Carrier Reviews

Final Expense Insurance Carrier Reviews

Independent, unbiased reviews of our preferred final expense insurance carriers — so you can understand your options before you buy.

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How We Review Final Expense Carriers

As an independent final expense insurance broker, I work with top-rated carriers every day. I see firsthand which companies offer the best rates, which have the most lenient underwriting for specific health conditions, and which deliver on their promises when a family needs to file a claim.

These reviews are based on real-world experience — not marketing materials. I evaluate each carrier on financial strength, plan options, underwriting guidelines, pricing competitiveness, application process, and customer service. My goal is to give you the honest picture so you can make a confident, informed decision.

No carrier pays me to write a positive review. My only obligation is to the families I serve.

Ratings are based on AM Best financial strength grades, underwriting flexibility, pricing competitiveness, and overall value for final expense applicants ages 50–85.

Editor's PickAM Best A+

Mutual of Omaha

Founded 1909 · Omaha, Nebraska

Overall rating

Age Range

45–85

Coverage

$2,000–$25,000

Medical Exam

Health Questions

Yes — simplified issue

Mutual of Omaha is consistently one of the top choices for final expense insurance. Their Living Promise Whole Life policy offers competitive rates, straightforward underwriting, and a strong track record of paying claims reliably. For most healthy to moderately healthy applicants, Mutual of Omaha is the first carrier I compare.

Best for: Seniors in good to average health looking for the best combination of price and financial strength.

Pros

A+ AM Best rating — one of the strongest in the industry
Competitive rates across most age brackets
Straightforward application — typically 15–20 minutes by phone
Immediate coverage available for qualifying applicants
Strong claims-paying history

Cons

Not available in all states
Graded benefit for applicants with certain health conditions
Coverage maximum of $25,000 may not be enough for some families

Available Plan Types

Level Benefit

Full death benefit from day one. Best for applicants in good health.

Graded Benefit

Reduced benefit in years 1–2 for applicants with certain health conditions.

Underwriting Notes

Mutual of Omaha uses a simplified issue application with health questions. Most common conditions — controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol — are accepted at standard rates. More serious conditions may result in a graded benefit or declination.

Preferred CarrierAM Best A

United American

Founded 1947 · McKinney, Texas

Overall rating

Age Range

45–85

Coverage

$1,000–$50,000

Medical Exam

Health Questions

Yes — simplified issue

United American is one of my preferred carriers for final expense coverage. They offer competitive whole life products with straightforward underwriting, strong financial ratings, and reliable claims service — making them an excellent fit for a wide range of health profiles.

Best for: Applicants looking for a trusted, preferred carrier with competitive rates and reliable whole life coverage.

Pros

A AM Best rating with long track record
Preferred carrier — personally recommended by William
Competitive premiums across a wide age range
Flexible underwriting for various health profiles
Strong claims-paying reputation

Cons

Not as widely recognized as some national brands
Coverage maximums vary by state
Graded benefit period applies for higher-risk applicants

Available Plan Types

Simplified Issue Whole Life

Level benefit from day one for applicants who qualify with health questions.

Graded Benefit Whole Life

Available for applicants with more complex health histories.

Underwriting Notes

United American's simplified issue product requires answers to health questions for level benefit coverage. A graded benefit option is available for applicants with more complex health histories.

Preferred CarrierAM Best NR

Royal Arcanum

Founded 1877 · Boston, Massachusetts

Overall rating

Age Range

0–80

Coverage

$1,000–$25,000

Medical Exam

Health Questions

Yes — simplified issue

Royal Arcanum is one of my preferred fraternal benefit societies, offering final expense whole life coverage with unique member benefits. As one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the US, they combine competitive life insurance with community membership perks that many carriers simply can't match.

Best for: Applicants who value fraternal membership benefits alongside their final expense coverage, and those who appreciate working with a mission-driven organization.

