Learn how to buy a burial policy online, how final expense insurance works, see sample prices, how to avoid a waiting period, and the best companies to consider.
How To Buy Final Expense Insurance Online
Many (not all) final expense insurance companies offer an online application that does not require you to fill out a paper application.
There are two ways to approach this.
You can either buy funeral insurance online directly from the insurance company or through a broker (aka agency).
Both online methods are similar, but there are differences to consider.
1) Buy directly from the insurance company
In this circumstance, you’re going directly to the insurance company’s website and signing up.
For example, Globe Life, Colonial Penn, or the AARP life insurance program are three common providers with online applications.
On their websites, you input all your information to completely fill out the application.
That includes providing your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, social security number, beneficiaries’ names, and payment information (credit card number or routing & account number).
In addition, you’ll answer their health questions if there are any.
You then sign your application electronically on your device, which submits it to the insurance company.
If you’re approved, you’ll get a policy in the mail. However, if you’re declined, you’ll get a letter outlining why you were denied.
In most cases, you don’t need to speak with a licensed agent or customer service representative at any point.
Pros & cons of buying directly on an insurance company’s website
- Usually, you don’t have to speak to a person.
- The process is typically pretty fast.
- There is typically no medical exam.
- You have greater control over the application procedure.
- You’ll see actual prices before formally submitting the application.
- Most plans are guaranteed acceptance, which are more expensive and have a two-year waiting period before you’re insured for natural causes of death.
- You have no other provider options other than the one you’re applying with. For example, if you’re on Colonial Penn’s website to buy the $9.95 plan, Colonial Penn will not offer you another insurance provider that would give you a better deal.
- There is no personal point of contact that you can call for service issues down the line.
- If you apply for a plan with health questions, the health questionnaire is often ambiguous, which can lead to a denial. Being previously declined for life insurance can jeopardize your ability to qualify with another provider.
- You likely won’t know for weeks whether you’re accepted or rejected because they don’t call you. They merely send (via US mail) a policy or denial letter that takes weeks to arrive.
- It may not be immediately clear how the policy works. For example, very few people realize that an AARP burial insurance policy will increase in price every five years and has an 80-year-old age limit. That means at age 80, the AARP policy terminates, and you’re no longer insured.
- You’re limiting yourself to a tiny portion of the market. Conservatively, 98% of life insurance companies only sell their policies through licensed agencies. They don’t sell their coverage directly, be it online, by mail, or by telephone.
2) Buy online from an insurance agency
For context, an insurance agency represents one or more insurance companies.
They are duly licensed and authorized to sell insurance for whichever companies they’ve partnered with.
It’s important to remember that buying through an agency doesn’t result in any fees or higher insurance costs.
The price you pay when purchasing through an agency is identical to the price you’d pay going directly to the insurer.
That said, working with a broker is a very similar process to going directly to the insurance company. You fill out the application online by providing all your personal information.
When working with an agency, the primary difference is that you’ll likely need to speak with a licensed agent to finalize the application.
They will confirm that your information is accurate and read you the health questions (if any).
Only after doing so can the application be formally submitted to the insurance company for underwriting consideration.
If approved, your agent will call you to notify you of the good news, and you will get your policy in the mail.
However, if you’re declined, your agent will call you to inform you of the bad news.
One of the key differences when buying final expense insurance online through an agent is that they can pivot and apply with another carrier.
So if the first company they suggest declines you, they can immediately apply with the next best option.
Pros & cons to buying through an agency
- Agent advisory services are free, and the insurance doesn’t cost more because you bought through a broker.
- Agents can offer you multiple insurance companies. That allows them to compare offers from multiple providers to find you the best rate.
- They can provide quotes from multiple carriers since they aren’t limited to one company.
- You will have a personal point of contact that you can call for questions and help with service issues.
- You’ll have access to far more life insurance companies. Most insurance carriers only sell their products through licensed agents.
- A professional who can advise you on the pros and cons of the various types of life insurance and recommend the best plan.
- They know how each carrier underwrites, which reduces the risk of a decline. Being declined by one life insurance company can make it harder to qualify elsewhere.
- Some agents are captive (such as State Farm) that only represent one provider and cannot offer you any other companies to get you a better deal.
- You likely have to speak to a licensed agent via telephone.
- Some unethical agents will only care about their commission and not make recommendations in accordance with your best interest.
- Not all, but some agency websites don’t show you prices even though they make it appear as if they do.
The Best Funeral Insurance Companies With Online Applications
There are dozens of final expense insurance companies in the USA with online applications.
