Great Western Burial Insurance Review [2025 Guide]

Planning for the future often involves considering uncomfortable topics, but addressing end-of-life expenses is a crucial step towards providing peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. Funeral costs, outstanding medical bills, and other final debts can place a significant financial burden on families during an already difficult time. Burial insurance, also known as final expense insurance, is designed specifically to cover these costs, ensuring your final wishes are honored without leaving your family in debt. One name you might encounter when researching options is Great Western Insurance Company. But is Great Western burial insurance the right choice for you?

Understanding the different insurance options can feel overwhelming. That’s where Insurance By Heroes comes in. Founded by a former first responder and military spouse, our agency is built on a foundation of service. Staffed by professionals with backgrounds in public service, we understand the importance of protection and preparedness. As an independent agency, we aren’t tied to any single insurance carrier. Instead, we partner with dozens of top-rated companies across the nation. This allows us to shop the market objectively, comparing policies and premiums to find the coverage that truly fits your unique needs and budget – whether that ends up being from Great Western or another excellent provider.

This article will provide an updated review of Great Western burial insurance for 2025, exploring its offerings, potential benefits, and important considerations. Remember, while we’ll delve into Great Western, the best insurance solution is always personalized. Our goal at Insurance By Heroes is to empower you with information and provide access to a wide range of options, ensuring you make the most informed decision for your specific circumstances.

What Exactly is Burial Insurance?

Before diving into Great Western specifically, let’s clarify what burial insurance is. It’s essentially a type of whole life insurance policy designed with smaller death benefits, typically ranging from $2,000 to $50,000. Unlike term life insurance, which covers you for a specific period, whole life insurance provides coverage for your entire life, as long as premiums are paid.

Key characteristics of burial or final expense insurance include:

• Purpose-Driven: Primarily intended to cover funeral expenses, burial or cremation costs, final medical bills, legal fees, and other debts that might be left behind.
• Smaller Death Benefits: Amounts are aligned with typical final expense costs, making premiums generally more affordable than larger traditional whole life policies.
• Simplified Underwriting: Many policies feature simplified underwriting, meaning you might only need to answer some health questions rather than undergo a full medical exam. This makes it accessible for seniors or individuals with pre-existing health conditions who might struggle to qualify for other types of life insurance.
• Fixed Premiums: Once the policy is issued, the premiums typically remain level for the life of the policy. They won’t increase due to age or changes in health.
• Guaranteed Death Benefit: The death benefit is guaranteed never to decrease, providing certainty for your beneficiaries.
• Cash Value Accumulation: Like other whole life policies, burial insurance usually builds cash value over time on a tax-deferred basis. Policyholders may be able to borrow against this cash value or surrender the policy for its cash value if needed (though this can reduce or eliminate the death benefit).

The main appeal of burial insurance lies in its accessibility and specific focus. It provides a straightforward way to ensure funds are available precisely when needed for end-of-life costs, preventing family members from having to dip into their own savings or assets. At Insurance By Heroes, we recognize that while burial insurance is a valuable tool, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. We help clients understand if this is the right type of policy for them or if another form of life insurance might be more suitable, always comparing options from the many carriers we represent.

Understanding Great Western Insurance Company

Great Western Insurance Company (GWIC) has carved out a niche in the insurance market, primarily focusing on pre-need funeral insurance and final expense life insurance. Founded with the aim of providing funds for funeral expenses, the company has centered its efforts on serving the senior market and those specifically looking to plan for end-of-life costs.

Their specialization in this area means their products are tailored to address the common needs and concerns associated with final expense planning. This focus can be an advantage, as their underwriting processes and policy features are often designed with the typical burial insurance applicant in mind.

However, specialization also means their product portfolio might be narrower than larger, multi-line insurers. It’s important to remember that while Great Western is a well-known name in the burial insurance space, they are just one of many strong contenders. As independent agents, Insurance By Heroes works extensively with numerous carriers, including those specializing in final expense like Great Western, as well as larger insurers offering diverse product lines. This broad perspective allows us to objectively assess whether a specialist like Great Western or a different carrier offers the superior solution for a particular individual’s health profile, financial situation, and coverage goals.

