2024 Burial Insurance with Down Syndrome

If you’re looking for burial insurance with Down syndrome, you need to be aware that your burial, cremation, final expense, and life insurance options are limited.

!!! READ THIS FIRST !!!

Down Syndrome is a significant health condition, and there are no insurance companies that offer 1st-day coverage to Down Syndrome patients.

We recommend Down Syndrome patients purchase a guaranteed issue life insurance that asks no health questions but does come with a 2-year waiting.

In this article, we will discuss how life insurance companies respond to applicants with Down syndrome, what option is open for you, and how to find the most affordable plan.

FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:

• What Is My Best Insurance Option If I Have a History of Down Syndrome?
• What Types of Burial Insurance Should I Avoid?
• What Type of Burial Insurance Is Best?
• If I Have Down Syndrome, Do I Need a Medical Exam to Qualify for Burial Insurance?
• Burial Insurance Underwriting If You Have Down Syndrome
• How Much Insurance Do I Need If I Have Down Syndrome?
• How Should I Pay My Premiums?
• Down Syndrome and Burial Insurance Riders
• Why Do You Need Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance If You Have Down Syndrome?
• Benefits of Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
• Life Insurance for Family Member Who Has Down Syndrome
• Information We Need if You Have Down Syndrome
• Other Common Uses for Final Expense Life Insurance with Down Syndrome
• How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?

What Is My Best Insurance Option If I Have A History Of Down Syndrome?

Limitations on functionality and mobility have an impact on your eligibility for life insurance coverage. Insurance companies will consider physical or mental impairment you may have.

An applicant must have the mental and cognitive ability to understand policy details to be approved for a policy. Beyond these things, the insurance companies will also review your overall health before making a decision.

People with Down syndrome may have additional health issues like congenital heart disease as well as a life expectancy that is shorter than the average person. That is the reason why your life insurance option is limited to a guaranteed issue burial insurance.

With guaranteed issue burial insurance, you will have to wait two years before being covered for a natural cause of death. If you were to die during the waiting period, the company would refund all the premiums you paid plus interest.

Best Option: Guaranteed issue burial insurance

OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

Every final expense insurance company will ask if you need help with activities of daily living in their life insurance application. There are six ADLs used by life insurance companies to determine if you will qualify for coverage.

1. Eating
2. Bathing
3. Dressing
4. Toileting
5. Transferring
6. Continence

Most people with Downs syndrome need help with ADL’s, which means a guaranteed issue life insurance policy will be the best choice.

Best Option: Guaranteed issue burial insurance

DOWN SYNDROME AND MEDICATION

The medication you use to treat your medical condition will have a direct impact on your level of insurability. Medication used to treat other underlying conditions such as heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes may be a red flag to life insurance companies.

The insurance company will want to know:

1. What medications you are taking
2. Your amount of dosage
3. How long you have been taking the medication

Additionally, inform them if you are taking drugs to treat other health issues unrelated to Down syndrome or mental health issues. These medications will also be considered during the underwriting process.

DOWN SYNDROME, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY

Depression and anxiety are two of the most frequently diagnosed mental health issues of people with Down syndrome. Adults often show symptoms of depression and lose the ability to enjoy many activities they used to love.

Most adults with Down syndrome who suffer from depression and anxiety may be taking more than one medication and receiving treatment from a psychiatrist.

A person with depression and anxiety can experience temporary hospitalization. If you have been hospitalized due to major depression, it will affect your burial insurance eligibility. In the case of severe or clinical depression with a disability, you are looking at guaranteed issue burial insurance.

Best Option: Guaranteed issue burial insurance

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR GUARANTEED ISSUE BURIAL INSURANCE

ABILITY TO ENTER INTO A LEGAL CONTRACT

You must have financial decision ability and mental capacity to enter into a legal contract. For example, if you have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and cannot legally consent to an agreement, the company may reject your application.

AGE LIMITATIONS

Every funeral insurance company has their own age availability, but most guaranteed issue life insurance companies accept Down syndrome applicants who are 50 to 85 years old.

STATE AVAILABILITY

Not every burial insurance company have their products licensed in every state. Make sure the company you will apply has a guaranteed acceptance life insurance policy available in your state.

What Types Of Burial Insurance Should I Avoid?

PLANS TO AVOID	WHY?
Term life	Premiums increase after 5 years. Coverage ends after 80.
Pre-paid funeral plans	Expensive
Universal life	Tied with stocks
No health questions policies	With 2-year waiting period
Plans offering "teaser rates"	$9.95 per unit plans or $1 buys $100,000 coverage
Over priced plans	Insurance from TV and junk mail
Plans that accept mail-in payments	Risky
Plans that accept Direct Express	High lapse rate
Plans that accept Credit Cards	High lapse rate

What Type Of Burial Insurance Is Best?

