Open care final expense insurance can be a lifesaver for those who are struggling to pay for funeral expenses. This type of insurance provides a lump sum payment to help cover the costs of a funeral, burial, or cremation.
The benefit amount of open care final expense insurance can range from $2,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the policy. This amount can be used to pay for a variety of expenses, including funeral home fees, cemetery plots, and medical bills.
Choosing the right policy can be overwhelming, but understanding the basics can help make the decision easier. Open care final expense insurance is typically designed for individuals aged 50-80, and the premiums are usually based on the applicant's age and health status.
Ultimately, the goal of open care final expense insurance is to provide peace of mind and financial security for the policyholder and their loved ones.
Best Companies
When comparing companies for open care final expense insurance, it's essential to remember that no company can be the best option for everyone. This is because insurance companies compete primarily through price and underwriting, which means they have different health issues they do or don't accept.
The key is to compare plans from multiple companies to find the best policy for your needs. Let's take a look at a few examples from the article.
Mutual of Omaha offers a $20,000 policy for $98.79 monthly with a two-year waiting period for a 65-year-old female with diabetes. Aflac, on the other hand, offers a $20,000 policy for $83.77 monthly with no waiting period.
Aetna also offers a $20,000 policy with no waiting period, but at a slightly higher monthly cost of $91.70. This highlights the importance of comparing multiple companies to find the best fit.
Here's a breakdown of the three companies:
As you can see, each company has its strengths and weaknesses. By comparing multiple companies, you can find the best final expense insurance policy for your needs.
Cost and Benefits
Final expense insurance can relieve the worries of your family members by providing them with money they may need to pay expenses related to your death.
The cost of final expense insurance depends on your exact age, gender, state of residence, tobacco habits, health, and the amount of coverage you select.
A whole life rate chart is helpful to get an estimate, but remember that your rate may differ based on those factors. An insurance quotes tool is advised to get an accurate estimate of what your insurance premiums may be.
Generally, a burial insurance plan with a $10,000 death benefit will cost $50-$100 monthly.
The premium amount never changes, which can be helpful for budgeting, and coverage is guaranteed. The policy cannot be canceled, even if your health deteriorates.
Here are some average monthly premiums for guaranteed issue policies:
A 65-year-old woman seeking a $10,000 face amount and no waiting period may pay about $41 per month, while a 65-year-old male may pay about $54 per month.
Filing a Claim and Coverage
Filing a claim for open care final expense insurance is a relatively straightforward process.
You'll need to notify the insurer that the insured has passed away, and they'll send you claim forms to fill out and return with a copy of the death certificate.
The claim process for open care final expense insurance is the same as traditional life insurance policies.
Your family members will need to make a phone call to the insurer to initiate the claim process, which will then be sent to you for completion.
Once the insurer receives the completed claim forms and death certificate, they'll process the claim and pay out the money to the beneficiary.
Understanding and Choosing
Final expense insurance is a type of whole life insurance that provides a guaranteed death benefit to cover end-of-life expenses.
The premiums for final expense insurance depend on your age and health, and may also depend on your gender, as men tend to pay higher rates than women.
You can apply for final expense insurance without a medical exam, but you will have to answer some health questions.
Not everyone will qualify for a policy with coverage that begins on day one, but most people will qualify for coverage.
The older and less healthy you are, the higher your rates will be for a given amount of insurance.
Some insurance companies issue final expense policies to people from birth to age 85, but there may be a minimum age (such as 45) and maximum age (such as 85) at which you can apply.
The largest death benefit you can select may be smaller the older you are, with some insurers offering policies up to $50,000 for those under 55 and only up to $25,000 for those over 76.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a final expense insurance policy:
- Policy face amounts are lower than other types of insurance and may not meet all expenses.
- Can be more expensive that other types of policies due to easy health qualification.
- Some insurers can provide misleading or incomplete information, making decisions difficult.
- Some policies require waiting periods, which insurers may try to obscure.
- If you live long enough, total premium paid could exceed the death benefit.
By understanding these factors and doing your research, you can make an informed decision and choose the best final expense insurance policy for your needs.
Helpful Advice and Tips
David Duford, a seasoned final expense insurance agent, advises being open to companies you're not familiar with. There are 727 life insurance companies in the USA, and only a small percentage advertise on a large scale.
You might think that lesser-known companies are untrustworthy, but that's not necessarily true. They're often just as reliable as well-known funeral insurance companies, with a different business model that relies on agencies to sell their products.
Being open to buying from these companies can significantly expand your options and increase your chances of getting the best deal.
Helpful Advice
David Duford, a seasoned final expense insurance agent, suggests being open to companies you're not familiar with when shopping for life insurance. This mindset can significantly expand your options and increase your chances of finding a policy that fits your needs and budget.
According to Statista, there were 727 life insurance companies in the USA in 2022, with only 1% of them advertising on a mass scale. This means that 99% of companies are lesser-known, but still reliable and financially stable.
A burial policy can be a worthy investment if you have no other means to pay for your burial costs. It provides instant peace of mind, knowing your family won't go into debt trying to pay for your end-of-life expenses.
Final expense insurance is especially beneficial for seniors who may not have a large life insurance policy or sufficient savings to cover funeral expenses, which can easily reach several thousand dollars.
The average cost of a funeral ranges between $7,000 and $12,000, making final expense insurance a valuable protection for your loved ones.
