How Does Burial & Life Insurance With No Waiting Period Work?

Any type of life insurance with no waiting period will pay out the entire death benefit, even if death occurs during the first two years.

The cause of death can be natural or accidental, and your beneficiaries will still receive the full death benefit.

Tip:
You needn’t necessarily be in good health to qualify for an immediate coverage plan. Many life insurance companies offer this type of policy to people with a wide variety of pre-existing medical conditions.

Most people can qualify for a “first-day coverage” plan that doesn’t insure them only for accidental death.

It’s usually just a matter of searching until you find a life insurance company(s) that will accept all your health conditions and approve you for immediate coverage.

 

How To Qualify For No Waiting Period Final Expense Coverage

To qualify for life or final expense insurance with no waiting period, you must apply with a company where you answer health questions and are subsequently approved.

You don’t have to undergo a medical exam but must answer questions about your medical history.

Remember that all life insurance plans with no health questions will always have a two-year waiting period for natural causes of death.

 

What Is A Partial Life Insurance Waiting Period?

Commonly referred to as a “graded plan” by most companies, a partial waiting period means that only a portion of the death benefit will pay out during the first two years.

It’s common for partial plans to have a payout that is 30%-40% during the first 12 months. Then, during months 13-24, the payout is typically 50%-75%.

Like a full no waiting period burial insurance policy, partial coverage options still require you to answer health questions to qualify (there is never a medical exam).

The precise payout amounts vary based on the company.

Some people may not be eligible for an immediate benefit type of life insurance but could qualify for a partial plan.

 

Best No Waiting Period Burial Insurance Companies

Best for lowest cost: Mutual of Omaha
Best for the elderly seniors: Aetna
Best for younger adults: Aflac
Best for those with low-grade cancers: AIG
Best for tobacco users: American Amicable
Best for multiple health conditions: Royal Neighbors of America

 

 

Best for lowest cost

Mutual of Omaha

Founding Year: 1909
Choice Mutual Rating
5.0
A+
Superior

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.

Product
Details
Policy Type: Whole Life Insurance
New Applicant Age Range: 45-85
2-Year Waiting Period: No (subject to underwriting approval)
Coverage Amount Range: $2,000-$50,000
States Available: All States (except New York)
Product
Benefits
Premiums Stay the Same Forever: Yes
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Policy Duration: Lifetime
Accelerated Death Benefit: This free rider is automatically included. You can access the full death benefit while alive if the insured has a terminal illness or is under nursing home confinement.
Optional Riders: Accidental Death (2X the payout for accidental death)
Application
Details
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
Guaranteed Acceptance: No
Application Approval Time: 10 Minutes to 2 Business Days
Common health conditions still eligible for no waiting period coverage:


Aneurysm
Arthritis
Asthma
Blindness
Blood clots > 2 years ago
Blood thinners
Cancer > 4 years ago
Circulatory surgery > 2 years ago
Crohn’s disease
Depression
Diabetes (type 2)
Diverticulitis
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Grave’s disease
Heart attack > 2 years ago
Heart surgery > 2 years ago
Hepatitis A or B
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Scleroderma
Seizures
Sleep apnea
Squamous/basal cell skin cancer
Stroke/TIA > 2 years ago
Tumors (non-cancerous)

To get even more details, read our Mutual of Omaha review

 

 

Best for the elderly seniors

Aetna

Founding Year: 1853
Choice Mutual Rating
4.5
A
Excellent
A+
Not Accredited

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.

Product
Details
Policy Type: Whole Life Insurance
New Applicant Age Range: 40-89
2-Year Waiting Period: No (subject to underwriting approval)
Coverage Amount Range: $2,000-$50,000
(varies by age)
States Available: All States (except New York)
Product
Benefits
Premiums Stay the Same Forever: Yes
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Policy Duration: Lifetime
Accelerated Death Benefit: This free rider is automatically included. You can access the full death benefit while alive if the insured has a terminal illness that is expected to cause death within 12 months.
Optional Riders: Accidental Death
(2X the payout for accidental death)
Application
Details
Where to Apply: Agencies licensed to sell Aetna products
(you can't buy this plan directly from them)
Phone Number to Apply: 1-800-644-2926
Medical Exam Required: No
Guaranteed Acceptance: No
Application Approval Time: 15 Minutes-3 Business Days
Common conditions still eligible for no waiting period coverage:


