Haven Life vs Ladder in 2026: Only Ladder Still Sells. Here's What It Offers Now

Haven Life vs Ladder: which term life insurance should you buy in 2026?

Only one of the two is open to new buyers, and that is Ladder. Haven Life closed to new applications in January 2024, so the real 2026 question is whether Ladder fits your state, coverage amount and term, and how its quotes compare with other insurers'. Below, what Haven Life sold is set against what Ladder offers now, using each company's own pages.

Everything here comes from Haven Life's archived pages, Ladder's website and archived help articles, Washington's state insurance guide and NerdWallet's review, rather than first-hand use. Nothing on this page is personal advice or a recommendation to buy a particular policy.

Side by side: what each one offered

The left-hand column is history: it describes a policy that can no longer be bought. It stays on the page because people who own a Haven Term policy still compare it with Ladder, and because older articles, including the earlier version of this page, presented both columns as live choices with side-by-side prices.

What happened to Haven Life

Haven Life's home page notice gave no date. NerdWallet, a third-party review site, dates the end of sales to January 12, 2024, and adds: "If you bought a policy from Haven Life, it will continue to be serviced by MassMutual." Because the notice itself is undated, this page gives the month, January 2024.

When Haven Term was on sale, Haven Life's product page described it as "Medically underwritten term life insurance" and said "Many (but not all) Haven Term applicants need to take a medical exam to finalize their coverage." That is a real design difference from Ladder's no-exam path, but it no longer matters to a buyer, because the Haven Term application is closed.

If you own a Haven Life policy, your coverage did not end with the sales channel. Our page on what Haven Life owners should do now explains the servicing, contact and renewal questions.

Ladder in 2026, from its own pages

How you apply. Ladder's home page says: "Apply for term life insurance in minutes, with just a few health questions and no medical exams for policies up to $3M." Above that level: "Anything greater than $3M and we may ask you to complete a quick, free, at-home health check."

Who stands behind the policy. Ladder Insurance Services is an agency. Its footer says it offers policies "in the District of Columbia and all states except New York on behalf of Amica Life Insurance Company, Lincoln, RI", in the same clause as "Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company®, Kansas City, MO". A second clause covers "all states except Connecticut and New York on behalf of S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc., Roanoke, VA". It adds that paying claims is each insurer's own responsibility. The earlier version of this page named Allianz as Ladder's underwriter. The current footer does not mention Allianz.

Laddering. This is Ladder's signature feature: "Laddering is a tool that lets you adjust your coverage, up or down, whenever." The same page sets the limits: "While you can ladder down your coverage at any time, laddering up does require you to apply for the coverage you want to add, and some people may not be eligible for additional coverage." It also notes that "Laddering is not available on all products." Ladder's feature changes one policy. That is different from the term life laddering strategy of holding several policies that end at different times.

Coverage and term limits. Ladder's live help center blocks automated reading, so these limits come from Internet Archive captures of September 16, 2025, of articles updated August 27, 2025. Coverage: "In most states, Ladder offers coverage from $100K-8M." Terms: "Term lengths are in increments of 5 years (10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, and 30 years)." The age cap: "Your age plus your term length cannot exceed 70." Ladder's own example is "For example, if you are 55 years old, the longest term length we can offer is 15 years." One more rule from the same article: "Keep in mind that if you're within six months of your next birthday, you'll be underwritten at the age you'll be at that birthday." Treat these as Ladder's 2025 rules and confirm them in its application.

Refund window. From the home page: "If, for whatever reason, you're not completely happy with your policy, cancel in the first 30 days and get a full refund."

A dated price example. Ladder's footer says: "Some prices start at $5/month based on a 20-year-old male or female rated Preferred-Plus for a $100K policy for a 10-year term." The next line reads "Rate valid as of 4/7/26." That is Ladder's advertised starting point for one narrow profile, not a quote for you. Your price depends on your age, health, state, amount and term.

Before you choose Ladder, or anyone else

• Your state. If you live in New York, none of the insurers named in Ladder's footer is listed for the state, so ask Ladder before you apply.
• Amount and exam. Up to $3M, Ladder's application has no medical exam; above that, expect a possible at-home health check.
• Age and term. The age-plus-term cap shortens the longest term available to older buyers, so check it against the years you need covered.
• The insurer behind the app. Washington's insurance commissioner reminds buyers that "One other key item you should think about before you buy is the financial security of the insurance company." Look up the issuing insurer, not just Ladder.
• Other quotes. Compare Ladder against other sellers for the same amount and term. Our buyer's guide to Haven Life alternatives lists other online sellers and the checks regulators suggest.

Replacing an existing policy? Washington's guide warns that "any replacement policy may contain new restrictions such as a new two-year suicide clause, and may allow the company to revoke your policy for false statements on your application." It also advises: "If an agent or broker suggests you exchange a policy for a new one, ask for a comparison of the new offering and the old policy." Adding a second policy is another option; see whether you can hold more than one life insurance policy.

Books for the comparison

If you want a primer to read alongside your quotes:

• A plain-language primer, Life Insurance 101: The Basics Explained: Check price on Amazon
• The Financial Planning Workbook (2025), to fit the premium into a family budget: Check price on Amazon

For our other side-by-side comparisons, see our full shortlist.

FAQ

Is Ladder an insurance company? Ladder Insurance Services, LLC is an agency. Its footer names the insurers that issue its policies and says each insurer is responsible for its own claims.

Can I move my Haven Life policy to Ladder? A policy can't be moved from one insurer to another. Switching would mean applying for a new Ladder policy and then deciding whether to keep or cancel the Haven Life policy. Read Washington's replacement warnings above before you cancel anything.

Does Ladder sell policies in New York? Ladder's footer (checked October 2026) lists each of its insurers for all states except New York. Ask Ladder directly whether it can offer you a policy there.

Was Haven Life cheaper than Ladder? For a new buyer it no longer matters, because Haven Life prices can't be bought. Compare Ladder's quote with other insurers' quotes for the same amount and term.

What is laddering at Ladder? It is Ladder's name for adjusting the coverage on your policy. You can reduce coverage at any time, while adding coverage means applying for it, and the feature is not available on all products.

Sources

1. Life Insurance That's Actually Simple | Haven Life (home page notice and footer, Internet Archive capture of February 13, 2024) — Haven Life Insurance Agency, LLC (archived by the Internet Archive) (checked October 2026)
2. Haven Life Insurance Review 2026 — NerdWallet (third-party review; secondary source) (checked October 2026)
3. Haven Term | Buy Affordable Term Life Insurance Online | Haven Life (Internet Archive capture of May 28, 2024) — Haven Life Insurance Agency, LLC (archived by the Internet Archive) (checked October 2026)
4. Ladder Life | Flexible life insurance in minutes. — Ladder Financial Inc. / Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (checked October 2026)
5. Flexible life insurance through laddering | Ladder — Ladder Financial Inc. / Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (checked October 2026)
6. How much coverage does Ladder offer? - Ladder help center (updated August 27, 2025; Internet Archive capture of September 16, 2025) — Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (archived by the Internet Archive) (checked October 2026)
7. What term lengths do you offer? - Ladder help center (updated August 27, 2025; Internet Archive capture of September 16, 2025) — Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (archived by the Internet Archive) (checked October 2026)
8. A consumer's guide to life insurance (PDF) — Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (checked October 2026)