Arteriosclerosis and Final Expense Insurance: Your Options in 2026

Why Traditional Coverage Is Hard to Get

If you have applied for life insurance with arteriosclerosis and been turned down, you are not experiencing something unusual. Most traditional life insurance carriers view arteriosclerosis as a significant cardiovascular risk. The condition involves hardening and narrowing of the arteries, which raises red flags during medical underwriting.

Simplified issue policies, which skip the medical exam but still ask health questions, also tend to screen out applicants with arteriosclerosis. Many applications include direct questions about heart and artery conditions, and a “yes” answer often leads to a decline.

This does not mean you are uninsurable. It means those particular products were not designed for your situation. There is a category of life insurance built for exactly this moment.

How Guaranteed Issue Final Expense Insurance Works

Guaranteed issue life insurance does exactly what the name promises. If you meet the age requirement (typically 45 to 85), you are accepted. Period.

Here is what makes these policies different from what may have turned you down before.

• There are no health questions on the application
• There is no medical exam, no blood work, no doctor’s records pulled
• Acceptance is guaranteed regardless of your arteriosclerosis diagnosis
• The application process takes minutes, not weeks
• Your premiums are locked in and will never increase

This type of policy is specifically designed as final expense or burial insurance. It is not meant to replace your income for decades. It is meant to make sure your family is not left scrambling to cover funeral costs, medical bills, or other end of life expenses.

What to Expect on Cost and Coverage

Being straightforward about the numbers matters. Guaranteed issue policies offer coverage amounts typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, with some carriers offering up to $50,000. Most people in this situation choose enough to cover funeral and burial costs, which average around $8,000 to $12,000 nationally.

The cost per dollar of coverage will be higher than what a healthy 40 year old would pay for a traditional term policy. That is the tradeoff for guaranteed acceptance. To put it in real terms, a $15,000 policy might cost between $70 and $100 per month depending on your age. Some people choose to apply for two smaller policies from different carriers to build up their total coverage.

The graded benefit period is something every applicant should understand before signing. Most guaranteed issue policies include a waiting period of two to three years. If you pass away from natural causes during that window, your beneficiaries receive a return of all premiums paid plus interest (typically around 10%), rather than the full death benefit. After that graded period ends, the full face amount is payable. Accidental death is usually covered at the full benefit amount from day one.

Premiums are fixed once you are approved. They will not go up as you age or if your health changes.

Why an Independent Agency Matters Here

Even within guaranteed issue products, there are real differences between carriers. Graded benefit periods vary. Maximum face amounts differ. Monthly premiums for the same coverage can swing by 20% or more depending on the company. Some carriers offer better terms for certain age brackets.

This is where working with an independent agency gives you an advantage. At Insurance By Heroes, we were founded by a former first responder and military spouse, and every member of our team comes from a background in public service. That service first mindset shapes how we work with every client, regardless of background. We believe protecting your family is an act of duty, and we treat it that way.

Because we are independent, we are not locked into one carrier’s products. We compare guaranteed issue options from many different carriers to find the policy that fits your budget and your coverage goals. That comparison shopping is done for you, at no extra cost.

Making the Decision

If you are considering guaranteed issue final expense insurance, there are a few things worth thinking through.

Apply sooner rather than later. Every month you wait, your age increases, and premiums go up. The graded benefit period also means the sooner you start, the sooner you reach full coverage.

Think about what you need covered. Funeral and burial expenses are the most common reason people buy these policies. But you might also want to cover outstanding medical debt, credit card balances, or simply leave a small gift for your family.

Address the cost concern honestly. Yes, guaranteed issue coverage costs more per dollar than traditional insurance. But compare that monthly premium to the alternative, which is leaving your family responsible for thousands of dollars in final expenses with no help at all. For many families, $70 to $100 a month is a manageable way to prevent a financial crisis during an already difficult time.

Getting a quote costs nothing and takes just a few minutes. You can see real numbers for your specific age and coverage amount before making any commitment.

FAQ

Can I get life insurance with arteriosclerosis?

Yes. Guaranteed issue final expense policies accept all applicants within the eligible age range regardless of health conditions, including arteriosclerosis. No health questions are asked, and no medical exam is required.

How much does guaranteed issue life insurance cost?

Costs vary by age and coverage amount. As a general reference, a $15,000 policy might run between $70 and $100 per month. An independent agent can compare rates from many carriers to find the most affordable option for your situation.

What is the graded benefit period?

Most guaranteed issue policies have a two to three year waiting period. If you pass away from natural causes during this time, your beneficiaries receive all premiums paid plus interest rather than the full death benefit. After the graded period, the full amount is payable. Accidental death is typically covered immediately.

How much coverage can I get?

Guaranteed issue final expense policies typically offer between $5,000 and $25,000 in coverage, with some carriers going up to $50,000. You may also be able to combine policies from multiple carriers to reach a higher total amount. Reach out to our team to explore what combination works best for your needs.

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For readers comparing final expense routes for health conditions, these guides include Pituitary Tumor final expense insurance, Parathyroid Adenoma final expense insurance, final expense coverage for pacemaker, final expense coverage for prediabetes and Polymyalgia Rheumatica final expense insurance.