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Most credit repair companies simply file disputes on behalf of their customers, doing very little to address other factors that could contribute to bad credit. Credilife is a notable exception, pairing each client with their own credit coach for what the company calls a “holistic approach” to improving financial well-being. This service probably has a cost. They aren’t upfront about fees on the website, but given what they offer, their service is likely to be expensive. Keep reading to find out why you might or might not want to sign up for credit repair with Credilife.
The benefits explained
- Financial wellness services cover more than credit repair: In addition to credit repair, Credilife offers debt management, financial planning, and more.
- Options for small businesses: The company’s business credit program helps small business owners improve their creditworthiness and obtain financing.
- Library of free educational resources: Anyone can access Credilife’s free DIY guides for credit disputes and repair instructions.
- Occasionally runs promotional discounts: From time to time, Credilife offers new clients discounts on their first work costs.
- Positive customer reviews: Past clients have nothing but positive comments regarding their experience with Credilife.
Disadvantages Explained
- Price not communicated in advance: Credilife does not publish its prices online, which can be a red flag for transparency.
- High fees possible: Credlife does not disclose its prices and offers a high-end personalized service with coaching, so its prices are likely high.
- Confusing service options: Credilife doesn’t do a great job of clearly explaining its various service packages.
- Coaches work on commission: Credilife coaches earn money based on their sales, which can influence the recommendations they make to clients.
- A few years of activity: The company has only been around since 2013, which isn’t long compared to competitors with decades of business.
Kinds of services
Credilife offers a few types of services suited to various specific purposes. While the company’s standard credit repair program covers a wide range of needs, you’ll also find options for student and small business loans.
Credit Insurance Enhancement Program
The Credit Insurance Enhancement Program is Credilife’s basic personal credit repair plan. While most competitors focus their services on credit disputes, Credilife takes a more organic approach that prioritizes consumer education and addresses many other factors contributing to credit health.
Clients who enroll in the Credit Life Improvement Program begin with an in-depth individual assessment of their credit report and finances with a coach. After this first session, the company mails out a welcome kit that includes the Credit Builder Blueprint, a physical booklet personalized for each client. This plan presents a step-by-step guide to an individual’s credit repair plan created by their coach.
As you’d expect, Credilife handles credit disputes for any inaccurate information found on a customer’s credit report. But what you’re really paying for is ongoing access to a personal credit coach. The ultimate goal is to repair credit not only by removing inaccuracies, but by addressing several areas that need improvement with better overall financial habits and an effective debt management plan.
Finding a mortgage is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. Even a small interest rate difference can translate into thousands of dollars over the term of the loan. There is no guarantee that Credilife will get you the best mortgage rate; in fact, the company is more than likely to earn a commission for every referral they make. Always shop around for yourself before settling with a recommended lender.
Student loan assistance
Student loans are a financial burden for many Americans. If you’re struggling to pay off your student debt, your credit score could suffer. Credilife employs student loan specialists who undergo training on specific government debt relief and refinancing options. To take advantage of this service, clients simply need to request a Credilife student loan coach when registering.
Business Credit Program
Credit repair services cost a penny, but Credilife is one of the few companies that offers a program for small businesses. The service works in two parts. First, participants work with a credit counselor to build or establish credit for their business. A financing coach then comes into the picture to help obtain credit or financing. The process can take as little as 30 days.
Optional add-ons
While Credilife includes exceptional financial advice with its Lifetime Credit Enhancement Program, customers can take advantage of an optional add-on designed for longer-term financial planning.
mastery of money
Most Credilife clients stay with the company for an average of nine months. For affordable, long-term financial management, Credilife refers clients to Money Mastery, a third-party mobile app with a more affordable monthly subscription. The Money Mastery app tracks spending and helps clients follow a plan to eliminate debt and build wealth for retirement. Coaches are available to answer questions and offer advice, although the process is not as convenient as Credilife’s program.
Customer service
Since Credilife bases its services on a personal relationship with an individual coach, customer service may be a little different from what you are used to. Company central offices have representatives available by phone and email. However, each coach sets their own schedules and may be available at different times depending on demand. In case of emergency, Credilife offers the possibility to request a call to the next available coach via its website.
An interesting thing to note is the presence of Credilife on social networks. Most coaches are very active on Meta, and several private credit support groups are open to everyone. A live chat powered by Meta Messenger can also be accessed through the Credilife Company Meta page.
That said, we have a significant concern regarding Credilife’s coaches. According to our research, these Coaches are actually classified as salespeople, which means they earn a commission based on what they sell to clients. Unfortunately, this can create an environment where coaches make recommendations based on what will earn them higher pay, not necessarily what’s best for the client.
The term “credit coach” is a fairly loose title that doesn’t carry much weight in the credit repair industry. A credit coach can be a qualified legal expert or a salesperson with a simple background. The easiest way to tell the difference is to ask the company how its representatives are compensated. If they earn a commission, they are in a sales position.
Company reputation
While most credit repair companies face a high volume of customer complaints, Credilife is notably absent from this list. The company receives outstanding feedback from past customers across most platforms, racking up a 4.4-star rating on Google reviews.
If you have a complaint about the services of a credit repair company, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or call 877-FTC-HELP.
Contract duration
Credilife bills on a monthly basis and, in accordance with the Credit Repair Organizations Act, does not bill customers until the end of each month. Services may be canceled at any time by contacting customer service before the start of the next billing period.
Cost
The biggest disadvantage of Credilife is its possibly high cost. They do not disclose prices on their webpage. This is a premium service with personalized coaching and is likely to be at the higher end of the industry price range. Some competitors are probably selling packages in the same price range. However, most offer a cheaper option for customers on a budget. Credlife does not offer a budget package. In its favor, Credilife occasionally organizes promotions with reduced initial work costs.
The Money Mastery program is much more affordable at $19.95 per month and can be purchased with a Credilife service or on its own. Remember that this program does not include any credit repair services and is ideal for long-term budget planning.
The competition: Credilife versus Credit Assistance Network
To see if Credilife is really worth its high fees, we compared it to Credit Assistance Network, a competitor with a slightly different product structure. Credit Assistance Network is a more standard service. They will check your debts and dispute incorrect items on your credit report. They impose a limit of 45 articles. Credilife looks like a better due to its personalized coaching, educational materials and no dispute limit.
| Credilife | Credit Support Network | |
|---|---|---|
| Year of foundation | 2013 | 2004 |
| Offered services | Credit disputes, debt management, business services | credit repair |
| Customer Service Touchpoints | Phone, email, customer portal, web chat, social media | Telephone, e-mail, customer portal |
| Upfront costs | Unknown | Unknown |
| Monthly fee | Unknown | Unknown |
Verdict
Credilife’s unique approach to credit repair covers more territory than most competitors in terms of overall financial health. It’s hard to find another company that can offer comparable individual coaching. However, the company’s likely high fees that aren’t disclosed upfront make us wary, and we’re not entirely convinced by the qualifications of the Credilife coaches. That said, the company’s free resource center with a handy guide to credit disputes is a great place to go for help.
How We Review Credit Repair Companies
Our credit repair reviews are based on a quantitative rating system that rates plan options, pricing, customer opinions, and quality of service. Our method awards points based on specific criteria in each category, with the friendliest businesses receiving the highest scores. The data we use comes from our own research and from third-party sources.
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