Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance | 7 Warnings You Should Know
Guarantees usually sound pretty great – they are like a formal promise.
In this particular promise, guaranteed issue life insurance (GI), you have a pledge that your life insurance will be issued.
Regardless of your circumstances – you can buy life insurance with no medical exam and no health questions.
However, guarantees are only as good as the product that promise is backing.
So, how good is guaranteed issue life insurance?
Turns out, this particular type of life insurance is recommended in only a few situations.
Goal – Learn everything you need to know about guaranteed issue life insurance (also called guaranteed acceptance life insurance), including its pitfalls, before making a purchase.
Table Of Contents
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Definition
Essentially, guaranteed issue is life insurance that everyone qualifies for, regardless of health, and is guaranteed to be issued.
Not to be confused with simplified issue or no exam life insurance, guaranteed issue does not require you to participate in a health interview (although a few questions are sometimes asked).
Key Features
The most important aspects of a guaranteed issue policy –
- You cannot be turned down for coverage
- No physical exam
- No health questions (almost always)
- Fairly expensive
- Age restrictions exist
- Face amount (policy size) is modest
- A form of whole life insurance (almost always)
- Level premiums (you pay the same amount for the life of the policy)
Guaranteed Issue Warnings
Think of this as your overview to GI. Guaranteed issue policies are unique, so you will want to have a clear understanding of what you are buying.
There are 7 important warnings you need to know about guaranteed issue life insurance.
1. Cost
Guaranteed issue life insurance (GI) is often expensive.
How much does guaranteed issue life insurance cost?
Let’s look at some Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance quotes:
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Male 40 - 49
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 Year Old | $26.25 | $49.58 | $72.92 | $96.25 | $119.58 |
41 Year Old | $26.67 | $50.42 | $74.17 | $97.92 | $121.67 |
42 Year Old | $27.50 | $52.08 | $76.67 | $101.25 | $125.83 |
43 Year Old | $28.33 | $53.75 | $79.17 | $104.58 | $130.00 |
44 Year Old | $28.75 | $54.58 | $80.42 | $106.25 | $132.08 |
45 Year Old | $29.17 | $55.42 | $81.67 | $107.92 | $134.17 |
46 Year Old | $29.58 | $56.25 | $82.92 | $109.58 | $136.25 |
47 Year Old | $30.00 | $57.08 | $84.17 | $111.25 | $138.33 |
48 Year Old | $30.83 | $58.75 | $86.67 | $114.58 | $142.50 |
49 Year Old | $30.83 | $58.75 | $86.67 | $114.58 | $142.50 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Female 40 - 49
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 Year Old | $21.67 | $40.42 | $59.17 | $77.92 | $96.67 |
41 Year Old | $22.08 | $41.25 | $60.42 | $79.58 | $98.75 |
42 Year Old | $22.92 | $42.92 | $62.92 | $82.92 | $102.92 |
43 Year Old | $23.75 | $44.58 | $65.42 | $86.25 | $107.08 |
44 Year Old | $24.17 | $45.42 | $66.67 | $87.92 | $109.17 |
45 Year Old | $24.58 | $46.25 | $67.92 | $89.58 | $111.25 |
46 Year Old | $25.00 | $47.08 | $69.17 | $91.25 | $113.33 |
47 Year Old | $25.42 | $47.92 | $70.42 | $92.92 | $115.42 |
