How To Get Final Expense Insurance With Cancer
Yes, you can get immediate, no waiting period coverage, burial insurance with cancer. Your eligibility will depend on the cancer type and stage.
In this article, find out exactly how much you can save and which plans work best for you, with clear details on costs and top providers.
Burial Insurance Options With A History Of Cancer
If you have a history of cancer, your burial insurance options vary based on the type of plan and specific related factors.
The three main types of policies are no waiting period plans, partial waiting and guaranteed issue plans.
No waiting period plans will always require answers to health questions but no medical exam.
If approved, you may qualify for immediate or partial coverage at a lower premium.
These plans are ideal for those who’ve been cancer-free for a period, as they offer competitive pricing and, often, first-day coverage if eligibility requirements are met.
Additionally, these plans typically offer a full death benefit from day one, providing financial protection immediately if approved.
Guaranteed issue plans, on the other hand, don’t ask any health questions.
However, these policies come with a mandatory two-year waiting period.
During this time, a death claim results only in a refund of premiums paid, plus about 10% interest.
However, after the waiting period ends, the full death benefit becomes available, ensuring complete coverage for beneficiaries.
This type of policy may typically be suited for high-risk applicants or those currently taking cancer-related medications.
When applying for funeral insurance with a history of cancer, there are several factors you need to understand
- Cancer type and how advanced it is.
- The date when you first received this diagnosis.
- Details of your treatment approach and how well you’ve responded to it.
- Whether the condition has remained in one area or has affected other parts of your body.
- If this is your first time facing this health issue.
- Whether there’s a pattern of similar health issues in your family.
- Any medications you are currently taking for this condition.
Insurers frequently ask questions covering a two-year lookback period, such as whether you’ve been diagnosed, undergone radiation, or been advised to have cancer surgery within the last 24 months.
It’s still possible to get life insurance with cancer, though options may be limited.
Additionally, certain cancer medications taken within two years—like Bortezomib or Methotrexate—can indicate high risk, further guiding insurers toward plans with a waiting period.
However, many life insurance companies offer guaranteed life insurance for these patients.
Ultimately, for those who qualify, underwritten life insurance policies generally may be able to offer the best pricing and benefits.
You currently have cancer
If you’re facing an early-stage cancer diagnosis, you may still have final expense life insurance options with no waiting period, depending on the type and stage of your cancer.
However, applying for life insurance after a cancer diagnosis may require a waiting period.
The key is that there must be no history of metastatic cancer or prior cancer occurrences.
However, coverage eligibility changes if the cancer is more advanced.
In fact, some insurance products are specifically designed for cancer patients and survivors.
For example, if you were a cancer patient recently diagnosed at stage 0 or 1, you may get life insurance without a waiting period.
Here is a list of some of the cancers eligible for no waiting period coverage:
- Prostate
- Colon
- Melanoma
- Cervical
- Testicular
- Breast
- Lung
- Kidney
- Thyroid
The ability to get insurance coverage may depend on your treatment history.
For cancers at stage II or higher, such as stage II breast cancer or stage III colon cancer, most insurers require a two-year waiting period before the policy pays out full benefits.
Here, getting life insurance as a cancer survivor may involve higher premiums.
In these cases, the only option is a guaranteed issue policy.
This type of insurance for cancer patients doesn’t have health questions.
Often, coverage may depend on whether you have been in remission for a period.
However, it often comes with higher costs and limitations in the policy’s early years.
When it comes to skin cancers, the rules are a bit different.
Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers generally don’t impact burial insurance eligibility, and most applicants with these conditions can secure immediate coverage.
This makes burial insurance accessible even for those with common skin cancers,
All funeral insurance applications with no waiting time will ask specific questions about cancer history, except policies designed for basal or squamous cell skin cancer cases.
Knowing the stage and form of cancer you have is essential, as it directly affects your eligibility, waiting periods, and premium costs for funeral insurance.
You Are A Cancer Survivor (Cancer-Free)
When considering eligibility for final expense insurance after recovery, the critical date to know is the last date of your occurrence or treatment.
Many insurers ask whether you’ve had or been treated for cancer within the past two years, so this date directly impacts your options.
For recent recoveries, one company offers immediate coverage with no waiting period—even if you finished treatment just last week.
For most other insurers, being cancer-free for at least 24 months opens up no-waiting-period coverage at the lowest available rates.
If you’ve had metastatic cancer, meaning it spread to other parts of the body, coverage options are more limited.
Generally, most companies decline life insurance for cancer patients with metastatic history.
However, some companies may consider immediate coverage if it’s been at least 24 months since your last treatment or recurrence.
Most companies will decline multiple malignancy histories (excluding common skin cancers like basal or squamous cell).
That said, some insurers offer no-waiting-period policies if you’ve been cancer-free for at least 24 months since your last occurrence.
Best Burial Insurance Companies For People With Cancer
Using our personalized quoting tool you can compare the best funeral insurance companies that will approve a policy with no waiting period...
For example, below are the top 3 best burial insurance companies that offer competitive rates and may provide immediate coverage, depending on your specific situation.
AETNA
Aetna’s final expense policy is an appealing choice for cancer survivors, especially for those with a history of multiple types of cancer.
To qualify for immediate coverage, applicants must be cancer-free and off treatment for at least four years, making it suitable for individuals who have been in remission for an extended period.
Unlike many insurers, Aetna also offers flexibility for those who take preventative medications, such as Tamoxifen.