Afib
Aneurysm (if surgically repaired)
Arthritis
Asthma
Bipolar disorder
Blindness
Blood clots
Blood thinners
Cancer > 2 years ago
Chronic bronchitis
Circulatory surgery > 2 years ago
COPD
Crohn’s disease
Depression
Diabetes (type 1 or 2)
Diabetic coma > 2 years ago
Diverticulitis
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Graves’ disease
Heart attack > 1 year ago
Heart surgery > 1 year ago
Hepatitis > 2 years ago
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Insulin shock > 2 years ago
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Obesity
Over 85 life insurance
Pacemaker (installed > 1 year ago)
Parkinson’s disease
Sarcoidosis
Schizophrenia
Scleroderma
Seizures
Sleep apnea
Squamous/basal cell skin cancer
Stroke/TIA > 1 year ago
Tumors (noncancerous)

To get even more details, read our Aetna review

 

 

Best for younger adults

Aflac

Founding Year: 1955
Choice Mutual Rating
4.5
A+
Superior

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.

Product
Details
Policy Type: Whole Life Insurance
New Applicant Age Range: 45-80
2-Year Waiting Period: No (subject to underwriting approval)
Coverage Amount Range: $2,000-$50,000
(varies by age)
States Available: All States (except New York)
Product
Benefits
Premiums Stay the Same Forever: Yes
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Policy Duration: Lifetime
Accelerated Death Benefit: This free rider is automatically included. You can access the full death benefit while alive if the insured has a terminal illness that is expected to cause death within 12 months.
Optional Riders: Accidental Death
(2X the payout for accidental death)
Application
Details
Where to Apply: Agencies licensed to sell Aflac products
(you can't buy this plan directly from them)
Phone Number to Apply: 1-800-644-2926
Medical Exam Required: No
Guaranteed Acceptance: No
Application Approval Time: 15 Minutes-3 Business Days
Common conditions still eligible for no waiting period coverage:


Afib
Aneurysm (if surgically repaired)
Arthritis
Asthma
Bipolar disorder
Blindness
Blood clots
Blood thinners
Cancer > 2 years ago
Chronic bronchitis
Circulatory surgery > 2 years ago
COPD
Crohn’s disease
Depression
Diabetes (type 1 or 2)
Diabetic coma > 2 years ago
Diverticulitis
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Graves’ disease
Heart attack > 1 year ago
Heart surgery > 1 year ago
Hepatitis > 2 years ago
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Insulin shock > 2 years ago
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Obesity
Over 85 life insurance
Pacemaker (installed > 1 year ago)
Parkinson’s disease
Sarcoidosis
Schizophrenia
Scleroderma
Seizures
Sleep apnea
Squamous/basal cell skin cancer
Stroke/TIA > 1 year ago
Tumors (noncancerous)

To get even more details, read our Aflac review

 

 

Best for those with low-grade cancers

AIG

Founding Year: 1919
Choice Mutual Rating
3.5
A
Excellent
F
Not Accredited

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.

Product
Details
Policy Type: Whole Life Insurance
New Applicant Age Range: 50-80
2-Year Waiting Period: Yes
Coverage Amount Range: $5,000-$35,000
States Available: All States (except New York)
Product
Benefits
Premiums Stay the Same Forever: Yes
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Policy Duration: Lifetime
Accelerated Death Benefit: This free rider is automatically included. You can access the full death benefit while alive if the insured has a terminal illness or is under nursing home confinement.
Optional Riders: Accidental Death (2X the payout for accidental death)
Application
Details
Where to Apply: Agencies licensed to sell AIG products (you can't buy this plan directly from them)
Phone Number to Apply: 1-800-644-2926
Medical Exam Required: No
Guaranteed Acceptance: No
Application Approval Time: 10 Minutes
Common conditions where AIG is a great choice


Arthritis
Asthma
Blindness
Blood clots
Blood thinners
Current or recent stage 0-1 cancer (only certain types)
Circulatory surgeries
Crohn’s disease
Depression
Diverticulitis
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Grave’s disease
Heart attack
Heart surgery
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Sleep apnea
Squamous/basal cell skin cancer
Stroke/TIA

To get even more details, read our AIG review

 

 

Best for tobacco users

American Amicable

Founding Year: 1910
Choice Mutual Rating
4.0
A
Excellent

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.

