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Overall Score

Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by a review formula that weights the following four factors to determine a score between 0 and 5:

Factor Score Value
Price of Coverage
40%
No-Waiting-Period CoverageNo Waiting Period
20%
Financial Strength
20%
NAIC Complaint Index
20%
Overall Maximum
100%

Our ratings are tested with scoring model 1.1, a review formula that ensures consistency and accuracy in our assessments.

1.75 out of 5
Rating methodology
1.0
Price of Coverage
Price of Coverage
40% of overall score

Using this quote calculator, we compare the price of the insurer’s coverage to competitors with equivalent products. The score they receive is based on how close their price is to those three least expensive providers:

  • 50-5% more expensive
  • 46-10% more expensive
  • 311-20% more expensive
  • 221-30% more expensive
  • 1≥ 40% more expensive
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1.0
No-Waiting-Period CoverageNo Waiting Period
No-Waiting-Period Coverage
20% of overall score

This scoring factor assesses whether an insurer offers coverage with no waiting period and, if so, how difficult it is to qualify for it. If an insurer does not provide coverage with no waiting period, it gets an automatic 1. A score from 2 to 5 indicates that immediate coverage is possible, and the higher the rating, the easier it is for the average applicant to qualify for it.

  • 5Most applicants qualify
  • 4Fairly easy qualification
  • 3Somewhat difficult qualification
  • 2Very difficult qualification
  • 1No-waiting-period coverage unavailable
5.0
Financial Strength
Financial Strength
20% of overall score

Our financial strength scores are based on A.M. Best’s Financial Strength Ratings (FSR), which measure an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. The scores they receive are based on the following scale:

  • 5Superior (A+ or A++)
  • 4Excellent (A- to A)
  • 3Fair/Good (B- to B++)
  • 2Weak/Marginal (C- to C++)
  • 1Poor (D or Not Rated)
4.0
NAIC Complaint Index
NAIC Complaint Index
20% of overall score

The NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) complaint index measures how frequently an insurer obtains consumer complaints relative to a median score across all insurers. Our scoring model is based on an insurer’s NAIC complaint index for the most recently available year and for ‘Individual Life’ products:

  • 50.0 - 1.0 (avg or below avg complaints)
  • 41.01 - 1.5 (slightly above avg complaints)
  • 31.51 - 2.0 (up to 2x avg complaints)
  • 22.01 - 3.0 (up to 3x avg complaints)
  • 1≥ 3.01 (more than 3x avg complaints)
Rating methodology
Gerber life burial insurance is a guaranteed acceptance whole life policy for seniors. While you cannot be denied due to pre-existing conditions, you’re not covered for natural causes of death during the first two years. Unless you have dire health issues, Gerber is likely not the best option.
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Pros

  • There are no exams or health questions (acceptance is guaranteed).
  • The policy lasts forever and has a fixed rate.
  • Flexible payment options include ACH, credit card, or mailing in a money order or check.

Cons

  • 24-month waiting period for any natural cause of death.
  • Much lower prices are available with other providers.
  • No options above age 80.

A.M. Best
A+
Superior
Moody's
NR
Not Rated
S&P Global
NR
Not Rated

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-.

Moody’s Investors Service rates the creditworthiness of companies. The Moody’s Rating Scale has 21 possible scores ranging from “Aaa” (highest mark) down to “C” (lowest mark).

S&P Global Inc. issues credit ratings on a scale from “AAA” (highest rating) to “D” (lowest rating).

Customer Review Ratings
BBB
1.21/5
28 reviews
Trustpilot
2.6/5
9 reviews
Google
3.5/5
64 reviews
Yelp
1.1/5
18 reviews
Consumer Protection Organization Scores

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.

BBB Score & Accreditation
A+
Not Accredited

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.

Ratings and scores valid as of 10/30/2024.
Policy Type
Whole Life
New Applicant Age Range
50-80 (50-75 in NY)
Death Benefit Options
$5,000-$25,000
Builds Cash Value
All
Builds Cash Available
Yes
Has Health Questions
No
2-Year Waiting Period
Yes
Medical Exam Required
No
Age When Policy Expires
Never
Prices Increase
Never
Gerber Life was started in 1967, long after they first began selling baby food. Gerber is currently owned by Western & Southern Financial Group Inc. They sell whole life insurance, term life, final expense insurance for seniors, accidental death, life insurance for children, and college savings plans.
Founding Year
1967
Official Website
www.gerberlife.com
Headquarters
445 State St Fremont, MI 49413
Phone Number
800-704-2180

 

How Does Gerber Life Final Expense Insurance Work?

