Logo
  • Home
  • TERM LIFE
    • Ethos
    • Accelerated Term
    • Instant Term
    • AD & D
    • Banner Term
  • PERMANENT LIFE
    • Whole Life
    • Ethos
  • FINAL EXPENSE
    • Ethos
  • DISABILITY
    • Disability Insurance
  • HEALTH
  • Home Insurance
  • AUTO
  • Blog
  • Home 
  • Blog  
  • Compare Life Insurance & Burial Rates: Find Your Best Health Class Today
BlogImage
21 Aug, 2026

Compare Life Insurance & Burial Rates: Find Your Best Health Class Today

1. Term Life Insurance vs. Final Expense for Seniors

Before requesting quotes, you must select the right type of policy for your specific stage of life and financial goals.


 Feature                                        Term Life Insurance                                                                 Final Expense (Burial Insurance)      

Target Audience                          Families, homeowners, income replacement                        Seniors (Ages 50–85)                  
Coverage Period                          Set term (10, 20, or 30 years)                                                 Permanent (Whole life, lasts forever) 
Coverage Amount                        $100,000 to $1,000,000+                                                       $2,000 to $50,000                     
Medical Exam Required?             Often yes (or detailed health check)                                     No exam (Simplified or Guaranteed)    
Primary Purpose                           Replace income, pay off mortgage                                        Funeral expenses, small debts, medical 

Term Life Insurance Rates by Health

Term life insurance provides a large payout for a set period. It is the most affordable way to get high coverage amounts. However, term life insurance rates by health are strictly evaluated. Underwriters examine your entire medical history, blood work, body mass index (BMI), family health history, and driving record.

Final Expense & Burial Insurance for Seniors

Final expense insurance (often called burial insurance) is a permanent whole life policy designed specifically for older adults.

  • Coverage limits: Payouts typically range between $5,000 and $25,000.
  • Easy qualification: Most burial policies require no medical exam. You only answer a few basic health questions.
  • Guaranteed approval options: If you have severe chronic health conditions, guaranteed issue final expense policies approve you regardless of your health history.
    When you compare burial insurance quotes, you will find that while final expense insurance costs more per dollar of coverage than term life, it gives seniors peace of mind knowing their payout is 100% guaranteed for life.

2. Understanding Life Insurance Risk Classes

When you apply for a term life insurance free quote, underwriters don't just guess your price—they assign you to a specific risk class based on actuarial tables. Your risk class determines your monthly premium.

Here are the primary life insurance health ratings used across the industry:

                                                  BEST RATES & LOWEST COST
                        

                                 Preferred Plus   ? (Flawless health, low BMI, pristine history)
                                 Preferred      ? (Great health, minor/controlled conditions)
                                 Standard Plus    ? (Good health, slightly higher BMI)
                                 Standard      ? (Average health, controlled conditions)
                                 Substandard / Table? (High risk; 25%+ extra surcharge per level)


                                              HIGHEST RATES & SURCHARGES

  1. Preferred Plus (Super Preferred): You have an ideal height-to-weight ratio, perfect blood pressure and cholesterol, zero family history of early cancer or heart disease, and no tobacco use.
  2. Preferred: Excellent health overall, but perhaps slightly elevated cholesterol or a minor condition controlled well by medication.
  3. Standard Plus: Better than average health, but minor factors like a slightly high BMI or minor health history keep you out of Preferred.
  4. Standard: Average life expectancy profile. You may have managed high blood pressure, controlled diabetes, or a higher BMI.
  5. Substandard (Table Ratings): If you present higher health risks, insurance companies use "Table Ratings" (usually designated A through J, or 1 through 10). Each table rating typically adds an extra 25% surcharge to Standard rates.

3. How to Improve Your Life Insurance Rating

If you received a quote that was higher than expected, don't worry. You are not locked into a poor rate forever. Here are actionable ways to improve life insurance rating results to drop your premiums:

  • Manage Existing Health Metrics: Work with your doctor to get blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar (A1C) into target ranges using medication or diet 3–6 months before applying.
  • Quit Tobacco Products: Smokers pay 2x to 4x more for life insurance. Most carriers require you to be 100% tobacco-free and nicotine-free for 12 consecutive months to qualify for non-smoker rates.
  • Schedule Medical Exams Strategically: Fast for 8–12 hours before your paramedical exam, avoid caffeine or heavy exercise 24 hours prior, and schedule the exam for first thing in the morning to get the cleanest blood pressure and cholesterol readings.
  • Request a Policy Re-evaluation: If you already have a policy and have lost weight, quit smoking, or improved your health metrics over the last year, ask your current carrier to re-underwrite your policy to bump you into a better risk class.
  • Work with an Independent Agent: Different insurance carriers treat medical conditions differently. Company A might give a diabetic applicant a Table B rating, while Company B offers Standard Plus for the exact same health profile. An independent broker shops multiple carriers simultaneously to find the one most favorable to your health conditions.

4. How to Compare Quotes & Get the Best Policy Today

To secure the most affordable coverage, follow these step-by-step best practices:

  1. Determine your target coverage amount: If you only need $10,000–$25,000 for funeral costs, search specifically for final expense policies. If you need $250,000+ for family living expenses, request term life quotes.
  2. Gather your medical information: Have a list of current medications, dosage details, physician names, and recent test results ready.
  3. Compare multiple free quotes: Never accept the first quote you see online. Always compare at least 3 to 5 independent insurance carriers.
  4. Speak with an independent agent: Independent insurance agents represent dozens of top-rated life insurance carriers. They know which companies offer the most lenient underwriting guidelines for your specific age and health history.

Get Your Free Quote Today

Ready to protect your family and lock in the lowest possible monthly rate? Don't leave your family's financial future to chance.

Talk to an agent here or Dial +1 (888) 617-5812

Recent Blog

  • blog-image
    Compare Life Insurance & Burial Rates: Find Your Best Health Class Today
    21 Aug, 2026
  • blog-image
    The Burial Insurance Trap Most Seniors Fall For (And How to Compare Real Quotes)
    18 Aug, 2026
  • blog-image
    What Health Class Are You? How Life Insurance Ratings Impact Your Monthly Rate
    17 Aug, 2026
  • blog-image
    How to Find the Best Final Expense Insurance for Seniors
    09 Aug, 2026
  • blog-image
    How Life Insurance Risk Classes Affect Your Premium
    07 Aug, 2026
  • blog-image
    Senior Final Expense Plans: Compare Quotes & Get Guaranteed Coverage Fast
    02 Aug, 2026
  • blog-image
    Demystifying Term Life Insurance Rates: Your Guide to Health Ratings and Risk Classes
    31 Jul, 2026
  • blog-image
    Compare Final Expense Insurance Plans the Smart Way: A Simple Guide to Finding the Right C
    24 Jul, 2026
  • blog-image
    How Your Health Fixes Your Term Life Insurance Price (And How to Get a Better Rating)
    23 Jul, 2026
Shape
logo

Quick Links

  • Home Insurance
  • Term Life
  • Dental
  • Permanent Life

  • Final Expense
  • Vision
  • Disability Insurance

  • Careington Saving Plans
  • Auto Insurance
  • Blog

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Notice for CA Residents