Product
Final Expense Insurance
Small whole-life coverage built for one purpose: paying for funeral, burial, and end-of-life costs without burdening your family.
What it is
Final expense insurance is a whole-life policy with a small face amount — typically between $5,000 and $50,000. The premium is fixed for life, the death benefit can't be reduced by the carrier, and the policy doesn't expire as long as you keep paying. Most plans require no medical exam.
Who it's for
- Adults 50–85 who want to leave money for burial, cremation, or final medical bills.
- People who don't qualify for medically-underwritten term life because of age or health.
- Anyone whose existing life insurance doesn't cover their end-of-life expenses.
Plan types
Level (day-one)
Full death benefit from day one. Cheapest tier. Requires basic health questions and good underwriting profile.
Graded benefit
Partial death benefit (typically 30%/70%/100%) in years 1, 2, and 3+. Mid-tier pricing. For applicants with moderate health conditions.
Guaranteed issue
No health questions — cannot be denied. Most expensive tier. Returns premium plus interest if death occurs in the first 2–3 years.
How much does it cost?
Indicative monthly costs for a non-tobacco female. Real pricing depends on full underwriting and varies by state and carrier.
| Age | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $11.88/mo | $23.75/mo | $35.63/mo | $47.50/mo | $59.38/mo | $118.75/mo |
| 55 | $14.87/mo | $29.74/mo | $44.61/mo | $59.49/mo | $74.36/mo | $148.71/mo |
| 60 | $18.62/mo | $37.25/mo | $55.87/mo | $74.49/mo | $93.12/mo | $186.24/mo |
| 65 | $23.32/mo | $46.65/mo | $69.97/mo | $93.29/mo | $116.61/mo | $233.23/mo |
| 70 | $29.21/mo | $58.42/mo | $87.62/mo | $116.83/mo | $146.04/mo | $292.08/mo |
| 75 | $36.58/mo | $73.16/mo | $109.73/mo | $146.31/mo | $182.89/mo | $365.78/mo |
| 80 | $45.81/mo | $91.61/mo | $137.42/mo | $183.23/mo | $229.03/mo | $458.07/mo |
| 85 | $57.37/mo | $114.73/mo | $172.10/mo | $229.46/mo | $286.83/mo | $573.65/mo |
Indicative monthly premiums for female, non-tobacco. Real pricing depends on full underwriting.
FAQ
- How is this different from term life?
- Term life covers a fixed period (10–30 years) and expires with no payout if you outlive it. Final expense is whole life — it covers you for life and pays out whenever you pass away, as long as premiums are paid.
- Can I be denied?
- Yes for level and graded plans. No for guaranteed issue. Even if you're declined for level coverage, you can almost always get guaranteed-issue coverage at a higher rate.
- When does the policy pay?
- Usually within 7–14 days of receiving a death certificate, paid directly to your named beneficiary. Funds can be used for any purpose.