The average cost of final expense life insurance is $30 per month for women and $38 per month for men. These rates are based on quotes for 50-year-old nonsmokers with $10,000 coverage. Your actual premium depends on your age, gender, lifestyle, the insurer you choose, and the death benefit you select.
Final Expense Insurance Cost (2026 Rates)
Final expense insurance costs $30 per month for a 50-year-old woman and $38 for a 50-year-old man with $10,000 in coverage, based on MoneyGeek's analysis. Your rate depends on your age, gender, lifestyle and the coverage amount you choose.
Find out if you're overpaying for life insurance below.
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Updated: March 5, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Age is the primary pricing factor in final expense insurance. Buying earlier locks in a lower rate.
Women pay less than men in most states because of their longer average life expectancies.
Smoking also affects final expense insurance costs, with smokers paying more than nonsmokers.
Coverage amounts for final expense policies range from $1,000 to $50,000. Estimating your actual end-of-life costs helps you choose the right amount without overpaying.
How Much Does Final Expense Insurance Cost?
Cost of Final Expense Insurance by Age and Gender
Age is the primary driver of final expense rates. Premiums rise with each birthday, which is why buying earlier saves money over the long run. Women pay less than men because they have longer average life expectancies, reducing the insurer's risk.
Data filtered by:
Female
| 40 | $22 | $264 |
| 45 | $28 | $331 |
| 50 | $30 | $363 |
| 55 | $36 | $432 |
| 60 | $42 | $498 |
| 65 | $50 | $605 |
| 70 | $64 | $769 |
| 75 | $87 | $1,049 |
| 80 | $125 | $1,496 |
| 85 | $155 | $1,862 |
Rates shown are estimates based on a $10,000 policy, and actual costs may vary based on individual circumstances and insurer underwriting.
Final Expense Insurance Rates for Smokers
Smokers pay more for final expense insurance than nonsmokers of the same age and gender. Insurers classify tobacco use as a higher mortality risk, and that risk is priced into your premium from day one. The gap between smoker and nonsmoker rates varies by company.
Data filtered by:
Female
| 40 | $29 | $345 |
| 45 | $34 | $404 |
| 50 | $38 | $457 |
| 55 | $44 | $529 |
| 60 | $51 | $617 |
| 65 | $63 | $759 |
| 70 | $80 | $962 |
| 75 | $108 | $1,298 |
| 80 | $155 | $1,856 |
| 85 | $204 | $2,452 |
These rates are based on applicants with $10,000 in coverage. The actual final expense insurance cost depends on personal factors and the insurer.
Most final expense insurers ask whether you have used tobacco within the past 12 months, though some look back two to three years, depending on the product and underwriting class. Applicants who qualify as nonsmokers under a given insurer's definition receive the lower rate.
If you've recently quit, it's worth confirming the insurer's tobacco look-back period before applying, since the same application can qualify you as a nonsmoker at one company and a smoker at another.
Average Cost of Final Expense Insurance by Coverage Amount
Higher coverage amounts mean higher monthly premiums. Final expense insurance policies range from $1,000 to $50,000, and your cost scales with the death benefit you choose.
Data filtered by:
40
Female
| $1,000 | $5 | $64 |
| $5,000 | $13 | $156 |
| $10,000 | $22 | $264 |
| $25,000 | $49 | $587 |
| $50,000 | $95 | $1,145 |
The right coverage amount depends on your actual end-of-life costs. Add up your estimated funeral and burial expenses, any outstanding medical bills and small debts you want covered, then choose a death benefit that matches that total.
Final Expense Insurance Cost by Company
Rates vary by insurer because each company uses its own underwriting criteria and eligibility requirements. The same applicant can receive quotes that differ across companies for identical coverage. Companies with stricter health questions sometimes offer lower starting rates.