A Closer Look at Great Western Burial Insurance Products (2025)

Great Western primarily offers simplified issue whole life insurance policies designed for final expense needs. Their product names and specific features can evolve, but generally fall into categories based on health and underwriting outcomes.

Key Features Often Found in Great Western Burial Insurance:

• Issue Ages: Typically available for individuals within a specific age range, often accommodating seniors well into their 80s (e.g., 40-85, but this can vary by specific product and state).
• Coverage Amounts: Offers face amounts generally aligned with final expense needs, such as $1,000 up to $40,000 or $50,000.
• Simplified Underwriting: Policies usually involve answering health questions on the application but typically do not require a medical examination. This streamlines the approval process.
• Premium Structure: Premiums are designed to remain level throughout the life of the policy.
• Guaranteed Coverage: As whole life policies, coverage is permanent as long as premiums are paid.
• Cash Value Growth: Policies build cash value over time.

Understanding Underwriting and Benefit Structures: Level vs. Graded Benefits

A critical aspect of Great Western burial insurance, and many other final expense policies, is how benefits are paid based on your health assessment during underwriting. This often results in two main types of benefit structures:

• Level Death Benefit: If you are in reasonably good health based on your answers to the health questions, you may qualify for a policy with a level death benefit. This means the full face amount of the policy is payable from day one. If you purchase a $15,000 policy and pass away after the first premium payment, your beneficiaries receive the full $15,000 (assuming death wasn’t due to suicide within the typical two-year contestability period).
• Graded Death Benefit: If you have certain pre-existing health conditions deemed higher risk, you might be offered a policy with a graded death benefit. This means that if death occurs due to natural causes (not an accident) within the first two or sometimes three years of the policy, the death benefit paid will be limited. Typically, it’s a return of the premiums paid plus a certain percentage (e.g., 10% interest). After the graded period (e.g., two years), the full death benefit becomes payable for death from any cause. Accidental death often pays the full benefit from day one, even on graded policies.

Great Western is known for offering both level and graded benefit plans. Their specific product might be called “Assurance Plus” (often level) or “Guaranteed Assurance” (often graded or modified), although product names can change. The availability of one over the other depends entirely on your answers to the health questions.

Why This Matters: The distinction between level and graded benefits is crucial. A graded benefit policy still provides valuable coverage, especially for those who might otherwise be uninsurable, but it doesn’t offer full protection immediately for natural causes. This is a prime example of why comparison shopping through an independent agency like Insurance By Heroes is so important. Some carriers might offer a level benefit for a condition that another carrier would only cover with a graded benefit, or vice-versa. Some carriers might offer a better premium for a graded policy than Great Western, or a lower premium for a level policy if you qualify. We navigate these nuances across dozens of carriers to find the best possible outcome for your health profile.

Potential Riders

Great Western may also offer riders (optional add-ons) to enhance coverage, such as:

• Accidental Death Benefit Rider: Pays an additional amount if death occurs due to a qualifying accident.
• Child/Grandchild Rider: Allows you to add small amounts of term life coverage for eligible children or grandchildren.

The availability and specifics of riders can vary. At Insurance By Heroes, we don’t just compare base policies; we also analyze available riders across different companies to ensure your coverage is truly comprehensive and tailored.

Potential Pros of Great Western Burial Insurance

Based on their market position and product focus, Great Western burial insurance can offer several potential advantages:

• Focus on Final Expense Niche: Their specialization means their products and processes are specifically geared towards burial insurance applicants.
• Simplified Issue Underwriting: The lack of a required medical exam makes the application process faster and more convenient, particularly for seniors.
• Potential Acceptance for Some Health Conditions: While underwriting varies, GWIC might offer coverage (potentially graded) for certain health issues that could lead to declines elsewhere. However, this isn’t guaranteed and depends heavily on the specific condition and overall health profile.
• Graded Benefit Option: While ideally, everyone qualifies for a level benefit, the availability of a graded option provides a safety net for individuals with significant health challenges who still want some coverage in place.
• Fixed Premiums: The certainty of level premiums for life provides budget predictability.

