utilize the funds for investment purposes or debt repayment. A financial advisor could provide assistance in making the decisions that best meet your needs.
Where Gerber Stands Out
Gerber offers a range of term and whole life policies with unique options for children and teens. Its website provides detailed information on all policies, and you can apply for term life online, with possible same-day approval. The company’s product offerings are one of its key strengths.
Where Gerber Falls Short
Gerber’s consumer complaint ratio is higher than other companies. Also, if you require over $300,000 in term life coverage, a relatively low amount, you’ll need to discuss your needs with the insurer. Be sure to evaluate this factor thoroughly.
More About Gerber
Gerber Life’s website offers FAQs and blog posts to help you learn more about life insurance fundamentals. You can get quotes, pay your bill, view your policy, and update beneficiary information through the customer portal.
How to Contact Gerber Life
- Phone: Call 800-704-2180 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
- Email: Use the form on Gerber Life’s contact page to submit an inquiry.
- Live chat: Not available.