48 Year Old | $25.83 | $48.75 | $71.67 | $94.58 | $117.50 |
49 Year Old | $26.25 | $49.58 | $72.92 | $96.25 | $119.58 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Male 50 - 59
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
50 Year Old | $22.50 | $44.09 | $65.68 | $87.27 | $108.85 |
51 Year Old | $24.15 | $47.39 | $70.63 | $93.87 | $117.10 |
52 Year Old | $25.67 | $50.42 | $75.17 | $99.92 | $124.67 |
53 Year Old | $27.09 | $53.26 | $79.43 | $105.60 | $131.77 |
54 Year Old | $28.32 | $55.36 | $82.04 | $110.55 | $137.96 |
55 Year Old | $29.42 | $56.90 | $84.35 | $114.95 | $143.46 |
56 Year Old | $30.27 | $58.55 | $86.82 | $118.25 | $147.58 |
57 Year Old | $31.00 | $60.01 | $89.01 | $121.18 | $151.25 |
58 Year Old | $31.62 | $61.31 | $90.96 | $123.75 | $154.46 |
59 Year Old | $32.10 | $62.21 | $92.31 | $125.58 | $156.75 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Female 50 - 59
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
50 Year Old | $17.69 | $34.47 | $51.24 | $68.02 | $84.79 |
51 Year Old | $18.93 | $36.68 | $54.02 | $72.97 | $90.98 |
52 Year Old | $20.00 | $37.99 | $55.98 | $77.18 | $96.25 |
53 Year Old | $20.95 | $39.93 | $58.90 | $81.03 | $101.06 |
54 Year Old | $21.82 | $41.67 | $61.51 | $84.52 | $105.42 |
55 Year Old | $22.60 | $43.23 | $63.85 | $87.63 | $109.31 |
56 Year Old | $23.47 | $44.98 | $66.67 | $91.12 | $113.67 |
57 Year Old | $24.17 | $46.34 | $68.50 | $93.87 | $117.10 |
58 Year Old | $24.86 | $47.72 | $70.58 | $96.62 | $120.54 |
59 Year Old | $25.50 | $49.00 | $72.50 | $99.18 | $123.75 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Male 60 - 69
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
60 Year Old | $32.40 | $63.17 | $93.75 | $126.87 | $158.35 |
61 Year Old | $34.77 | $67.54 | $100.31 | $136.22 | $170.04 |
62 Year Old | $36.97 | $71.94 | $106.91 | $145.02 | $181.04 |
63 Year Old | $39.08 | $76.16 | $113.21 | $153.45 | $191.58 |
64 Year Old | $41.07 | $80.21 | $119.31 | $161.52 | $201.67 |
65 Year Old | $43.04 | $84.15 | $125.23 | $169.40 | $211.52 |
66 Year Old | $44.81 | $87.63 | $130.44 | $176.37 | $220.23 |
67 Year Old | $46.33 | $90.66 | $134.98 | $182.42 | $227.79 |
68 Year Old | $47.75 | $93.49 | $139.24 | $188.10 | $234.89 |
69 Year Old | $48.99 | $95.98 | $142.96 | $193.05 | $241.08 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Female 60 - 69
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
60 Year Old | $25.99 | $50.02 | $74.03 | $101.20 | $126.27 |
61 Year Old | $27.52 | $53.04 | $78.56 | $107.25 | $133.83 |
62 Year Old | $28.87 | $55.80 | $82.70 | $112.75 | $140.71 |
63 Year Old | $30.07 | $58.19 | $86.28 | $117.52 | $146.67 |
64 Year Old | $31.00 | $60.01 | $89.01 | $121.18 | $151.25 |
65 Year Old | $31.76 | $61.57 | $91.35 | $124.30 | $155.15 |
66 Year Old | $33.37 | $64.79 | $96.19 | $130.72 | $163.17 |
67 Year Old | $34.70 | $67.45 | $100.18 | $136.03 | $169.81 |
68 Year Old | $35.96 | $69.91 | $103.87 | $140.98 | $176.00 |
69 Year Old | $37.12 | $72.32 | $107.47 | $145.75 | $181.96 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Male 70 - 79
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
70 Year Old | $38.22 | $74.52 | $110.78 | $150.15 | $187.46 |
71 Year Old | $41.93 | $81.85 | $121.77 | $164.82 | $205.79 |
72 Year Old | $45.37 | $88.83 | $132.24 | $178.75 | $223.21 |
