Hackers and thieves can cause serious damage to your finances and reputation by stealing your personal information and using it to open accounts, take out loans, or file tax returns in your name. While you can take steps to prevent certain types of fraud, like freezing your credit reports, someone with your Social Security number and other sensitive information can still steal your identity.
Identity protection companies like Norton LifeLock can help detect fraud early and prevent it from occurring. In addition to identity protection, most LifeLock plans also include Norton 360 antivirus software, which helps secure your information on public internet networks with a virtual private network (VPN). LifeLock offers a variety of coverage options, including the LifeLock Select with Norton 360, LifeLock Advantage with Norton 360, and LifeLock Ultimate Plus with Norton 360 plans. There is also a standard plan without Norton 360 software, but it is priced the same as the LifeLock Select with Norton 360 option and includes Norton 360 software, so there is no reason to choose it. Keep in mind that the LifeLock Select with Norton 360 plan renews at a higher price after the first year.
LifeLock Select
The LifeLock Select plan with Norton 360 offers a range of identity protection features, including alerts for your Social Security number and identity, protection for a lost or stolen wallet, monitoring of the dark web, notifications of data breaches, and alerts for changes to your USPS address. In addition, this plan includes credit monitoring from one bureau (Equifax) and provides $25,000 in stolen funds reimbursement protection, up to $25,000 in personal expense compensation, and up to $1 million in coverage for legal and expert assistance in the event of identity theft. The plan also includes Norton 360 antivirus software for up to five devices and a VPN for five devices to help protect your identity on public wifi networks.
LifeLock Advantage
The LifeLock Advantage plan with Norton 360 includes more identity theft protection features than the lower-tier plans and comes at a higher price point. In addition to the features included in the lower-tier plans, like credit monitoring from one bureau (Equifax) and antivirus software and a VPN for up to 10 devices, this plan also includes bank and credit card account activity alerts, alerts for crimes committed in your name, and monitoring for fictitious identities. The plan also comes with an annual credit report and credit score from Equifax and provides up to $100,000 in stolen funds reimbursement coverage, up to $100,000 in personal expense compensation, and up to $1 million in coverage for legal and expert assistance in the event of identity theft.
LifeLock Ultimate Plus
The LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan with Norton 360 is the most comprehensive of the options offered. In addition to the features included in the lower-tier plans, this plan also includes monitoring of all three credit bureaus, a VPN for an unlimited number of devices, annual credit reports and scores from all three credit bureaus, 401(k) and investment account activity alerts, monitoring of phone takeovers, and monitoring of home titles. It also provides the highest level of identity theft coverage, with up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement, up to $1 million in personal expense compensation, and up to $1 million in coverage for legal and expert assistance in the event of identity theft. If you have significant assets to protect, the LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan is the best choice with its higher levels of identity theft coverage, monitoring of all three credit bureaus, and alerts for 401(k) and investment account activity.
General Information
- LifeLock does not allow children to be added to their plans, making them unique among competitors. You can purchase a separate LifeLock Junior plan for dependents under 18, but you must first purchase an adult plan.
- The plans have similar pricing for the first year, but the annual renewal prices vary significantly, with the highest tier plan costing up to $200 more per year than the lowest tier.
- LifeLock offers the best money-back guarantee in the industry, giving you 60 days to try out the plan and decide if it is worth the cost.
Additional Features
One unique aspect of LifeLock is that none of their plans allow you to add your children to the coverage, but you can purchase a separate LifeLock Junior plan for dependents under the age of 18 as long as you also have an adult plan. It’s important to note that while the first year’s pricing for the plans may be similar, the annual renewal prices can vary significantly, with the highest tier plan costing up to $200 more per year than the lowest. However, LifeLock does offer the best money-back guarantee in the industry on all of its plans, giving you 60 days to try them out and decide if the cost is worth it.
Verdict
When considering which plan is best for your needs, it’s helpful to think about which features are most important to you. Identity theft protection plans can save you time and energy by helping to protect you from fraud, and LifeLock’s services are available 24/7 to help prevent identity fraud. Some features to consider include antivirus software like Norton 360 to protect your devices, dark web monitoring to check for your personal information, credit bureau monitoring, and identity theft insurance coverage to reimburse you for expenses related to identity theft and fraud.
In addition to the standard benefits offered by all LifeLock plans, there are some standout features to be aware of. These include USPS address change monitoring, LifeLock Privacy Monitor, data breach notifications, stolen wallet protection, and fictitious identity monitoring. When signing up for a LifeLock plan, you should also be aware of the