5 Basis to Compare the Best Burial Insurance Policies on the Market
Funerals are costly. Burial plot, transportation to the funeral place, service, flowers, headstones, and casket costs can be significant, especially if the family’s financial situation isn’t very sound. In such circumstances, families have no option but to dig into their life savings to bid goodbye to their loved one.
As if the emotional blow wasn’t enough, the families are also stricken with a financial setback. You certainly wouldn’t want that for your family after you’re gone. Fortunately, there is a way out. While there is nothing you can do to lessen the emotional pain they would feel upon losing you, help them financially by planning your funeral in your lifetime.
That’s where Burial insurance policies come into the picture. As the name suggests, these are insurance plans designed specifically to meet the end-of-life financial expenses. You can check out resources like mutual of omaha burial insurance reviews to find your perfect fit.
How Do Burial Insurance Help Families?
Although these are designed keeping the funeral costs in mind, the proceeds can be used by the beneficiary in any way they like. The coverage amount can vary from policy to policy, so if you want some money to be left for your family after the funeral costs, you can buy a policy with a larger amount.
There are policies available starting from $2000 to $40,000 of course, and the premium amount would vary depending on the amount. Many different providers offer burial expense insurance, hence deciding which policy to buy isn’t simple. Insurance policies have a language of their own, and it can be challenging to decipher the terms and conditions on your own.
However, here are some parameters on the basis of which you can compare different life insurance policies and choose the option that’s right for you and your family.
Robert Schmidt with Burialinsurancepro.org notes “the easiest way to address burial expenses is to secure a policy that will payout to your family. There are many insurance companies that a person can choose from. Mutual of Omaha burial insurance plans are some of the most competitive on the market.”
The Coverage Amount
The coverage is the amount that your family will receive after you’ve passed away. The idea is to cover all funeral costs associated with a burial plot, transportation to the funeral site, services, casket, flowers, etc. Of course, the amount would vary depending on the kind of service you wish.
If you wish to keep it quiet and simple, you can let your family know, and you can select a basic burial policy which provides just enough coverage to meet all the funeral expenses. Policies are available with coverage ranging from USD 5000 to USD 50,000, so it’s entirely up to you. Estimate the expenses and choose a policy that provides adequate cover for the family left to handle a costly funeral and any pending hospital bills.
Access to Funds
Another pertinent question that you need to consider is, will your survivors have the funds available in time to meet your funeral expenses? What is the formality for disbursal of funds? The money may be tied up in probate, or there may be some other hassle associated with the paperwork.
Different policy providers will have different terms and conditions. If your family does not have enough funds, it is essential to choose a policy that offers speedy disbursal, so your family does not have to deal with financial stress.
Inclusion of Third Party Costs
Burial plot, casket, headstones, flowers, etc. are arrangements dealt with by the funeral company. However, there may be third party costs as well, like doctor’s fees for the death certificate and other formalities if the death occurs at the hospital, the ministry fees for the prayer meeting, etc. The funeral company does not cover these, and therefore, they are not included in the burial insurance plan. And in this case, your family will have to pay for it from their pockets.
Repatriation
Generally, burial expense policies cover the transportation of the body from your place of residence to the funeral site. But what if you die abroad? Would the costs still be covered? Most insurance companies have provision for this. Still, it is vital to ask if the costs can be huge.
Health Issues
It is important, especially if you are bedridden, suffering from some terminal illness or have just been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Even though burial and funeral expense plans are designed to cover your end-of-life expenses, there might be some health conditions which might disqualify you. It is better to check with the agent or the insurance provider. Before choosing a policy, do a bit of research from resources like Mutual of Omaha Burial Expense reviews to go for a comprehensive plan to suit your needs and health conditions.
It pays to do your homework and research well before buying a burial insurance plan. It is a thoughtful way of expressing care for your loved ones.