Data filtered by:
Female
| AARP | $24 | $288 |
| Transamerica | $24 | $291 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $24 | $292 |
| Americo | $26 | $309 |
| Foresters Financial | $26 | $313 |
| Lincoln Heritage | $26 | $316 |
| Liberty Bankers Life | $26 | $316 |
| American Amicable | $27 | $320 |
| Aflac | $27 | $324 |
| Aetna | $27 | $328 |
| American Home Life | $29 | $346 |
| USAA | $30 | $365 |
| Royal Neighbors of America | $34 | $410 |
| Gerber Life | $34 | $414 |
| Physicians Mutual | $35 | $414 |
| State Farm | $35 | $418 |
| Fidelity Life | $35 | $423 |
| AIG | $39 | $463 |
| AAA | $46 | $552 |
These final expense insurance costs are average premiums for 50-year-old applicants with $10,000 in coverage, per MoneyGeek's 2026 rate analysis. Rates are based on sample profiles. Actual costs will vary based on individual health and eligibility.
TYPES OF FINAL EXPENSE INSURANCE
Final expense insurance comes in two forms. Simplified issue policies ask a short health questionnaire and offer lower rates for applicants who qualify. Guaranteed acceptance policies skip health questions entirely and approve anyone who meets the age requirement, but cost more and include a 2-3 year waiting period before the full death benefit pays out. If your health allows, a simplified issue policy costs less.
How to Get Low-Cost Final Expense Insurance
Your final expense insurance cost depends on when and how you buy the policy. These tips help you get the lowest rate for your situation.
Buy as early as you can
Final expense insurance is a whole life policy with lower coverage levels, so it locks in rates permanently. The older you are when you buy, the higher your rate will be for the life of the policy.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Life insurance rates for the same coverage vary across companies. Getting at least three quotes at the same coverage level gives you a reliable comparison.
Answer health questions if you can
Policies that include a short health questionnaire cost less than those that skip questions entirely. If your health allows you to qualify for a policy with health questions, you'll pay a lower rate.
Match coverage to your actual costs
Overbuying raises your premium without adding value. Estimate your funeral, burial and outstanding debt costs before choosing a death benefit amount.
Avoid tobacco use
Tobacco use raises premiums. Many insurers offer lower rates for nonsmokers, so applying after you've quit can reduce your cost.
Ask about annual payment discounts
Some companies charge less per year when you pay in a lump sum rather than monthly. Confirm with your insurer whether this option is available.
Final Expense Life Insurance Cost: Bottom Line
Final expense insurance costs depend on your age, gender, lifestyle, and the death benefit you choose. On average, a 50-year-old woman pays $30 per month for $10,000 in coverage. A 50-year-old man pays $38.
Rates rise with age, so buying earlier locks in a lower premium for the life of the policy. Compare quotes from multiple insurers and match your coverage to your actual end-of-life expenses to find the right policy without overpaying.
Final Expense Insurance: FAQ
Is final expense insurance the same as burial insurance?
Yes. Both terms refer to the same product: a small whole life policy designed to cover funeral, burial, and other end-of-life costs. Insurers and agents use them interchangeably.
Does the cost of final expense insurance increase over time?
Not with a whole life policy. Whole life coverage locks in your premium at the rate you qualify for when you apply. It never increases, and coverage doesn't expire as long as you pay premiums. Some term-based burial insurance products can change in cost at renewal, so confirm the policy type before you buy.
How do you get final expense insurance?
You can buy directly through an insurer's website, through a licensed independent agent who quotes multiple companies, or through an agent who works for one company. Most final expense policies don't require a medical exam. Depending on the policy, you'll either answer a short health questionnaire or none at all.
Does final expense insurance cost more if you have health problems?
It depends on the policy. Some final expense policies ask a few health questions and may decline applicants with serious conditions or charge higher rates. Others skip health questions entirely and accept all applicants, but cost more and include a waiting period before the full death benefit pays out. Check your policy's terms for the specific waiting period length.
Our Methodology
We gathered thousands of final expense quotes across multiple demographics to show how insurers price whole life insurance policies for different people. Our baseline applicant is a 50-year-old nonsmoker in average health. All premiums use this profile unless a section specifies otherwise.
We adjusted three underwriting factors to capture real pricing differences across demographics:
- Smoking status: nonsmoker vs. smoker rates
- Health rating: average to poor health classifications
- Coverage amount: varying death benefit levels
We collected quotes and identified pricing patterns across the full dataset, then used those patterns to show how final expense life insurance costs shift by age, coverage amount, gender and smoking status. Younger applicants pay less than older ones; women pay less than men at most ages. The data captures both differences so you can find a realistic starting point for your profile, not just a broad average.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.