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1.75/5
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.

Rating methodology
Score Breakdown
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:

  • 5
    0-5% more expensive
  • 4
    6-10% more expensive
  • 3
    11-20% more expensive
  • 2
    21-30% more expensive
  • 1
    ≥ 40% more expensive
Price audit
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.

  • 5
    Most applicants qualify
  • 4
    Fairly easy qualification
  • 3
    Somewhat difficult qualification
  • 2
    Very difficult qualification
  • 1
    No-waiting-period coverage unavailableNo-waiting-period unavailable
1.0
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:

  • 5
    Superior (A+ or A++)
  • 4
    Excellent (A- to A)
  • 3
    Fair/Good (B- to B++)
  • 2
    Weak/Marginal (C- to C++)
  • 1
    Poor (D or Not Rated)
5.0
NAIC Complaint IndexNAIC Complaints
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:

  • 5
    0.0 - 1.0 (avg or below avg complaints)
  • 4
    1.01 - 1.5 (slightly above avg complaints)
  • 3
    1.51 - 2.0 (up to 2x avg complaints)
  • 2
    2.01 - 3.0 (up to 3x avg complaints)
  • 1
    ≥ 3.01 (more than 3x avg complaints)
4.0
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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
NAIC Complaint Index
1.41
BBB Score & Accreditation
A+
Not Accredited

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.

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

 

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.

Don't Forget
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.

Anthony Martin
Anthony Martin
Choice Mutual CEO
    • Author
    • Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 15 years of experience
    • Personal annual production that puts him in the top .001% out of all life insurance agents in the nation.

    Anthony Martin is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 15 years of experience and has personally served over 10,000 clients with their life insurance needs. He frequently authors entrepreneurial and life insurance content for Forbes, Inc.com, Newsweek, Kiplinger, and Entreprenuer.com. Anthony has been consulted as an expert life insurance source for dozens of high-profile websites such as Forbes, Bankrate, Reuters, Fox Business, CNBC, Investopedia, Insurance.com, Yahoo Finance, and many more.

    Jeff Root
    Jeff Root
    Life Insurance Expert
    • Editor
    • Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 19 years of experience
    • Best selling Amazon author.

    Jeff Root is a nationally licensed life insurance expert with over 19 years of experience. He has personally helped over 3000 clients with their life insurance needs. Jeff is a best-selling Amazon author and the managing partner of a highly successful insurance brokerage that manages over 2,500 licensed insurance agents across the USA. He has been a featured life insurance source for prestigious websites such as Forbes, Bloomberg, MarketWatch, Nerdwallet, and many more.

    David Duford
    David Duford
    Life Insurance Expert
    • Editor
    • Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 14 years of experience
    • Best selling Amazon author of five insurance sales books.

    David Duford is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 14 years of experience. He has personally helped more than 15,000 clients buy life insurance. David has been featured as an expert source for highly authoritative publications such as A.M. Best and Insurancenewsnet. He also runs one of the largest Youtube channels to help aspiring insurance agents serve their clients better.

    Jeff Root
    Jeff Root
    Life Insurance Expert
    • Editor
    • Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 19 years of experience
    • Best selling Amazon author.

    Jeff Root is a nationally licensed life insurance expert with over 19 years of experience. He has personally helped over 3000 clients with their life insurance needs. Jeff is a best-selling Amazon author and the managing partner of a highly successful insurance brokerage that manages over 2,500 licensed insurance agents across the USA. He has been a featured life insurance source for prestigious websites such as Forbes, Bloomberg, MarketWatch, Nerdwallet, and many more.

    David Duford
    David Duford
    Life Insurance Expert
    • Editor
    • Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 14 years of experience
    • Best selling Amazon author of five insurance sales books.

    David Duford is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 14 years of experience. He has personally helped more than 15,000 clients buy life insurance. David has been featured as an expert source for highly authoritative publications such as A.M. Best and Insurancenewsnet. He also runs one of the largest Youtube channels to help aspiring insurance agents serve their clients better.

    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