A grandchild life insurance will always be a whole life insurance policy. It’s a form of permanent coverage with a behind-the-scenes savings account called “cash value,” which continually grows.
Plans for grandchildren seldom require an exam, rates are fixed for life, and coverage never expires. Also, grandparents can purchase a policy without the consent of the children’s mother or father.
It’s important to note that there is no term life insurance available for children under 18. Whole life cash value life insurance for grandchildren is the only option.
Guaranteed lifetime coverage that will not expire at any age
Rates are guaranteed never to increase
Coverage is guaranteed never to decrease
Cash value continually builds over time that you can withdraw for personal use.
As you can see, we were serious when we said they were easy to comprehend.
One other way to buy life insurance for your grandchildren would be to add them on as a term rider to your policy.
However, it’s important to note that adding a grandchild as a rider to your policy does not mean they have a policy. They are simply an addon to a policy that insures you.
If your policy should ever not be active, so too is their coverage. They’re only insured as long as you’re insured.
Also, grandchildren term riders typically expire once the covered child reaches age 18-25.
The best life insurance for a grandchild is always a standalone policy (which would be whole life) and not a rider on someone else’s policy.
Grandchild Life Insurance Quotes
Boys and girls pay the same price | Rates don’t change | Coverage never expires
AGE
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$50,000
0-4
$4.61
$8.21
$11.82
$19.03
5-9
$5.43
$9.86
$14.29
$23.16
10-14
$6.15
$11.30
$16.44
$26.74
15-17
$7.75
$14.49
$21.24
$34.74
The Best Life Insurance Companies For Grandchildren
After looking at the companies that offer life coverage to kids and grandkids, we narrowed it down to three companies total.
While there are other carriers other than these three, we believe these life insurance companies offer the best overall value.
You can rest assured that the best life insurance for grandchildren is with one of these three companies.
1) Mutual of Omaha
Policy Type: Whole Life
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Fixed Premiums: Yes
Coverage Expiration Date: Never
Age Availability: 0 -17
State Availability: All states (plus DC) except NY & WA
Coverage Range: $5,000-$50,000
Unisex Rates: Yes
Monthly Price for $10,000 on a boy or girl age 10: $6.15
Included Riders At no Additional Cost: Guaranteed Insurability & Waiver of Premium due to Death of Owner
Easily one of the largest life insurance companies globally, Mutual of Omaha is an extremely financially sound company that can and will pay its claims when the time comes.
Their whole life insurance for grandchildren is our number one pick because it offers rock bottom life insurance rates for infants, an easy application process, high coverage options, and valuable add-ons at no extra cost.
For example, if the policy owner dies, they will allow for a 90-day grace period for someone else to take over the policy, so it doesn’t lapse.
Also, they guarantee the insured children can buy more coverage multiple times later in life without them having to answer any health or lifestyle questions.
If you want to explore United of Omaha’s children’s life insurance, use the quoting tool on this page. You’ll see instant rates, and you can fully apply online in less than 2 minutes.
2) Gerber Life
Policy Type: Whole Life
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Fixed Premiums: Yes
Coverage Expiration Date: Never
Age Availability: 0 – 14
State Availability: All 50 states (plus DC)
Coverage Range: $10,000-$50,000
Unisex Rates: Yes (except for CA & FL)
Monthly Price for $10,000 on a boy or girl age 10: $10.06
Included Riders At no Additional Cost: Guaranteed Insurability
Most people are familiar with the Grow Up plan (they advertise it a lot) by Gerber Life. Gerber Life is a sound company with a strong history of paying its claims.
Their cash value life insurance for grandchildren policy is unique because they double the coverage once they turn 18. Even better, when that coverage doubles, the premiums remain the same!
Overall their coverage is affordable and easy to acquire with their online application process.
The only downside to their coverage is the cost. Mutual of Omaha and Globe are less and expensive.
