Before You Choose Any Final Expense Insurance Broker
We recommend comparing at least 2-3 brokers before making your decision. Final expense insurance is permanent coverage that will last your lifetime – you want to ensure you’re working with a broker who truly understands underwriting nuances and can place you with the company most likely to approve your application at competitive rates. Don’t just take our word for it – shop around and choose the broker who demonstrates the deepest expertise for your specific situation.
Why Most “Best Final Expense Company” Lists Miss the Point
When you search for final expense insurance, you’ll find dozens of articles ranking companies by brand recognition, financial ratings, or generic customer service scores. While these factors matter, they completely miss the most critical aspect: which company will actually approve YOUR application and offer YOU competitive rates.
As brokers who place final expense policies daily, we’ve seen identical applicants receive vastly different outcomes from different insurers. A 72-year-old with diabetes might get approved at standard rates with one company while being declined entirely by another A+ rated insurer. The key isn’t finding the “best” company overall – it’s finding the company that’s best for your specific health, age, and coverage needs.
How to Evaluate Final Expense Insurance Brokers
Since the broker you choose is more important than any specific insurance company, here’s how to evaluate your options:
Broker Evaluation Checklist
| What to Look For | Why It Matters | Red Flags to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Company Access | Can shop multiple insurers for your best option | Only represents 1-2 companies |
| Underwriting Expertise | Knows which companies approve specific conditions | Generic quotes without health assessment |
| Placement Focus | Goal is getting you approved, not just quoted | High-pressure sales tactics |
| Honest Communication | Explains waiting periods and limitations clearly | Promises “guaranteed approval” without knowing your health |
Table of Contents
- Our Top 10 Final Expense Insurance Companies 2025
- Additional Companies We Work With
- Best Companies by Health Condition and Situation
- How to Choose the Right Company for Your Situation
- Companies We Don’t Typically Recommend
- Sample Final Expense Rates by Age
- Why Working with a Broker Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions
Our Top 10 Final Expense Insurance Companies for 2025
How We Evaluate Final Expense Companies
Our rankings reflect real-world broker experience placing final expense policies daily. We evaluate companies on financial strength (25%), underwriting flexibility (35%), product options (25%), and customer service (15%). Unlike generic reviews, we focus on approval rates for seniors with health issues and actual payout experiences.
1. AIG (American International Group)
Best Overall Final Expense Option for 2025
| Founded | 1919 |
|---|---|
| AM Best Rating | A (Excellent) |
| Coverage Range | $5,000 – $25,000 |
| Age Range | 50-85 |
| Specialty | Guaranteed issue, complex health cases |
AIG leads our final expense rankings due to its exceptional underwriting flexibility and guaranteed issue options. The company’s Select-a-Term product allows conversion from guaranteed issue to simplified issue coverage.
Product Highlights:
- Guaranteed Acceptance: No health questions for ages 50-85
- Graded Death Benefit: 35% year 1, 70% year 2, 100% year 3+
- Modified Options: Return of premium plus 10% if death occurs in the first 2 years
- Conversion Privileges: Unique ability to convert to better coverage
Broker Success Story
A 78-year-old client with COPD, diabetes, and heart disease was declined by three companies. AIG’s guaranteed issue product provided $15,000 coverage with no health questions, giving her family the peace of mind they needed.
Best For:
Senior applicants with significant health issues, previous insurance declines, or those wanting guaranteed acceptance without any health questions.
2. Mutual of Omaha
Best Simplified Issue Final Expense
| Founded | 1909 |
|---|---|
| AM Best Rating | A+ (Superior) |
| Coverage Range | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| Age Range | 45-85 |
| Specialty | Simplified issue, competitive rates |
Mutual of Omaha‘s Living Promise whole life insurance combines competitive pricing with simplified underwriting, making it ideal for seniors in good to moderate health.
