Why Seniors and Families Are Rushing to Get Burial Insurance (2024)

Being prepared for the unexpected is more crucial than ever before today. But preparing for the worst can truly leave your loved ones in a better place in the event of your death. You can search online to begin preparing with a burial insurance policy right now.

Because, no matter how we go about it, it’s not cheap to die. Funeral homes, headstones, cremation, memorials, and everything else involved can add up. It can leave your family members in a financial struggle and leave them burdened with figuring it out. Burial insurance can help with these costs, and you can find affordable policies by searching online before it’s too late.

Why Seniors and Families Are Rushing to Get Burial Insurance (1)Plans, of course, will cost you money but when you consider that burial insurance can often cover from $5,000 – $20,000 for your loved ones, it would be foolish not to consider. A funeral itself can cost upwards of $10,000!

Don’t be someone who leaves money on the table just because they didn’t know how easy it was to find the right burial insurance policy.

Common Questions We’ve Received

What exactly is burial insurance?

Burial insurance usually refers to a “whole life” insurance policy with a death benefit that typically ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Ultimately, burial insurance’s primary goal is to cover end-of-life expenses without putting a strain on your family’s pockets. But it’s important to note, that while burial insurance is the known term for the coverage of expenses like caskets and headstones, it can be a bit misleading because these policies can cover non-burial costs.

How do I qualify?

While you will have to answer some basic questions to assure that you’re not terminally ill and expected to pass in just a few months, there’s no health exam associated with burial insurance policies; this means most people have no trouble qualifying for it.

If I have life insurance do I need it?

This is a common question. And in short, yes. Most people don’t factor funeral and burial costs into their family’s life insurance plan. So, burial insurance is the best option for someone who does not want their beneficiaries to have to pay out of pocket for their funeral costs.

How much does it cost?

Premiums are payable weekly or monthly. The premium is usually collected at the policy owner’s home or workplace, and the premium is usually a small round number, such as $2 or $3 per week; the death benefit is whatever that premium will buy given the insured’s current age. For example, a $3 per week premium might buy a $6,000 death benefit for a 36-year-old man or an $18,000 death benefit for a 9-year-old boy.

Who Gets the Money?

One common misconception is that the funeral home or creditor gets this money. This is wrong. The burial insurance beneficiary named on the policy received this money. This is typically a family member or someone with an “insurable interest”.

Insurance companies get uneasy when someone without a logical insurable interest is named. So you can often change the beneficiary to whoever you wish once your policy has been in effect for a year or so. The beneficiary is entirely your choice once your policy is in force.

How do I find the best policy?

Finding the perfect burial insurance policy for your needs can seem daunting, and thousands of Americans end up not completing a policy because they don’t think the payout would be worth it or they can’t afford payments.

There are so many burial insurance providers with attractive plans these days, but you should take time to choose the right one. Not only do you want to secure the most money for your family, you don’t want to overpay in the process. This balance can be hard, and many searches won’t reflect the best options in your area.

To decide, you need to decide how much money will be needed for your funeral, consider what life insurance plan you have, and determine how much you want to pay weekly or monthly. Get your search started today and see the difference.

Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.

Why Seniors and Families Are Rushing to Get Burial Insurance (2024)

FAQs

Is burial insurance worth it for seniors? ›

Burial insurance, also known as funeral or final expense insurance, is a great life insurance option for seniors. It helps pay for funeral related costs to help ease financial and planning burdens for loved ones.

Why is burial insurance so important? ›

Purchasing a burial insurance policy (or a small life insurance policy designed to cover final expenses) can help prevent the passing of any substantial debt to surviving family members.

Is it better to get life insurance or burial insurance? ›

Whether burial insurance is worth it depends on your health, how much coverage you need and why you want a life insurance policy. Burial insurance doesn't provide a high amount for the death benefit, so it's not a good choice if you want a policy to cover your mortgage or income replacement.

What are the disadvantages of funeral insurance? ›

Potential Disadvantages of Burial Insurance

Only a partial benefit may be paid out during this period if the insured dies. No Cash Value: Similar to term life insurance, burial insurance policies generally do not accumulate cash value.

What is the best burial insurance for seniors? ›

  • Ethos. Our pick for no-exam coverage. 4.0. Our Rating. ...
  • Fidelity Life. Our top pick for seniors. 4.2. Our Rating. ...
  • Mutual of Omaha Best for no-exam coverage. 4.8. Our Review. ...
  • State Farm. Best for customer satisfaction. 4.6. ...
  • New York Life. Our pick for permanent life coverage. 4.0. ...
  • Lemonade. Our pick for easy application process. 4.0.
Apr 24, 2024

Can you be denied burial insurance? ›

To qualify for immediate coverage, you must apply with a company that asks you health questions. In contrast, there are plans without health questions (guaranteed acceptance). With those, you cannot be denied, but there is a two-year waiting period.

What age should I get burial insurance? ›

Coverage is typically available for those between the ages of 50 and 85. One of the benefits of burial insurance is that it doesn't require a medical exam to qualify. Depending on the type of policy you pursue, even those without health insurance or who have a pre-existing condition can usually obtain a policy.

Is a burial policy a good idea? ›

Funeral insurance allows you to prepay for funeral and burial costs, so it can be a good choice for those who don't have any other debt or expenses to take care of when they die. Allocate money for your funeral or burial in your will, but be aware the funds may not be paid out to your family in time.

How much is a $10,000 burial policy? ›

The average cost for a burial insurance policy is approximately $50-$100 monthly for roughly $10,000 in coverage. Multiple factors determine the net price, including your exact age, health, tobacco usage (if any), the type of policy, state of residence, and how much coverage you buy.

How long does it take for burial insurance to pay out? ›

One of the primary differences between burial insurance and traditional life insurance is the expedited claims payout. Most conventional life policies take 14-60 days to pay a claim, whereas burial insurance plans can be paid in less than 72 hours. Read burial insurance vs life insurance for more details.

What happens if you cancel funeral insurance? ›

Cancel your life insurance or funeral policy and you won't get any money back, including the premiums you paid. This is because insurance policies are risk products, not savings and investments products, and don't have a cash value.

Does AARP offer burial insurance? ›

AARP's Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance

This product by AARP is also a burial insurance. It won't expire and the monthly price will not change like the previously stated Level Benefit Term Life Plan. The benefits will not decrease as well.

Can you just buy burial insurance? ›

In most cases yes. If you're purchasing from an insurance agent, the difference between final expense insurance and burial insurance policies is the name. They are both life insurance products designed to help cover the costs of funeral expenses at the time of a loved one's death.

How does burial insurance pay out? ›

How does burial insurance work? Burial insurance covers the cost of your funeral and/or cremation expenses after you pass away. It can also be used at the beneficiary's discretion to pay off debts including any medical bills, mortgage loans, or credit card bills.

Can an 80 year old get burial insurance? ›

Final expense insurance for seniors can cost less than larger permanent life insurance policies. According to Forbes, an 80-year-old man can purchase $10,000 in final expense coverage for an average of $197 per month. An 80-year-old woman will spend an average of $158 per month on the same coverage.

Is life insurance worth it after 70? ›

Whether or not you need life insurance as a senior largely depends on what you plan to accomplish. "Life insurance can definitely be worth it for seniors," says Jordan Mangaliman, CEO of Goldline Financial Services in Fullerton, California. "However, it's important to understand every situation is different."

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