Final Expense Insurance Sales Nearly $400 Million In 2013

ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2014—Final expense insurance new premium totaled nearly $400 million in 2013, representing 613,000 policies, according to a joint study of 25 insurers by the Life Insurers Council (LIC) and CSG Actuarial.

“The final expense market has great potential. According to LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute research, 1.5 million Americans are projected to retire each year until 2025 and many of them will need the protection final expense insurance will provide,” noted Jeffrey S. Shaw, LIC executive director. “We are seeing renewed interest from larger insurers, as well as new firms entering the market.”

The survey collected information from 25 companies that offer final expense insurance distributed through specialized IMOs, including average issue age and face amount. The overall average issue age was 61 and average face amount was $10,864. CSG Actuarial contributed analysis of the entire final expense market and determined that the majority of the products are targeted toward people ages 50-80.

The study, LIC/CSG Final Expense Survey Report – 2013 Data, found that new premium increased seven percent in 2013, based on the 18 companies reporting data from both 2012 and 2013.  Policy count improved two percent for this group in 2013. On average, these companies have a placement ratio over 70 percent.

Final expense insurance is designed to help cover end-of-life costs such as medical bills, credit card debt and funeral costs, protecting one’s family from financial burdens associated with one’s death.

Of the companies surveyed, 94 percent of premium was simplified issue, for which the applicant is asked several medical questions but is not required to take a medical exam, and another five percent was guaranteed issue, where the policy is issued to anyone who applies, with no medical questions asked.

The annual LIC/CSG Final Expense Report is the only comprehensive study that examines the final expense market, offering in-depth data on product design, business processes, distribution and persistency.

This report can be purchased from LIC. LIMRA and LOMA members receive a discounted rate. Please contact [email protected] for details.