2026 Independent Broker Rankings
Best Final Expense Insurance Companies 2026:
Ranked by an Independent Broker Who Sells All of Them
Most rankings are written by people who sell one carrier or collect affiliate fees. This one is written by an independent broker who works with 9 A-rated carriers daily and places real clients with real health conditions. The best company depends entirely on your health profile — and that answer changes dramatically by condition.
How we ranked these companies
We work with 9 A-rated final expense carriers and place clients with real health conditions every day. These rankings are based on four factors: pricing versus market rate, underwriting flexibility by health condition, financial strength ratings, and real-world claims experience. We have no financial incentive to rank any carrier above another — our job is to match each client to the carrier that gives them the best benefit for their specific situation.
One thing most rankings get wrong: they rank carriers as if all applicants are healthy. The reality is that most final expense buyers have at least one significant health condition. Diabetes, COPD, heart disease, and cancer history are not exceptions in this market — they are the rule. A ranking that doesn’t account for underwriting by condition is essentially useless for the people who need this coverage most.
LL
From Larry La Spina — Licensed Independent Broker
NPN #21598508 • Licensed in 49 states • 9 A-rated carriers
The question I get asked most is “what’s the best final expense company?” My honest answer is always: it depends on your health. A diabetic who goes to Mutual of Omaha gets graded benefit. The same diabetic who calls me gets level benefit at American Amicable for less money. A CHF patient who gets quoted guaranteed issue everywhere gets level benefit at Transamerica — because American Home Life declines CHF and American Amicable offers no coverage for it. That one piece of knowledge saves people hundreds of dollars a year. Call me and in 10 minutes I can tell you which carrier wins for your profile: (754) 800-1152.
The best final expense insurance companies for 2026
Best for
Healthy seniorsNon-diabeticsA+ financial strength$2K minimum
⚠ Critical caveat for diabetics: Mutual of Omaha automatically grades ALL diabetics to their graded benefit product — no exceptions regardless of how controlled your diabetes is or what medications you take. If you have any form of diabetes, Mutual of Omaha is not the right carrier.
Read our full Mutual of Omaha review →
Best for
Diabetics (Type 1 & 2)Insulin usersBest smoker ratesCancer survivorsAsthma/inhaler users
★ Standout underwriting: Level benefit to insulin-dependent diabetics. Best smoker rates in the market. Accepts asthma for level benefit. Not for CHF (no coverage) and not for COPD (COPD within 2 yrs = ROP waiting period). For COPD use Transamerica or Royal Neighbors. For CHF, only Transamerica offers level benefit.
Read our full American Amicable review →
Best for
Female applicantsDiabetics incl. insulin usersCOPD level benefitMS & Parkinson’s
★ Underwriting strength: Particularly strong for female applicants and COPD patients. Important oxygen rule: any oxygen use goes directly to GI only at Royal Neighbors — there is no graded option. CHF also requires GI only.
Read our full Royal Neighbors review →
Best for
Heart diseaseCHF — level benefit UNIQUECOPD level benefitAFibStroke survivors
★ Industry-unique capability: Transamerica (Select tier) is the only major final expense carrier that accepts CHF for level benefit with no waiting period. American Home Life declines CHF entirely. American Amicable offers no coverage for CHF. Royal Neighbors requires GI for CHF. If you have CHF, Transamerica is the only call that matters.
Read our full Transamerica review →
Best for
Medication-clean profilesType 2 diabetics on oral medsLowest rate when qualifying
⚠ Placement requires precision: Americo underwrites almost entirely based on your specific medication list. The same diagnosis at two different medication levels gets two completely different outcomes. We need your exact drug list before placing you with Americo. When you qualify, it’s often among the lowest rates available.
Read our full Americo review →
Best for
COPD (timing-dependent)AFib — Preferred rateInsulin-controlled diabetes
COPD timing tiers: 0–24 months = Modified. 24–36 months = Standard level. 37+ months = Preferred level. AFib qualifies for Preferred rate from day one. CHF = Decline. Defibrillator (ICD) = Decline. MS and Parkinson’s = Decline. Insulin prior to age 50 = Decline.
See full COPD coverage guide →
Health questions
None (GI)
Best for
Declined by all other carriersActive cancer treatmentDialysisTerminal illness
Corebridge offers both guaranteed issue (no health questions, 2-year wait) and simplified issue level benefit. Always try simplified issue first. GI should be the last resort, not the first call.
Read our full AIG/Corebridge review →
Best for
Ages 80–89Aetna Med Supp holders10% bundle discount
Aetna accepts applications up to age 89 — one of the widest issue age ranges in the market. Medicare Supplement holders qualify for a 10% Super Preferred discount. Not available in 11 states (AK, CA, CT, DC, HI, MA, MD, ME, NY, VT, WA). CHF = Decline at level benefit — use Transamerica.
Read our full Aetna review →
Companies to avoid: the TV advertisers that consistently overcharge
These companies are legitimate — they pay claims and have been in business for decades. The issue is exclusively value: they consistently charge 30–150% more than independent broker alternatives for the same or worse coverage.