Important Context from Insurance By Heroes: While these points can be positives, they exist within a competitive landscape. Many other excellent carriers also offer simplified issue final expense policies with similar features. Some competitors might offer *more* lenient underwriting for certain conditions, potentially providing a level benefit where Great Western might offer graded, or simply offer lower premiums for the same coverage. The “pro” of acceptance for health conditions is only truly a pro if it represents the best available option *for you* across the entire market. This is the value we bring at Insurance By Heroes – comparing Great Western’s strengths against those of numerous other top carriers to find your optimal fit.

Potential Cons and Considerations for Great Western Burial Insurance

It’s equally important to consider potential drawbacks or factors where Great Western might not be the ideal choice:

• Cost Competitiveness: For very healthy individuals, Great Western’s premiums might not always be the lowest available. Other carriers specializing in preferred risks might offer better rates for those in excellent health.
• Graded Benefit Periods: If you qualify only for a graded policy, the two-year waiting period for the full death benefit (for natural causes) is a significant limitation compared to a level benefit policy available from day one. Exploring if you can qualify for a level benefit elsewhere is crucial.
• Limited Product Diversity: Being heavily focused on final expense means they may not offer the breadth of other life insurance products (like large term policies, universal life with specific investment features, etc.) that larger carriers do. If your needs extend beyond basic final expense coverage, other companies might be a better fit.
• Underwriting Specifics: While potentially lenient for some conditions, their underwriting might be stricter for others compared to different carriers. Each company has its own underwriting “sweet spots.”
• Customer Service and Claims Experience: While generally considered reputable, individual experiences with customer service and claims processing can vary with any company. Researching recent customer reviews and financial strength ratings (like AM Best) is always wise.

The Insurance By Heroes Perspective: These considerations underscore why relying on a single carrier quote isn’t advisable. What appears as a “con” with Great Western (e.g., cost for a healthy individual) might be irrelevant if another carrier we represent offers a much better rate. Conversely, if Great Western offers coverage for a specific health condition that many others decline, it could be the best choice despite potential drawbacks in other areas. Our role as your independent agent at Insurance By Heroes, staffed by professionals who understand the value of thorough investigation from our public service backgrounds, is to weigh these pros and cons across the market. We analyze your specific situation – health, budget, coverage needs – and match you with the carrier, whether it’s Great Western or another provider, that offers the most advantageous policy terms and pricing *for you*. We aren’t loyal to Great Western; we are loyal to our clients.

How Does Great Western Compare to Other Burial Insurance Carriers?

The burial insurance market is crowded with strong competitors. Comparing Great Western burial insurance requires looking at several factors:

• Pricing: Rates vary significantly based on age, gender, health, state of residence, and coverage amount. For healthy individuals, some carriers consistently offer lower premiums than Great Western. For those with specific health issues, Great Western might be competitive, but others might be better. There’s no single “cheapest” carrier for everyone.
• Underwriting Niches: Different companies are more lenient towards certain health conditions. For example, one carrier might be favorable for diabetics, while another might be better for individuals with COPD or a history of heart issues. Great Western has its niches, but so do many others like Mutual of Omaha, Aetna/CVS Health, Foresters Financial, Royal Neighbors of America, Prosperity Life Group, and more.
• Benefit Types: While many offer Level and Graded benefits, the specific health questions and thresholds determining qualification differ. Some carriers might have shorter or no graded periods for certain conditions compared to others.
• Rider Availability: The types and costs of optional riders can vary between companies.
• Financial Strength: Checking independent financial ratings (e.g., AM Best) is crucial. Most top carriers in this space have strong ratings, indicating their ability to pay claims. Great Western generally maintains solid ratings, but comparisons are always worthwhile.
• Customer Service Reputation: Online reviews and industry surveys can offer insights into the policyholder experience, though individual experiences can differ.

