California has a lot of affordable burial insurance policies from multiple providers. It typically costs $50-$100 per month for a policy with a $10,000 death benefit, and you can usually buy up to $50,000 with most companies.
Learn how these plans work, the best companies available in California, and how much a policy will cost.
In addition, we’ll review how much a funeral costs in California and the various state laws that protect consumers buying insurance or planning a funeral.
How Much Does Final Expense Insurance Cost In California?
Typically, the cost of a burial policy is roughly $50-$100 monthly for a $10,000 policy. However, the price you’ll pay is based on your exact age, gender, health, tobacco habits, and the amount of coverage you choose.
Below is a whole life insurance rate chart with some sample monthly quotes, or you can use this quoting tool to see customized prices from all the companies available in California.
| Age & Gender | $5,000 | $10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Female age 40 | $12 | $21 |
| Female age 45 | $13 | $23 |
| Female age 50 | $14 | $24 |
| Female age 55 | $15 | $28 |
| Female age 60 | $18 | $33 |
| Female age 65 | $22 | $41 |
| Female age 70 | $28 | $53 |
| Female age 75 | $37 | $71 |
| Female age 80 | $50 | $98 |
| Female age 85 | $70 | $136 |
| Female age 89 | $131 | N/A |
| Male age 40 | $14 | $25 |
| Male age 45 | $15 | $27 |
| Male age 50 | $17 | $31 |
| Male age 55 | $20 | $36 |
| Male age 60 | $23 | $43 |
| Male age 65 | $29 | $54 |
| Male age 70 | $37 | $70 |
| Male age 75 | $50 | $97 |
| Male age 80 | $69 | $135 |
| Male age 85 | $91 | $178 |
| Male age 89 | $180 | N/A |
| Source for monthly prices: Choice Mutual quote calculator. Rates valid as of 05/08/2024. | ||
Best Funeral Insurance Companies In California
The states govern all forms of insurance rather than the federal government. For that reason, final expense insurance in the USA varies from state to state.
Below is an outline of the best funeral insurance companies in California.
| Insurance Company | Coverage & New Applicant Age Limits | Policy Type, Length & Product name |
|---|---|---|
 | Coverage: $2,000-$50,000 Age Range: 45-85 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "Living Promise"- Level (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $2,000-$50,000 Age Range: 40-89 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "Accendo"- Preferred (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$50,000 Age Range: 45-80 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "Final Expense"- Preferred (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $7,000-$30,000 Age Range: 50-80 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "SIWL" (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$35,000 Age Range: 50-85 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "PlanRight"- Preferred (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $1,000-$50,000 Age Range: 45-85 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "Immediate Solution"- Preferred (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$35,000 Age Range: 55-80 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "New Vista"- Level (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$25,000 Age Range: 50-80 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "Guaranteed Acceptance" (2 Yr waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $3,000-$40,000 Age Range: 50-80 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "SIMPL"- Preferred (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$25,000 Age Range: 50-80 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "Guaranteed Acceptance" (2 Yr waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $2,500-$50,000 Age Range: 50-85 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "Senior Choice"- Immediate (no waiting period) |
 | Coverage: $2,500-$50,000 Age Range: 45-89 | Whole Life Insurance Lasts forever once issued "iProvide" (no waiting period) |
How Does Final Expense Life Insurance Work?
A final expense insurance policy is a type of permanent life insurance with small death benefit options and lax underwriting.
These policies are meant to allow seniors with pre-existing health issues to qualify, and no medical exam is required.
Tip:
Final expense insurance is also regularly known as “burial insurance” or “funeral insurance.”
Usually, people buy these plans to cover just their burial expenses. However, it’s essential to understand that the end result will be a tax-free cash payout to your beneficiaries.
Your loved ones can spend the money on non-funeral costs such as medical bills or credit card debts. If your beneficiaries don’t use all the proceeds on your final expenses, they keep what’s left over.
Since funeral insurance for seniors is a form of whole life insurance, the coverage lasts forever. Additionally, the premiums stay the same with age, and they build cash value.
Some policies have no waiting period that fully cover you the day you make your first payment, but some plans have a two-year waiting period.
To qualify for immediate coverage, you must apply with a company that asks you health questions.
In contrast, there are plans without health questions (guaranteed acceptance). With those, you cannot be denied, but there is a two-year waiting period.
If you die from anything other than an accident in the first 24 months, the insurer will only refund your premiums plus interest.
How Much Does A Funeral Cost In California?
The NFDA reports that the average cost of a funeral in California with a burial, viewing, and vault is $7,225, whereas a cremation costs $6,028.
| Service Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Burial Service | $7,225 |
| Direct Burial (No Service) | $3,441 |
| Cremation Service | $6,028 |
| Direct Cremation (No Service) | $1,582 |
It’s helpful to use a final expenses cost calculator to get an accurate estimate of what your desired funeral will cost.
The Free Look Period In California & The FTC Funeral Rule
The free look period is a law in California that entitles all policyholders the right to cancel an insurance policy for any reason within the first 30 days. Furthermore, it stipulates that you’re entitled to a full refund of any premiums that may have been paid.
After the free look period is over, you can still cancel a policy, but you won’t be entitled to a refund. That law allows you to rest easy, knowing that if you buy from the wrong company, get scammed, or simply have a change of heart, you can cancel the policy and get your money back.
Another helpful law to be mindful of is the funeral rule established by the Federal Trade Commission. It mandates that all funeral homes must provide transparent pricing for their products and services upon request. Also, it gives you the right to pick and choose which products and services you want. You don’t simply have to accept whatever package a funeral home may offer.
How Choice Mutual Can Help
Choice Mutual is an independent final expense insurance agency that represents nearly 20 different insurance companies.
We advocate for you, the customer, rather than the insurance companies.
We compare plans from each provider in your state to find you the best deal possible.
Our services are always free, and you don’t pay a higher price for your insurance because you bought it through an agency.
Call us at 1-800-644-2926 and see why thousands of other happy customers trusted us for their burial insurance needs.
Article Sources
Choice Mutual often cites third-party websites to provide context and verification for specific claims made in our work. We only link to authoritative websites that provide accurate information. You can learn more about our editorial standards, which guide our mission of delivering factual and impartial content.
- states govern. https://www.iii.org/publications/commercial-insurance/how-it-functions/regulation
- NFDA. https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/6182/2021-nfda-general-price-list-study-shows-funeral-costs-not-rising-as-fast-as-rate-of-inflation
- law in California. http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0150-seniors/0600informationguides/Informing-Senior.cfm#freelookprovisions
- funeral rule. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/truth-advertising/funeral-rule