Remember, no single company can be the best option for everyone because they all have different prices, terms, and conditions, and underwriting (which health issues they do and do not accept).
For those reasons, comparing burial insurance policies from multiple providers is advisable to find the best deal.
Below are five of the best final expense insurance policies to consider.
Mutual of Omaha
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers consumer experience, policy cost, underwriting criteria, the insurer’s financial strength ratings, and complaint data.
AM Best’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an independent opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. The scores range from A++ to D-.
The BBB rating is based on information BBB is able to obtain about the business, including complaints received from the public. BBB seeks and uses information directly from businesses and from public data sources. BBB assigns ratings from A+ (highest) to F (lowest). If a business has been accredited by the BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Mutual of Omaha’s Living Promise policy is generally the least expensive final expense policy on the market.
If you can qualify for their level benefit option (most do), there will be no waiting period.
To get even more details, read our Mutual of Omaha review
Aetna
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers consumer experience, policy cost, underwriting criteria, the insurer’s financial strength ratings, and complaint data.
AM Best’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an independent opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. The scores range from A++ to D-.
The BBB rating is based on information BBB is able to obtain about the business, including complaints received from the public. BBB seeks and uses information directly from businesses and from public data sources. BBB assigns ratings from A+ (highest) to F (lowest). If a business has been accredited by the BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Aetna excels at offering life insurance to seniors over 80 because they will accept applicants as old as 89.
They also offer no waiting period coverage for people with high-risk chronic medical conditions.
To get even more details, read our Aetna review
Aflac
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers consumer experience, policy cost, underwriting criteria, the insurer’s financial strength ratings, and complaint data.
AM Best’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an independent opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. The scores range from A++ to D-.
The BBB rating is based on information BBB is able to obtain about the business, including complaints received from the public. BBB seeks and uses information directly from businesses and from public data sources. BBB assigns ratings from A+ (highest) to F (lowest). If a business has been accredited by the BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Aflac offers excellent rates for seniors over 50. Additionally, they will approve applicants with chronic conditions such as COPD for coverage with no waiting period.
To get even more details, read our Aflac review
Royal Neighbors of America
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers consumer experience, policy cost, underwriting criteria, the insurer’s financial strength ratings, and complaint data.
AM Best’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an independent opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. The scores range from A++ to D-.
The BBB rating is based on information BBB is able to obtain about the business, including complaints received from the public. BBB seeks and uses information directly from businesses and from public data sources. BBB assigns ratings from A+ (highest) to F (lowest). If a business has been accredited by the BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Royal Neighbors of America is very accommodating of seniors who have severe health issues. For example, if you have diabetes, they will likely be the best provider for you.
Their rates are affordable, and they approve applications in minutes.
To get even more details, read our Royal Neighbors review
American Amicable
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers consumer experience, policy cost, underwriting criteria, the insurer’s financial strength ratings, and complaint data.
AM Best’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an independent opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. The scores range from A++ to D-.
The BBB rating is based on information BBB is able to obtain about the business, including complaints received from the public. BBB seeks and uses information directly from businesses and from public data sources. BBB assigns ratings from A+ (highest) to F (lowest). If a business has been accredited by the BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
American Amicable approves applications quickly, and they have low prices for people who smoke cigarettes.
To get even more details, read our American Amicable review
What Is Final Expense Insurance And How Does It Work?
Final expense insurance is a small death benefit whole life policy meant to pay for your end-of-life expenses.
It pays a cash benefit (tax-free) to the beneficiaries of your choice. Alternatively, you can name a funeral home as the beneficiary.
If the money is paid to your loved ones, they can spend it without restrictions. That means they can use the funds to pay for funeral costs, final medical bills, credit card debts, or anything else.
Also, if they don’t use all the money on your final expenses, they get to keep what’s left over.
Since a burial insurance plan is a type of whole life insurance, the details are simplistic.
The price will never increase, coverage won’t decrease, and it lasts forever (hence the term “whole life”).
Most final expense insurance companies offer plans to seniors 50-85, but some go below 50 and above 85. Also, they typically don’t sell more than $50,000 in coverage.
There are essentially two options:
- Simplified issue: This option does not require a medical exam, but there are health questions. If approved, there is no waiting period. Death at any point would result in a total payout of the death benefit.
- Guaranteed issue: This option has no medical exam or health questionnaire. Put simply, you are guaranteed approval. However, you must endure a two-year waiting period in exchange for the guaranteed acceptance provision. If you die of natural causes during the waiting period, they will only refund your premiums plus interest (usually 10%).