FUNERAL FUNDS PLAN BENEFITS	INCLUDED
1st Day Coverage	YES
Rates NEVER Increase	YES
Coverage NEVER Decreases	YES
Easy to get approved	YES
No Medical Exam	YES
Same Day Approval	YES
Death Claims Pay Fast	YES
Builds cash value	YES
Coverage Up To Age 121	YES

If I Have Down Syndrome, Do I Need A Medical Exam To Qualify For Burial Insurance?

You are NOT required to take a medical exam to qualify for burial insurance with Down syndrome.

When you apply for burial insurance, you only have to answer some basic questions about your health. The application process is simple, and you don’t need to provide medical records or blood and urine samples.

You’ll get the official approval from the insurance company often within minutes!

Burial Insurance Underwriting If You Have Down Syndrome

Burial insurance companies have two ways of underwriting:

FIRST – They may ask you a series of health questions. Your answers to their questions will determine your eligibility.

SECOND – They will electronically review your prescription history to verify your health.

You can hardly see Down syndrome asked in the health questionnaire. However, life insurance companies care about Down syndrome because people with Down syndrome can develop health complications.

People with Downs Syndrome also have a life expectancy that is shorter than the average person. According to the National Association for Down Syndrome, the average down syndrome life expectancy is 60 years old.

These health complications can include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Congenital heart defects
• Gastrointestinal defects
• Hearing loss
• Hypothyroidism
• Immune system disorders
• Leukemia
• Obesity
• Poor vision
• Sleep apnea

How Much Insurance Do I Need If I Have Down Syndrome?

The amount of burial insurance you should buy varies depending on your personal and financial circumstances. However, burial insurance should cover the cost of your funeral, burial, and final expenses.

The first step to figuring out how much burial insurance you need is to know your end-of-life expenses. Your funeral cost is often the biggest single expense you need to pay. Other end-of-life expenses to consider are your outstanding medical bills, living expenses, credit card bills, and other debts.

Here’s an example of a funeral cost breakdown from the National Funeral Directors Association.

AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND BURIAL
Non-declinable basic services	$2,300
Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home	$350
Embalming & preparation of the body	$1,050
Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony	$965
Hearse	$325
Service car/van	$150
Basic memorial printed package	$183
Metal casket	$2,500
Vault	$1,572
Median Cost of a Funeral With Viewing and Burial	$9,420

AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND CREMATION
Non-declinable basic services fee	$2,300
Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home	$350
Embalming & preparation of the body	$1,050
Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony	$965
Service car/van	$150
Basic memorial printed package	$183
Cremation fee (if firm uses a third-party crematory)	$368
Cremation Casket	$1,310
Urn	$295
Median Cost of a Funeral with Viewing and Cremation	$6,970
Rental Casket	$995
Alternate Cremation Container	$150

How Should I Pay My Premiums?

The best way to pay your premium is through a savings or checking account. We recommend you set a bank draft from your savings or checking account. That way, the bank will automatically pay your premium each month and you don’t need to worry about your policy lapsing due to non-payment.

Down Syndrome And Burial Insurance Riders

Insurance policy riders add benefits to your policy. Adding insurance riders will enhance your policy to fit your needs. Some riders are built into your policy, while other riders can be added at an additional cost. Most riders are affordable, and it involves little to no underwriting.

Here’s a list of common burial insurance riders:

FUNERAL FUNDS ADD-ONS	AVAILABILITY
Terminal Illness Add-On Benefit	Included with most plans
Nursing Home Care Add-On Benefit	Included with most plans

Why Do You Need Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance If You Have Down Syndrome?

We recommend buying guaranteed issue burial insurance if you have Down syndrome because it’s the only life insurance plan you will qualify for.

Postponing your application for coverage is not a wise decision. Your health may get worse at any moment, and you could develop other health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

A guaranteed acceptance policy may be a little expensive than plans with immediate coverage, but your approval is guaranteed. Buying a guaranteed issue burial insurance if you have Down syndrome is worth it in the long run, you won’t lose money with this plan, and it cost much less than having no insurance coverage at all.

Benefits Of Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

EASY AND QUICK APPLICATION

Very simple application process. When you apply for guaranteed issue life insurance, you will only need to provide basic personal information, beneficiary and payment information.

The application does not have any health-related questions on it. The company will never check your prescription history, your medical history, or pull your medical records.

