Burial Insurance in Chattanooga TN: Complete Senior Guide

Burial Insurance in Chattanooga TN(simplified issue whole life insurance, final expense life insurance, cremation insurance, funeral insurance etc.) covers your end of life expenses(funerals & outstanding debts) by providing a fast cash policy payout for the beneficiary of your choosing to cover your end of life costs.

When looking for the cheapest rates for final expense life insurance in TN based on our expertise and experience frequently leads us to Mutual of Omaha’s living promise product. For many seniors in Chattanooga this life insurance policy offers some of the most competitive budget friendly pricing on the market.

However because rates are highly dependent on your age, health, life style(tobacco usage) we always shop multiple top-rated carriers to ensure you get the absolute lowest rate available for your specific situation. To give you a quick idea of burial insurance costs in Chattanooga Tennessee, a typical $10,000 to $15,000 final expense policy for a senior can range anywhere from $60 – $90 a month depending entirely on exact age, health, lifestyle and gender.

In this article you will learn about the underwriting, sample costs, best burial insurance companies we recommend & waiting periods.

Key Takeaways

  • Burial insurance in Chattanooga TN covers end-of-life expenses like funerals and debts, providing fast cash payouts.
  • For seniors, Mutual of Omaha’s living promise offers competitive rates between $60 – $90 per month for policies ranging from $10,000 to $15,000.
  • Simplified and guaranteed issue products are available, but the former requires health questions, while the latter has a 2-year waiting period.
  • Tobacco use and gender affect insurance rates, with women typically receiving lower premiums due to longer life expectancies.
  • Using independent brokers helps you find the best burial insurance options, ensuring coverage that meets your unique situation.

Burial Insurance Explained

Burial Insurance is a marketing term for final expense life insurance, a final expense life insurance policy is either a simplified issue whole life insurance product or a guaranteed issue whole life insurance product(no health questions). These plans are small with policy amounts generally ranging between $5,000 – $30,000 or more(depending on the carrier).

They have do not have medical exams and simplified issue products(no waiting periods) only have medical questions on their applications. Guaranteed issue products(no health questions with automatic waiting periods) offer guaranteed approval however they do come with a standard 2 year waiting period.

Keep in mind that simplified issue plans can still offer a partial or longer than waiting period(graded product & modified product) if you fail their health questions or Medical Information Bureau health checks.

This depends entirely on which company you apply with and in cases where you get offered a modified product with a longer waiting period than 2 years, our agents for example would just recommend applying for a guaranteed issue plan.

That is why you must work with an independent broker like us with access to multiple companies.

If one of our agents helps you apply for a plan and all they offer you is a modified plan with a waiting period over 2 years, our agent can take you straight to a guaranteed issue product with the lesser waiting period of only 2 years.

In addition to this our agents would firstly take you to a different company to look for day one coverage based on your health issues if you fit the underwriting niches we are trained on.

We treat guaranteed issue products as an absolute last resort and you should too.

Cost of Burial Insurance in Chattanooga TN Sample Costs

As we mentioned before to give you a general idea of the cost for a burial insurance policy for a senior in Chattanooga is going to range between $60 – $90 a month for coverage amounts between $10,000 to $15,000(depending entirely on age, health, gender & lifestyle). Below you will see our rate chart providing sample rates for final expense insurance for young adults all the way up to seniors.

