Burial & Life Insurance for Seniors over 85 Costs & Companies
Posted in Burial Insurance by Age last updated on February 28, 2024If you are over age 85 and need life insurance it is important to know that now is the time to get covered. There are life insurance for seniors over 85 options however your options are limited at this age. Seniors over 85 can only get a final expense life insurance policy(burial insurance, funeral insurance, cremation insurance etc.). Now the requirements to getting a final expense policy are answering health questions on the life insurance application. If you are over 85 you are going to be limited to a maximum of $25,000 in coverage.
We will go over how to qualify, best companies to buy life insurance for seniors, average costs & waiting periods for life insurance for seniors 85 and over 85.
Table of contents
- Life Insurance for Seniors over 85 Only Option is Final Expense
- Life Insurance Eligibility Requirements
- Can You Get Life Insurance at Age 85?
- Can You Get Life Insurance after Age 85?
- Best Life Insurance Companies Available at 85
- How Much Life Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
- Can I get life insurance for my 85 year old mother?
- Best Life Insurance Companies Available Over 85
- Life Insurance Over 85 Quotes for Final Expense Insurance
- Applying for Life Insurance For Elderly Over 85 With Us
- Waiting Period’s
- Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance over 85
Life Insurance for Seniors over 85 Only Option is Final Expense
We are going to be as clear as possible on this subject. The only type of life insurance you can get over 85 is final expense life insurance(burial insurance, funeral insurance, cremation insurance etc.).
Life Insurance Agent Pro Tip: In order to buy the best burial insurance for seniors over 85 you need to work with a life insurance agency/broker. The only 2 companies available for seniors over 85(Aetna, Guarantee Trust Life) do not sell their policies direct. The only way to get a life insurance policy is to work with a life insurance agent that represents either of these companies.
Final expense insurance is simplified issue whole life insurance. This type of life insurance is designed for end of life expenses like funeral and burial. This is why it is called burial insurance or funeral insurance.
Life Insurance Eligibility Requirements
Below is a table listing the eligibility requirements for life insurance over 85. This is to give you a comprehensive view of what is required.
| Eligibility Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Age & Date of Birth | Your current age determines your eligibility with different policies. If you are older than age 85 for example a majority of life insurance companies will not offer you burial insurance. |
| Height & Weight | You current heigh and weight affect your eligibility with some life insurance companies because high risk health conditions are directly linked to obesity. |
| Resident State | Your resident state determines which plans are available to you. Some life insurance companies may not have their policies available in your state. |
| Current & Past Health History | Your health determines your eligibility for burial insurance. If you hav extreme current or a past history of health conditions such as cancer you are considered high risk and many life insurance companies may not accept you. |
| US Citizenship | You must be a US citizen or permanent resident to buy burial insurance in the United States. If you are a citizen of a different country you are not eligible. |
| Current Medications | Your current medications indicate to the life insurance company how your health is. This is how they can categorize you as a high risk applicant or not. |
| Criminal History | A criminal history indicates if you are a high risk. If you have an extensive criminal record life insurance companies will not accept you. |
Can You Get Life Insurance at Age 85?
Yes, you can get life insurance at age 85 the companies that offer coverage are limited because a lot of life insurance companies are not going to offer life insurance for seniors at 85 or over 85. You can only get final expense insurance at age 85.
Now term life insurance is not going to be available for seniors 85 or over 85, Universal Life Insurance is not a good option for seniors at age 85 since the underwriting is so strict. If you are over age 85 you cannot get Universal life insurance.
This means your only option is burial insurance which is final expense life insurance. It is a simplified issue whole life policy designed to be a permanent life insurance to pay for your funeral expenses which is why it is called final expense insurance.
These policies offer coverage amounts of $10,000 , $15,000, $25,000 up to $40,000 in most cases. These types of life insurance also build cash value which is like a small savings account with the policy.
Can You Get Life Insurance after Age 85?
Yes life insurance for seniors over 85 is possible however there are only a handful of life insurance companies that will offer you permanent coverage.
You cannot get companies like Mutual of Omaha at this age as they will not cover seniors over 85. Your options are limited because at this age most life insurance companies see this as high risk because the older you are the closer you are to death.
Best Life Insurance Companies Available at 85
If you are age 85 then there still are a lot of life insurance companies for seniors that will offer you coverage if you qualify. The companies below will still be able to offer you coverage if you qualify.
Some of these companies also offer additional riders like accelerated death benefits and grandchild riders. Riders are additional add-ons to provide extra benefits from your policy.
How Much Life Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
The average cost of a burial is $7,848 according to the National Funeral Directors association 2021 report. This means the amount of life insurance you should purchase over 85 is at least $10,000 in life insurance death benefit. Having $10,000 in life insurance coverage should provide for all of your final expenses.
That is how you will protect your family from the funeral bill when you die.
How Much Will Life Insurance Cost for Me?
Life insurance over 85 will cost between $250 – $300 monthly if you are over age 85. Rates are based on age and the older you get the higher the premiums will be. The good news is once you get your policy in force the life insurance rate will never increase on you.
Can I get life insurance for my 85 year old mother?
Yes, you can buy life insurance for your 85 year old mother. You need to have her be involved with the application process. She will have to answer the life insurance health questions and consent to you purchasing life insurance for her.
See: Burial Insurance for Parents
Best Life Insurance Companies Available Over 85
Now life insurance for seniors over 85 options are limited as we mentioned. There are 2 solid life insurance companies seniors over 85 can apply for with us.
