Choice Mutual's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
While most people qualify with Mutual of Omaha, they may not be your best option depending on your circumstances.
Learn the eligibility requirements, how much it costs, the pros and cons, and how to apply.
How Does Mutual of Omaha Final Expense Insurance Work?
United of Omaha burial insurance is a whole life insurance policy with coverage amounts from $2,000 up to $50,000.
The full death benefit is payable immediately if you’re approved for the level benefit plan.
That means you’re covered right away for natural causes or accidental death.
The policy pays out a tax-free cash payment to your loved ones or funeral home to pay for your funeral costs.
Your family can use the proceeds to pay for a burial, cremation, outstanding debts, or any other end-of-life expenses.
Any leftover money will remain with the beneficiaries.
Every United of Omaha final expense insurance policy (except the graded benefit plan) will come with the accelerated death benefit rider.
Either of the following scenarios trigger this rider:
- Terminal Illness: If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and given 12 months or less to live, you can access up to 50% of your death benefit.
- Nursing Home Confinement: You can receive up to 50% of your death benefit if you are confined to a nursing home for 90 consecutive days.
You do not pay for those riders. They come bundled with the policy at no extra cost.
Because it’s a whole life policy, the fine print is very straightforward.
The table below thoroughly outlines the necessary details and product specifications.
| Coverage Details | Level | Graded |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Type | Whole Life Insurance | |
| Policy Duration | Lifetime | |
| Fixed Premiums | Yes | |
| Builds Cash Value | Yes | |
| State Availability | All states (except New York) | All states (except MT, NC & NY) |
| New Applicant Age Range | 45-85 | 45-80 |
| Coverage Options | $2,000-$50,000 | $2,000-$20,000 |
| Free Built In Riders | Terminal illness or nursing home confinement | None |
| Optional Riders | Accidental Death (2X the payout for accidental death) | None |
| Where to Apply | Agencies licensed to sell Mutual of Omaha products (you can't buy this plan directly from them) | |
| Phone Number to Apply | 1-800-644-2926 | |
| Medical Exam Required | No | |
| 2-Year Waiting Period | No (subject to underwriting approval) | Yes |
| Application Approval Time | 10 Minutes to 3 Business Days | |
| Brochure | Mutual of Omaha Final Expense Brochure | |
| Sample Application | Mutual of Omaha Final Expense Application | |
| Sample Policy | Mutual of Omaha Final Expense Policy | |
The first-day coverage option
United of Omaha’s final expense policy for seniors offering full day-one coverage is called “Living Promise” (the name they gave).
Mutual of Omaha Living Promise has two health ratings. There is a level death benefit and a graded death benefit.
It does not have a waiting period if approved for the level benefit. You are fully insured from the very first day.
The level plan also allows you to purchase the Accidental Death Benefit Rider. It will generally only add a few dollars to your premium payments.
With this rider, Mutual of Omaha will payout double the death benefit if an accident is the cause of death.
Eligibility for the level plan depends upon your health.
To qualify for the level plan, you must say no to all these health questions and have a height-to-weight ratio within these guidelines.
If you want to find out if you’re eligible for this insurance coverage, call us at 1-800-644-2926.
Choice Mutual is authorized to sell Mutual of Omaha final expense life insurance.
We’ll answer all your questions, provide quotes, and assist you with the application process.
The graded plan (has a 2-year waiting period)
They also have a plan with a two-year waiting period. It’s called the “graded plan.”
With this option, if you die during the first two years, they will refund 110% of your premiums.
Accidental death is the only exception. Even during the waiting period, death from accidents would result in a complete full death benefit payout.
Here is a breakdown of the graded plan:
- Available in all states except for AR, MT, NC & NY
- Issue ages are 45-80
- Face amounts are $2,000-$20,000 ($5k minimum in WA)
- Only sold through licensed brokers such as Choice Mutual (you cannot buy it directly from them)
- 2-year waiting period for non-accidental death
To be approved for the graded plan, take a look at these health questions.
If you say yes to any of those health conditions, Mutual of Omaha will offer you their modified whole life insurance coverage.
How Much Does Mutual of Omaha Burial Insurance Cost?
Depending on your insurance needs, Mutual of Omaha burial insurance monthly premiums typically range from $20 to $200 for $10,000-$20,000 in coverage.
However, the exact price depends on your age, health, gender, and how much coverage you buy.
Tobacco usage also heavily influences the price. If you smoke, expect to pay about 30-40% more.
Below you will see a table showing some sample Mutual of Omaha final expense quotes. All prices are monthly premiums.
You can also use the quoting tool on this page to see prices for any amount you’d like.
| AGE | Female $10,000 (Non-Tobacco) | Male 10,000 (Non-Tobacco) | Female $20,000 (Non-Tobacco) | Male $20,000 (Non-Tobacco) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | $22.61 | $27.11 | $42.01 | $51.01 |
| 50 | $24.31 | $30.68 | $45.41 | $58.15 |
| 55 | $27.71 | $35.95 | $52.21 | $68.69 |
| 60 | $32.87 | $43.76 | $62.53 | $84.32 |
| 65 | $41.01 | $56.48 | $78.82 | $109.75 |
| 70 | $53.24 | $74.61 | $103.28 | $146.01 |
| 75 | $72.41 | $99.97 | $141.62 | $196.74 |
| 80 | $98.43 | $139.73 | $193.66 | $276.26 |
| 85 | $135.90 | $192.74 | $268.60 | $382.27 |
Using A Licensed Agent Vs. Dealing With Mutual of Omaha Directly
There is a big difference between calling Mutual of Omaha’s home office versus talking with one of their licensed agencies.