Age$10,000 Male Non Smoker$10,000 Male Smoker$10,000 Female Non Smoker$10,000 Female Smoker
19$12.87$16.59$12.03$13.74
20$13.19$17.02$12.13$15.40
21$13.50$17.46$12.74$17.02
22$14.17$18.18$13.06$17.05
23$14.54$18.51$13.77$17.08
24$15.43$19.19$15.16$17.10
25$15.95$20.00$15.28$17.39
26$16.28$20.83$15.40$17.69
27$16.61$21.75$15.51$17.95
28$16.92$22.15$15.61$18.22
29$17.25$22.54$15.73$18.48
30$17.57$23.07$16.09$19.06
31$17.97$23.60$16.45$19.66
32$19.84$24.25$16.79$20.21
33$20.34$25.00$17.12$20.75
34$20.93$25.83$17.45$21.28
35$21.53$26.59$17.99$21.89
36$22.14$27.37$18.54$22.50
37$22.84$28.18$19.06$23.08
38$23.54$29.08$19.55$23.62
39$24.34$29.87$20.05$24.18
40$23.13$30.66$20.70$24.98
41$23.62$31.43$19.75$25.80
42$24.11$32.21$19.93$26.57
43$24.64$32.93$20.10$27.30
44$25.18$33.41$20.38$28.03
45$25.79$34.00$20.88$28.80
46$26.43$34.57$21.43$29.55
47$27.10$35.17$22.01$28.06
48$27.71$35.58$22.33$28.56
49$27.35$38.27$21.78$29.22
50$28.29$39.47$23.56$30.14
51$29.26$40.77$24.48$31.06
52$30.31$42.22$25.09$32.72
53$31.47$43.83$25.62$34.54
54$32.77$45.44$26.26$38.99
55$34.25$48.12$27.11$40.85
56$35.88$52.06$28.20$42.71
57$37.69$54.25$29.51$42.30
58$39.64$56.72$31.70$43.61
59$40.10$55.60$31.00$44.50
60$41.84$56.72$31.70$43.61
61$43.76$59.64$32.87$45.19
62$46.41$63.28$34.51$47.48
63$49.07$67.72$36.06$49.78
64$51.22$69.53$37.72$52.07
65$53.58$72.72$39.36$54.36
66$56.48$76.06$41.01$56.66
67$59.85$80.53$43.44$60.22
68$63.18$84.67$45.86$63.60
69$66.84$89.65$48.29$66.09
70$70.79$94.64$50.81$70.45
71$73.15$98.31$53.24$72.18
72$78.81$103.97$56.20$75.86
73$83.99$109.94$58.46$79.74
74$89.46$116.69$63.55$84.14
75$94.87$123.65$67.78$88.66
76$99.97$132.48$72.41$94.42
77$107.04$141.32$78.25$101.63
78$114.13$150.57$83.51$108.24
79$122.13$161.81$88.44$115.15
80$129.52$171.23$93.41$125.01
81$139.73$181.75$98.43$135.14
82$149.95$192.98$106.21$147.04
83$160.16$204.65$113.96$160.56
84$171.02$219.19$121.31$170.76
85$181.88$237.28$128.55$179.58
86$192.74$257.57$135.90$192.35
87$236.25$337.32$171.33$237.32
88$276.68$353.99$205.98$253.99
89$317.10$370.65$240.63$278.99
90$357.53$378.98$275.28$303.99
Please Note: The rates shown above are strictly for illustrative purposes and represent sample quotes for individuals in standard health. Actual insurance premiums are highly dependent on your exact age, gender, state of residence, tobacco usage, and specific medical underwriting. Because health conditions (such as breathing or cardiac history) may require a specialized carrier to secure approval, your personalized quote may vary from this chart. Rates and carrier availability are subject to change. Always speak directly with a licensed independent broker to shop the market and secure the absolute lowest rate for your unique situation.

Underwriting for Final Expense Insurance

Now the underwriting for life insurance companies that provide final expense insurance in Chattanooga TN is simplified. This means there are no medical exams required for these types of plans. Instead the company you choose will have you answer health questions on their application and look at your health & prescription history by using both the MIB(Medical Information Bureau) Health Report and Milliman.

The company will pull an MIB report to check your overall insurance application history, and a Milliman IntelliScript report to view your prescription drug history. They see the exact medications you take, the dosages, and how long you’ve taken them. They cross reference this data with your insurance application and if everything checks out you’re approved.

If the data does not check out you are either denied or your application is sent to the insurance companies underwriting team for further evaluation and follow up.

Tobacco & Final Expense Insurance Underwriting

Life insurance companies do view tobacco as a risk as it has been proven to causes health problems(breathing & heart issues etc.) but some funeral insurance companies do view it more favorably than others. You will experience a higher rate for burial coverage in most cases if you are a tobacco user.

However some tobacco usage(occasional cigars etc.) can be viewed with a more favorable rate depending on the company in some cases.

