Updated: June 3, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Ethos Life, MetLife, and New York Life are among the best guaranteed acceptance life insurance companies, each offering strong options alongside Mutual of Omaha.
Guaranteed acceptance policies require no medical exams or health questions, making them ideal for individuals with health issues or those seeking quick coverage.
Coverage amounts are typically limited to $25,000 or less, with higher premiums based on age and gender, and a graded death benefit applies in the first two years.
Mutual of Omaha is the best overall guaranteed acceptance life insurance company. Other insurers excel in specific categories. Check the table below to compare age ranges, coverage options, waiting periods, and payouts during the waiting period to find the right fit for your needs.
Companies | Best For | Age Range | Coverage Range | Waiting Period | Waiting Period Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mutual of Omaha | Overall Guaranteed Acceptance | 45–85 | $2,000–$25,000 | 2 years | Premiums paid + 10% interest |
Ethos | Easy Online Application | 66–85 | $1,000–$30,000 | 2 years | Premiums paid + 30% interest |
MetLife | High Coverage | 45–80 | $2,500–$50,000 | 2 years | Premiums paid + 10% interest |
New York Life | Reputation & Communication | 50–80 45–80) | Up to $25,000 | 2 years | Premiums paid + 10% interest |
Coverage begins at age 45
Most claims paid in 24 hours
Quote and buy online
Low coverage amount
Graded death benefit only provides 10% interest
MoneyGeek Score: 91
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 783
AM Best Rating: A+
NAIC Complaint Index: 1.20
MoneyGeek's Take: Mutual of Omaha tops our list as the overall best guaranteed acceptance life insurance provider for its nationwide availability, fast claims payout and ease of quoting and purchasing coverage online.
Mutual of Omaha has offered life insurance nationwide for over 100 years. Its guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance covers ages 45 to 85 (50 tyo 75 in New York) with no health questions or medical exams. You can apply online or by phone.
Coverage ranges from $2,000 to $25,000 ($5,000 minimum in Washington). Rates depend on age, gender and coverage amount, with identical pricing for smokers and nonsmokers. For non-accidental deaths in the first two years, beneficiaries receive premiums paid plus 10% interest. After two years, they receive the full death benefit regardless of cause of death.
If you need more coverage and have good health, Mutual of Omaha offers simplified issue whole life up to $40,000 with health questions but no medical exam.
Policy Types Offered:
Issue age up to 85
Paid in full at age 100
30% interest included in graded death benefit
Lowest acceptance age is 66
MoneyGeek Score: N/A
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): N/A
AM Best Rating: N/A
NAIC Complaint Index: N/A
MoneyGeek's Take: Our pick for the easiest online application is Ethos Life. This digital agent life insurance company offers a 100% online quote and application process that takes 10 minutes or less to complete.
Ethos Life offers a digital platform where most people can get quotes in minutes and complete applications in 10 minutes or less. The guaranteed acceptance product is offered through AAA Life for ages 66 to 85 with coverage from $1,000 to $30,000.
After instant approval, you can pay by credit card for immediate coverage that stays in force until death if you maintain premiums.
For non-accidental deaths in the first two years, beneficiaries receive premiums paid plus 30% interest, the highest rate among companies we reviewed. The policy builds cash value you can access as loans or withdrawals. At age 100, premiums end and the policy is paid in full while coverage continues.
Policy Types Offered:
Up to $50,000 in coverage
Issue age begins at 45
Only available through a MetLife advisor
Graded death benefit
MoneyGeek Score: 87
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 768
AM Best Rating: A+
NAIC Complaint Index: 1.00
MoneyGeek's Take: MetLife offers the best high coverage guaranteed acceptance life insurance, where eligible applicants can choose up to $50,000 in coverage.
MetLife's guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance is only available through company advisors, not online. It offers the highest coverage among guaranteed acceptance insurers at up to $50,000 for ages 45-80.
The policy requires no health questions or medical exams and features level rates with cash value that builds over time. You can borrow against the cash value, but unpaid loans reduce your beneficiary's death benefit.
Coverage starts immediately upon acceptance and first payment. For non-accidental deaths in the first two years, MetLife pays a graded death benefit returning premiums plus 10% interest. A MetLife advisor can help determine your coverage needs.
Policy Types Offered:
Policyholders covered up to age 95
Accelerated death benefit included
Instant quote online
Must apply by mail
MoneyGeek Score: 88
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 772
AM Best Rating: A++
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.16
MoneyGeek's Take: New York Life is one of the oldest and most respected life insurance companies in the industry. As a mutual insurer, New York Life puts reputation and communication at the forefront of its business, making it our top pick for this category.
New York Life is one of the oldest life insurance companies, operating for over 175 years with the highest possible financial ratings. You get a dedicated agent who works with you as your needs change. New York Life has partnered with AARP to offer guaranteed acceptance life insurance with no health questions or medical exams.
