5 Facts About Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance

lake image

Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance, also known as Guaranteed Issue, is a form of permanent life insurance in which your application is always accepted. Sound too good to be true? While the word “guarantee” has a nice ring to it, it’s important to understand what is behind that promise. Guaranteed acceptance life insurance can make all the sense in the world for some specific situations. Before making a purchase, there are several key factors to consider about guaranteed life insurance coverage.

This article highlights guaranteed acceptance life insurance, including key policy factors, product benefits, potential downsides, best insurance companies, and other considerations. 

Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance

Guaranteed acceptance life insurance provides a straightforward solution for those seeking coverage without the need for a health assessment.

This type of policy ensures acceptance regardless of health status, making it particularly suitable for individuals who have been declined traditional life insurance or face significant health challenges.

retired couple
The application process is notably simple, often completed over the phone and without health questions or physical exams. While it offers accessible coverage, potential applicants should consider that premiums can be higher due to the increased risk absorbed by insurers.

1. Guaranteed

First and foremost, it’s important to know that guaranteed acceptance life insurance is always accepted. In other words, you are guaranteed coverage regardless of your health. Guaranteed acceptance life is also extremely simple to purchase. Actually, this type of policy has about the simplest steps to purchase coverage.

The application process:

  • Often purchased over the phone
  • Does NOT require a physical exam
  •  No health questions to answer
  • You provide your basic information

When does it make sense?

In considering life insurance coverage, it is important to evaluate your needs and objectives, as well as consider policy options. Ideal applicants for guaranteed acceptance life insurance tend to have the following experiences:

  • Previously declined life insurance
  • Serious health complications
  • Need modest permanent life insurance

2.  Cost

Guaranteed acceptance life insurance can be costly.

Life insurance carriers absorb risk in exchange for life insurance protection. The amount you pay for your guaranteed acceptance life insurance policy is expensive because all applicants are accepted – even those with high risk (poor health).

Let’s consider some sample quotes:

sample male rates guaranteed acceptance male life insurance
sample female rates guaranteed acceptance life insurance

Note: The above rates are for illustration purposes only. Individual rates may vary by company, product, and state.

Keep in mind – You will want to keep an eye on your return on investment. It is possible to pay more in premiums over the life of the policy than the death benefit is worth.

3. Age

Guaranteed acceptance life insurance does have age restrictions differing by issuing insurance company.

For the most coverage options, you will need to be between the ages of 50 – 80 years old and able to complete the application process.

birthday guaranteed acceptance life insurance

However, there are policies available for applicants as young as age 40 up to age 85. So, what if I am younger than age 40 or older than age 85? If you fall outside the age limits for guaranteed acceptance, you will want to collaborate with an independent life insurance agent to discuss your specific coverage needs and policy options.

For example, if you are younger than 40 and do not qualify for a different form of life insurance, an accidental death policy may be an option.

If you are older than 85, there are limited life insurance options, up to about age 89. You will need to be in at least decent health to qualify.

4. Graded

Most guaranteed acceptance policies have graded death benefits.

What is a graded death benefit?

A graded death benefit means that your beneficiary does not qualify for the entire death benefit initially upon your passing. Typically, with this type of policy your full death benefit will not be paid out until year three or beyond.

Consider a standard graded benefit contract:

  • Year 1 – 25% of Death Benefit
  • Year 2 – 50% of Death Benefit
  • Year 3 – 100% of Death Benefit

Note: Some carriers return premium payments, plus interest, during the first two years of a policy with a graded benefit, should death occur.

5. Options

It’s important to consider other life insurance options and understand how life insurance works before deciding to purchase guaranteed acceptance life insurance.

If you can be approved, there may be more affordable life insurance options, with a larger face amount. Consider the following:

policy options guaranteed acceptance life insurance

Term Life Insurance – Cost-effective and available in large face amounts, term life insurance is often your first stop when considering a life insurance purchase. Term life insurance is life insurance issued for a specific term (10, 20, 30 years). Keep in mind that a term life insurance policy means it will expire at the end of its term. Term life policy face amounts usually range from $25,000 to well over $1 million.

Whole Life Insurance – As the name implies, whole (permanent) life insurance lasts your whole life and includes a cash-value component. While guaranteed acceptance is a form of whole life insurance, there are other traditional types of whole life – with stricter underwriting. Traditional whole life insurance, in comparison, will be less expensive and have larger face amounts. Policy sizes range from $10,000 to over $1 million for traditional whole life policies.

Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance – Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL) is a popular life insurance option for seniors. Think of guaranteed universal life as a bridge between term and whole life insurance. While technically a term life insurance product, the GUL policy is designed to last your entire life.

For example, GUL policies often remain in force until age 90 or even over age 100. Premiums tend to be more expensive than term life insurance but less expensive than whole life.

essential facts guaranteed acceptance life insurance

Benefits of Guaranteed Acceptance

For some, guaranteed acceptance life insurance can feel like a breath of fresh air. If you have struggled to find life insurance coverage that you qualify for, guaranteed acceptance might make all the difference for your family.

Benefits include:

  • Guaranteed life insurance coverage
  • The application process is fast and simple
  • There is a cash-value component to the policy

Downsides of Guaranteed Acceptance

It is recommended that you explore alternative life insurance options before deciding on guaranteed acceptance life insurance.

Downsides include:

  • Only modest face amounts are available (often capped at $25,000)
  • Expensive premiums (rates are typically high than other policies)
  • Typically, graded death benefits for the first two years

Best Companies for Guaranteed Acceptance

There are a number of top-rated life insurance carriers that offer guaranteed acceptance life insurance. In our experience, the following companies are recommended based on company ratings, products offered, customer service, and other factors.

Corebridge: Guarantee Issue

  • Age range: 50 – 85 years
  • Face amount: $5,000–$25,000
  • No health questions
  • Fixed premiums

Gerber: Guaranteed Life

  • Age range: 50 – 80 years
  • Face amount: $5,000–$25,000
  • No health questions
  • Fixed premiums

Great Western: Guaranteed Assurance

  • Age range: 40 – 80 years
  • Face amount: $1,000–$40,000
  • No health questions
  • Fixed premiums

Who Should Buy Guaranteed Acceptance?

Guaranteed acceptance life insurance works best for applicants who...

  • Do not qualify for other insurance
  • Have a serious medical condition
  • Need permanent life insurance
  • Are okay with a modest face amount
thumbs up image

Who Should Not Buy Guaranteed Acceptance?

Guaranteed acceptance life insurance does not work best for applicants who...

  • Qualify for other types of life insurance
  • Do not need permanent life insurance
  • Prefer a term life insurance policy
  • Need a larger coverage face amount
hold hands image

Bottom Line

You will want to do a few things before making a guaranteed acceptance life insurance purchase, to ensure that this coverage meets financial needs and objectives.

1.  Work with an independent life insurance agent so that you can access multiple carriers and multiple policy options.

2.  Determine if guaranteed acceptance life insurance is the best type of coverage to fit your insurance coverage needs.

3.  Be prepared for the application by having your basic information readily available, including your social security number and beneficiary information.

Our team can assist in choosing the right type of policy, an appropriate amount of coverage, and the best insurance company for your situation. Get the quality coverage you need at affordable rates. Give us a call at (800) 770-8229 or request an instant quote today!

Disclaimer: Information is intended to be educational in nature and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual assistance.