Gender & Final Expense Insurance Underwriting

Female seniors looking for burial insurance in chattanooga tn can be happy knowing you will get a better rate than men for coverage in most cases. Statistics don’t lie, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the average life expectancy for women in the US is 81.4 years. Men average 76.5 years, so this means women statistically have been proven to live almost 5 years longer than men. This means life insurance companies view you as lower immediate risk than men if you are a woman.

That results in generally lower monthly premiums compared to men in most cases.

Final Expense Insurance in Chattanooga TN Underwriting Tool

Below is our free tool you can use to search your specific health conditions to see your likelihood of approval. Use the search box and see what you could generally qualify for!

Health ConditionDay One EligibilityBest Plan Option
ADL’s(Assistance of Daily Living Eating, Dressing, Toileting, Bathing)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
AIDS & HIVGuaranteed Issue Guaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
ALSModified Options ProbableGraded or Modified Broker Options
Alcohol AbuseExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Alzheimers & DementiaGuaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
Amputation Caused by Accident (No ADLS Needed)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Amputation Caused by Accident(ADL’s Needed)Modified Options ProbableGraded or Modified Broker Options
Amputation Caused by Diabetes or Disease(No ADL’s Needed)Guaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
Amputation Caused by Diabetes or Disease(ADL’s Needed)Guaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
AneurysmExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
AnginaExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
AngioplastyExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Assisted Living FacilityExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
AsthmaExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
AFIB (Atrial Fibrillation)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Brain Tumer(Non Cancerous)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Bipolar DisorderExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Brain Tumor(Cancerous)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Bronchitis (Chronic)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Cancer-Must have occured and been cured over 2 yeas ago with no further complications or medicationsExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Coronary Bypass SurgeryExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
CardiomyopathyExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Cerebral PalsyExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Circulatory SurgeryExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
CirrhosisExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Congestive Heart FailureExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Cystic FibrosisExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
DefibrillatorExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
DepressionExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Diabetes(Without Complications)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Diabetes(With Complications)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
DialysisGuaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
Down SyndromeExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Drug & Alcohol AbuseExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
EmphysemaExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Heart AttackExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Heart DiseaseExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Obesity & Under WeightExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Hepatitis CExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Hospitlization(Current)Guaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
Huntington’s DiseaseExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Kidney Disease Stage 1 – 3Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Kidney Disease Stage 4 – 5Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Lupus (Systemic)Excellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Multiple SclerosisExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Muscular DystrophyExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Organ TransplantModified Options ProbableGraded or Modified Broker Options
Oxygen TanksGuaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
Oxygen ConcentratorExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Pacemaker ImplantExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
PancreatitisExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Parkinson’s DiseaseExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Pending SurgeryGuaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
SchizophreniaExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
SclerodermaExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
SeizuresExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Sickle Cell AnemiaExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Sleep ApneaExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
StrokeExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
StentExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
TIA Mini StrokeExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Tumor CancerousGuaranteed IssueGuaranteed Issue Plans(No Health Questions)
Tumor Non-CancerousExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Ulcerative ColitisExcellent Chance
(Immediate)
Top Tier Independent Broker Plans
Eligibility details shown above represent generalized carrier underwriting guidelines for educational purposes. Actual approval for immediate day-one coverage is subject to individual medical underwriting, prescription history checks, and final carrier approval. Call us directly to verify your specific eligibility.

Avoiding a Waiting Period

In order to avoid a waiting period for final expense life insurance you must pass the life insurance companies health questions along with their medical history and prescription checks. If you fail the application the company will either deny you or in some cases offer a graded product with a partial or longer waiting period.

This is why working with us is crucial! If you work with our agents there are two scenarios likely to happen.

  1. You get denied by the company and our agent re-shops you with a different company more likely to accept your health conditions meaning you have the potential to avoid a waiting period.
  2. All else fails and your health conditions are too severe and all we can do is offer you a guaranteed issue plan(last resort)

Keep in mind that a waiting period is not a bad thing, waiting for periods for guaranteed issue products generally offer a Return of Premium Benefit(ROP). This means if you die of natural causes in the first 2 years of the waiting period your family will receive the premiums you have paid into the plan plus a percentage of interest(usually 10% in most cases).