Once you die, your beneficiaries only need to call the insurance provider to begin the death claim process. They’ll need to provide a copy of the death certificate and sign a beneficiary statement form.
That’s all the paperwork your family will need to provide for the claim to be paid. Once claims are approved, most companies pay the money within two to three days.
How Much Does Burial Insurance Cost?
It’s important to understand that the cost of a burial insurance policy is based on your age, gender, health, state of residence, tobacco usage (if any), and how much coverage you want.
However, your health will not be a factor if you opt for a guaranteed issue life policy.
That said, the average cost of a final expense policy is about $50-$100 per month for a $10,000 death benefit.
The whole life price chart below shows sample monthly prices for simplified and guaranteed issue plans.
| Age & Gender | $5,000 | $10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Female age 40 | $12 | $21 |
| Female age 45 | $13 | $23 |
| Female age 50 | $14 | $24 |
| Female age 55 | $15 | $28 |
| Female age 60 | $18 | $33 |
| Female age 65 | $22 | $41 |
| Female age 70 | $28 | $53 |
| Female age 75 | $37 | $71 |
| Female age 80 | $50 | $98 |
| Female age 85 | $70 | $136 |
| Female age 89 | $131 | N/A |
| Male age 40 | $14 | $25 |
| Male age 45 | $15 | $27 |
| Male age 50 | $17 | $31 |
| Male age 55 | $20 | $36 |
| Male age 60 | $23 | $43 |
| Male age 65 | $29 | $54 |
| Male age 70 | $37 | $70 |
| Male age 75 | $50 | $97 |
| Male age 80 | $69 | $135 |
| Male age 85 | $91 | $178 |
| Male age 89 | $180 | N/A |
| Source for monthly prices: Choice Mutual quote calculator. Rates valid as of 05/08/2024. | ||
How Choice Mutual Can Help You Buy Burial Insurance Online
Choice Mutual is an independent insurance agency licensed in all states throughout the USA.
We partner with nearly 20 final expense companies to help our customers find the lowest price on a final expense policy.
So, if you’re looking to buy final expense coverage online, we can save you time and money.
We’ll compare every plan in your state from all the top companies to find you the best deal possible.
Our services are free, and the insurance has no surcharges because you worked with a broker.
Call us at 1-800-644-2926, and one of our friendly agents will answer all your questions and recommend the best policy.
We have thousands of positive online reviews from past customers. Call us and see why thousands of people trusted us to help them in such an important manner.
Choice Mutual often cites third-party websites to provide context and verification for specific claims made in our work. We only link to authoritative websites that provide accurate information. You can learn more about our editorial standards, which guide our mission of delivering factual and impartial content.
- insurance agency. https://www.independentagent.com/resources/Pages/NewAgency/what-does-an-independent-insurance-agency-do.aspx
- A.M. Best Rating. https://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?refnum=248191&altsrc=23
- BBB Rating & Accreditation. https://www.bbb.org/us/ne/omaha/profile/insurance-companies/mutual-of-omaha-companies-0714-104000434
- NAIC Complaint Index. https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&Cocode=69868&REALM=PROD&Cocode=69868&REALM=PROD
- A.M. Best Rating. https://news.ambest.com/PR/PressContent.aspx?altsrc=2&refnum=33179
- BBB Rating & Accreditation. https://www.bbb.org/us/ct/hartford/profile/insurance-companies/aetna-inc-0111-71
- NAIC Complaint Index. https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=63444&REALM=PROD&COCODE=63444&REALM=PROD
- A.M. Best Rating. https://news.ambest.com/PR/PressContent.aspx?refnum=33600&altsrc=9
- BBB Rating & Accreditation. https://www.bbb.org/us/ga/columbus/profile/insurance-companies/aflac-0743-101327
- NAIC Complaint Index. https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=60380&REALM=PROD&COCODE=60380&REALM=PROD
- A.M. Best Rating. https://news.ambest.com/presscontent.aspx?refnum=30203&altsrc=9
- BBB Rating & Accreditation. https://www.bbb.org/us/il/rock-island/profile/life-insurance/royal-neighbors-of-america-0664-102650
- NAIC Complaint Index. https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=57657&REALM=PROD&COCODE=57657&REALM=PROD
- A.M. Best Rating. https://ratings.ambest.com/DisclosurePDF.aspx?AMBNum=9122
- BBB Rating & Accreditation. https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/waco/profile/life-insurance/american-amicable-life-insurance-company-of-texas-0825-35073
- NAIC Complaint Index. https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&Cocode=68594&REALM=PROD&Cocode=68594&REALM=PROD
