Ethos and SelectQuote: Cheaper than local?

If you’ve searched for life insurance online, you’ve probably seen ads for Ethos and SelectQuote everywhere.

They promise fast quotes. No hassle. No pressure. Sometimes no medical exam.

So naturally, people ask:

Are Ethos and SelectQuote cheaper than other insurance companies?

Let’s clear this up.

First: Ethos and SelectQuote Are Not Insurance Companies

This is the most important thing to understand. Ethos and SelectQuote are not insurance carriers. They don’t manufacture insurance policies. They don’t set rates. They are agencies that work with insurance companies and offer quotes from the carriers they partner with. That’s it.

In that sense, they operate very similarly to your local neighborhood insurance agency. The big difference? Marketing budget and automation. You can often get a quote online without speaking to a person. But that does not automatically make it cheaper.

So What Actually Determines the Price?

The price of life insurance is determined by:

• Your age
• Your health
• The type of policy
• The carrier underwriting the policy

The cost is not determined by whether you clicked a button online or spoke with an agent in Waukesha.

Here’s a simple example:

• Ethos may work with carriers 1–10.
• Your local agency may work with carriers 5–15.

If Ethos has access to a carrier your local agent doesn’t, and that carrier happens to be the most competitive for your health profile, then yes — Ethos might show a lower rate.

But the opposite can also be true. Your local agency may have access to a company Ethos doesn’t use. In that case, your neighborhood agent may find you a better price.

It all comes down to which carriers are available.

“But They Don’t Have Salespeople — Doesn’t That Make It Cheaper?”

This is another common assumption.

Many people think, “If I don’t talk to an agent, the cost must be lower.”

That’s not how insurance pricing works. You do not pay your insurance agent directly. The insurance carrier pays the agent a commission out of its overall pricing structure.

That means the cost of the policy is the same whether:

• You buy it online
• You buy it through a local agency
• You buy it through a national call center

The carrier sets the rate. Period.

There isn’t a “discount for not using a human.”

Where a Human Can Actually Save You Money

Here’s something most online ads won’t mention. Sometimes the cheapest option isn’t about finding a lower rate — it’s about choosing a different strategy.

For example:

• Maybe you don’t need as much coverage as you thought.
• Maybe layering two smaller term policies is more efficient.
• Maybe a different policy type fits your long-term goals better.

A conversation can uncover options that an automated quote system may never suggest.

In some cases, that leads to a more cost-effective plan overall.

So… Are Ethos and SelectQuote Cheaper?

The honest answer?

Sometimes.

Sometimes not.

They are agencies that work with specific carriers. If one of their partner carriers fits your profile best, they may show a great rate.

But your local agency might have access to different carriers that are more competitive for you. Price is not about online vs. local. It’s about carrier access and proper structuring.

The Bottom Line

Ethos and SelectQuote are not magic discount insurance companies. They are agencies — just like many independent insurance offices — that quote from a list of carriers.

If you’re shopping for life insurance, the smartest move is simple:

• Compare carriers.
• Understand your coverage needs.
• And work with someone who can explain your options clearly.

The right policy isn’t just about getting a fast quote. It’s about getting the right protection at the best value for your situation.

If you’re in Southeastern Wisconsin and want to compare options the right way, I’m always happy to help.