CompareTerm life carriers available in New York
| Company | Best for | Rating | AM Best | Terms | Issue ages | No exam up to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ethos | No-Exam Term | 4.5 | A | 10–30 | 20–65 | $3M | Get a quote |
 Ladder | Flexible Coverage | 4.4 | A+ | 10–30 | 20–60 | $3M | Get a quote |
 Haven Life | Online Experience | 4.6 | A++ | 10–30 | 18–64 | $1M | Get a quote |
 Protective Life | Long Terms | 4.7 | A+ | 10–40 | 18–75 | $2M | Compare rates |
Not sold in New York: Banner Life (see William Penn (NY)), Fabric by Gerber Life, Pacific Life.
What New York law guarantees term life buyers
- Free-look period. New York requires insurers to give you at least 10 days after delivery to return a new policy for a full refund.
- Grace period. If you miss a premium, coverage continues for a grace period (typically 30–31 days) before the policy lapses.
- Contestability. For two years after issue, the insurer can investigate and deny a claim for a material misstatement on the application. After two years the policy is generally incontestable except for non-payment or fraud where state law allows.
- Guaranty association protection. If a New York-licensed insurer fails, the New York Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association covers death benefits up to $500,000 per insured life. This is one reason an A-rated carrier is "safe enough" for term coverage.
New York's insurance regulator
Life insurers in New York are licensed and supervised by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Use the regulator to confirm an agent or company is licensed, check complaint history, or file a complaint about a claim denial or sales practice. The NAIC maintains an index of every state regulator at content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments.
Does term life cost more in New York?
Mostly no. Term life premiums are based on your age, sex, health class, tobacco use, coverage amount and term length, not your ZIP code. State residency matters in two narrower ways: a few carriers do not file products in every state (see above), and state-specific policy forms can change rider availability. If you are comparing a quote from a New York agent against an online quote, make sure the health class and term length match before concluding one is cheaper.
Narrow the New York list to your situation
Enter your age, coverage and term to see only the carriers that will write your policy.
New York term life FAQ
Which term life insurance company is best in New York?
Based on our methodology, Ethos is the highest-rated term life carrier currently selling in New York. The best fit for you depends on age, coverage amount and whether you want a no-exam policy; use the comparison tool to narrow the list.
How do I check whether a life insurance agent is licensed in New York?
Use the license lookup on the New York State Department of Financial Services website, or the NAIC's State Based Systems lookup. Every agent and agency, including Quote Genie Insurance LLC, must hold a New York license to sell you a policy.
What happens to my policy if the insurer goes out of business in New York?
The New York Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association steps in to pay covered death benefits up to $500,000 per insured life. Choosing a carrier rated A or better by AM Best makes this scenario very unlikely in the first place.