73 Year Old | $48.76 | $95.52 | $142.28 | $192.13 | $239.94 |
74 Year Old | $51.83 | $101.66 | $151.50 | $204.42 | $255.29 |
75 Year Old | $54.59 | $107.17 | $159.75 | $215.42 | $269.04 |
76 Year Old | $62.38 | $122.76 | $183.13 | $246.58 | $308.00 |
77 Year Old | $69.67 | $137.45 | $205.18 | $275.92 | $344.67 |
78 Year Old | $76.60 | $151.20 | $225.81 | $303.42 | $379.04 |
79 Year Old | $83.02 | $164.05 | $245.07 | $329.08 | $411.12 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Female 70 - 79
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
70 Year Old | $38.22 | $74.52 | $110.78 | $150.15 | $187.46 |
71 Year Old | $41.93 | $81.85 | $121.77 | $164.82 | $205.79 |
72 Year Old | $45.37 | $88.83 | $132.24 | $178.75 | $223.21 |
73 Year Old | $48.76 | $95.52 | $142.28 | $192.13 | $239.94 |
74 Year Old | $51.83 | $101.66 | $151.50 | $204.42 | $255.29 |
75 Year Old | $54.59 | $107.17 | $159.75 | $215.42 | $269.04 |
76 Year Old | $62.38 | $122.76 | $183.13 | $246.58 | $308.00 |
77 Year Old | $69.67 | $137.45 | $205.18 | $275.92 | $344.67 |
78 Year Old | $76.60 | $151.20 | $225.81 | $303.42 | $379.04 |
79 Year Old | $83.02 | $164.05 | $245.07 | $329.08 | $411.12 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Male 80 - 85
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
80 Year Old | $115.42 | $227.92 | $340.42 | $452.91 | $565.41 |
81 Year Old | $127.59 | $253.19 | $378.78 | $553.79 | $691.74 |
82 Year Old | $131.19 | $260.38 | $389.57 | $569.87 | $711.84 |
83 Year Old | $145.08 | $288.16 | $431.23 | $631.29 | $788.61 |
84 Year Old | $151.97 | $301.93 | $451.90 | $661.90 | $826.87 |
85 Year Old | $158.91 | $315.82 | $472.73 | $692.70 | $865.38 |
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Quotes For Female 80 - 85
$5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
80 Year Old | $88.71 | $175.42 | $262.13 | $351.82 | $439.54 |
81 Year Old | $90.69 | $179.39 | $268.08 | $392.76 | $490.45 |
82 Year Old | $92.83 | $183.66 | $274.49 | $402.46 | $502.57 |
83 Year Old | $95.83 | $189.65 | $283.48 | $415.92 | $519.39 |
84 Year Old | $98.17 | $194.33 | $290.49 | $426.51 | $532.63 |
85 Year Old | $100.53 | $199.06 | $297.59 | $437.18 | $545.98 |
As you can see, your monthly premiums can be pricey for a small policy.
In fact, for the amount of coverage you can secure, guarantee issue is one of the most expensive types of life insurance on the market.
Keep in mind – If you can qualify, there are no physical life insurance carriers who provide larger policies for less, if you are interested in skipping the medical exam.
2. Face Amount
Your face amount, also called the death benefit, is limited to modest amounts.
Most guaranteed issue policies cap out at $25,000. However, up to $40,000 in coverage is currently available by a limited number of carriers.
To put things into perspective – the average funeral costs over $10,000.
In other words, a GI policy is often used to cover funeral expenses, and perhaps medical bills, but will not provide substantial financial safeguarding.
3. Graded Benefit
Most guaranteed issue life insurance policies are graded, meaning that your beneficiaries are not entitled to the death benefit immediately.
Created by carriers to limit life insurance fraud, the graded death benefit period is a protective measure to limit pay outs on individuals who are on the verge of passing away.