New York Life's graded death benefit returns paid premiums plus 10% interest if you die in the first two years. Pennsylvania, Missouri and Minnesota residents get higher amounts per state laws (40% to 400% of premiums paid). The policy includes an accelerated death benefit rider, letting you access up to half the death benefit if diagnosed with a terminal illness with two years or less life expectancy. Any amount used reduces your beneficiary's death benefit.
Policy Types Offered:
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance rates depend only on your age, gender and coverage amount, unlike traditional life insurance that considers health and lifestyle factors.
Rates still vary by carrier, so get at least three quotes to compare, especially if you're under 60. Our data shows Ethos Life and Mutual of Omaha offer the best rates for shoppers aged 60 and younger.
Policyholder Age | Monthly Premium for $10k Coverage | Monthly Premium for $25k Coverage |
|---|---|---|
50 | $20–$55 | $30–$100 |
60 | $30–$70 | $50–$150 |
70 | $80–$100 | $200–$250 |
Finding the right guaranteed acceptance life insurance can seem confusing, but this guide makes it easier. We'll compare age limits, coverage amounts, waiting periods and premium costs to help you choose a policy that matches your needs, even if you've been denied coverage before.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance is permanent whole life insurance with level premiums and death benefits up to $25,000. Rates depend on age, gender and coverage amount, not health. Smokers and nonsmokers pay the same, with no health questionnaire or medical exam required. If you're within the eligible age range and can pay premiums, you're guaranteed approval.
This policy builds cash value and provides lifetime coverage, making it ideal for people who can't qualify for traditional life insurance due to medical conditions. While coverage is easy to obtain, premiums are higher because insurers accept all applicants without health screening. Many best online life insurance carriers now offer quotes and purchases entirely online.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance has advantages and disadvantages worth considering before purchasing.
No health questions or medical exams make applications quick and simple, usually taking just minutes with immediate approval if you meet eligibility criteria.
Most policies build cash value over time. You can borrow against it, but outstanding loans reduce the death benefit paid to beneficiaries.
You're guaranteed acceptance once you apply. Policies stay in force until death as long as you pay premiums on time. Some companies offer "paid-up" ages where premiums end but coverage continues.
Death benefits are typically capped at $25,000, though some companies like MetLife offer up to $50,000.
Most policies include graded death benefits. If you die from non-accidental causes in the first few years, beneficiaries receive only premiums paid plus 10% to 30% interest. Full benefits become available after the waiting period.
All applicants are treated as high-risk, resulting in the highest life insurance rates compared to underwritten products.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance is best for people with serious health issues or those denied other coverage. These policies require no health screening, making them ideal for high-risk applicants. Most are whole life final expense insurance designed for seniors.
If you're healthy, guaranteed acceptance likely isn't cost-effective. Healthy people may qualify for more affordable term life insurance with a medical exam with higher benefits and lower costs.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance works for people who can't qualify for traditional coverage due to health issues. While premiums are higher and coverage lower, the guaranteed approval offers valuable peace of mind. Mutual of Omaha stands out with fast claims processing, easy online applications and nationwide availability.
Have questions about guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance? Understanding our answers to these common questions can help you make the right decision.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance is simple. If you meet age requirements, you can apply without health questionnaires or medical exams and can't be turned down. Most policies have graded death benefits, meaning beneficiaries receive only premiums paid plus 10% to 30% interest if you die from non-accidental causes in the first two years.
See also: How does life insurance work?
Pros include simple applications with no medical exams or health questions. Cons include high costs per $1,000 of coverage, coverage caps usually at $25,000 or less, and limited death benefits if you die within the first two years from non-accidental causes.
Costs depend on gender, age and death benefit amount. At age 50, monthly premiums for $10,000 coverage range from $20 to $55. At age 60, premiums range from $30 to $70. Premium rates lock in for life once purchased.
MoneyGeek created a scoring system to compare life insurance companies across five categories and ranked them based on their scores. We chose to review these companies based on their broad national coverage and ability to provide an online quote.
MoneyGeek’s Scoring System
In our unique scoring system, companies can earn up to five points in each of the five categories below. We then use these category scores to calculate an overall MoneyGeek score out of 100. We applied the following weightings to score insurers:
Each company’s score incorporates the following:
Sample Customer Profile
MoneyGeek used a standard profile to obtain life insurance quotes:
Premiums are based on the standard profile unless otherwise noted.
We modified the profile by age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use, health rating and geographic location to collect a variety of quotes and determine the best life insurance company for several types of customers. We collected quotes for term life insurance with varying term lengths and coverage amounts as well.
We identified trends in the data set and used those patterns to calculate projections and extend the data beyond what was originally collected.
About Mandy Sleight
Mandy Sleight is a licensed property, casualty, life and health insurance agent with 20 years of experience in the industry. She has worked for major insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide, and most recently as the Operations Coordinator for a startup employee benefits company.
Sleight holds a business administration and management degree from the University of Baltimore and a master's in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University. She uses her vast knowledge of insurance and personal finance to create easy-to-understand and engaging content to help readers make smarter choices with their budgets and finances.
