Burial Insurance With No Waiting Period: What to Know
Yes, burial insurance with no waiting period exists, but you usually have to qualify on a short set of health questions. Policies that accept everyone, called guaranteed issue, almost always make your family wait two years for the full benefit. Which type you can get depends on your health, and an independent agent can check several carriers at once to find the best fit.
What a waiting period is
A waiting period is the time after you buy a policy when your beneficiary won’t get the full death benefit. It’s usually two years, and some insurers use three. If you pass away from natural causes during that time, the policy typically pays back the premiums you’ve paid, often with some interest added, instead of the full amount.
Some policies use a graded schedule instead. They pay a percentage of the benefit in the first year and more in the second, until the full amount is paid. The exact percentages vary by company.
Accidental death is handled differently by some carriers, which may pay the full benefit even during the waiting period. It varies by company, so ask before you buy.
Which policies pay in full from day one
Only one of the three common types pays the full benefit from day one: a level benefit policy. The other two make your family wait.
| Policy type | Health questions | Full benefit starts | If death happens in the first two years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level benefit (simplified issue) | Short list; you answer no to all the key questions | Day one | Full benefit |
| Graded or modified (simplified issue) | Short list; some answers are yes | After 2 years | Partial benefit, or premiums back with interest |
| Guaranteed issue | None | After 2 years | Premiums back with interest |
Exact terms vary by carrier, so always check the policy itself.
Who can get day-one coverage
Day-one coverage comes from simplified issue policies. They ask a short set of health questions but don’t require a medical exam. The exact questions vary by company, and applicants can be declined for a critical illness or for living in an assisted living facility.
Your answers decide the tier. Answering no to every key question usually qualifies you for a level benefit. A yes to certain questions may place you in a graded or modified policy instead, with a two-year wait.
Answer honestly. An incorrect answer can cause a claim to be denied later, which is the opposite of what your family needs.
The trade-offs
A waiting period isn’t a reason to skip coverage, but it does come with trade-offs:
- Cost: Guaranteed issue usually costs more than simplified issue for the same amount of coverage. Your rate depends on your age, health, and the carrier.
- Coverage limits: Guaranteed issue policies typically offer smaller maximum amounts than simplified issue, and are usually available from about age 45 to 85.
- The wait: With a guaranteed issue policy, your family gets premiums back, not the full benefit, if you pass away in the first two years. After that, the full amount is paid.
For general consumer protections, see the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s Consumer’s Guide to Life Insurance.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Does this policy pay the full benefit from day one?
- If not, how long is the wait, and what does my family get if I pass away during it?
- Does an accidental death pay in full during the waiting period?
- Is the premium level for life, or can it go up?
- What happens if I miss a payment?
- Is there another carrier where I might qualify for day-one coverage?
Common questions
Is there really burial insurance with no waiting period? Yes. Simplified issue policies with a level benefit pay in full from day one, if you qualify on the health questions.
Can I get no health questions and no waiting period? Usually not. Policies that accept everyone typically have a two-year waiting period, because the insurer is taking on more risk.
What happens if I pass away during the waiting period? The policy typically pays back the premiums you’ve paid, often with some interest added. Some carriers pay the full amount for an accidental death.
Is no medical exam the same as no waiting period? No. No exam only means you won’t see a doctor. Whether there’s a waiting period depends on the type of policy.
Does a waiting period apply to every burial insurance policy? No. It depends on the carrier and the policy type, which is why comparing more than one company helps.
Get a quote
Amy Plunkett is an independent insurance agent at Plunkett Insurance Services in Castor, Louisiana. She can compare burial and final expense policies from more than 20 carriers to find the best coverage for your health, including options that pay in full from day one. Contact Amy to see what you qualify for.
Not sure you need coverage at all? Read Is Burial Insurance Worth It?