Haven Life Insurance Review

Haven Life advertises itself as Life insurance that’s actually simple! But is that really true?

And apart from being simple, are there any other compelling reasons to buy your life insurance policy from Haven Life?

Let’s take a deep dive into this insurance company, and get the answers to those questions.

Who is Haven Life?

Even though Haven Life is a relatively new insurance company, having been launched in 2013, it’s actually been around a lot longer than that. It’s the online life insurance arm of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Mass Mutual”), one of the oldest, largest, and best-established insurance companies in America.

In fact, Mass Mutual has a rating of A++, the highest rating given by the insurance industry rating agency A.M. Best.

How Does Haven Life Insurance Work?

Haven Life specializes in providing fast, online term life insurance policies using a combination of its proprietary underwriting algorithm with third-party information sources. It allows the company to issue life insurance policies in the shortest time possible.

After you complete your application, Haven Life will get information from sources such as the Medical Information Bureau (MIB), consumer reporting agencies, pharmacy benefit managers, the Social Security Administration, your state division of motor vehicles, and any insurance underwriting information available from other companies, as well as other public databases.

The reliance on third-party sources for information enables Haven Life to make application decisions with minimal documentation from you, and often no need for a medical exam.

Life Insurance Policies Offered by Haven Life

Part of the simplification process offered by Haven Life involves the availability of term life insurance policies only. They don’t offer other policy types, such as whole or universal life. By focusing on a single life insurance product, Haven Life is able to focus on doing one thing well.

General term life insurance policy provisions include the following:

Availability: All 50 states, plus the District of Columbia. You can apply for coverage for yourself and your spouse or partner, but each must complete a separate application.

Applicant eligibility: You must be between the ages of 18 and 64 and a US resident. You also must not be a member of the armed forces or planning to join anytime soon.

Policy terms and amounts: Term policies are available for 10, 15, 20 and 30 years, with death benefits ranging from $100,000 to $3 million. However, the maximum death benefit is $1 million if you’re between the ages of 60 and 64.

You can get premium rate estimates before completing a full application. You can get a quote based on providing the following information:

• Your gender
• Date of birth
• State of residence
• Smoker/non-smoker status
• Your health (average, good or excellent)
• Amount of coverage requested
• Policy term desired

Once you’ve provided the information above, you can submit it and get a quote. You’ll be provided with three quotes, based on the three health conditions indicated – average, good or excellent.

If you decide to proceed with the application you’ll then be required to furnish your driver’s license and expiration date, Social Security number, height, and weight, and answer personal and family medical history questions.

If no medical exam is required based on third-party information sources, your policy will go into effect immediately. Otherwise, you’ll be notified if an exam is required.

Haven Life InstantTerm

This product is Haven Life’s primary insurance policy. When you make an application, it’ll come with an immediate decision. To qualify, however, you’ll need to be in good or excellent health, and be a US citizen, in addition to a US resident.

You’ll complete your application, and the policy will be in force as soon as you sign the required policy documents and make your first premium payment.

InstantTerm offers two options:

1. Your application will be underwritten based entirely on third-party information, with no medical exam requirement. You must be 45 or younger, in excellent health, and applying for a policy for not more than $1 million.
2. This option will be required if you are either 1) older than 45, 2) applying for a policy for more than $1 million, or 3) a health condition is revealed by a third-party source. In either case, you’ll be required to pass a medical exam and be subject to lab tests. Approval can be issued within 10 days of the completion of the medical exam.

If you are required to have a medical exam, it will be conducted by a paramedic. It will be arranged to take place at either your home or office and at a time that’s convenient for you. The exam will require providing both blood and urine samples.

Haven Life Temporary Coverage

This is one of the more interesting life insurance products in the entire industry. You can apply for a policy of up to $1 million, and receive immediate coverage. A medical exam will be required, but the policy will be in force until the exam is completed and your policy is fully approved. What’s more, you’ll have up to 90 days to complete the medical exam.

As an additional benefit, the premium payment will be the same as it is for an InstantTerm policy, despite the special provision for immediate coverage. Naturally, you’ll need to make the first premium payment with the submission of your application.

Once the results of your medical exam are in, and your policy is fully approved, your premium may be adjusted. It can be adjusted either higher or lower, and it is even possible your application will be declined based on the medical exam results. If that turns out to be the case, the premiums you’ve paid will be refunded to you in full.

Haven Life Policy Riders

In addition to your basic life insurance policy, Haven Life offers the following policy riders to customize your plan:

Guaranteed Renewability

Once the term of your original policy expires, it can be renewed without the need to qualify based on the state of your health. In fact, the rider guarantees you’ll be able to renew coverage even if your health has declined since the original policy approval. However, as is the case with all term life insurance policies, the premium will increase based on your age at the time of renewal.

Waiver of Premium

If you’re under 50 years old, and you become fully disabled, your premiums will be waived during the time of your disability. This rider will require the payment of an additional premium. But it will offer an opportunity to keep your life insurance in force during a time when you may lack the financial ability to pay.

Accelerated Death Benefit

Sometimes referred to as a “living benefit”, the rider can allow you to access part of your death benefit should you become terminally ill. Specifically, a terminal illness is one in which your life expectancy is less than 12 or 24 months. The advanced proceeds will be deducted from the final death benefit but can be used to pay either medical expenses or basic living expenses.

Is Haven Life a Good Insurance Company to Apply With?

The answer to this question depends on your own personal profile. Like most online life insurance providers, Haven Life works best for those who are young and healthy. This is especially true if you’re under age 45 and in excellent health. If you are, you can get a term policy of up to $3 million and often with no medical exam.

However, if you are over 45, and especially if you have significant health conditions, Haven Life may not be the right option for you. And if you’re over 64, you won’t even be eligible for coverage with this company.

If any of these situations apply to you, you’ll be better off applying for life insurance coverage through an independent life insurance broker, or another online life insurance company or online life insurance marketplace that specifically offers coverage for older applicants, or for those with health conditions.

One other limitation to be aware of is that Haven Life is not available to cover your children. It’s specifically for you and your spouse or partner.

But if you fit within Haven Life’s target profile – in excellent health and 45 or under – this might be the right company to find the largest life insurance policy at the most affordable premium rate.

If you’d like more information, or you’d like to make an application for a life insurance policy, visit the Haven Life Insurance website.

*While we make every effort to keep our site updated, please be aware that "timely" information on this page, such as quote estimates, or pertinent details about companies, may only be accurate as of its last edit day. Huntley Wealth & Insurance Services and its representatives do not give legal or tax advice. Please consult your own legal or tax adviser.