Aetna
 | Age Eligibility | Policy Brochure |
★★★★★ | 40-89(Preferred & Standard Plans) 40-75(Modified Plan) | Brochure |
| Policy Features & Benefits | Type of Policy: Whole Life (Lifetime Coverage) | Waiting Period: Preferred & Standard Plan(No) Modified Plan(Yes) |
| Available States: All Except NY | Level Premiums (Premiums Never Increase) |
|
| Cash Value Builds in Policy | No Medical Exams Required | |
| Death Benefit Amounts: $2,000-$50,000 | Level Death Benefit (Death Benefit Never Decreases) |
|
| Accelerated Death Benefit Rider | Allows 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 Rider | Pays 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 Rider | Children 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. | |
Guarantee Trust Life
 | Age Eligibility | Policy Brochure |
★★★★★ | 50-90 | Brochure |
| Policy Features & Benefits | Type 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 NY | Level Premiums(Premiums Never Increase) | |
| Cash Value Builds in Policy | No Medical Exams Required | |
| Death Benefit Amounts: $2,500-$20,000 | Level Death Benefit(Death Benefit Never Decreases) |
Aetna is a policy with no waiting period if you are healthy and can answer all their health questions with a “no”. Aetna is the best life insurance company for seniors over 85. Now Guarantee Trust Life has an automatic waiting period but after year 1 of having the policy it will pay 50% of the death benefit to your beneficiary so it is not a full 2-year waiting period policy.
Plan availability for these also depends on your state. Both those carriers may not be available in select states.
To check the state availability and see life insurance quotes specific to your age fill out the form to your right.
Life Insurance Over 85 Quotes for Final Expense Insurance
We have provided a table below with whole life insurance quotes for age 85 and over from our quoting technology.
This will give you a comprehensive idea of how much burial insurance for seniors age 85 and over will cost and what life insurance companies are available.
The best part about funeral insurance at age 85 or over is the fact that the rate locks in the moment you start the policy which means your premium will never increase unexpectedly.
That is why it is crucial to buy this type of life insurance as soon as possible. The longer you wait to get whole life final expense insurance at age 85 or above the higher the premium will be.
$5,000 Life Insurance Over 85 Quotes
| Age | $5,000 Male Non Smoker | $5,000 Female Non Smoker | $5,000 Male Smoker | $5,000 Female Smoker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | $97.97 | $69.55 | $143.07 | $97.78 |
| 86 | $119.88 | $87.41 | $170.66 | $120.66 |
| 87 | $178.99 | $128.99 | $178.99 | $128.99 |
| 88 | $187.33 | $141.49 | $187.33 | $141.49 |
| 89 | $191.49 | $153.99 | $191.49 | $153.99 |
$10,000 Life Insurance Over 85 Quotes
| Burial Insurance Cost for Seniors Over 85 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | $10,000 Male Non Smoker | $10,000 Male Smoker | $10,000 Female Non Smoker | $10,000 Female Smoker |
| 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 |
$15,000 Life Insurance Over 85 Quotes
| Age | $15,000 Male | $15,000 Female | $15,000 Male Tobacco | $15,000 Female Tobacco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | $287 | $202 | $385 | $286 |
| 86 | $352 | $255 | $588 | $383 |
| 87 | $413 | $307 | $678 | $446 |
| 88 | $473 | $359 | $767 | $510 |
| 89 | $534 | $411 | $856 | $573 |
$20,000 Life Insurance Over 85 Quotes
| Age | $20,000 Male | $20,000 Female | $20,000 Male Tobacco | $20,000 Female Tobacco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | $382 | $268 | $512 | $381 |
| 86 | $469 | $339 | $784 | $509 |
| 87 | $549 | $408 | $903 | $594 |
| 88 | $630 | $477 | $1022 | $679 |
| 89 | $711 | $547 | $1141 | $763 |
$25,000 Life Insurance Over 85 Quotes
| Age | $25,000 Male | $25,000 Female | $25,000 Male Tobacco | $25,000 Female Tobacco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | $477 | $334 | $639 | $476 |
| 86 | $585 | $423 | $979 | $636 |
| 88 | $686 | $509 | $1127 | $742 |
| 89 | $787 | $596 | $1276 | $848 |
Applying for Life Insurance For Elderly Over 85 With Us
In order to apply for life insurance over 85 you need to fill out our quote form to the right with some basic information. Within minutes of you filling out our quoter an agent will contact you via phone call and ask some basic health questions.
If all of your answers check out our agent will proceed to complete the life insurance application with you over the phone. You will then do an e-signature with your agent to submit the application to the life insurance company. There is no medical exam and they use an instant decision software which means we will get a decision on your application within minutes of submission.
Once your policy is approved and the first payment is received the life insurance is active.
Waiting Period’s
Your health will determine whether or not you can get a life insurance policy without a waiting period or with a waiting period. The good news is with the liberal underwriting of these carriers we can help most seniors qualify for burial insurance with preexisting conditions.
That is why when you speak with one of our agents they will ask you health questions to determine if they can get you qualified for coverage without a waiting period.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance over 85
There are no guaranteed acceptance life insurance for seniors over 85 or at age 85. For this age range you are going to have to answer health questions on life insurance company applications.
Burial insurance with no health questions does not exist for seniors over 85. Again this is why working with our highly trained agents is crucial for you to get approved for a policy.