© 2018 TermProvider | Big Lou.
Big Lou vs. Ethos Life Insurance
Ethos has built a fast, convenient digital life insurance experience. Big Lou takes a different approach: we specialize in helping applicants determine which carrier and underwriting path may fit their individual health history.
Already have an Ethos quote? That's fine. Let Big Lou give you a second opinion before you decide.
QUICK ANSWER
Ethos and Big Lou offer two different approaches to buying life insurance.
Ethos has built a highly streamlined online platform offering fast applications, no-medical-exam options and products from multiple insurance carriers.
Big Lou is an independent life insurance brokerage focused heavily on applicants whose age, medications or health history can make carrier selection and underwriting strategy especially important.
If your health history is straightforward and speed is your priority, Ethos may be worth considering.
If you have diabetes, sleep apnea, heart history, elevated BMI, multiple medications or previous underwriting problems, Big Lou's approach is different: We don't just shop prices. We shop underwriting.
Big Lou vs. Ethos at a Glance
Ethos
- Experience: Primarily digital
- Speed: Designed for rapid applications
- Multiple Carriers: Yes
- Human Assistance: Available
- No-Exam Options: Yes
- Health-Condition Focus: Technology-driven matching
- Complex Cases: Depends on product eligibility
- Key Advantage: Speed and convenience
Big Lou
- Experience: Agent-guided
- Speed: Depends on underwriting path
- Multiple Carriers: Yes
- Human Assistance: Central to the process
- No-Exam Options: Available depending on applicant and carrier
- Health-Condition Focus: Individual underwriting strategy
- Complex Cases: Major Big Lou focus
- Key Advantage: Underwriting expertise
Products, eligibility, coverage amounts and underwriting requirements vary by applicant, carrier and state.
Where Ethos Is Strong
Ethos has built one of the strongest digital experiences in life insurance.
Its current consumer experience emphasizes fast applications, no-medical-exam options, substantial coverage amounts and pricing from multiple carriers.
For someone who is relatively healthy, wants a straightforward policy and values completing the process online, that's a compelling proposition.
Big Lou's argument isn't that technology is bad.
We use technology too.
The more important question is what happens when your medical history makes the underwriting decision less straightforward.
Read our complete Big Lou vs. Ethos analysis →
Where Big Lou Is Different
Getting a life insurance quote and getting a life insurance policy issued are two different things.
A quote estimates what your policy might cost if you qualify for a particular underwriting class.
The insurance company's underwriting decision determines the rate class you're actually offered.
And different insurance companies don't necessarily evaluate the same health history the same way.
That's why Big Lou shops the underwriting — not just the quote.
Why Carrier Selection Can Matter
Imagine a 56-year-old man applying for $1 million of term life insurance.
- Type 2 diabetes
- A1C of 7.1
- Taking Mounjaro
- Controlled high blood pressure
- No diabetic complications
- Regular physician follow-up
A quote engine can compare hypothetical prices.
Big Lou wants to answer different questions:
- Which available carrier may be most comfortable with that A1C?
- How will the underwriter view Mounjaro?
- Does the applicant's blood pressure treatment affect the expected rate class?
- How long has the diabetes been controlled?
- Could another carrier potentially evaluate the combination more favorably?
Those are underwriting questions — not simply quoting questions.
THE BIG LOU PRINCIPLE
Comparing life insurance isn't like comparing the same television at two stores.
It's more like asking several banks to evaluate the same loan application.
Every bank sees the same borrower, but each bank may evaluate the risk differently.
Life insurance underwriting can work the same way.
Every insurance company sees the same you. They don't necessarily rate the risk the same way.
That's why the company displaying the lowest initial quote isn't necessarily the company that will ultimately offer you the lowest premium.
When Ethos May Be a Good Fit
Ethos may be worth considering if:
- Your health history is relatively straightforward.
- You value an online-first experience.
- You want to apply quickly.
- You're comfortable answering health questions digitally.
- The available coverage meets your needs.
- You're satisfied with the actual policy and price you're offered.