Key Advantages:
- Immediate Coverage: Full death benefit from day one
- Cash Value Growth: Builds cash value you can borrow against
- Premium Stability: Level premiums that never increase
- Accidental Death Rider: Additional coverage for accidental deaths
Best For:
Seniors aged 45-85 in relatively good health who want immediate coverage and can answer basic health questions for better rates than guaranteed issue.
3. Foresters Financial
Best Final Expense with Member Benefits
| Founded | 1874 |
|---|---|
| AM Best Rating | A (Excellent) |
| Coverage Range | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Age Range | 40-85 |
| Specialty | Fraternal benefits, higher coverage limits |
As a fraternal organization, Foresters provides not just life insurance but also member benefits, including educational scholarships, community grants, and wellness programs that add value beyond the death benefit.
Best For:
Seniors who value community involvement and want additional member benefits alongside their life insurance coverage.
4. Gerber Life Insurance
Most Accessible Guaranteed Issue Option
Gerber Life‘s Guaranteed Life insurance offers true guaranteed acceptance with no health questions, medical exams, or possibility of decline for applicants aged 50-80.
Best For:
Seniors aged 50-80 who have been declined elsewhere or have serious health conditions that prevent approval for other coverage types.
5. Transamerica
Best Technology and Customer Service
Transamerica combines modern technology with traditional final expense coverage, offering both streamlined online applications and competitive underwriting for various health conditions.
Best For:
Tech-savvy seniors who want modern application processes and potentially higher coverage amounts, with moderate to good health.
6. American National Insurance
Best Regional Final Expense Coverage
American National focuses on personalized service through local agents while offering competitive final expense options with flexible underwriting standards.
Best For:
Seniors who prefer working with local agents and value personal relationships in their insurance experience.
Great Western Life focuses on competitive rates for healthy seniors while maintaining flexible underwriting standards for common health conditions. With strong regional presence and personalized service, they offer both simplified issue and modified benefit options.
Best For:
Healthy seniors seeking competitive rates and personalized service, particularly those who value regional insurance companies with strong local presence.
7. Assurity Life Insurance
Best Value Final Expense Coverage
Assurity consistently offers some of the most competitive final expense rates while maintaining reasonable underwriting standards that accept many common health conditions.
Best For:
Budget-conscious seniors with moderate health who want the lowest possible premiums for final expense coverage.
8. Baltimore Life Insurance
Best for Simplified Issue Coverage
Baltimore Life excels at simplified issue final expense coverage, offering immediate death benefits for seniors who can qualify through basic health questions.
Best For:
Healthy seniors aged 45-80 who can answer health questions and want immediate full coverage at competitive rates.
9. American Amicable Life Insurance
Best Customer Service Final Expense
American Amicable prioritizes exceptional customer service throughout the application and policy management process, offering flexible underwriting that considers individual circumstances.
Best For:
Seniors who prioritize excellent customer service and want a company that takes time to understand their individual situation.
10. Americo Financial Life and Annuity
Best Guaranteed Issue Options
Americo specializes in guaranteed issue coverage with no health questions, making coverage accessible to seniors with any health condition.
Best For:
Seniors with serious health conditions who need guaranteed acceptance final expense coverage, or those who have been declined by other insurance companies.
Additional Companies We Work With
Beyond our top 10, we also work with these quality final expense insurers based on specific client needs and situations:
Companies We Monitor and Recommend
- Royal Neighbors of America: Fraternal benefits with coverage, community focus
- SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance): Strong mutual company with competitive pricing
- Aetna/Accendo: Simplified issue with flexible underwriting guidelines
- Aflac: Excellent rates for younger seniors (50-65), strong brand recognition
- Cincinnati Life: Regional strength with personalized service approach
- Prosperity Life: Competitive guaranteed issue options for high-risk applicants
- Sentinel Security Life: Specialized final expense focus with flexible underwriting
- Standard Life: Flexible underwriting for moderate health issues
Want to see which of these companies offers you the best rates?