10 Day Free Look Period for Final Expense Insurance in Chattanooga TN

Funeral Insurance in TN has a 10 day free look period for their policies. This means within the first 10 days of the receipt of your policy you have the right to cancel the plan and receive a full refund of your premium if you are unsatisfied with it. There are no contracts that lock you in, they are month to month plans.

There are no strings attached.

Funeral Costs in Chattanooga TN

When it comes to Burial Insurance in Chattanooga TN finding a policy that is relative to your local area is crucial. Funeral costs vary depending on the funeral home. Looking at the local averages shows us the big picture of what your family can expect pay.

According to data from Funeralocity, Chattanooga is ranked as one of the more expensive areas for final arrangements in TN. A traditional burial averages at $8,631.

Lets breakdown the costs by service type:

  • Traditional Funeral with Burial: On average, a standard service(including basic services of the funeral director, embalming, ceremony, viewing, hearse, mid-range casket, and a standard outer burial container/vault) ranges between $6,700 and $10,475. To give you an example, a full traditional package at a premium local provider like Chattanooga Funeral Home averages generally to $8,465.
  • Full Service Cremation: If you choose a cremation but still intend to have a traditional viewing with a chapel memorial service, the cost in Chattanooga averages $6,700.
  • Direct Cremation: For a family looking for the most affordable option with no viewing or formal services, direct cremation in the Chattanooga area averages around $2,500. Specialized local facilities like the Cremation Center of Chattanooga offer basic direct cremation options starting as low as $970 to $995.

Keep in mind that these averages typically do not include separate cemetery costs like the purchase of a burial plit, headstone or the cemetery’s opening and closing of the casket fees.

Based on the data above this is why we would recommend a policy between $10,000 to $15,000. This should give your family the money they need to cover your funeral and any unexpected expenses such as medical or outstanding debts you left behind.

2 Year Contestability Clause for Funeral Life Insurance

Now every final expense whole life insurance policy has a mandatory 2 year contestability clause. You pass away within the first 2 years of having your policy active the insurance company has the right to investigate your original application and order your medical records.

They want to make sure you did not lie or misrepresent anything about your health on your application to obtain coverage. This is why being honest is crucial here, if you are honest on your application you and your family have nothing to worry about. In addition to this our agents will not use high pressure sales tactics because of this reason.

Our agents take the time to thoroughly look at your health history to make the best recommendation to the best of their ability. Making sure your application is flaw less is our top priority so your family has no surprises.

Best Burial Insurance Companies in Chattanooga TN

Below is our top-rated final expense carrier and their core features to help you compare your options.

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance, Burial Insurance, Final Expense InsuranceAge EligibilityPolicy Brochure

★★★★★

45-85Brochure
Policy Features & BenefitsType of Policy: Whole Life(Lifetime Coverage)Waiting Period: Graded Plan(yes) Level Plan(no)
Death Benefit Amounts: $2,000-$40,000Level Death Benefit(Death Benefit Never Decreases)
Available States: All Except NYLevel Premiums(Premiums Never Increase)
Cash Value Builds in PolicyNo Medical Exams Required
Accelerated Death Benefit RiderAllows the insured to access a portion of the policy’s death benefit while alive for various needs such as medical bills, living expenses, and funeral expenses.
EligibilityApplicable when the insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness (12 months to live) or has been confined to a nursing home for more than 90 days without the expectation of leaving.
InclusionAutomatically included in the policy at no extra cost.
Accidental Death Benefit RiderProvides an extra death benefit equal to the policy’s death benefit in case of death resulting from an accident.
InclusionRequires an additional charge to be added to the policy.
Aetna Accendo, Final Expense Insurance, Burial InsuranceAge EligibilityPolicy Brochure