Definition of graded death benefit – a type of life insurance contract in which the beneficiary does not receive the full death benefit until, typically, 2 years after the policy is issued.
What this means – Should you die during the period of time in which your policy is graded (typically the first 2 years), your beneficiary will either be entitled to:
- A percentage of your death benefit
- The return of your premium payments, plus any accrued interest (this scenario happens more often)
Note – Accidental deaths are typically excluded from the graded benefit provision. Should you die by accident within the first two years of your policy, your beneficiary often receives the full death benefit.
4. Return On Investment
It’s entirely possible to pay more in premiums during the life of your life insurance contract than the death benefit amount.
Grab a calculator and do some quick estimates.
Here’s an example:
- A 65-year-old male, $15,000 guaranteed issue policy
- Premium payments of: $108.64/monthly (or $1,302.60/annually)
- If premiums are paid for 12 years, the total is $15,679.20 (more than the death benefit of the policy).
Of course, there’s a big caveat – no one is guaranteed tomorrow, so you may not pay more in premiums than the death benefit is worth.
You’ll need to decide if it’s worth the annual cost for an eventual modest death benefit.
5. Age Restrictions
You’ll have to fall within a specific age group to qualify for guaranteed issue.
Those who fall between the ages of 40 – 85 years can qualify for GI. However, many GI carriers use an age range of 50 – 80 years.
If you don’t fall within those age ranges, there are alternatives.
If you are younger than age 40, and cannot qualify for traditional coverage, look into AD&D insurance (accidental death and dismemberment).
Or, if you are elderly, seniors have different life insurance options.
6. Evaluate Final Expense
You will want to understand whether or not you qualify for final expense life insurance, first.
Final expense policies are more affordable than guaranteed issue and do not include the same age restrictions.
While guaranteed issue coverage will not ask health questions whatsoever, final expense policies only asks a few.
For example, a final expense policy application will ask you about:
- HIV/AIDS status
- If you (typically within the last 2 years) reside in a nursing home or receive hospice
- If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness
- Alzheimer’s or dementia
- Mental retardation
- Down’s syndrome
- Require the help of another person for dressing, bathing, toileting
- History of heart attack
- History of stroke
- If you are a cancer patient
- Drug abuse or alcoholism
- DUI conviction
Bottom line – final expense applications are often easy to qualify for, with only basic health and lifestyle questions.
Note – if you have some serious health concerns, there is a policy with minimal underwriting (only 5 questions; less stringent than final expense) – the Guarantee Trust Life Heritage Plan.
On the other hand -guaranteed issue life insurance carriers we recommend offer life insurance with no health questions.
7. Other Options
Think of guaranteed issue life insurance, and we mean this in the nicest way possible, as your last resort.
Because the policies are expensive for the amount of coverage you receive, you will want to exhaust alternatives, first.
There are plenty of no exam life insurance options to consider before deciding to purchase GI:
Once you have exhausted all other types of life insurance, then it may be time to evaluate GI.
Best Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Companies
At a glance, the top GI carriers look very similar. Let’s look at the fine print for a detailed comparison of the top carriers.
AIG Life Insurance Company
Product name: AIG Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
With Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance, if you’re age 50-85, you can’t be turned down for health reasons.
– AIG
Product At A Glance
- Face Amounts between $5,000 – $25,000
- Ages 50 – 85 years old
- No medical exam, labs, or health questions
- Client cannot be turned down for health reasons
Fixed Premiums – your premiums (the amount you pay in exchange for life insurance) remain the same for the life of the policy.
Application Process
- Application typically takes 15 minutes or less
- Policy is guaranteed to be issued
- Forms of payment accepted: ACH, social security debit card, credit card
- Delayed billing for a specific date is available
Riders Included
A rider is an additional benefit to your life insurance contract.
