We work only with insurance companies rated A or better by AM Best.
Final expense insurance, sometimes called burial insurance, is a small whole life policy for end-of-life costs like a funeral, burial or cremation, and medical bills. When you pass away, it pays the person you choose in cash, so your family isn’t paying those bills out of pocket.
Because CBIS is a family-owned independent agency, we compare final expense policies from many insurance companies to find one you qualify for. We’re based in Santee, serving San Diego County, and helping people across California by phone or video.
Already have a policy? We’ll review any life insurance policy you have, free, and tell you honestly if it still fits. Get a free policy review →
How Final Expense Insurance Works
Simple, lifelong coverage built for one job.
It lasts your whole life
As long as you keep making payments, the coverage doesn’t expire the way term life does.
Your payment usually stays the same
On most policies, the amount is set when you buy and doesn’t go up as you get older.
Smaller amounts, simpler applying
Coverage is sized to final costs, not to replacing an income. Many insurance companies accept applicants roughly ages 50 to 85, with coverage often from about $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the insurance company and the policy.
It builds a little cash value
It builds some cash value over time, though its main job is the payout to your family.
Different Ways Insurance Companies Approve You
How you answer the health questions often decides which kind of policy you can get.
If you qualify on health questions
Full coverage from day one
- The full benefit is available right away.
- Usually costs less each month than the other two kinds.
Good to know: some health conditions can still qualify, depending on the insurance company.
Graded or modified benefit
- If death from natural causes happens in the first few years, it pays a partial benefit or a refund of your payments (sometimes plus interest), depending on the policy.
- Pays the full amount after that.
Good to know: accidental death is often covered in full from the start, but check each policy.
Acceptance without health questions
- Can accept you without health questions, within the eligible age range.
- Usually has a waiting period, often the first two years. If death from natural causes happens then, it typically refunds the payments made, sometimes with interest.
Good to know: it usually costs more for the same amount of coverage.
Each insurance company asks different health questions, so a condition that means a waiting period with one company may not with another. Want a larger lifelong policy for family needs? See whole life insurance.
Living Benefits on Final Expense Policies
Sometimes included, depending on the policy
Many final expense policies offer limited or no living benefits, so check carefully before you buy. Some policies let you use part of the benefit early if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying terminal illness, and a few also cover a chronic or critical illness. Some limit these benefits in the first years.
- Terminal illnessFound on some policies, when a doctor certifies a limited life expectancy
- Chronic illnessOffered on some policies when everyday tasks become hard to do alone
- Critical illnessLess common on final expense, and limited to conditions the policy names
Ask whether your policy includes living benefits, and remember that any amount used early lowers what your family has for final costs. Availability and amounts vary by policy and state. Learn how living benefits work
Learn more about living benefits →
What Affects the Cost of Final Expense Insurance?
Your monthly price depends mainly on:
- Your age when you apply
- Your answers to the health questions
- Nicotine use, including vaping
- The coverage amount you pick
- Which kind of approval you qualify for
- Whether you’re male or female, with most insurance companies
Prices depend mostly on your age, your health, and the amount you choose. Because the price is usually set when you buy, applying sooner can help. Ask us for a free side-by-side comparison of the policies you qualify for.
Is Final Expense Insurance a Good Fit for You?
It often fits when the goal is simple: don’t leave the funeral bill to your family. It may fit if:
- Your term life insurance is ending or has already ended
- A health condition makes larger policies hard to get
- You want a small amount of lifelong coverage with a set monthly cost
Want to talk it over with family first?
Bring a son, daughter, or anyone you like. We meet by phone or video call, so everyone can join from home.
How to Get Final Expense Insurance
No payment required to apply.
You pay nothing until you accept an offer.
- ApplyGo over the health questions with a licensed CBIS agent before you apply, so you know what to expect.
- The insurance company reviews your applicationMost decisions are based on your answers and electronic records, like prescription history.
- Get your offerIf approved, you’ll see which kind of coverage you qualify for and the monthly price.
- Make it fit your budgetRaise or lower the coverage amount until the monthly cost fits your budget.
- Accept, then payYou make your first payment only after you accept the offer. Nothing is paid up front.
Want more detail on each step? See the full steps on our quote page.
Final Expense Insurance Questions
How much final expense insurance do I need?
It depends on the kind of service you want and any bills you’d like to leave paid. Many people start by asking a local funeral home for an estimate, then add medical bills, small debts, and a cushion for other costs. We’ll help you settle on an amount that fits your budget.
Do I need a medical exam for final expense insurance?
Usually not. Most final expense policies are approved based on your answers to health questions, plus records the insurance company checks electronically, such as prescription history. Your answers decide whether you qualify for full coverage right away.
What is a waiting period?
Some final expense policies, especially ones with no health questions, don’t pay the full benefit if death from natural causes happens in the first years. Instead, they typically refund the payments made, sometimes with interest. Accidental death is often covered in full from the start, but check each policy.
Is final expense insurance the same as a prepaid funeral plan?
No. A prepaid funeral plan is an agreement with a specific funeral home for specific services. Final expense insurance pays cash to the person you choose, who can use it at any funeral home or for any other bills. Some families use one, and some use both.
Can I buy a final expense policy for my parent?
Your parent has to agree to the policy and sign the application, and they’ll answer the health questions. You can be the owner or the person who pays, depending on the insurance company’s rules. We’re happy to meet with both of you together by phone or video call.
Does final expense insurance have living benefits?
Some policies do, most often for a terminal illness, and some for a chronic or critical illness. It varies by policy and insurance company, and any amount used early lowers what your family receives. We’ll check what each policy includes.
I’ve seen TV and mail ads that say you can’t be turned down. How do those work?
Those are usually guaranteed acceptance policies, which skip the health questions. They usually have a waiting period of about two years for death from natural causes, and they usually cost more for the same amount of coverage. Many people with health conditions may qualify for a policy with coverage from day one instead, so it’s worth comparing first.
Can I get coverage from day one if I have diabetes or COPD?
You may. It depends on the details, such as how well the condition is controlled, which medications you take, whether you use oxygen, and any recent hospital stays. Each insurance company asks different questions, so someone who would get a waiting period with one company may qualify for day-one coverage with another.
Can I get final expense insurance with no waiting period?
Often, yes, if you qualify on the health questions for a policy with full coverage from day one. Each insurance company asks different questions, so comparing can make the difference.
A little planning now, a lot less to sort out later.
Since 1982, CBIS has helped families plan ahead. Talk with a licensed agent by phone or video call.
Other questions? Contact us.