★★★★★

40-89(Preferred & Standard Plans)
40-75(Modified Plan)
Brochure
Policy Features & BenefitsType of Policy: Whole Life
(Lifetime Coverage)
Waiting Period: Preferred & Standard Plan(No)
Modified Plan(Yes)
Available States: All Except NYLevel Premiums
(Premiums Never Increase)
Cash Value Builds in PolicyNo Medical Exams Required
Death Benefit Amounts: $2,000-$50,000Level Death Benefit
(Death Benefit Never Decreases)
Accelerated Death Benefit RiderAllows the insured diagnosed with terminal, critical, or chronic illness with an expected death within 12 months to access 50% of the policy death benefit for various purposes such as bills or funeral planning.
Accidental Death Benefit RiderPays out an amount equal to the policy death benefit for accidental death if the insured is between 40 and 70 years old.
Children’s Term Insurance RiderChildren and grandchildren aged 30 days to under 18 years old can be covered for amounts ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 each. The policy can be converted to a whole life policy for the child between the ages of 22 and 25.
American Amicable, life insurance, burial insurance, final expense insuranceAge EligibilityPolicy Brochure

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

50-85Brochure
Policy Features & BenefitsType of Policy: Whole Life(Lifetime Coverage)Waiting Period: Immediate Benefit Plan(No)
Graded & ROP Plans(Yes)
Available States: All Except NYLevel Premiums(Premiums Never Increase)
Cash Value Builds in PolicyNo Medical Exams Required
Death Benefit Amounts: $2,000-$50,000Level Death Benefit(Death Benefit Never Decreases)
Terminal Ilness Accelerated Death Benefit RiderAllows the insured diagnosed with a terminal illness to use the entire policy death benefit (100%) for any purpose. If you have a $10,000 policy and are diagnosed with a terminal illness, you can access the full $10,000 for various needs.
Accelerated Death Benefit Rider Confined CareProvides 5% of the death benefit in monthly payments if the insured is confined to a nursing home 30 days after the policy starts. Can be used for monthly bills or other smaller expenses.
Grandchild RiderOffers $5,000 life insurance coverage per unit for a grandchild or great grandchild, with a maximum of 2 units totaling $10,000 in coverage. Costs an additional $1.00 on the monthly policy premium per unit for each grandchild.
Children’s Insurance AgreementProvides up to $6,000 in coverage for each child below age 25. Can be converted to a whole life or endowment policy when the child is over 25. Allows coverage up to 5 times the coverage amount, totaling $30,000, without demonstrating insurability.
Nursing Home Waiver of Premium RiderWaives premium payments on the policy if the insured is confined to a nursing home for over 90 days, making the insurance essentially free.
Accidental Death Benefit RiderDoubles the death benefit payout if the insured or loved one dies from an accident, with no additional cost to be added.
Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance, Burial Insurance, Final Expense InsuranceAge EligibilityPolicy Brochure

★★★★★

50-90Brochure
Policy Features & BenefitsType of Policy: Whole Life(Lifetime Coverage)Waiting Period:
Year 1: ROP+5% Interest
Year 2: 50% of Death Benefit Paid
Year 3: 100% Death Benefit Paid
Available States: All Except NYLevel Premiums(Premiums Never Increase)
Cash Value Builds in PolicyNo Medical Exams Required
Death Benefit Amounts: $2,500-$20,000Level Death Benefit(Death Benefit Never Decreases)
Gerber life insurance, burial insurance, final expense insurance, guaranteed issue life insuranceAge EligibilityPolicy Brochure

★★★★★

50-80Brochure
Policy Features & BenefitsType of Policy: Whole Life(Lifetime Coverage)Waiting Period: Full 2 Year Waiting Period
Death Within 2 Years is ROP + 10% Interest
Accidental Death Within Waiting Period is Full Policy Payout
Available States: All StatesLevel Premiums(Premiums Never Increase)
Cash Value Builds in PolicyNo Medical Exams Required
Death Benefit Amounts: $5.000-$25,000Level Death Benefit(Death Benefit Never Decreases)

Conclusion

Getting the best burial insurance in Chattanooga TN does not have to be overwhelming. Because every insurance carrier looks at your age, health and lifestyle differently the solution so saving your money is simply by shopping the entire market. As independent brokers, we do that hard work for you free of charge.

We look at your specific situation and match you against our top-rated carriers to find the best policy to protect your loved ones from the burden of your final expenses. Use our quoting tool to see exact pricing and secure coverage with us today!