Mutual Of Omaha
For those who’ve experienced multiple diagnoses of different types, Mutual of Omaha’s final expense policy provides an accessible coverage solution.
Eligible applicants must have been cancer-free and treatment-free for at least four years, which helps ensure a stable path to coverage for long-term survivors.
A unique advantage of this policy is its approach to individuals taking preventative medications, such as Tamoxifen for breast cancer or Casodex for prostate cancer.
Most funeral insurance providers count these medications as active treatments. This often leads to a two-year waiting period or changes in coverage.
This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for those managing their history proactively through preventive medications.
COREBRIDGE (AIG)
AIG offers a unique guaranteed issue cancer policy.
This is especially helpful for people who have been diagnosed with cancer in the last 12 months.
Their policy is designed for those who may struggle to get insurance because of their recent medical history.
AIG stands out as the only company offering final expense insurance that starts right away for people with early-stage cancer.
This coverage includes a no-waiting-period option for individuals with certain types of stage 0-1 cancer, allowing them immediate access to benefits.
This means people can get the coverage they need without waiting.
Unlike many other companies, AIG makes it easier for people with recent cancer histories to qualify.
They skip the usual waiting periods that most other funeral expense policies require.
How Much Does Burial Insurance With Cancer Cost?
Finding burial insurance with cancer is possible, but your costs will depend on the type of policy you choose: a no waiting period policy or a guaranteed acceptance plan.
No waiting period policies generally offer the lowest premiums and require answering a few health questions.
This type of life insurance provides immediate coverage for eligible applicants, making them a cost-effective choice.
If you don’t qualify for this coverage, a guaranteed issue life insurance is the alternative.
These plans approve applicants without health questions but come with higher premiums and a two-year waiting period.
During that period, the payout to beneficiaries is limited to a refund of premiums plus interest if death occurs from health-related causes.
Factors like age, location, gender, health conditions, tobacco use, and coverage amount also influence your premium.
Generally, older age and tobacco use will result in higher premiums.
Insurers also charge more for larger coverage amounts, so balancing your coverage needs with what you can afford may be smart.
Here are the insurance rates showing the cost of burial insurance with cancer for a no waiting policy based on your age.
Applicant Age | Female ($10,000) | Male ($10,000) | Female ($15,000) | Male ($15,000) |
---|---|---|---|---|
50 | $26 | $33 | $38 | $49 |
55 | $30 | $39 | $46 | $57 |
60 | $35 | $47 | $52 | $70 |
65 | $44 | $61 | $65 | $91 |
70 | $62 | $82 | $85 | $121 |
75 | $80 | $110 | $117 | $162 |
80 | $107 | $153 | $160 | $228 |
85 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
How Does Final Expense Insurance Work?
Final expense insurance, also known as burial or funeral insurance, is a whole-life policy that helps cover medical bills and funeral expenses after you pass away.
This type of insurance is especially popular among seniors and offers a simple, no-exam application process—usually requiring only a few health questions to qualify.
One of the key benefits of final expense insurance is that it’s whole life insurance.
In other words, the policy will stay active as long as you continue paying your premiums, unlike term life insurance.
Additionally, this type of whole life insurance builds cash value over time, which you can borrow from if needed.
Premiums are fixed, meaning they won’t increase over the years so that you can budget with confidence.
To get burial insurance with cancer is a relatively quick process, sometimes within just a few days.
In fact, a life insurance application for this type of policy does not require a medical exam.
They’re available to individuals aged 50-85, with coverage amounts reaching up to $50,000, making them both accessible and affordable.
This type of plan is particularly beneficial for individuals with pre-existing cancer conditions who may find it difficult to obtain traditional life insurance.
The good news is that this type of insurance is available for people with pre-existing conditions.
For example, cancer survivors, including those who are in remission or are on preventative cancer medications like Tamoxifen or Casodex, can still qualify for final expense coverage without a medical exam.
This life insurance option for cancer patients is not always available with traditional policies.
If you’re unsure whether funeral insurance is right for you, it’s worth consulting a life insurance expert, such as a representative from Active Mutual.
We explore all your options and find the best plan tailored to your needs.
How To Get A Better Life Insurance Policy Using Active Mutual?
If you need life insurance, working with an independent agency like Active Mutual can make a big difference.
At Active Mutual, we are dedicated to finding you the best life insurance options by leveraging our access to multiple companies.
This approach allows us to compare policies and focus on those that won’t penalize you heavily for a history of cancer.
For example, if your last treatment was over two years ago, we can connect you with insurers who only consider recent diagnoses.
Or, if you’ve experienced more than one type of cancer, we look to companies that don’t count multiple occurrences against you.
This strategy helps us maximize your coverage, minimize costs, and avoid unnecessary waiting periods.
Unlike other agencies, we focus on finding policies tailored to your specific health history, not just offering generic options.
It’s important to understand that your options include both term and whole life insurance.
If you’ve had cancer, our insurance agents can help find the best life insurance for cancer patients.
It’s important to understand that every insurance provider evaluates your history differently, and having the right guidance can make a big difference.
In fact, some companies are more lenient with cancer histories, which can lead to significant savings and better coverage.
We’re here to match you with those companies and secure the best possible outcome for your situation.
Denied burial insurance because with cancer? Call us at 1-888-682-2186.
Let’s turn that ‘no’ into a ‘yes.