- Chronic Illness Acceleration Benefit
- Returns 100% of premiums paid, up to 50% of the Face Amount
- No waiting period
- One-time lump sum payment when insured becomes chronically ill
- No up-front costs
- Terminal Illness Benefit
- 50% of Death Benefit within 24-month life expectancy (or less)
- No additional costs
Product Specifics
- Insured must be the Owner
- Payor can be different than the Insured
- Social Security Number is required
- Plan builds cash value
- Only one policy per Owner/Insured per 12 month period
- No replacement or conversion into GIWL allowed
- Annual fee: $24
- Free look: 30 days
Graded Benefit
- Years 1 – 2: 100% of premiums paid, plus 10% interest, are returned if death occurs
- Note – If death is by a qualifying accident, full face amount is paid
- Years 3+: Full face amount
- Accidental Death: Full face amount
- Suicide: Premiums are refunded
Gerber Life Insurance Company
Product name: Gerber Guaranteed Life Insurance
The Gerber Life Guaranteed Life Insurance Plan provides valuable whole life insurance to help cover final expenses.
– Gerber Life Insurance Company
Product At A Glance:
- Face Amounts between $5,000 – $25,000
- Issue Ages: 50 – 80 years old
- No medical underwriting, labs, or health questions
Fixed Premiums – Your premiums will remain the same as long as all premium payments are made.
Application Process:
- Typically completed online and takes minutes
- Policy is guaranteed to be issued
- Forms of payment accepted: ACH (up to 8% discount), credit card, direct express card (Social Security benefits card)
- Premiums are due on the first day following the period covered by the preceding premium
Provides Cash Value in an emergency – you can borrow against the cash value in your policy, as long as your premiums are paid.
Product Specifics
- Social Security Number required
- Available in all states except MT
- Plan builds some cash value
- Grace period of 31 days starting on premium due date in which owner may pay overdue premiums
- Free look: 30 days
Graded Benefit Specifics
- Years 1 – 2: 100% of premiums returned, plus 10% interest, if death occurs
- Note – Qualifying accidental deaths receive the full face amount
- Years 3+: Full face amount shall be paid to the beneficiary
- Suicide: if the insured dies by suicide within two years from the Issue Date (one year in ND), premiums will be returned, plus 10% interest, less any debt against the policy.
Great Western Insurance Company
Product name: Great Western Guaranteed Assurance
Guaranteed Assurance provides coverage with absolutely no underwriting and no health questions to answer.
– Great Western Insurance Company
Product At A Glance
- Face Amounts between $1,000 – $40,000
- Ages 40 – 80 years old
- Note – if you are between the ages of 40 -50, and need a GI policy, Great Western is your go-to company
- No medical exam, labs, or health questions
- Note Great Western does have an “Assurance Plus” product that includes 3 medical questions
Fixed Premiums – Guaranteed Level for the life of the Insured
Application Process
- Typically completed online in minutes
- Policy is guaranteed to be issued
- Forms of payment accepted: ACH, credit card, direct express card (Social Security benefit card)
- Payor may select a specific date of each month to pay the premium
- If paying with a direct express card, Payor should select a specific Wednesday of each month for premium payment
- 30 day grace period for failure to make the premium payment
Builds Cash Value – coverage builds cash value over time and can be borrowed against.
Riders Included
- Spousal Bonus Rider
- A first-to-die rider that pays an additional $1,000 on the first death if both spouses apply for a policy simultaneously
- Death cannot occur during the graded death benefit period
- Accelerated Death Benefit
- Pays the present value of the death benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness (12 months or less to live)
- Or, pays if needing assistance with two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
- The death benefit can be used for any purpose
Product Specifics
- Social Security Number required
- Plan can be borrowed against
- Grace period of 30 days (60 days in CA) in which coverage will remain in effect
- Free look: 30 days
Graded Benefit Specifics
- Years 1 – 2: 110% of cumulative premiums paid; full face amount for accidental death
- Years 3+: 100% of the face amount
- Temporary suicide exclusion exists
Note – All guaranteed issue products are subject to change.
