What Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Is — And Is Not
The definition, the rules every carrier shares, the four things that differ between carriers, and the two situations where it is the wrong product.
Guaranteed issue (or "guaranteed acceptance") life insurance is a small whole life policy — usually $2,000 to $25,000 — that accepts every applicant inside its age band, typically 45 to 85, with no health questions and no exam. Because the carrier cannot screen for illness, the policy pays a graded death benefit for natural causes in the first two years (three at some carriers): a refund of premiums plus interest instead of the face amount. Accidental death pays the full amount from day one. Premiums are level for life and the policy builds a small cash value.
The Rules Every Carrier Shares
No Health Questions
The application asks your name, date of birth, address, beneficiary and payment method. Not your doctor, not your prescriptions, not your diagnoses. That is the whole point — and the reason for the next card.
A Graded Death Benefit
Natural-cause death in the first two or three years returns premiums plus interest (or a percentage). Accidental death pays in full. Full page on how this works →
Level Premium, Whole Life
The monthly price never rises and the policy never expires while paid. Mutual of Omaha: "Your premium will never increase." Corebridge: "guaranteed not to increase."
Small Amounts
$2,000–$25,000 at most carriers; Great Western to $40,000; CICA to $30,000. Sized for a funeral, final bills and a small cushion — not income replacement.
What Differs Between Carriers
| Carrier & product | Issue ages | Amounts | Graded period | Natural death in graded period | Accidental death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha (United of Omaha) Guaranteed Whole Life WA minimum $5,000; $25,000 aggregate cap; premium never increases | 45–85 (NY 50–75) | $2,000–$25,000 | 2 years | Reduced benefit — 110% of premiums paid (per United of Omaha product page; Mutual of Omaha chart says "reduced death benefit") | Full benefit |
| Fidelity Life RAPIDecision Guaranteed Issue Not in NY or WY (Fidelity Life does not do business there); sold through our InstaBrain tool | 50–85 | Up to $25,000 | 3 years | Reduced benefit in years 1–3 | Full benefit |
| Gerber Life Guaranteed Life Not in MT; SD max $15,000; builds cash value | 50–80 (NY to 75) | $5,000–$25,000 | 2 years | Premiums paid + 10% | Full benefit |
| Corebridge Direct (American General) Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Chronic- and terminal-illness riders included; not NY/ME | 50–80 | $5,000–$25,000 | 2 years | 110–120% of premiums paid | Full benefit from day 1 |
| Colonial Penn Guaranteed Acceptance Rates start at $9.95/mo per unit; one unit may be a few hundred dollars of coverage at older ages | 50–85 | Sold in "units" (benefit per unit falls with age) | 2 years | Limited benefit | Not stated on carrier page |
| Great Western Guaranteed Assurance Not in WA | 40–80 | $1,000–$40,000 | 2 years | 110% of premiums paid | Full benefit |
| Americo Eagle Guaranteed Year 4 and after: 100% | 50–80 | $5,000–$10,000 | 3 years (graded) | Year 1 premiums + 5%; year 2 + 10%; year 3 75% of face | Full benefit (included at no cost) |
| CICA Life Superior Choice GI Agent guide figures | 0–85 | $1,000–$30,000 (to age 70); $1,000–$10,000 (71–85) | 2 years | 110% of premiums paid | Optional rider doubles face |
Compiled Oct 22, 2026 from carrier-published pages and guides: Mutual of Omaha, Fidelity Life, Gerber Life, Corebridge Direct, Colonial Penn, Americo, and the Great Western and CICA agent guides in our library. Verify on the carrier's application; availability varies by state.
When It Is The Wrong Product
You Can Answer Health Questions
If your conditions are managed — controlled diabetes, past cancer in remission, high blood pressure on medication — a simplified-issue final expense policy usually costs less and pays in full from day one. Always try it first. Our agents do.
You Need Income Replacement
$25,000 does not replace a salary or pay off a mortgage. If you are under 60 and insurable, term life at $100,000+ is the tool — see termquotes.life.
Choose How You Want To Do This
Talk To A Licensed Agent
Ten minutes. We check whether you can get a policy with full benefits from day one before we sell you a graded one. Business hours, Eastern time.
Call 561-339-0727Request Options In 60 Seconds
Age, state, amount, one health question. A licensed agent texts or emails your options — guaranteed issue and anything better you qualify for.
Check My OptionsApply On My Own
Open our carrier tool, answer a few screens, get a decision online. Guaranteed issue has no health questions; the graded benefit is shown before you sign.
You will leave this site for a carrier tool. Rates shown there are estimates until the carrier confirms. Agent of record: Phamella Bauer (NPN 22053821), NovaVida Group.
Mutual of Omaha, Gerber Life, Corebridge and the other carriers in our table are quoted by an agent — call 561-339-0727.