Product
Details
Policy Type: Whole Life Insurance
New Applicant Age Range: 50-85
2-Year Waiting Period: No (subject to underwriting approval)
Coverage Amount Range: $2,500-$50,000 (varies by age)
States Available: All States (except CT, ME, MT, NH, NY, VT)
Product
Benefits
Premiums Stay the Same Forever: Yes
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Policy Duration: Lifetime
Optional Riders: None
Application
Details
Where to Apply: Agencies licensed to sell American Amicable products
(you can't buy this plan directly from them)
Phone Number to Apply: 1-800-644-2926
Medical Exam Required: No
Guaranteed Acceptance: No
Application Approval Time: < 10 minutes
Common conditions still eligible for no waiting period coverage:


Afib
Aneurysm > 3 years ago
Arthritis
Asthma
Bipolar disorder
Blindness
Blood clots
Blood thinners
Cancer > 3 years ago
Circulatory surgery > 3 years ago
Crohn’s disease
Depression
Diabetes (type 2)
Diverticulitis
Fibromyalgia
Grave’s disease
Heart attack > 3 years ago
Heart surgery > 3 years ago
Hepatitis > 3 years ago
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Pacemaker (installed > 3 years ago)
Schizophrenia
Scleroderma
Sickle cell anemia
Sleep apnea
Squamous/basal cell skin cancer
Stroke/TIA > 3 years ago
Tumors (non-cancerous)

To get even more details, read our American Amicable review

 

Best for multiple health conditions

Royal Neighbors of America

Founding Year: 1895
Choice Mutual Rating
4.0
A
Excellent

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.

Product
Details
Policy Type: Whole Life Insurance
New Applicant Age Range: 50-85
2-Year Waiting Period: No (subject to underwriting approval)
Coverage Amount Range: $5,000-$40,000
States Available: All States
(except AK, AL, HI, LA, MA, NH, NY)
Product
Benefits
Premiums Stay the Same Forever: Yes
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Policy Duration: Lifetime
Optional Riders: None
Application
Details
Where to Apply: Agencies licensed to sell Royal Neighbors products
(you can't buy this plan directly from them)
Phone Number to Apply: 1-800-644-2926
Medical Exam Required: No
Guaranteed Acceptance: No
Application Approval Time: 10 Minutes
Common conditions still eligible for no waiting period coverage:


Afib
Arthritis
Asthma
Bipolar disorder
Blindness
Blood clots
Blood thinners
Cancer > 5 years ago
Circulatory surgery > 2 years ago
COPD
Crohn’s disease
Depression
Diabetes (type 1 or 2)
Diverticulitis
Emphysema
Fibromyalgia
Grave’s disease
Heart attack > 2 years ago
Heart surgery > 2 years ago
Hepatitis B or C
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Multiple Sclerosis
Pacemaker (installed > 2 years ago)
Parkinson's
Schizophrenia
Scleroderma
Severely overweight
Sleep apnea
Tumors

To get even more details, read our Royal Neighbors review

 

Health Issues Where You Will 100% Have A Waiting Period

Unfortunately, some medical conditions are such a high risk that no insurer will offer immediate or partial coverage.

If you have any of these conditions in your medical history, you will have a two-year waiting period, no matter what you do.

  • AIDS or HIV
  • Alzheimer’s or dementia
  • Currently in a hospital, nursing home, or skilled nursing facility
  • Actively have or are being treated for cancer (excluding certain stage 0-1 cancers)
  • Hospice care
  • Home health care
  • Alcohol or drug abuse (or treatment for either) within the last 24 months
  • Terminal illness
  • Wheelchair usage due to an illness or disease

There may be other conditions, but this is the majority of them.

As you read that list, you’ll notice that many chronic illnesses are not listed. As stated earlier in this article, most conditions are insurable.

It’s well worth consulting with an experienced licensed agent who can determine if you’re eligible for first-day or partial coverage.

 

How Do Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance Policies Work?

As the name suggests, a guaranteed issue life insurance policy assures that everyone is approved regardless of their health or lifestyle history.

The application process does not require you to take an exam or answer questions.

It’s critically important to understand that all guaranteed acceptance policies have a mandatory two-year waiting period for natural causes of death.

If the policyholder dies within the first two years (except for accidental death), the insurer will only refund the premium payments.

All guaranteed acceptance plans are whole life insurance, which means the coverage lasts forever, and the premiums remain the same. Presently, guaranteed issue term life insurance does not exist with any company.

