What is WealthDefenderHQ?

WealthDefenderHQ is an independent research platform that analyzes consumer feedback, complaints, and regulatory data to help people evaluate wealth preservation products — including precious metals dealers, annuities, estate planning services, and long-term care insurance — before they commit capital.

Is WealthDefenderHQ paid by the companies it reviews?

We maintain editorial independence. While some providers may participate in referral arrangements that help fund our research, those relationships do not influence our rankings, scoring methodology, or which companies we cover. Provider scores are calculated from third-party consumer feedback, not paid placement.

How are provider rankings calculated?

Each provider receives a composite score based on weighted third-party feedback: Google Reviews (40%), Trustpilot (35%), and BBB patterns (25%). We layer in qualitative review of common complaint themes, regulatory history, and operational red flags. Full details are on our methodology page.

What data sources do you use?

We pull from Google Reviews, Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database, SEC enforcement actions, FINRA BrokerCheck where applicable, and publicly reported customer experiences. Where we cite a specific data point, we link to the source.

How often are evaluations updated?

Provider scores and category pages are reviewed at least monthly. Individual review pages display a 'Last Updated' timestamp at the top so you can see when the page was last refreshed.

What categories do you cover?

We currently cover four wealth-preservation categories: Precious Metals (gold, silver, IRA-eligible bullion), Estate Planning (online wills, trusts, and document services), Guaranteed Income & Annuities, and Long-Term Care Insurance.

Do you provide financial advice?

No. WealthDefenderHQ publishes research and educational content. Nothing on the site is personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed advisor before making decisions about your retirement assets or estate.

Why do you focus on what can go wrong?

Most comparison sites highlight only positives because they're paid by the companies listed. We surface the complaints, surrender charges, premium increases, claim denials, and operational issues that consumers actually report — because understanding the downside is the most important part of due diligence.

How do I know a provider is legitimate?

Look for: a long operating history, A or A+ BBB accreditation, transparent fee disclosures, third-party ratings (AM Best for insurers, Comdex for annuity carriers), verifiable customer reviews across multiple platforms, and no recent regulatory enforcement actions. Our 'How to Choose' guides in each category walk through the full checklist.

What's the difference between a will and a trust?

A will directs how your assets are distributed after death and goes through probate. A revocable living trust holds assets during your lifetime, avoids probate, and allows for incapacity planning. Most people need a will; people with significant assets, real estate in multiple states, or privacy concerns often benefit from a trust as well. Our wills-vs-trusts guide goes deeper.

Are gold IRAs legitimate?

Gold IRAs are a legitimate IRS-recognized retirement vehicle when set up through a qualified custodian using IRS-approved bullion. The risks are usually not the metal itself but the dealer: high markups over spot, aggressive sales tactics, opaque storage fees, and difficulty liquidating. Provider selection matters far more than which metal you buy.

How do I contact WealthDefenderHQ?

You can reach us through the contact information on our About page. We do not provide one-on-one financial advice, but we do welcome corrections, source submissions, and feedback on any review.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about how WealthDefenderHQ researches, ranks, and reports on wealth preservation providers.

Still have a question?

Read more about our research approach or get in touch.

Our Methodology →About WealthDefenderHQ →