3) Globe Life
Policy Type: Whole Life
Builds Cash Value: Yes
Fixed Premiums: Yes
Coverage Expiration Date: Never
Age Availability: 0-24
State Availability: All 50 states (plus DC)
Coverage Range: $5,000-$30,000
Unisex Rates: Yes
Monthly Price for $10,000 on a boy or girl age 10: $5.41
Included Riders At no Additional Cost:
Globe Life is the final company to make the cut. They have an easy online application process and low rates.
Without question, a unique aspect of Globe Life’s children’s insurance is they accept kids who are as old as 24. This is unheard of as all other carriers have a max issue age of 17 for children coverage.
If you want to get more than just $50,000, remember that you can always buy multiple policies from multiple companies. No law or rule says you can’t.
Will They Qualify?
Almost every life insurance company will not require your grandchildren to undergo an exam, nor will they request their medical records.
Similar to burial insurance plans, their qualification is based on the answers to a few health questions.
For the most part, any child will be accepted so long as they were not born with any chronic illness, disease, or disorder.
If you have a grandchild born with a condition, you can still apply to see if it’s approved. The worst the insurance company will say is no.
That said, here’s a list of common conditions children deal with that will 100% result in decline:
Mental retardation
Diabetes
Sickle cell anemia (sickle trait is okay)
Spina Bifida
Again, there are other conditions other than what’s listed there. Those are just some of the most common ones.
Who Is Allowed To Buy A Policy On A Grandchild?
First, if you want to insure your grandkids, you can. The simple fact that you’re their grandmother or grandfather enables you to.
Also, bear in mind that you don’t need the consent of the child’s parents either. Grandparents buying life insurance for grandchildren can be done 100% without any involvement from the child’s parents.
Having said that, life insurance companies won’t grant just anyone the ability to buy coverage on a child.
You must be related to the child in one of the following ways:
Grandparent
Great grandparent
Parent
Stepparent
Legal guardian
If you are not related to a child in one of those ways, you cannot buy coverage on them.
Should You Buy Life Coverage On Your Grandkids?
The truth is, it’s simply a matter of personal preference regarding if you should purchase life insurance on a grandchild of yours.
Some experts say yes, you should, and some say no, you shouldn’t.
In the end, you have to choose if you think it’s worth it or not.
That said, there are three main reasons why you should consider coverage of your grandkids.
#1 Funeral Expenses
We pray this is never your reality, but this is easily the biggest reason to buy life insurance on anyone, let alone your grandkids.
Albeit rare, child deaths do happen, and funerals aren’t cheap. The typical funeral costs nearly $10,000 in most states.
A life policy will ensure their unexpected death doesn’t create a big financial hardship.
#2 Guaranteed option to buy coverage later in life
All child life insurance policies guarantee that the children can purchase more coverage later in life without showing evidence of insurability.
This is great because if they develop some health issues later in life, those will not prevent them from acquiring more coverage.
Most companies allow the insured kids to buy more coverage at multiple intervals in life too.
#3 Savings for future use
Since all grandchildren’s life insurance plans are whole life, they all build cash value.
Cash value is like a hidden savings account that forever grows. Basically, every time you make a payment, a small portion of the payment goes into the cash value account.
Also, the account earns interest which also causes it to grow. You are entitled to access the cash value anytime later in life for whatever purpose you desire.
You or your grandchildren could use the money to help with college or a down payment on a home or anything else you could think of.
How You Can Buy A Life Insurance For Grandkids In Minutes
Whether you’re looking at Globe, Mutual of Omaha, or Gerber, you can fully apply with all of these companies 100% online.
You won’t need to worry about an exam because exams are never required.
Here’s all the information you’ll need to complete an application for whole life insurance for grandchildren:
The insured children:
Date of birth
Gender
Full name
Answers to a few health questions
The policy owner (which would be you- the grandparent)
Relationship to the children who are insured
Full name
Gender
Address
SSN
DOB
Phone number
Beneficiary names (if someone other than you)
Payment information
After you submit all the information and E-Sign (which is done by clicking a button), underwriting will process the application within a few days and mail you a policy if the kids are approved.
If applying online is not suitable for you, it is still possible to apply via paper. For example, both Gerber Life and Globe allow people to fill out and send back in a paper application.