The Insurance By Heroes Advantage: Doing this comparison yourself would be incredibly time-consuming and confusing. You’d need to get quotes from dozens of companies, understand their unique underwriting guidelines, and decipher policy nuances. This is precisely the service Insurance By Heroes provides. We have the tools, knowledge, and carrier relationships to perform this market analysis efficiently. We input your information once and can instantly see quotes and likely underwriting outcomes from numerous top-rated carriers, including Great Western burial insurance. We then present you with the best options tailored specifically to your profile, explaining the pros and cons of each, ensuring you understand why a particular recommendation is being made. Our commitment, stemming from our roots in service, is to transparency and finding the objectively best fit.

Why Choose Insurance By Heroes for Your Burial Insurance Needs?

Choosing the right burial insurance policy is a significant decision. While understanding options like Great Western burial insurance is helpful, navigating the complexities of the insurance market alone can be challenging. This is why partnering with Insurance By Heroes offers distinct advantages:

• We Are Independent Agents: This is paramount. We don’t work for Great Western or any single insurance company. We work for YOU. Our loyalty lies with finding the best coverage for our clients, period.
• Access to Dozens of Top Carriers: We have established relationships with a wide array of highly-rated insurance companies across the country, including specialists in final expense and major multi-line insurers. This broad access ensures we can genuinely shop the market for the most competitive rates and suitable policies.
• Expertise in Final Expense Insurance: We understand the nuances of burial insurance, including underwriting variations for different health conditions, the implications of graded vs. level benefits, and the value of specific riders.
• Service-Oriented Approach: Insurance By Heroes was founded by a former first responder and military spouse and is staffed by professionals with similar backgrounds in public service. We bring a commitment to serving others, prioritizing clear communication, honesty, and finding solutions that genuinely protect our clients and their families. We understand the importance of trust and reliability.
• Personalized Recommendations: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We take the time to understand your individual needs, health situation, and budget before recommending specific policies. We explain your options clearly, empowering you to make an informed choice.
• Simplified Process: We handle the complexities of comparing quotes and policies, saving you time and frustration. We present the best options in an easy-to-understand format.

Whether Great Western burial insurance turns out to be the ideal choice for you, or if another carrier offers a better value or more appropriate coverage, you can trust Insurance By Heroes to provide unbiased guidance and advocate on your behalf.

Getting Your Personalized Burial Insurance Quote is Easy

Taking the next step towards securing peace of mind for your final expenses is simple with Insurance By Heroes. There’s no pressure and no obligation.

Here’s how it works:

1. Submit Your Information: Fill out the secure quote request form on this page. Provide some basic details about yourself and your coverage needs.
2. We Shop the Market: Our experienced, service-driven team will immediately get to work. We’ll use your information to compare quotes and policy options from dozens of top-rated carriers, including Great Western and many others relevant to your situation.
3. Personalized Consultation: One of our dedicated agents will contact you to discuss your specific needs in more detail. We’ll review the quotes we’ve gathered, explain the differences between the policies (level vs. graded benefits, premiums, riders, carrier strengths), and answer any questions you have.
4. Informed Decision: We provide you with the information and guidance needed to choose the policy that best aligns with your goals and budget.

Secure Your Peace of Mind Today

Planning for final expenses is a responsible and caring act. Burial insurance provides a dedicated source of funds to cover funeral costs, medical bills, and other outstanding debts, ensuring your loved ones aren’t burdened financially during a time of grief. While Great Western burial insurance is one option available in the market, it’s crucial to remember that it may or may not be the best fit for your individual circumstances.

The key to finding the right coverage at the best price lies in comparison shopping and personalized advice. As an independent agency founded on principles of service and staffed by professionals with public service backgrounds, Insurance By Heroes is uniquely positioned to help. We leverage our access to dozens of carriers to meticulously compare policies, ensuring you receive unbiased recommendations tailored specifically to you.

Don’t leave your final arrangements to chance or burden your family with unexpected costs. Take control today by getting a clear picture of your burial insurance options.

Ready to find the best burial insurance plan for your needs? Fill out the quote request form on this page now for your free, no-obligation comparison quotes from top carriers. Let the dedicated team at Insurance By Heroes help you secure the peace of mind you and your family deserve.