Top Instant Life Insurance Companies of April 2025
Until recently, getting life insurance coverage could take several weeks. While that’s still true for traditional policies, many insurers now offer instant life insurance, also known as “fast life insurance.” These policies can be applied for online, with decisions often made within minutes.
Best Instant Life Insurance Companies
Our experts analyzed insurers that sell life insurance online and offer at least $100,000 in coverage. We assessed policy features, age eligibility, available riders, and the amount of coverage you can buy without a medical exam.
-
Lemonade: Best Overall
- NerdWallet rating: 4.5
- Instant coverage amount: Starting at $100,000
- Pros: Wide range of term lengths available, policies can be issued within minutes, qualifying applicants can get millions in coverage online
- Cons: Policies aren’t available nationwide, coverage can’t be converted to permanent life insurance
-
Lincoln Financial: Best for Policy Add-ons
- NerdWallet rating: 4.0
- Instant coverage amount: $100,000 to $2.5 million
- Pros: Offers hybrid policies with life and long-term care coverage, drew fewer complaints than expected
- Cons: Applicants must work with a financial advisor
-
Erie: Best for Instant Whole Life
- NerdWallet rating: 3.5
- Instant coverage amount: $10,000 to $500,000
- Pros: Offers a variety of term and whole life options, low customer complaints
- Cons: Not available in most states
How We Ranked the Top Life Insurers
NerdWallet’s life insurance ratings are determined by our editorial team based on consumer experience, financial strength ratings, and complaint index scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. We analyzed 441 life insurers and assessed 185 policies.
Key Considerations for Life Insurance
- Policies Offered: Term life, permanent life, and no-exam life insurance options
- Financial Strength: A.M. Best ratings to confirm long-term financial stability
- Complaints: Fewer than expected complaints relative to company size
- Online Purchase: Ability to apply for and buy policies completely online
Alternatives to Instant Life Insurance
If you’re not in a time crunch, consider traditional life insurance policies. While they may require a medical exam, healthy applicants could end up paying less.
Finding the Right Life Insurance Plan
Compare customized life insurance quotes from multiple companies to find the best rate for your needs. NerdWallet’s ratings guide you through the process, but we encourage shopping around.