While this process takes much longer and is prone to errors that may result in an application rejection, it can still be done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll see a list of the most common questions we’re asked regarding grandparents buying life insurance for grandchildren.
If you have a question, hopefully, it appears below. If not, you can email us at info @ choicemutual.com, and we’ll post the question and answer on this page within 48 hours.
Can grandparents pay for life insurance grandchildren?
Yes! As a grandparent, your relationship grants you the privilege to buy life insurance for your grandchildren with or without the child’s parents’ knowledge or consent.
Can you buy multiple policies from more than one company?
Yes, you can. No rule or law says you can’t buy life insurance for grandkids from multiple companies.
Is there term life insurance for grandkids?
No. The only type of policy available for grandchildren is whole life insurance.
Now, you can add your grandchildren as a term rider to your policy. However, that does mean your grandkids have a life insurance policy. They would be an add-on to your policy.
Is there cash value life insurance for grandchildren?
Yes. Actually, the only type of coverage available is whole life which always has cash value no matter which insurance company issues the policy.
What is the best life insurance for grandchildren?
Generally speaking, Mutual of Omaha offers the best whole life insurance for grandkids. It’s low cost, has great added benefits, an easy application process, and coverage options.
About Anthony Martin
I’m a final expense & children's life insurance expert, official member of the Forbes Finance Council, and the Founder & CEO of Choice Mutual. I have been helping clients with final expense and child life insurance since 2010 and try hard to share with you the knowledge I’ve garnered after helping thousands of clients. Choice Mutual is an independent insurance agency licensed in all 50 U.S. states including D.C. We represent over 15 different insurance carriers on your behalf so we can find which one will approve you for the best policy. I started this company so people like you could finally get honest answers & advice from friendly agents who know this business inside and out.
10 Comments
Joanna Ware
I’m trying to get a quote for life insurance for adult grandchildren ages 21 & 22 I’ve raised & had guardian ship of them when they were under age can I get a policy for them now?
Yes you can get them coverage. Due to their ages, the easiest way to get them coverage would be via Globe Life. They will allow you to buy coverage on both of your grandchildren without their involvement in the process.
If you make an annual payment your next bill we be due 12 months later.
You can designate another beneficiary in the application. In addition, after the policy is issued you can change your beneficiary(s) anytime you want by contacting Mutual of Omaha policy holder service.
Many years ago you offered a 20 Pay Whole Life plan, I purchased that plan for my children. They are now grown and in their 30’s. How can I get information about their policies? We have moved several times and cannot find the coverage documents.
10 Comments
Joanna Ware
I’m trying to get a quote for life insurance for adult grandchildren ages 21 & 22 I’ve raised & had guardian ship of them when they were under age can I get a policy for them now?
Anthony Martin
Hi Joanna,
Yes you can get them coverage. Due to their ages, the easiest way to get them coverage would be via Globe Life. They will allow you to buy coverage on both of your grandchildren without their involvement in the process.
Hope this helps!
Piacenti Bynum
I want to price life Insurance for my grandchildren.
Anthony Martin
Hi Piacenti,
You can see prices for your grandchildren, but look at this table or by using the quoting tool on that page.
Marge
If a pay for a year of premiums, when will I be billed again? A year later?
How can I designate a beneficiary other than me, the applicant?
Anthony Martin
Hi Marge,
If you make an annual payment your next bill we be due 12 months later.
You can designate another beneficiary in the application. In addition, after the policy is issued you can change your beneficiary(s) anytime you want by contacting Mutual of Omaha policy holder service.
Nancy A Dorris
Many years ago you offered a 20 Pay Whole Life plan, I purchased that plan for my children. They are now grown and in their 30’s. How can I get information about their policies? We have moved several times and cannot find the coverage documents.
Anthony Martin
Hi Nancy,
You will need to call your insurance company to get copies of the coverage on your children.
We can’t help you because we were not the agency who assisted you.
Bob
can I buy a paid up policy. I’m 82 and don”t want to stick someone with payments if I’m gone before it matures
Anthony Martin
Hi Bob,
There are some child companies that offer a paid up option. However, the paid up options are generally 10-20 years before they are paid up.