For a complete overview, see final expense insurance explained.
When families face the loss of a loved one, the last thing they should worry about is how to pay for funeral expenses. As an independent insurance agent with over 20 years in financial services and more than a decade as an independent agent, I’ve seen firsthand how final expense insurance can provide peace of mind during life’s most difficult moments. United State Life has established itself as a notable player in the final expense market, offering simplified solutions for seniors and those seeking affordable burial insurance.
Understanding United State Life’s Final Expense Options
United State Life focuses primarily on final expense life insurance, also known as burial insurance or funeral insurance. This type of coverage is specifically designed to help families cover end-of-life expenses without the extensive underwriting typically required for larger life insurance policies.
In my experience working with hundreds of clients over the years, I’ve learned that United State Life generally offers coverage amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. These amounts are specifically chosen to align with typical funeral and burial costs, which according to recent industry data, average between $7,000 and $15,000 depending on your location and preferences.
Key features of United State Life final expense policies typically include:
• Level premiums that never increase as you age • Simplified underwriting with just a few health questions • Coverage that builds cash value over time • Guaranteed acceptance options for certain age groups • Immediate coverage for accidental death
The simplified underwriting process is particularly appealing to many of my clients. Instead of requiring medical exams, blood work, or extensive medical records review, United State Life typically uses a short health questionnaire. This makes the application process much faster and less invasive than traditional life insurance.
How United State Life Compares in the Final Expense Market
Having worked with multiple carriers in the final expense space, I can tell you that United State Life competes in a crowded marketplace. Each carrier has its own underwriting guidelines, pricing structure, and unique features that may benefit different applicants.
What sets United State Life apart in my experience is their focus on simplified issue policies with competitive rates for their target demographic. However, it’s important to understand that “competitive” in final expense doesn’t always mean cheapest. The value comes from the combination of coverage, underwriting flexibility, and financial stability of the carrier.
When United State Life might be a good fit:
• You’re between ages 45-85 (typical age ranges for final expense) • You have minor health issues that might complicate traditional life insurance • You want a straightforward application process • You need coverage amounts under $25,000 • You prefer level premiums that won’t increase
When you might want to explore other options:
• You’re in excellent health and might qualify for better rates elsewhere • You need coverage amounts above $25,000 • You’re looking for the absolute lowest premium available • You want additional riders or features not offered by United State Life
The Underwriting Process: What to Expect
One of the most common questions I receive about final expense insurance involves the underwriting process. With United State Life, like most final expense carriers, the process is designed to be simple and fast.
Typically, you’ll answer between 5-15 health questions covering major conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and recent hospitalizations. The questions focus on serious health issues that could significantly impact life expectancy. Minor conditions like controlled high blood pressure or well-managed diabetes usually don’t disqualify applicants.
The application can often be completed over the phone in 15-20 minutes. There’s no medical exam, no blood work, and no requirement to gather medical records from your doctor. For many of my clients, this simplicity is worth any slight premium difference compared to fully underwritten coverage.
Common health questions you can expect:
• Have you been diagnosed with cancer in the past two years? • Have you had a heart attack or stroke in the past two years? • Do you currently use oxygen or have been advised to use oxygen? • Have you been hospitalized overnight in the past six months? • Do you currently use a wheelchair or walker?
The specific questions vary by carrier and can change over time, but these examples give you an idea of what simplified underwriting typically covers.
Pricing and Premium Considerations
Final expense insurance premiums are based on several factors, with age and health status being the primary drivers. United State Life, like other carriers, uses actuarial tables to determine pricing, but simplified issue policies generally cost more per dollar of coverage than fully underwritten life insurance.
This premium difference exists because the carrier accepts more risk by not requiring medical exams or detailed health records. They’re essentially betting on averages across their book of business rather than individually assessing each applicant’s health status.
From my experience, monthly premiums for United State Life final expense policies typically range from around $15-20 per month for younger, healthier applicants seeking minimal coverage, up to $100-150 per month for older applicants or those with health concerns seeking maximum coverage.