Pros

Preferred carrier — personally recommended by William
Fraternal member benefits included with coverage
One of the oldest fraternal benefit societies in the US (est. 1877)
Competitive rates for final expense coverage
Community-focused organization with strong values

Cons

Not rated by AM Best (fraternal societies operate differently than stock insurers)
Coverage maximums lower than some commercial carriers
Membership requirement to hold a policy

Available Plan Types

Whole Life

Permanent coverage with level premiums and guaranteed death benefit.

Graded Benefit

Available for applicants with certain health conditions.

Underwriting Notes

Royal Arcanum uses simplified issue underwriting with health questions. Membership in the fraternal society is required to hold a policy, which also unlocks member benefits and community programs.

Quick Comparison: Our Preferred Final Expense Carriers

Use this table as a starting point. The right carrier for you depends on your specific age, health, and coverage goals — which is exactly why working with an independent broker matters.

Carrier	AM Best	Age Range	Max Coverage	Best For
Mutual of Omaha	A+	45–85	$25,000	Best overall value
United American	A	45–85	$50,000	Preferred carrier, wide range
Royal Arcanum	NR*	0–80	$25,000	Fraternal benefits

How to Choose the Right Carrier

The best final expense insurance carrier isn't the same for everyone. Here's how I think about matching clients to the right company:

Start with your health profile

Your health history determines which carriers will offer you level benefit coverage — and which will require a graded benefit policy. I review your health history before recommending any carrier, because applying to the wrong company wastes time and can result in unnecessary declines on your record.

Compare rates across carriers

Premiums for the same coverage amount can vary significantly from one carrier to another — sometimes by 30–40% for the same applicant. As an independent broker, I compare rates from our preferred carriers simultaneously so you're never paying more than you need to.

Prioritize financial strength

Your final expense policy needs to be there when your family needs it — which could be 20 or 30 years from now. I recommend carriers with strong AM Best ratings and long track records of financial stability.

Consider the underwriting guidelines

Different carriers have different rules about which health conditions they'll accept at standard rates. A carrier that's competitive for a healthy applicant may not be the right choice for someone with diabetes or a heart condition. I know which carriers are most favorable for each common condition.

Don't overlook the claims process

The death benefit is only valuable if it's paid promptly and without unnecessary complications. I recommend carriers with a track record of straightforward, timely claims processing — because that's what matters most to your beneficiaries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Final Expense Carriers

There's no single answer — the best rate depends on your age, health, state, and coverage amount. Mutual of Omaha, United American, and Royal Arcanum are all competitive for different applicant profiles. That's why I compare all three before making a recommendation for your specific situation.

AM Best is an independent rating agency that evaluates the financial strength of insurance companies. An A+ rating means the company has a superior ability to meet its financial obligations — including paying claims. Note that fraternal benefit societies like Royal Arcanum operate under a different regulatory structure and may not carry a traditional AM Best rating.

You can be declined for simplified issue (health question) policies if your health history doesn't meet the carrier's underwriting guidelines. However, there are options for applicants with complex health histories, including graded benefit policies. Call me directly and I'll tell you honestly what you're likely to qualify for before you apply.

A graded death benefit means the full death benefit is not available immediately. Typically, if the insured passes away in the first two years from natural causes, the beneficiary receives a return of premiums paid plus interest (usually 10%). After the graded period, the full death benefit is paid. Graded benefits are common for applicants with more complex health histories.

Royal Arcanum is a fraternal benefit society — a member-owned organization that provides life insurance alongside community benefits. Founded in 1877, they operate differently from stock insurance companies. Members receive benefits beyond just the death benefit, including community programs and member services. Membership in the society is required to hold a policy.

The best indicators are financial strength ratings, years in business, and claims-paying history. All three of our preferred carriers have long track records of paying claims. I stay current on any regulatory actions or financial concerns that might affect a carrier's reliability.

Ready to Compare Rates From These Carriers?

I'll compare rates from our preferred carriers based on your specific age, health, and coverage goals — and give you a clear, honest recommendation. No pressure. No obligation. Just the information you need to make the right decision.

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