The short answer
Burial insurance for no medical exam isn't a separate product. It's a final expense policy, and for no medical exam the difference is mainly how carriers review the application and set the rate. Rules vary by carrier, so comparing several through an independent agent is the simplest way to find a good fit.
If you are pricing final expense insurance, you will notice quotes can vary a lot. That is because carriers ask different health questions and price risk differently.
Here is what drives the cost and how to get a fair rate.
Part of our complete guide: Final Expense Insurance: The Complete Guide.
Quick answer
Age, health answers and policy type drive the price. A level-benefit plan costs less than graded or guaranteed acceptance options. Carriers word health questions differently, so comparing helps.
MarketView Agency is an independent insurance agency (National Producer Number 18345705).
On this page
- Burial insurance pricing: how burial insurance for no medical exam works
- How no-exam underwriting works
- Getting your application ready
- Is burial insurance a good fit for no medical exam?
- Burial insurance quotes online for no medical exam: what affects the cost of burial insurance for no medical exam?
- How to apply as no medical exam
- Top burial insurance companies for no medical exam: common questions from no medical exam
- What sets your final expense rate
- How to pay less for final expense coverage
- Which kind of final expense policy fits?
- How much final expense coverage do you need?
- Who final expense insurance is for
- Frequently asked questions
Burial insurance pricing: how burial insurance for no medical exam works
Final expense insurance is a small whole life policy meant to help with funeral costs and final bills. It lasts for life as long as the premiums are paid.
Underwriting is how a carrier decides whether to offer coverage and at what rate. Some policies skip the medical exam and rely on application answers and records checks instead.
Tip: No-exam and simplified options can be faster, but they may cost more or offer lower amounts than fully underwritten coverage.
How no-exam underwriting works
Instead of an exam, the carrier relies on your application answers and checks records such as prescription history, driving records and prior applications. Some decisions come quickly; others need more information.
- Health questions are still part of the application.
- Records checks are common.
- The carrier can still ask for an exam.
Compare rates from several carriers in about two minutes. Free, no obligation.
Getting your application ready
- List medications and doctors.
- Answer every question completely.
- Compare several carriers' no-exam limits.
Is burial insurance a good fit for no medical exam?
It can be, when there's a clear need: someone who depends on you, a debt or cost you don't want to leave behind, or a goal the policy is designed for.
- Often a good fit: no medical exam who want coverage they understand and can keep paying.
- Often a good fit: anyone who wants to compare several carriers before choosing.
- Maybe not: if existing coverage already meets the need.
- Maybe not: if the premium would strain your budget; a smaller amount may fit better.
Burial insurance quotes online for no medical exam: what affects the cost of burial insurance for no medical exam?
Rates are set by each carrier after it reviews your application, so this page doesn't list prices. These are the main factors:
- Age: rates are lower the younger you are when you apply.
- Amount and type: more coverage, or coverage that lasts longer, costs more.
- Health and tobacco use: these set your rate class with most carriers.
- The carrier: companies price the same person differently.
Because carriers price the same person differently, comparing several quotes is the most reliable way to see your options.
How to get covered in 3 steps
- Check your rate. Pick your state and answer a few quick questions about the coverage you want.
- Compare carriers. A licensed agent compares final expense insurance options from several insurers and explains the trade-offs.
- Apply and get covered. Many applications take one phone call. Coverage starts once the policy is issued and the first premium is paid.
How to apply as no medical exam
- Decide how much coverage you want and for how long.
- Compare several carriers with an independent agent; underwriting rules differ more than most people expect.
- Answer every application question honestly and completely.
- Review the policy when it arrives. Every state gives you a free-look period to cancel for a refund.
Top burial insurance companies for no medical exam: common questions from no medical exam
The short version:
Can no medical exam get burial insurance?
Often, yes. Each carrier looks at your application answers and records checks in its own way, so a no from one company doesn't mean every carrier will say no. An independent agent can compare several before you apply.
Do no medical exam pay more for burial insurance?
Sometimes. The rate depends on your age, health, the amount and term, and how the carrier views your situation. Comparing carriers shows the range.
How do no medical exam qualify for burial insurance?
You apply and answer the carrier's questions honestly. Depending on the policy, the carrier may review records or ask for a short exam.
What is the best burial insurance for no medical exam?
There's no single best policy. The right one depends on how much coverage you need, for how long, your budget and which carrier's underwriting fits your situation best.
Can no medical exam get burial insurance with no medical exam?
Some carriers offer no-exam options. The application still asks health questions, the carrier may check records, and the amount or price can differ from fully underwritten coverage.
What sets your final expense rate
Final expense pricing depends on your age, your answers to the health questions, tobacco use and the amount you choose. The type of policy you qualify for has a big effect on the price.
Because carriers word their health questions differently, an independent agent can often find a level-benefit policy even when one insurer would only offer a graded plan.
How to pay less for final expense coverage
- Pick a realistic amount based on local costs, not the largest amount offered.
- Apply for a level-benefit policy first. It usually costs less than graded or guaranteed acceptance options.
- Compare carriers. Their health questions and pricing differ.
- Buy sooner. Rates are based on your age when you apply.
- Ask about payment options. Some carriers price bank-draft payments a little better.
Which kind of final expense policy fits?
Final expense policies come in a few types. The right one depends mostly on your health.
| Feature | Simplified issue (level benefit) | Graded benefit | Guaranteed acceptance options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health questions | A short list | A short list | None |
| Medical exam | Usually none | Usually none | None |
| Full benefit from day one | Yes | After a waiting period | After a waiting period, usually two years |
| Price | Lowest of the three | Higher | Highest |
With waiting periods, if the insured passes away from natural causes early in the policy, the plan usually refunds premiums plus some interest instead of paying the full benefit. Accidental causes are often covered in full from the start. Check the policy terms.
How much final expense coverage do you need?
Start with the kind of service you want and the local cost of it. Add any final medical bills or debts you would not want to leave behind. Then subtract savings or other life insurance set aside for this purpose.
Many people choose an amount that covers the service and a little extra for bills. A local funeral home's price list is a good reference.
Who final expense insurance is for
Often a good fit
- People who want their family to have cash for final costs right away, who don't have savings set aside for it, and who prefer a simple application with lifelong coverage.
Maybe not the right fit
- People with enough savings or existing life insurance earmarked for final costs, or who need a large amount to replace income, where term life usually fits better.
