SelectQuote is not an insurance company; it is one of the oldest and largest independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Think of it as a "personal shopper" for life insurance. Its greatest strength is its ability to check rates from over a dozen top-rated carriers (like Pacific Life, Prudential, and Banner) simultaneously to find you the absolute lowest price. However, this service comes at a cost: SelectQuote is notorious for aggressive sales tactics, meaning you should be prepared for multiple phone calls and ongoing marketing contact once you submit your information.

At a Glance

Type: Independent Brokerage Agency (Aggregator)
Carriers: Partners with 20+ top carriers (e.g., Banner Life, Pacific Life, Protective, Prudential, Globe Life)
Policy Types: Term Life, Whole Life, Universal Life, Final Expense
Age Availability: 18 – 85+ (Varies by carrier)
Coverage Amounts: $5,000 – $10 million+
Medical Exam: Varies (Some partners offer no-exam; others require full exams)
Speed: Slower (The middleman process usually adds time; 3–8 weeks)
Key Feature: Price Shopping / Comparison Service

Pros & Cons

Pros

Price Comparison: This is the #1 reason to use SelectQuote. Instead of applying to five different companies yourself, you talk to one agent who runs your health profile against 20 companies to find the cheapest rate.
"Impaired Risk" Matching: If you have health issues (diabetes, sleep apnea, or a history of heart disease), SelectQuote agents know which carriers are lenient. They might steer a diabetic to Banner Life and a smoker to a different carrier, ensuring the best odds of approval.
One-Stop Shop: Beyond life insurance, they also sell Auto, Home, and Medicare insurance, allowing you to bundle your needs (though rarely do they offer discounts across different carriers).
Impartiality: Since they sell policies for many companies, they are theoretically less biased than a captive agent who can only sell one brand (like State Farm).

Cons

Aggressive Sales: User reviews frequently complain about being bombarded with phone calls, texts, and emails immediately after requesting a quote. Once you are in their system, it can be hard to get them to stop calling.
Not the Issuer: SelectQuote doesn't pay your claim or manage your policy after it's sold. They hand you off to the carrier. If you have billing issues later, you call the carrier, not SelectQuote.
Phone-Centric: unlike modern fintechs (Ethos/Ladder) where you can buy online, SelectQuote almost always requires a phone conversation with an agent to finalize a quote.
Speed: Adding a middleman adds time. The process is generally slower than going directly to a carrier or using an algorithmic platform.

Overview

Founded in 1985, SelectQuote pioneered the model of "we shop, you save." They do not issue insurance policies. Instead, they act as a broker. When you apply, an agent interviews you about your health and lifestyle, then inputs that data into a quoting engine to see which of their partner companies offers the best deal. They handle the paperwork, schedule the medical exam, and deliver the policy.

Rates & Terms

Competitive Pricing: Because they shop the open market, SelectQuote can almost always find the lowest possible market rate for your specific profile.
Carriers: They partner with heavy hitters like Legal & General America (Banner), Pacific Life, Protective, Prudential, Mutual of Omaha, and AIG (Corebridge).
Term Options: Since they represent many carriers, you can find virtually any term length (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 years) or product type (Term, UL, Whole Life) available in the market.

Fees & Requirements

Broker Fee: None. You do not pay SelectQuote. They are paid a commission by the insurance company if you buy a policy. The price you pay is the same as if you went directly to the carrier.
Medical Requirements:
- Standard: Most of the cheapest policies they find will require a standard paramedical exam (blood/urine).
- No-Exam: They can match you with no-exam carriers, but these are often slightly more expensive.
Interview: Be prepared for a 15–30-minute phone interview to review your medical history in detail.

Customer Experience

The "Handoff": Once your policy is in force, your relationship with SelectQuote largely ends. You pay premiums to the carrier (e.g., Prudential), and your beneficiaries claim with the carrier.
High Pressure: Agents are commission-based and driven by volume. Some customers report feeling pressured to "buy now" or being upsold to other products, such as Medicare supplements.

Who It’s Best For

The "Health-Challenged": If you have high blood pressure, a history of cancer, or a high BMI, do not apply to a digital algorithm (like Ladder) that will auto-reject you. Use SelectQuote. Their human agents can shop your specific medical file to find the one carrier that will say "yes."
Penny Pinchers: If your only goal is the absolute lowest monthly payment and you don't mind spending an hour on the phone to save $5 a month, SelectQuote is the tool for you.
Seniors: Their dedicated "SelectQuote Senior" division specializes in Medicare and Final Expense insurance, making them a strong resource for those over 65.

Who Should Skip It

Digital Natives: If you want to buy insurance at 2 AM without speaking to a human, SelectQuote is a nightmare. Use Ethos, Ladder, or Fabric.
The "Do Not Call" Crowd: If you hate unsolicited sales calls, avoid giving SelectQuote your phone number. You will be called. Repeatedly.
Speed Seekers: The SelectQuote process typically takes 4–6 weeks from call to coverage. If you need a policy for a loan closing next week, this is too slow.

Bottom Line

SelectQuote is a powerful tool for finding the cheapest insurance, particularly if you are older or have health issues that require a human touch to navigate. The savings they find are real. However, the "cost" is your privacy and peace. You must be willing to trade your contact information for those savings and tolerate a sales-heavy process.