Here are some key takeaways about final expense insurance:
- Final expense insurance is a small whole life insurance policy that is easy to qualify for.
- The beneficiaries of a final expense life insurance policy can use the policy's payout to pay for a funeral service, casket or cremation, medical bills, nursing home bills, an obituary, flowers, and more.
- The death benefit can be used for any purpose whatsoever.
- The death benefit is usually somewhere between $2,000 and $35,000.
Funeral Costs
Funeral costs can be a significant burden on loved ones, with the national median funeral cost reaching $8,300 in 2023.
The costs associated with a funeral can add up quickly, with some expenses including a funeral home service fee of $2,300, embalming at $775, and a hearse at $350.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $7,000 to $12,000 for a funeral, with the average cost being around $8,300.
Some funeral homes offer pre-need plans that can help lock in the price of the funeral, ensuring that the policy will cover the cost no matter when you die.
A graph showing average annual premiums for males and females age 45 to 65, illustrates how final expense insurance premiums tend to increase with age.
Here's a breakdown of the costs associated with a funeral:
- Funeral home service fee: $2,300
- Embalming: $775
- Preparations, such as makeup and hair styling: $275
- Facilities and staff needed for a viewing: $450
- Facilities and staff needed for a funeral: $515
- Hearse: $350
The death benefit from a final expense life insurance policy can be used for any purpose, including paying for a funeral service, casket, or cremation, medical bills, nursing home bills, an obituary, flowers, and more.
Alternatives and Options
If you're considering an open care final expense insurance policy, you may want to explore alternative options. Term life insurance can be a cheaper option if you're relatively healthy and willing to take a medical exam.
For those who don't want to pay high premiums, traditional term or whole life insurance policies offer more coverage at an affordable price. This is a good alternative to final expense insurance.
You can also prepay for your funeral expenses, but be aware that if the funeral home goes out of business, you'll lose that money. It's generally not recommended.
If you have the savings, you can self-fund by leaving it behind to family members and designating how it should be used in your will.
Here are some alternatives to burial insurance:
- Term life insurance
- Funeral insurance
- Allocate money for your funeral or burial in your will
- Traditional term or whole life insurance policy
- Pre-pay for your funeral expenses
- Set up a trust
- Self-fund
Other Funeral Companies Reviewed
If you're considering alternatives to a traditional funeral, you might want to look into companies like Neptune Society, which offers direct cremation services starting at $1,295.
Their network of funeral homes and crematories allows for a more streamlined process, with some families able to save up to $2,000 compared to traditional funeral costs.
National Cremation Society is another option, offering a range of services including cremation and burial, with prices starting at $1,495.
Their online planning tools and support staff can help make the process less overwhelming for families.
Service Corporation International (SCI) offers a variety of funeral and cremation services, including a "Direct Cremation" option that starts at $995.
Their extensive network of funeral homes and crematories helps ensure a smooth and efficient process, even in remote areas.
Alternatives
If you're looking for alternatives to burial insurance, there are a few options to consider. One option is term life insurance, which can be a cheaper option if you're in your 50s or 60s, healthy, and willing to take a medical exam.
Term life insurance policies typically have lower average life insurance rates compared to other types of coverage. This can be a good choice if you need temporary coverage or want to save money.
Another option is funeral insurance, which allows you to prepay for funeral and burial costs. This can be a good choice for those who don't have any other debt or expenses to take care of when they die.
If you have the savings, you can also consider self-funding, where you leave your savings behind for your family members to use for your end-of-life expenses.
Here are some alternatives to final expense insurance:
- Traditional term or whole life insurance policy: This is a good alternative because it offers more coverage at an affordable price.
- Pre-pay for your funeral expenses: You can prepay for your funeral through a funeral home, but keep in mind that if the funeral home goes out of business, you'll lose that money.
- Set up a trust: You can put money into a trust that your beneficiaries can use for your end-of-life expenses.
- Self-fund: This involves leaving your savings behind for your family members to use.
Making a Decision
Final expense insurance can provide a relatively small but meaningful payout to loved ones after your death.
Coverage amounts range from $2,000 up to $35,000, which may not be a huge amount but can be a godsend for family members without the financial wherewithal to meet the expenses associated with your passing.
It's worth noting that the benefit can be used in any other way the beneficiary chooses if they have the needed funds to meet obligations.
Financial expense insurance is easy to qualify for and affordable, making it a viable option for many people.
Here are some key factors to consider when making a decision about final expense insurance:
Ultimately, the decision to purchase final expense insurance should be based on your individual circumstances and priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best final expense insurance company?
According to recent updates, Savings Bank Life Insurance (SBLI) is now considered one of the top final expense insurance carriers, offering benefits that are hard to beat. Final expense agents should definitely take a closer look at SBLI's updated product.
How much is the average final expense policy?
The average final expense policy in California typically costs between $1,400 and $4,300, not including funeral-related expenses. Exact costs may vary depending on your choices of products and services.
Sources
- https://choicemutual.com/blog/best-burial-insurance-companies/
- https://www.investopedia.com/final-expense-insurance-4801018
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/is-burial-insurance-worth-it
- https://www.insure.com/life-insurance/funeral-insurance.html
- https://www.psmbrokerage.com/blog/guide-to-selling-final-expense-insurance
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