✖ Lincoln Heritage
Rates run 30–50% above market. The FCGS funeral planning service costs you thousands in excess premiums over 10 years. Captive agents cannot show you alternatives.
Read full Lincoln Heritage review →✖ Colonial Penn
The $9.95/month plan buys “units” of coverage that shrink in value as you age — a 68-year-old male gets only $1,786 in coverage for $9.95/month.
Read full Colonial Penn review →✖ Globe Life
Direct-to-consumer model means no comparison shopping. Rates consistently above independent broker alternatives for the same coverage.
Read full Globe Life review →
⚠ Why TV advertising predicts overpricing: Lincoln Heritage, Colonial Penn, and Globe Life spend tens of millions per year on television advertising. Every dollar of that spend is embedded in your monthly premium. Independent broker carriers compete on price and underwriting quality rather than marketing spend.
Best carrier by health condition
| Health condition | Mutual of Omaha | American Amicable | Royal Neighbors | Transamerica | Am. Home Life | Lincoln Heritage |
|---|
| Healthy, no conditions | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level — 40% above mkt |
| Type 2 diabetes, oral meds | Graded only ⚠ | Level ✓ Best | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| Diabetes, insulin-dependent | Graded only ⚠ | Level ✓ Best | Level ✓ | Limited | Level ✓ | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| COPD, no oxygen | Limited | Not recommended ⚠ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ Best | Level (timing-dep.) ✓ | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| Congestive heart failure (CHF) | GI only | No coverage ⚠ | GI only | Level ✓ UNIQUE | Decline ⚠ | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| AFib, controlled | Case by case | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level (Preferred) ✓ | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| Heart attack 2+ yrs ago | Case by case | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ Best | Level (timing-dep.) | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| Cancer in remission 2+ yrs | Case by case | Level ✓ Best | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| Active cancer treatment | GI only | No coverage | GI only | GI only | Modified / Decline | Modified Plan ⚠ |
| Smoker, otherwise healthy | Level ✓ | Level ✓ Best rate | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level ✓ | Level — 40% above mkt |
Note on rate tables: Exact monthly premiums vary by state, health classification, and current carrier filings. Use the quote comparison tool or call Larry directly for verified rates for your specific profile. Rate tables across this site are illustrative — verified quotes from your broker are always the accurate source.
Tell us your age, health, and state — we’ll match you to the right carrier in 10 minutes
Free, no obligation. We compare all 9 carriers against your profile and tell you exactly which one wins for your situation.
Find My Best Rate →
What to look for when comparing final expense companies
AM Best financial rating. A or better means the company can pay claims reliably. Mutual of Omaha and Transamerica are A+.
Level benefit vs. graded benefit. Always push for level benefit if you can qualify. The carriers that tell you graded benefit is your only option are often wrong — an independent broker can frequently find level benefit at another carrier for the same or better price.
Captive vs. independent agent. A captive agent (Lincoln Heritage, Colonial Penn, Globe Life) can only show you one company’s rates. An independent broker compares all of them against your profile.
Underwriting by your specific health condition. The same health profile gets level benefit at one carrier and a 2-year waiting period at another. American Home Life declines CHF entirely. American Amicable offers no coverage for CHF. Only Transamerica offers level benefit for CHF.
Health condition guides
Carrier reviews: read before you apply
Frequently asked questions
What is the best final expense insurance company?
It depends entirely on your health. For healthy, non-diabetic seniors: Mutual of Omaha has an A+ AM Best rating and strong market rates. For diabetics: American Amicable and Royal Neighbors offer level benefit that Mutual of Omaha automatically denies. For heart disease and COPD: Transamerica is the #1 choice — it is the only carrier accepting CHF for level benefit. For seniors 80–89: Aetna is one of the only carriers still issuing level benefit policies at those ages. For anyone who can’t qualify elsewhere: AIG/Corebridge guaranteed issue accepts everyone.
Which final expense companies should I avoid?
Lincoln Heritage, Colonial Penn, and Globe Life are the three most heavily advertised final expense companies and the three most consistently overpriced versus independent broker alternatives. None are scams — they pay claims — but they consistently cost more than independent broker alternatives for the same death benefit.
Can I get final expense insurance with health problems?
Yes. Final expense insurance is specifically designed for seniors with health conditions. The key is matching your specific condition to the right carrier. Working with an independent broker who knows carrier underwriting distinctions is essential.
What is the best final expense insurance for diabetics?
American Amicable is the #1 choice for diabetics, including insulin users, because they offer level benefit with no waiting period to most diabetic profiles without serious complications. Royal Neighbors is a close second. Mutual of Omaha automatically grades all diabetics regardless of control.
See our full diabetes coverage guide.
What is the best carrier for congestive heart failure (CHF)?
Transamerica is the only carrier we work with that accepts CHF for level benefit coverage. American Home Life declines CHF entirely. American Amicable offers no coverage for CHF. Royal Neighbors requires guaranteed issue for CHF.
See our full heart disease guide.
Is it better to buy final expense insurance directly or through a broker?
Always through an independent broker. Buying directly from a carrier means you see one price with no comparison. The broker’s commission is paid by the carrier — there is no cost difference to you.