To summarize:
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Companies
AIG | Gerber | Great Western | |
---|---|---|---|
Product Name | Guaranteed Issue Whole Life | Guaranteed Life | Guaranteed Assurance |
Age Range | 50 - 85 years | 50 - 80 | 40 - 80 |
Face Amount | $5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | $1,000 - $40,000 |
Death Benefit | Graded | Graded | Graded |
A.M. Best Rating | A | A | A- |
Other Guaranteed Issue Companies
Evaluate additional life insurance companies that offer guaranteed issue policies.
Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
Product name: Mutual of Omaha Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
Issue ages: 45 – 85 years old
Face amount: $2,000 – $25,000
Kemper Corporation
Product name: Kemper Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
Issue ages: 40 – 80 years old
Face amount: $5,000 – $25,000
Americo Financial Life and Annuity Company
Product name: Americo Eagle Guaranteed
Issue ages: 50 – 80 years old
Face amount: $2,000 – $10,000
Vantis Life Insurance Company
Product name: Vantis Guaranteed Golden
Issue ages: 50 – 80 years old
Face amount: $5,000 – $20,000
United Home Life Insurance Company
Product name: United Home Life Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
Issue ages: 45 – 75 years old
Face amount: $5,000 – $25,000
Fidelity Life Association
Product name: Fidelity Life RapiDecision Guaranteed Issue
Issue ages: 50 – 85 years old
Face amount: $5,000 – $25,000
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company
Product name: Colonial Penn Guaranteed Acceptance
Issue ages: 50 – 85
Face amount: Varies; approximately $400 – $17,000
Note: similar to guaranteed issue, Prosperity offers an affordable alternative product, called PrimeTerm to 100.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance For Seniors
Guaranteed Issue life insurance makes sense for seniors, sometimes.
Usually, GI is ideal for seniors who:
- Are unable to qualify for other types of life insurance, like traditional no exam life insurance for seniors
- Need to secure a modest amount of coverage for end-of-life costs, like funeral and medical expenses
Case Studies
Consider a few case studies to understand how guaranteed issue life insurance can financially protect senior citizens.
Case Study #1
John is 65 years old. He is in poor health with a history of lung cancer. He would like to ease his family’s financial burden in preparing for his funeral.
John purchases a guaranteed issue policy for $10,000
His monthly premiums are: $73.09
Case Study #2
Carol is 75 years old. She needs a policy to pay off some debt she carries. She does not qualify for standard life insurance due to uncontrolled diabetes.
Carol purchases a guaranteed issue policy for $20,000
Her monthly premiums are: $189.63
Case Study #3
Richard is 80 years old. He only qualifies for a GI policy due to a history of multiple strokes. He needs life insurance to cover a few end-of-life expenses.
Richard purchases a guaranteed issue policy for $5,000
His monthly premiums are: $115.42
Bottom line – Guaranteed issue life insurance can be a gift to seniors who need a modest policy and do not qualify for other forms of life insurance.
How To Apply
Before you make a purchase, plan on doing two things:
- Work with an independent agent – An independent agent will help you explore all of your life insurance options, including whether or not a GI policy is in your best interest. By accessing multiple top-rated carriers, independent agents will find the best policy to fit your needs.
- Be ready for your application – Be sure to have your important information ready to communicate: full name, address, date of birth, beneficiary information, and your Social Security Number.
To get started, simply fill out our free quote.
4 Comments
Lana
Just want a quote I'm over 50yrs old
Bennett Bier
Feel free to reach me at 800-611-9622 and we will help you with your guaranteed acceptance quote. You also can request an instant quote online 24/7.
Chris carrico
Have a friend that has a variety of health issues and is 68 years old who smokes and drinks and he was wondering if he could even get a policy or not. Please advise
Bennett Bier
The guaranteed issue life insurance policies don't have any health or lifestyle questions so that anyone can qualify. We were very happy to help your friend find life insurance.