There is nothing wrong with choosing convenience when your situation doesn't require a complicated underwriting strategy.
When Big Lou May Be Worth Talking To
Carrier selection may become more important if you have:
Type 2 Diabetes
A1C, medications, age at diagnosis and complications can matter.
Sleep Apnea
Severity, CPAP treatment and compliance may matter.
Learn more about life insurance with sleep apnea →
Heart History
Heart attacks, stents, bypass surgery and cardiac testing can require detailed underwriting.
Elevated BMI
Insurance carriers don't necessarily use identical build guidelines.
Multiple Medications
Underwriters may consider both the medication and the condition being treated.
Previous Decline or Table Rating
One company's decision doesn't necessarily predict every company's decision.
Learn what to do after a life insurance decline →
Is Ethos Cheaper Than Big Lou?
There isn't one honest answer to that question.
Life insurance premiums can depend on age, sex, state, tobacco use, coverage amount, term length, product, health history, underwriting classification and insurance carrier.
Big Lou doesn't set the insurance company's premium.
The useful question isn't simply: “Is Big Lou cheaper than Ethos?”
It's: “Which available policy gives me the best combination of coverage, underwriting outcome and price?”
Already Have an Ethos Quote?
Keep it.
Seriously. You don't have to choose sides before comparing your options.
If Ethos gave you a good offer, there's nothing wrong with asking Big Lou whether another carrier or underwriting approach may be worth considering.
If your Ethos offer changed after underwriting, or your health history makes the case more complicated, that's exactly when a second opinion may be useful.
Get an Underwriting Second Opinion →
No pressure. No obligation. Just another opinion before you commit to a policy you may keep for 10, 20 or 30 years.
What If Ethos Declined You?
A decline from one life insurance process doesn't automatically mean you're uninsurable.
It means that particular insurer, product or underwriting path didn't result in an offer.
Depending on the reason for the decline, another insurance company may evaluate the situation differently.
Don't immediately submit applications everywhere.
First understand why you were declined. Then determine whether another carrier has a materially different underwriting appetite for that condition.
Approval is never guaranteed, but a deliberate underwriting strategy can be more useful than submitting applications blindly.
Big Lou or Ethos: Which Should You Choose?
Consider Ethos If...
You primarily value speed, convenience and a digital experience, and the policy you're actually offered meets your needs.
Consider Big Lou If...
Your health history, medications, age or previous underwriting experience make you want an agent to evaluate carrier and underwriting options.
The biggest mistake isn't choosing Ethos. And it isn't choosing Big Lou. It's assuming every insurance company will evaluate your health the same way.
Ready to Compare Your Actual Options?
Already checked Ethos? Bring us the quote.
A Big Lou agent can review your health profile and help determine whether another insurance company or underwriting approach may be worth considering.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a second opinion.
Want the Complete Big Lou vs. Ethos Comparison?
Read our detailed analysis of Ethos's online experience, no-exam underwriting, health conditions, carrier selection and when each approach may make sense.
Read the Complete Big Lou vs. Ethos Guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ethos a legitimate life insurance option?
Yes. Ethos is a licensed life insurance producer and technology platform. Policies available through Ethos are issued by insurance-carrier partners.
Does Ethos require a medical exam?
Ethos currently promotes no-medical-exam options, although health questions and underwriting are still involved. Product availability and eligibility vary.
Does Ethos compare multiple carriers?
Yes. Ethos currently advertises pricing from multiple insurance carriers.
Can Big Lou help if Ethos declined me?
Potentially. Another carrier may evaluate your health differently depending on the reason for the decline. Approval isn't guaranteed, but Big Lou can review whether another underwriting path may be appropriate.
Can I get a Big Lou quote if I already have an Ethos quote?
Yes. You can compare your existing offer with other available options before deciding which policy is right for you.
Disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes and is not a guarantee of eligibility, approval, rate class or premium. Life insurance products, underwriting guidelines and availability vary by insurance company, state and applicant. Big Lou/TermProvider is an independent life insurance brokerage and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ethos Technologies Inc. Ethos and related marks belong to their respective owners.