Please note that any offer you see from Mutual of Omaha through the mail or TV is an offer for their guaranteed acceptance policy.
As you can see from the table below, options for Mutual of Omaha life insurance for seniors are very different depending on how you buy.
| Plan Details | Mutual Of Omaha Direct | Licensed Mutual Of Omaha Agencies |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Options | $2,000- $25,000 | $2,000- $50,000 |
| $10,000 Rate For 65 Year Old Female (Non-Tobacco) | $50.00 | $41.01 |
| 2-Year Waiting Period | Yes | No |
| Option For Double Death Benefit For Accidental Death | No | Yes |
| Medical Exam | No | |
| Guaranteed Acceptance | Yes | No |
| Health Questions | No | Yes |
| States Available | All (Max age of 75 in New York) | All except New York |
If you want to speak with a licensed Mutual of Omaha agency, call us at 1-800-644-2926.
Pros And Cons
Mutual of Omaha is one of the best burial insurance companies in the nation.
However, even they have both pros and cons to their coverage.
- Low prices
- High coverage amounts (up to $50K)
- Accidental death rider option
- No waiting period coverage is available
- Lenient underwriting that accepts many health issues
- Diabetic-friendly, including insulin
- New applicants as old as 85 can apply
- Simple application
- Fast underwriting (approvals are typically less than 24 hours)
- Best in class financial strength (A+ A.M. Best rating)
- Online access to view and manage your policy
- Both physical and digital (PDF) copies of the policy are mailed out
- Policyholders can manage their policy online (most insurance providers don’t offer this)
- Can have unlimited primary and contingent (backup) beneficiaries
- Not available in New York
- 2-year waiting period for any of these health issues
- Not guaranteed issue (eligibility depends on your health)
- They will randomly select applicants for a phone interview to clarify some of your medical information
- Cannot mail in monthly payments
- Direct Express cards are not accepted
- There is a waiting period for people with diabetes before the age of 45
Tips For Finding The Best Life Insurance Company
When shopping for a burial insurance policy, it’s essential that you compare offers from multiple providers.
No single life insurance company can have the best product for everyone.
That’s why it’s helpful to compare multiple companies side by side.
It’s also helpful to remember that nearly all funeral insurance policies are sold only via licensed agents.
Insurance carriers that allow you to buy their products directly typically offer guaranteed issue life insurance plans that make you wait two years before you’re covered.
Colonial Penn is one such example. You can see a Colonial Penn rate chart to see how little coverage you get when you buy the 9.95 plan directly from them.
Life insurance products with no waiting period must be bought via agencies.
So, to find the best permanent life insurance to cover funeral expenses, work with a reputable independent agency representing numerous companies.
Then, let them assist you in finding the best policy.
We give you this advice because:
- Only independent agencies offer the least expensive plans that have no waiting period.
- An independent agency will compare offers from multiple carriers to see which has the best plan for you.
- You cannot determine on your own which companies will approve you.
- Many companies don’t advertise on TV. Just because you aren’t familiar with their names doesn’t mean they are untrustworthy. It would help if you considered these companies because they have low rates and excellent underwriting. Companies that don’t advertise via mass media only sell their coverage through licensed agencies.
If you try to “not deal with an agent,” be prepared to pay more and wait two to three years before you’re insured.
Independent agents are your advocates. They exist to find you the best plan possible regardless of which insurer issues the policy.
Mutual Of Omaha Company Background
Based out of Omaha, Nebraska, Mutual of Omaha has been in business since 1909.
They are a big insurance company that offers many different types of insurance.
They offer term life insurance, whole & universal life, medicare insurance, long-term care insurance, dental insurance, accidental death insurance, and much more.
All life insurance (including Mutual Omaha burial insurance) issued from Mutual of Omaha will appear as “United of Omaha” on the paperwork.
United of Omaha and Mutual of Omaha are the same company.
They issue all their life products under the name United of Omaha.
To say they are financially stable would be an understatement. They have the highest financial ratings an insurance company can get.
Here are their scores with some notable rating agencies:
- A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
- Moody’s: A1 (Good)
- S&P Global: A+
- Better Business Bureau: A+
You can count on them being able to pay their claim when that time comes.
Here is Mutual of Omaha’s contact info:
- Website: www.mutualofomaha.com
- Phone number: 1-800-775-6000
- Corporate address: 3300 Mutual of Omaha Plaza, Omaha, NE 68175
Frequently Asked Questions
To be eligible for their level death benefit, yes, they will check your MIB file. Mutual of Omaha qualifies people for their Living Promise plan by:
- Asking the health questions
- Checking your prescription history
- Analyzing your MIB file
If your MIB file has inaccurate information, you can amend your file to get it corrected. Go to the MIB website to order your report. Once you get it and identify the errors, contact MIB to begin the process of fixing it.
At the same time, if your MIB file has been hindering your ability to acquire final expense insurance, call us at 1-800-644-2926. Not every insurance company responds to MIB the same way. We may just be able to identify a carrier that will approve you despite your file. We’ve done this many times.
United of Omaha only sells its immediate coverage policy via licensed agencies. They do not sell it directly. If you call Mutual of Omaha directly, their guaranteed acceptance plan is the only product they can offer you. That policy has a two-year waiting period (and generally costs more).
Truthfully, you should let an agent diagnose if you’ll qualify or not. The underwriting is simple, but there are nuances that only an agent is familiar with. That said, look at these health questions. If you have any of those conditions, you will not qualify for their level benefit.
No. You can only purchase United of Omaha’s final expense insurance by speaking with an agent. There is no way to apply online without speaking with an agent.
There is no medical exam to qualify for Living Promise from Mutual of Omaha. However, you will have to answer health questions. If approved, there is no waiting period.