Factors that influence your premium:
• Age at application (older applicants pay more) • Gender (women typically pay less due to longer life expectancy) • Coverage amount selected • Health status based on application questions • Smoking status • State of residence
It’s crucial to understand that final expense premiums are level, meaning they won’t increase as you age. However, if you stop paying premiums, your coverage will lapse unless you’ve built sufficient cash value to keep the policy in force.
When Final Expense Makes Sense vs. Term Life Insurance
I often have clients ask whether they should consider final expense insurance or term life insurance. The answer depends on your age, health status, coverage needs, and budget.
Term life insurance almost always provides more coverage per premium dollar, but it requires more extensive underwriting. If you’re relatively healthy and can qualify for term coverage, you might get $100,000 or more of coverage for the same premium as a $10,000 final expense policy.
However, final expense insurance serves a specific purpose. It’s designed for people who either can’t qualify for term coverage due to health issues, are older than most term life age limits, or specifically want coverage designed to handle funeral expenses without over-insuring.
Final expense might be your better option if:
• You’re over age 70 and term life is expensive or unavailable • You have health conditions that would result in declining or table-rated term coverage • You only need enough coverage to handle funeral and final expenses • You want guaranteed acceptance regardless of health • You prefer smaller premium amounts
Term life might be better if:
• You’re under age 65 and in reasonably good health • You need more than $25,000 in coverage • You want the most coverage per premium dollar • You’re willing to complete medical underwriting for better rates
Common Misconceptions About United State Life and Final Expense Insurance
Over my decades in this industry, I’ve encountered numerous misconceptions about final expense insurance that I’d like to address. Understanding the reality of these products helps you make better decisions.
Misconception #1: “Final expense insurance is a rip-off because it’s expensive per dollar of coverage.”
While final expense insurance does cost more per dollar than fully underwritten coverage, this comparison ignores the target market. These policies are designed for people who either can’t qualify for traditional coverage or want simplified underwriting. The “extra” cost is essentially insurance against being declined.
Misconception #2: “I don’t need final expense insurance because my family will figure it out.”
I once worked with a woman buying a final expense policy who told me she stretched $5 to feed herself for two days. Money was that tight. But she still wanted coverage because she didn’t want her children burdened with funeral costs. That’s the kind of determination I see in people who understand why this matters.
Misconception #3: “All final expense policies are the same.”
Different carriers have different underwriting guidelines, premium structures, and policy features. Some offer graded death benefits, others provide immediate full coverage. Some have cash value components, others are pure insurance. Working with an independent agent helps you compare options across multiple carriers.
Misconception #4: “The coverage amount isn’t enough to matter.”
While $10,000 or $15,000 might not seem like a lot in the context of life insurance, it can make a significant difference when families are facing immediate funeral expenses. This coverage can mean the difference between a dignified funeral service and financial hardship for surviving family members.
Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask
When considering United State Life or any final expense carrier, ask yourself these important questions:
About your needs: • What do I realistically need this coverage to accomplish? • Are there other debts or expenses beyond funeral costs I want covered? • Do I have other life insurance that might already provide sufficient coverage?
About your health: • Would I likely qualify for traditional term life insurance at better rates? • Are my health conditions stable and well-managed? • Have I been hospitalized recently or had any major health events?
About your budget: • Can I comfortably afford the premium long-term? • Would this premium money be better used paying down debt or building savings? • Do I understand that this is permanent coverage with level premiums?
About the carrier: • Is United State Life financially stable and highly rated? • Do their policy features align with what I’m looking for? • How do their rates compare to other carriers for my situation?
These questions help ensure you’re making a decision based on your actual needs rather than emotions or sales pressure.
If you’re considering final expense coverage from United State Life or want to explore your options across multiple carriers, I’m here to help. As an independent agent, I can show you how United State Life compares to other options and help you find coverage that fits your needs and budget. Contact Heritage Life Solutions today to discuss your final expense insurance needs and get personalized recommendations based on your specific situation.