 

Is There Guaranteed Acceptance With No Waiting Period?

There is no such thing as a life insurance policy with no health questions and no waiting period.

All guaranteed issue life policies have a two-year waiting period.

Sadly, some companies will lie and make it seem like you can get a policy with no questions and no waiting period.

Tip:
Companies that advertise guaranteed acceptance life insurance with no waiting period only do so because they get paid a fee when you click on their website. They don’t care if they have to lie to get you to click. All they care about is collecting their fee.

If there were a policy that had no underwriting and covered you immediately, every terminally ill person would buy it.

The insurance company would be out of business within months.

 

Burial Insurance Vs. Life Insurance

Burial insurance is a marketing expression that refers to a particular type of whole life insurance policy intended to cover funeral costs.

It’s a special type of permanent life insurance designed for seniors with pre-existing conditions that otherwise wouldn’t qualify for traditional life insurance coverages.

Tip:
Burial insurance is also known as “funeral insurance “and “final expense insurance.” A funeral only happens when a life ends, which is why this type of policy is still a form of life insurance.

Burial expense policies for seniors are very different from traditional life insurance products because they will accept applicants with many health issues, you can buy a small amount of coverage, and the claim payout time is quick.

When you die, the insurance company will pay the money (tax-free) directly to your loved ones or funeral home to pay for funeral expenses, cremation expenses, medical bills, or anything else.

For even more information about how burial insurance differs from traditional life insurance, read “burial insurance vs. life insurance.”

 

No Exam Vs. No Health Questions

No exam life insurance policies are not the same as ones with no health questions.

Life insurance ads that only say “no medical exam to qualify” are not guaranteed acceptance.

To set the record straight:

  • No medical exam life insurance: A simplified issue policy that does not require you to undergo an exam to give a blood and urine sample. You will still have to answer health questions, which determines your eligibility. These types of policies typically have no waiting period if you’re approved.
  • No health questions: A guaranteed acceptance policy that does not require you to answer any questions about your health or take an exam. The plans always have a two-year waiting period.

Given the prevalence of deceptive life insurance marketing (such as the Colonial Penn $9.95 plan), it’s understandable how shoppers confuse these two terms.

 

Tips For Getting Full First-Day Coverage

You can take some practical steps to give yourself the best chance at finding a life insurance plan that covers you in the first two years.

The goal is to find an insurance company that has underwriting accepting of all your health issues.

The best way to find said insurer(s) is to work with an independent insurance broker. Independent agencies like Choice Mutual partner with multiple insurance companies for the policyholder’s benefit.

That gives them the freedom to compare dozens of policies on your behalf. They will look at the underwriting of each one to determine if any will approve you for immediate coverage.

If you deal with a captive agent (who represents only one insurer), they cannot investigate multiple companies on your behalf. If their one company doesn’t approve you, they have no recourse.

The same is true when dealing directly with an insurer such as Colonial Penn, TruStage, or Globe Life.

If they don’t approve you (which all three of those companies rarely do), they certainly will not try to find you another insurer that will.

Tip:
Working with an independent life insurance agent doesn’t cost you anything. Also, the insurance isn’t more expensive because you used a “middleman.” Brokers get paid by insurance companies, so their services come at no charge to you.

If you’ve had difficulty finding burial life insurance with no waiting period, call us at 1-800-644-2926.

We’ve helped thousands of customers secure first-day coverage when they thought it was impossible otherwise.

You can check out our past customer reviews if you want to learn more about us.

 

Eligibility For Each Medical Condition

The table below lists various health issues and whether or not they are eligible for no waiting period life insurance.

Please remember that final eligibility is based on age, state, and complete health history.

