Protect your family from unexpected end-of-life costs.
Final expense life insurance plans are designed to help cover funeral costs, outstanding medical bills, and other expenses — so the people you love aren't left with that burden. Speak with a licensed specialist to learn about your options.
Illustrative example only. Actual coverage, benefit amounts, waiting periods, and terms depend on the specific plan and carrier selected. A licensed specialist will explain all terms before you make any decisions.
Get Plan Information
A licensed specialist will explain available final expense plan options and answer your questions. No obligation to enroll.
Important: HarborLife is an independent insurance marketing organization (IMO) — not a government agency, Medicare plan, Medicaid program, or Social Security program. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government entity. Final expense life insurance is a private insurance product. Plan availability, benefit amounts, premiums, waiting periods, and eligibility vary by carrier, state, age, and health status. No specific premium, coverage amount, or approval is guaranteed. Review all plan documents carefully before enrolling.
What final expense life insurance is designed to do.
A plain-language explanation — before you speak with anyone.
Final expense life insurance — sometimes called burial insurance or funeral insurance — is a type of whole life insurance with a smaller benefit amount, typically designed to help cover costs that arise at the end of life. Unlike term life insurance, it does not expire after a set number of years as long as premiums are paid.
The benefit is paid directly to the beneficiary you name — usually a spouse, adult child, or other family member — and can be used for any purpose. Common uses include funeral and burial costs, outstanding medical bills, credit card balances, or any other expenses the family chooses.
Eligibility, premium amounts, benefit limits, and waiting periods vary by insurance carrier, your age, state of residence, and health status. A licensed specialist can explain the specific plans available for your situation.
Final expense insurance is a private insurance product. It is not a government benefit and is not affiliated with Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security.
The benefit is paid to your named beneficiary and may be used for any purpose. Benefit amount, terms, and eligibility vary by plan and carrier.
How plan review and enrollment works.
Three steps — with full information provided at every stage and no obligation to enroll.
A licensed specialist discusses your situation, what final expense coverage is designed to do, and what plan options may be available in your state. This conversation is informational — no decisions required.
No commitment of any kind at this stage.
Your specialist presents available plan options — explaining premiums, benefit amounts, waiting periods, exclusions, and carrier information. All terms are disclosed in full before any enrollment decision.
Premiums, benefits, and eligibility vary by age, health, state, and carrier.
If you decide a plan is right for you, your specialist assists with the application. If you are not ready or decide not to proceed, there is no pressure and no obligation. The decision is entirely yours.
Approval is subject to carrier underwriting. Not all applicants will qualify for all plans.
Common types of final expense plans.
Most final expense plans fall into two broad categories. A licensed specialist can explain which may be available for your situation.
Requires answers to a limited number of health questions but generally does not require a medical exam. Coverage typically begins sooner than guaranteed issue plans. Premiums and eligibility vary by health answers, age, and carrier.
Approval is not guaranteed. Carriers make underwriting decisions based on your application responses and applicable guidelines.
Does not require health questions or a medical exam. Available to applicants within certain age ranges, regardless of health status — subject to carrier eligibility rules. Typically includes a graded benefit period during the first 2 years of coverage.
Graded benefit periods mean the full death benefit may not be payable if the insured passes away within the first 1–2 years of the policy. Review plan terms carefully.
Plan types, eligibility age ranges, benefit amounts, premiums, and waiting periods vary by insurance carrier and state. The descriptions above are general and do not represent any specific product. A licensed specialist will explain the specific plans available for your situation.
What to understand before you enroll.
We believe you deserve a complete picture — including the limitations — before making any insurance decision.
Before you speak with a specialist.
Straightforward answers about final expense life insurance.
What is final expense life insurance?
Final expense life insurance is a type of whole life insurance designed with a smaller benefit amount — typically between $5,000 and $25,000 — intended to help cover end-of-life costs such as funeral expenses, outstanding medical bills, and other debts. The benefit is paid to your named beneficiary and can be used for any purpose. It is a private insurance product, not a government benefit.
What does the benefit cover?
The death benefit is paid as a lump sum to your named beneficiary and may be used for any purpose — including funeral and burial costs, cremation, outstanding medical bills, credit card balances, rent, or any other expenses. The beneficiary decides how the money is used. The policy itself does not dictate how the benefit must be spent.
Do I need a medical exam?
Most final expense plans do not require a medical exam. Simplified issue plans ask a limited number of health questions. Guaranteed issue plans ask no health questions. However, guaranteed issue plans typically include a graded benefit period during the first 1–2 years of coverage. Your specialist will explain the specific requirements for any plan you consider.
What is a graded benefit period?
A graded benefit period is a waiting period — typically 2 years — during which the full death benefit may not be paid if the insured passes away from natural causes. During this period, the policy may pay a return of premiums paid plus interest, or a percentage of the full benefit. If death is accidental, some plans pay the full benefit immediately. Graded benefit terms vary by carrier. Review the specific plan documents before enrolling.
How much does a final expense plan cost?
Premium amounts vary based on your age, the coverage amount you select, the type of plan (simplified issue or guaranteed issue), the insurance carrier, and your state of residence. Your specialist will present the exact premium for any plan before you apply or enroll. No specific premium amount can be quoted without reviewing your individual information.
Is this the same as Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage?
No. Final expense life insurance is a completely separate product from Medicare, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), or Medicare Advantage plans. It is a private life insurance policy — not a health insurance or Medicare product. It is not affiliated with any government program, and HarborLife is not affiliated with Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security.
Can I be turned down?
For simplified issue plans, yes — applicants may be declined based on health question responses and carrier underwriting guidelines. Guaranteed issue plans accept applicants within certain age ranges regardless of health — but these plans typically come with a graded benefit period and may have higher premiums. Your specialist will explain which plans may be available based on your situation.
Can I cancel my policy?
Most life insurance policies include a free-look period (typically 10–30 days after the policy is issued) during which you may cancel and receive a refund of any premiums paid. After the free-look period, cancellation terms vary by carrier. Surrendering a whole life policy may result in surrender charges or a cash value payout, depending on the policy. Review your policy documents for specific cancellation terms.
Is HarborLife a government agency?
No. HarborLife is an independent insurance marketing organization (IMO). We are not a government agency, Medicare plan, Medicaid program, or Social Security program. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency. We connect individuals with licensed insurance specialists who present private insurance plan options from licensed carriers.
Ready to learn about your options?
Speak with a licensed specialist to review final expense plan options available in your state. No obligation to enroll. No pressure. Plain answers to all your questions.