There’s no single “best” final expense insurance for everyone — the best one is the company most likely to approve you at a fair price for your age and health. But a handful of insurers show up again and again for good reason. Here are five worth putting on your shortlist.
Still comparing options? Our guide to final expense and burial insurance walks through the basics.
If you’ve started shopping, you’ve probably noticed every review site names slightly different “winners.” That’s not them being unreliable — it’s a clue about how this market actually works. Final expense insurance is priced and underwritten so individually that the right company genuinely depends on you. So instead of crowning one champion, let’s look at five consistently strong insurers, what each does well, and who each one fits. Think of this as a shortlist to compare, not a verdict.
- The “best” company depends on your age, health, and the coverage you need.
- Simplified-issue policies (a few health questions) usually beat guaranteed acceptance on price and waiting time.
- Financial strength ratings (like AM Best) matter — this is a promise your family collects on years later.
- Comparing at least three of these companies is the single best way to avoid overpaying.
How to judge a final expense company
Before the names, it helps to know what actually separates a strong insurer from a weak one. Four things do most of the work:
- Financial strength — an AM Best rating of A- or higher signals the company can reliably pay claims decades from now.
- Age eligibility — each insurer sets its own accepted age range, and it varies more than you’d expect.
- Underwriting flexibility — how kindly they treat common health conditions decides whether you’re approved, and at what tier.
- Coverage and waiting period — the maximum benefit offered, and whether full coverage starts on day one.
The 5 companies worth comparing in 2026
1. Mutual of Omaha — strong all-rounder
Mutual of Omaha’s “Living Promise” whole life policy is a fixture on nearly every best-of list, and it earns the spot. It carries an AM Best A+ (Superior) rating — among the strongest in this market — and the Level Benefit plan accepts applicants ages 45–85 with no medical exam, just health questions, for face amounts from $2,000 to $40,000. If you qualify for that version, full coverage starts on day one. Applicants with more serious health problems can apply for the Graded Benefit plan instead (ages 45–80, up to $20,000), which returns premiums plus interest if death is from natural causes in the first two years. The trade-off worth knowing: its health questions are a little stricter than some rivals, so healthier applicants tend to get the best of it.
Best for: applicants in reasonable health who want a top-rated insurer and day-one coverage.
2. Transamerica — broad age range
Transamerica’s appeal is range. Its Immediate Solution whole life policy is issued from age 0 to 85 with no medical exam, and face amounts run from $1,000 up to $50,000 — though the ceiling drops with age: $40,000 at 56–65, $30,000 at 66–75, and $25,000 at 76–85. Full coverage starts on day one if you qualify. If your health gets in the way, Easy Solution (ages 18–80, up to $25,000) accepts a wider range of applicants, but for the first two years it pays only 110% of the premiums you’ve paid, except for accidental death. Underwriting includes a prescription history check, so expect a slower application than some rivals. Transamerica holds an AM Best A (Excellent) rating.
Best for: applicants who want a day-one policy larger than most burial plans allow, or who may need to fall back on a graded option from the same insurer.
3. Aetna (through Accendo) — competitive for healthier seniors
Aetna’s final expense coverage, underwritten by its Accendo subsidiary, has the widest age window on this list: 40 to 89, at a time when most competitors stop at 85. Face amounts run from $2,000 to $50,000, dropping to $25,000 for applicants aged 76–89, and the Level plan pays in full from day one. Rates stay competitive even at the older ages. The limitation: there’s no true guaranteed-acceptance option here, so you have to answer health questions and you can be declined. Applicants with more serious conditions can apply for the Modified plan, available up to age 75, which pays a reduced benefit in the early years. AM Best rates Accendo A (Excellent).
Best for: applicants aged 86 to 89, and healthier seniors who want day-one coverage at a competitive price.
4. Colonial Penn — guaranteed acceptance, with caveats
You almost certainly know Colonial Penn from television. Its guaranteed acceptance plan takes anyone aged 50 to 85, with a narrower range in a few states, and asks no health questions at all. That’s a real strength if you’ve been declined elsewhere. Be clear-eyed about the rest of it. Coverage is sold in $9.95 units, and one unit buys roughly $400 to $2,000 of death benefit depending on your age and sex — the older you are, the less each unit buys. A two-year waiting period applies to deaths from natural causes, with premiums plus interest refunded instead. AM Best rates Colonial Penn A− (Excellent), a notch below the others on this list.
Best for: people whose health rules out simplified-issue policies. If you can answer a few health questions, price the others first.