Health ConditionEligibility
AIDS or HIVWaiting period
Alcohol or drug abuse<2 Yrs: Waiting period
>2 Yrs: Immediate
Alzheimer’s diseaseWaiting period
Amputation due
to disease
Immediate
Angina (chest pains)Immediate
AnxietyImmediate
ArthritisImmediate
Assistance with activities
of daily living (ADL’s)
Immediate
AsthmaImmediate
Atrial fibrillation (Afib)Immediate
Bipolar disorderImmediate
BlindnessImmediate
Blood clotsImmediate
Blood
thinners
Immediate
Bone marrow
transplant
<5 Yrs: Waiting period
>5 Yrs: Immediate
CancerMany variables to consider
Chronic bronchitisImmediate
Chronic kidney
disease
Immediate
Circulatory/heart surgeryImmediate
CirrhosisImmediate
Congestive heart
failure (CHF)
Immediate
COPDImmediate
CovidImmediate
Crohn’s diseaseImmediate
Cystic fibrosisImmediate
DefibrillatorImmediate
DementiaWaiting period
DepressionImmediate
Diabetes (Type 1)Immediate
Diabetes (Type 2)Immediate
Diabetic comaImmediate
Diabetic nephropathyImmediate
DialysisImmediate
EmphysemaImmediate
Enlarged prostateImmediate
EpilepsyImmediate
FibromyalgiaImmediate
Graves diseaseImmediate
Heart attackImmediate
Hepatitis AImmediate
Hepatitis BImmediate
Hepatitis CImmediate
High blood pressureImmediate
High cholesterolImmediate
Home health careWaiting period
Hospice careWaiting period
Insulin shockImmediate
Insulin usageImmediate
LupusImmediate
Mini stroke (TIA)Immediate
Multiple sclerosisImmediate
NephropathyImmediate
NeuropathyImmediate
ObesityImmediate
Organ transplant<5 Yrs: Waiting period
>5 Yrs: Immediate
Oxygen equipmentImmediate
PacemakerImmediate
PancreatitisImmediate
Parkinson’s diseaseImmediate
RetinopathyImmediate
Rheumatoid arthritisImmediate
SchizophreniaImmediate
Seizure issuesImmediate
Sickle cell anemiaAge 0-49: Waiting Period
Age 50+: Immediate
Sickle traitImmediate
Sleep apneaImmediate
StrokeImmediate
Systemic lupusImmediate
Terminal illnessWaiting period
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)Immediate
Tumors (cancerous)Many variables to consider
Tumors (noncancerous)Immediate
Ulcerative colitisImmediate
Wheelchair due to an illness or diseaseWaiting period

 

How Does The “Contestability Clause” Work?

Life insurance policies that provide full or partial coverage during the first two years will always contain the incontestability clause.

The incontestability clause grants the insurer the right to investigate death claims within the first two years (it’s one year in some states).

Before paying the claim to your beneficiaries, the insurance company will order all your medical records.

Their goal is to determine if the applicant truthfully answered the health questions when they applied.

Tip:
All insurance companies in the USA include this provision. It’s impossible to avoid this clause in a life insurance contract. Some companies use deceptive marketing to make you think this provision doesn’t exist, but it does. For example, Lincoln Heritage advertisements frequently proclaim, “Approved claims paid in 24 hours.” That little word “approved” is the part most people miss. Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage death claims (or any other company) within the first two years will only be “approved” after they exercise the incontestability clause.

If your medical records showed that you had a declinable condition when you applied, they would not pay your claim. Instead, they will void the policy and refund your premiums.

Alternatively, they will pay the full death benefit if your medical records confirm that you didn’t have any declinable conditions when you applied.

It’s important to remember that the insurance company is not concerned about your health issues after the policy is issued.

All they are worried about is your health history before you apply. Your health conditions after the policy was issued are irrelevant.

Truthfully, contestable claims are rare, and most result in a total payout.

However, there are some claim denials because the insurance company found that the applicant rightfully didn’t qualify in the first place due to a misrepresentation of their health.

Check out this example contestability clause from an actual policy to see how it reads.

Remember that you can get no waiting period burial insurance, but it will still contain the contestability clause.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Most burial insurance policies have no waiting period, but some do. The only ones with no waiting period don’t require a medical exam. However, you must answer questions about your health history to determine if you’re eligible for immediate coverage.

If there is a waiting period, it will always be two years or more. No company offers a policy with a waiting period of less than 24 months.

Just like full immediate coverage, you must answer health questions to get partial coverage in the first two years. No exam is required, but you’ll have to complete a health questionnaire and subsequently be approved by the insurance company.

Plans with no health questions must have a waiting period to protect the insurance company. Since they know nothing about the applicant’s health, the waiting period protects them from those on their deathbed buying a policy and collecting thousands of dollars shortly afterward.

You do not have to take a medical exam to qualify for immediate coverage. However, you will have to answer questions about your health.

Absolutely not. If there are no health questions, there will always be a two-year waiting period.