You will easily qualify for guaranteed acceptance policy because all you need is the ability to sign your name on the application. You can sign over the phone or through your computer. We will send it to the insurance company, and in a few minutes it will be approved, it’s easy!

LEVEL PREMIUM

One of the great benefits of a guaranteed acceptance policy is that your insurance premium will never change. Your monthly insurance bill will never increase because you locked in the premium at your current age, and it will remain the same for the rest of your life. As long as you keep paying your premiums on the time it will never increase for any reason.

LEVEL DEATH BENEFIT

Your death benefit is fixed, and it is guaranteed to stay the same and never decrease for any reason. Your beneficiaries will receive the full death benefit when you pass away after the two-year waiting period.

NOT CANCELLABLE

Some people complain about their life insurance policy canceling because of advancing age or worsening health condition. Guaranteed issue burial insurance will never cancel because of age or declining health condition, as long as you pay your premiums on time.

CASH VALUE ACCUMULATION

Guaranteed issue life insurance is whole life insurance that accumulates cash value over the years. The accumulated cash value can be used to pay your premiums, or you can borrow against it to be used for any purpose.

If you or your loved one has Down syndrome, guaranteed issue policy is your excellent choice for life insurance coverage. GI policy doesn’t ask any health questions. If you happen to pass away during the first two years, your beneficiary will get all the premiums you paid plus 10% interest.

Life Insurance For Family Member Who Has Down Syndrome

In most cases, it is often the family members of those with Down syndrome who are looking to get a life insurance policy for their loved one. Often the family members are just looking for a small lump sum to cover funeral and other final expenses.

In this case, choosing from among burial insurance companies, that doesn’t require a medical exam or even ask any health questions, is the best choice. Guaranteed issue final expense insurance with Down syndrome can be taken out by the family for their loved one so that when they pass away; there will be some financial assistance in place.

REQUIREMENTS TO GET BURIAL INSURANCE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WITH DOWN SYNDROME

INSURABLE INTEREST

You need to prove that there is an insurable interest between your family members who need insurance coverage. Your relationship with the proposed insured is critical in showing that you have an insurable interest. A blood relationship may provide the basis for insurable interest. Insurable interest exists if you will experience financial loss when they die.

You have an insurable interest if you would suffer a financial loss or certain other kinds of loss if your loved one dies. In most cases, you can get life insurance coverage for your loved ones to cover that loss.

CONSENT

The second requirement on getting life insurance for your family member with Down syndrome is consent. Life insurance companies do not allow a family member to get life insurance on one another without their permission.

You can’t secretly apply for final expense insurance on your loved ones without them knowing about it, or without them having the cognitive ability to make their own legal decisions. They must be aware of the policy because they are required to sign the application.

Information We Need If You Have Down Syndrome

We will need more information about other medical conditions if you have Down syndrome. This information will help us to understand your current health condition better and enable us to provide you with an accurate quote.

• Do you have other medical conditions?
• Are you taking any medications?
• Do you live on your own?
• Do you need help with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing, transferring and continence?
• Are you currently receiving disability benefits?

Try to give an honest response to the questions. We will review your information to determine what insurance company is best for you.

Other Common Uses For Final Expense Life Insurance With Down Syndrome

All of these examples are appropriate uses for Final Expense Life Insurance:

• Burial insurance plan with Down syndrome
• Cremation insurance plan with Down syndrome
• Funeral home insurance plan with Down syndrome
• Final Expense insurance plan with Down syndrome
• Prepaid funeral plan insurance with Down syndrome
• Mortgage payment protection plan with Down syndrome
• Mortgage payoff life insurance plan with Down syndrome
• Deceased spouse’s income replacement plan with Down syndrome
• Legacy insurance gift plan to family or loved ones with Down syndrome
• Medical or doctor bill life insurance plan with Down syndrome

We can help you with any of the plans above. Your pricing will depend on your age, health, and coverage amount for each program option.

How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?

Trying to find life insurance for Down syndrome needn’t be a frustrating process; working with an independent agency like Funeral Funds will make the process easier and quicker.

We will work with you every step of the way to find the plan that fits your financial requirements and budget. You don’t have to waste your precious time anymore searching for multiple insurance companies because we will do the dirty work for you.

We work with many A+ rated insurance carriers that specialized in covering high-risk clients like you. We will search for all those companies and match you up with the best burial insurance company that gives the best rate.

We will assist you in securing the coverage you need at a rate you can afford. So, if you are looking for Down syndrome funeral insurance, or Down syndrome burial insurance, or Down syndrome life insurance, we can help. Fill out our quote form on this page or call us at (888) 862-9456 and we can give you an accurate quote.