5. Americo — a solid value option to quote
Americo is the name most people haven’t heard of, which is exactly why it belongs on a comparison list. Its Eagle Premier whole life policy is issued from 40 to 85 for non-smokers and 40 to 80 for smokers, with face amounts from $5,000 to $40,000 and full coverage from day one, no exam required. There’s also Eagle Guaranteed for ages 50 to 80, capped at $10,000, with a graded benefit in the early policy years. Smokers get a useful perk: Americo’s Quit Smoking Advantage gives non-smoker rates for the first three years. It’s rated A (Excellent) by AM Best, and it isn’t sold direct, so you’ll need an independent agent.
Best for: smokers who plan to quit, and anyone who wants a third or fourth quote that isn’t from a heavily advertised brand.
Quick comparison
| Company (product) | Issue ages | Coverage | Waiting period | AM Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha (Living Promise, Level) | 45–85 | $2,000–$40,000 | None | A+ (Superior) |
| Transamerica (Immediate Solution) | 0–85 | $1,000–$50,000; max $25,000 at ages 76–85 | None | A (Excellent) |
| Aetna / Accendo (Level plan) | 40–89 | $2,000–$50,000; max $25,000 at ages 76–89 | None | A (Excellent) |
| Colonial Penn (Guaranteed Acceptance) | 50–85 (varies by state) | Sold in $9.95 units; roughly $400–$2,000 of coverage per unit | 2 years, natural causes | A− (Excellent) |
| Americo (Eagle Premier, Level) | 40–85 non-smoker; 40–80 smoker | $5,000–$40,000 | None | A (Excellent) |
Issue ages, coverage limits and AM Best ratings verified against carrier product sheets in September 2026. Terms vary by state and change over time, so confirm with the insurer before you apply.
Picking a company from an ad without comparing others. Because underwriting differs so much between insurers, the same person can be quoted very different prices — and offered very different waiting periods — by two equally reputable companies. Always get three quotes.
So which one is actually best for you?
Here’s the honest framework. If you’re in reasonable health, start with the simplified-issue names — Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, and Americo — because answering a few health questions usually unlocks lower prices and day-one coverage. If common conditions have tripped you up elsewhere, Transamerica’s graded option is worth a look. If you’re 86 or older, Aetna is one of the few carriers still issuing at all. And if your health rules out questions entirely, that’s when guaranteed acceptance like Colonial Penn earns its place — just go in knowing about the waiting period. To choose well between whatever quotes you gather, our guide on comparing burial insurance quotes side by side gives you a simple scorecard, and what drives the cost explains why your price is what it is.
For neutral background on how whole life and final expense coverage works underneath all of this, the Insurance Information Institute is a reliable reference.
The bottom line
The best final expense insurance isn’t a single company — it’s the strongest match for your age, health, and budget, backed by an insurer that will still be paying claims when your family needs them. Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, Aetna, Colonial Penn, and Americo all earn a place on the shortlist for different reasons. Quote at least three, hold the coverage amount and policy type equal when you compare, and choose the company that offers the best value for your situation — not just the most familiar name.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best final expense insurance company?
There isn’t one best company for everyone. Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, Aetna, Colonial Penn, and Americo are all strong choices, but the best for you depends on your age, health, and coverage needs. Comparing at least three is the reliable way to find your match.
Does final expense insurance require a medical exam?
Generally no. These policies are no-exam — you either answer a few health questions (simplified issue) or none at all (guaranteed acceptance). No-questions policies usually cost more and include a waiting period.
How much does final expense insurance cost?
It depends on your age, health, tobacco use, and coverage amount, so there’s no single figure. The only reliable number is a quote based on your details — which is why comparing several companies matters.
Which company is best if I have health problems?
It depends how serious the conditions are. Graded plans like Transamerica’s Easy Solution (ages 18–80, up to $25,000) or Mutual of Omaha’s Graded Benefit plan (ages 45–80, up to $20,000) accept applicants who wouldn’t qualify for day-one coverage, and pay the full benefit after two years. If no insurer will ask questions at all, guaranteed acceptance from Colonial Penn is the fallback. Compare all three against simplified-issue pricing before deciding.
Can you still get final expense insurance at 87?
Yes, but your choices are narrow. Most carriers stop issuing new policies at 85. Aetna, through Accendo, accepts applicants up to age 89, which makes it one of the few options at that age.
Sources
- Transamerica, final expense life insurance product page
- Americo, Final Expense Products at a Glance (PDF)
- Aetna Senior Supplemental Insurance, Accendo final expense whole life product overview
- Mutual of Omaha, Living Promise whole life product information
- AM Best financial strength ratings, as published by each carrier
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