Gerber Life’s final expense insurance is guaranteed issue life insurance with no health questions or medical exams. You are guaranteed approval. Like all guaranteed life policies, there is a two-year waiting period. If you die (except accidental death) within the first 24 months of the policy, Gerber Life will only refund 110% of your premiums.

When you die, Gerber will pay your loved ones the death benefit as a tax-free cash payment. There are no restrictions on how they spend the money, meaning the funds can be used for expenses other than funeral costs.

Since it’s a whole life policy, it will last your entire life, the rate will never increase and it builds cash value.

 

How Much Does Gerber Guaranteed Acceptance Burial Insurance Cost?

The cost of final expense insurance typically depends on your age, gender, state of residence, and health. However, Gerber Life burial insurance guarantees acceptance, so your health or tobacco habits do not affect the price. Below is a table with some sample premiums.

Age & Gender$5,000$10,000$25,000
Female age 50$18$34$85
Male age 50$23$44$109
Female age 55$23$44$109
Male age 55$29$58$143
Female age 60$26$51$126
Male age 60$32$64$158
Female age 65$32$63$155
Male age 65$43$85$212
Female age 70$38$76$187
Male age 70$50$99$247
Female age 75$55$108$269
Male age 75$70$140$347
Female age 80$89$176$440
Male age 80$124$247$617
Source for monthly prices: Choice Mutual quote calculator. Rates are calculated at a non-tobacco rating, rounded to the nearest dollar, and are valid as of 08/07/2024.

 

Should You Buy Gerber Life Final Expense Life Insurance?

Gerber Life guaranteed acceptance final expense insurance is a competitively priced no health question policy. If you happen to have very high-risk health conditions such as AIDS/HIV or dementia, then Gerber’s guaranteed acceptance policy is a good option.

However, most seniors needing insurance to cover funeral costs don’t need to resort to a guaranteed issue policy from Gerber Life, AIG, AAA, or USAA.

Tip:
When shopping for final expense insurance, it is recommended that you compare 5-10 different funeral insurance companies. Remember, they all have different costs and policy limitations.

The primary drawbacks to a guaranteed issue policy are the two-year waiting period and the fact that it’s generally the most costly type of life insurance. The truth is that most people can qualify for a plan that asks questions about health. That usually leads to a policy with no waiting period and a lower price.

For most people who need burial insurance, Mutual of Omaha’s senior life insurance would be a better option.

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.

  1. Gerber Life. https://www.gerberlife.com/about
  2. Western & Southern Financial Group Inc. https://www.westernsouthern.com/
  3. A.M. Best. https://ratings.ambest.com/CompanyProfile.aspx?BL=0&ambnum=7299&AltNum=14937299&AltSrc=3
  4. BBB. https://www.bbb.org/us/mi/fremont/profile/life-insurance/gerber-life-insurance-company-0372-15002380
  5. Trustpilot. https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.gerberlife.com
  6. Google. https://www.google.com/search?q=gerber+life+fremont+MI&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=9267af3241730e66&sca_upv=1&ei=VOKsZqenD8WlkPIPxK-GwQU&ved=0ahUKEwinoYiEuNaHAxXFEkQIHcSXIVgQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=gerber+life+fremont+MI&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiFmdlcmJlciBsaWZlIGZyZW1vbnQgTUkyCxAuGIAEGMcBGK8BMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBEj8ElDGBFiVEXABeAGQAQCYAY0BoAGeCKoBAzUuNbgBA8gBAPgBAZgCC6ACwgjCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgILEAAYgAQYkQIYigXCAgUQABiABJgDAIgGAZAGCJIHAzMuOKAHrVU&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#lrd=0x881940eb19895789:0xb568aa499238f0b,1,,,,
  7. Yelp. https://www.yelp.com/biz/gerber-life-insurance-company-fremont
  8. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/gerberlife/
  9. NAIC Complaint Index. https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=70939&REALM=PROD&COCODE=70939&REALM=PROD
  10. BBB Score & Accreditation. https://www.bbb.org/us/mi/fremont/profile/life-insurance/gerber-life-insurance-company-0372-15002380