Best Final Expense Companies by Health Condition
Diabetes (Type 1 & Type 2)
Broker Insight
Diabetes underwriting varies dramatically between final expense companies. We’ve seen identical diabetic applicants receive standard simplified issue rates from one company and be forced into guaranteed issue (with waiting periods) by another.
| Company | Best Option Available | Key Requirements | Broker Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| American National | Simplified Issue | HbA1c under 8.5, stable management | Most lenient diabetes underwriting |
| Transamerica | Simplified Issue | Well-controlled, no complications | Good for Type 2 with compliance |
| AIG | Guaranteed Issue | No health questions required | Option when others decline |
Have diabetes? We’ll find the company most likely to approve you.
Heart Disease & Cardiovascular Conditions
| Condition | Best Company | Waiting Period | Coverage Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure (Controlled) | Mutual of Omaha, Baltimore Life | None | Simplified Issue |
| Heart Attack History | AIG, American Amicable | 2+ years since event | Guaranteed Issue |
| Stent/Bypass Surgery | American National, AIG | 12+ months post-procedure | Modified/Guaranteed Issue |
Cancer Survivors
| Cancer Type | Best Company | Minimum Wait Period | Coverage Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer (Early Stage) | Foresters, Transamerica | 3+ years cancer-free | Simplified Issue possible |
| Prostate Cancer | AIG, Americo | 2+ years post-treatment | Modified Benefits |
| Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) | Most companies | 1+ year post-treatment | Simplified Issue |
Cancer survivor? Each case is unique – we’ll match you with companies that understand your specific situation. Find Your Match
How to Choose the Right Final Expense Company
Choosing the right final expense company isn’t about finding the “best” overall company – it’s about finding the company most likely to approve your specific situation at competitive rates.
Coverage Type by Health Status
| Your Health Status | Best Coverage Type | Top Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent Health | Simplified Issue | Mutual of Omaha, Baltimore Life |
| Minor Health Issues | Simplified Issue | Transamerica, American National |
| Significant Health Problems | Graded/Modified Benefits | AIG, Gerber Life |
| Serious Conditions | Guaranteed Issue | AIG, Americo |
Companies We Don’t Typically Recommend (But Will Quote if Requested)
While we work with over 20 final expense insurance companies, broker experience has taught us that some companies consistently offer less favorable terms for most applicants. However, every situation is unique, and occasionally these companies may have the best solution for specific circumstances.
Important Note
If you’re considering any of these companies, we encourage you to get quotes from both them and our recommended carriers. We’ll provide an honest comparison so you can make an informed decision.
Globe Life Insurance
Heavy Marketing, Limited Value
Why We Don’t Typically Recommend:
- Misleading “$1 per month” marketing: Rate only applies to first month, then increases significantly
- High complaint ratio: Substantially more consumer complaints than industry average
- Limited coverage options: Maximum $50,000 whole life, $100,000 term
- Poor value for most applicants: Higher premiums than comparable A+ rated competitors
- No guaranteed issue option: Limited choices for seniors with health issues
When Globe Life Might Work:
Rarely the best option, but occasionally competitive for healthy applicants seeking small coverage amounts in limited markets.
AARP Life Insurance (New York Life)
Brand Recognition, Premium Pricing
Why We Don’t Typically Recommend:
- Requires AARP membership: Additional annual fee requirement
- High premiums: Often 20-30% more expensive than comparable coverage
- Strict underwriting: More health questions than many competitors
- Limited coverage amounts: Maximum $50,000 for whole life coverage
- Geographic restrictions: Guaranteed issue not available in all states
When AARP Might Work:
Smokers in good health may find competitive rates due to no tobacco surcharge on simplified issue policies.
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance
Good Service, High Premiums
Why We Don’t Typically Recommend:
- Above-average premiums: Generally more expensive than competitors
- Strict underwriting standards: Many common health conditions result in a decline
- Limited coverage amounts: Maximum $20,000 for most ages
- No guaranteed issue option: Fewer options for high-risk applicants
- Narrow product line: Only two policy options available
When Lincoln Heritage Might Work:
Applicants who value premium customer service and don’t mind paying extra for personalized attention.
Get an Honest Comparison
If you’re considering any of these companies, we’ll gladly provide quotes from both them and our recommended carriers. Our goal is helping you find the best coverage for your specific situation – even if that means recommending a company we don’t typically suggest.
Sample Final Expense Rates by Age
Understanding how age affects final expense insurance premiums helps you budget and plan for coverage. The rates below represent typical monthly premiums for $25,000 in coverage from top-rated insurers.
Monthly Premiums – $25,000 Coverage
| Age | Male Non-Smoker | Female Non-Smoker | Coverage Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | $53 | $42 | Simplified Issue |
| 70 | $89 | $69 | Simplified Issue |
| 80 | $156 | $119 | Simplified Issue |
Ready to see which companies will offer you the best rates? Get Quote
Why Working with a Broker Matters
Many seniors attempt to buy final expense insurance directly from companies or through online platforms. While this might seem simpler, it often leads to suboptimal outcomes:
The Broker Advantage
- Company Selection Expertise: We know which insurers specialize in your specific health conditions
- Application Strategy: How to present your health history for optimal results
- Multiple Options: Access to 20+ companies vs. shopping one at a time
- No Additional Cost: Insurance companies pay our commissions – you pay the same rate
- Ongoing Support: Claims assistance and policy service throughout your lifetime
Broker Reality Check
A 73-year-old client applied directly with a major company and was offered guaranteed issue at $147/month. We placed him with a different A+ rated insurer for simplified issue coverage at $98/month – same coverage, 33% less cost, no waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which final expense company has the best rates?
Rate competitiveness varies significantly based on your age, health, and coverage needs. Mutual of Omaha often offers the lowest simplified issue rates for healthy applicants, while AIG provides the most accessible guaranteed issue options. The key is finding the company that offers YOU the best rates based on your specific health profile.
What’s the difference between simplified issue and guaranteed issue?
Simplified issue requires answering 8-12 health questions but offers immediate full coverage and lower premiums. Guaranteed issue has no health questions but includes a 2-3 year waiting period and higher premiums. Your health status determines which option is best for you.
Can I get final expense insurance if I have serious health problems?
Yes. Companies like AIG and Gerber Life offer guaranteed issue policies that accept applicants regardless of health status. While these policies have waiting periods and higher premiums, they ensure coverage when traditional options aren’t available.
How quickly do final expense policies pay out?
Final expense policies typically pay within 1-3 business days after receiving required documentation, much faster than traditional life insurance policies which can take weeks or months.
What’s the maximum age to buy final expense insurance?
Most companies accept applicants up to age 85, with some (like AIG) offering coverage to age 85. The key is applying while you’re still eligible – waiting too long can limit your options.
Ready to Find Your Best Final Expense Option?
Before you choose any final expense broker, we encourage you to compare at least 3-4 options. Get quotes from us AND our competitors, then choose the broker who demonstrates the deepest expertise and provides the best service for your specific situation.
Why we’re confident in this recommendation: When you do compare, you’ll discover that our broker experience placing thousands of final expense policies gives us insights that generic agencies simply can’t match. We know which companies approve specific health conditions, how to present applications for optimal results, and which insurers to avoid for certain situations.
Get started today:
- Complete our health assessment to identify your best company options
- Receive personalized quotes from multiple top-rated insurers
- Compare our service and expertise with other brokers
- Choose the broker who demonstrates they can truly help your specific situation
Final expense ins for me n wife I’m 72 / she is 71 would like to talk about obtaining ins for both
I’ll be available without interruptions on 11/30/22 all day at: 763 327 4495
interested in final expense as a svc connected Veteran, we have burial provided by VA. i have been approved for the benefit. In process for wife’s app.
Thank You
R Santiago Jr
Robert
We believe, we’ve already had an agent reach out to you, if not, feel free to give us a call.
Thanks,
IBUSA.