Gerber Life guaranteed life insurance
Gerber Life Guaranteed Life is a whole life burial insurance policy for adults ages 50 to 80. No health questions. No medical exam. Coverage from $5,000 to $25,000. The trade-off is a two-year modified benefit period before the full death benefit applies. This page covers what the product costs, how the modified benefit works, and who it fits.
The product
What is Gerber Guaranteed Life insurance?
Gerber Guaranteed Life is a guaranteed-issue whole life insurance policy. "Guaranteed issue" means every applicant in the eligible age range is accepted. There are no health questions and no medical exam.
The policy covers adults ages 50 to 80 (50 to 75 in New York). You choose a coverage amount between $5,000 and $25,000 in $1,000 increments. There is a $25,000 combined cap across all Guaranteed Life policies. In South Dakota, the maximum is $15,000. Gerber Guaranteed Life is not available in Montana.
Your premium is set at application and stays the same for life. The policy builds cash value over time and offers policy loans at 8%. The carrier cannot cancel the policy as long as premiums are paid. A 30-day free look period applies.
The trade-off for guaranteed acceptance is a two-year modified benefit period. If the insured passes away from a non-accidental cause in the first two years, beneficiaries receive 110% of earned premiums instead of the full death benefit. After two years, the full death benefit applies regardless of cause. (In North Dakota, the modified period is one year.)
Gerber Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Western and Southern Financial Group. It holds an AM Best A+ (Superior) financial strength rating with a Positive outlook, affirmed 23 April 2026. (Source: AM Best, AMB #007299, retrieved 2026-09-09.)
| Gerber Guaranteed Life | |
|---|---|
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior), Positive outlook. Affirmed 23 April 2026. Upgraded from A in February 2024. |
| BBB rating | A+, accredited since 16 February 2026. |
| Product | Guaranteed-issue whole life (burial/final expense) |
| Coverage | $5,000 to $25,000 in $1,000 increments ($25,000 combined cap; SD max $15,000) |
| Medical exam | None. No health questions. |
| Issue ages | 50 to 80 (NY: 50 to 75) |
| Modified benefit | Two years: 110% of earned premiums for non-accidental death (ND: one year) |
| Premium | Level for life. Builds cash value. Policy loans at 8%. |
| States | 49 states + DC. Not available in Montana. |
| Parent company | Western and Southern Financial Group |
The adult lineup
Gerber Life insurance for adults: what they actually sell
When most people search "Gerber Life insurance," they think of baby commercials. But Gerber Life sells three products for adults. Only one of them is the guaranteed-issue burial insurance product covered on this page.
Guaranteed Life (this page)
Whole life, guaranteed issue. Ages 50 to 80. No health questions. $5,000 to $25,000. Two-year modified benefit period paying 110% of earned premiums. This is Gerber's product for seniors shopping for final expense or burial coverage.
Term life
Gerber's term life product is issued by Western-Southern Life Assurance Company, not Gerber Life Insurance Company. It is a different legal entity. Any sentence that says "Gerber Life term insurance" is incorrect. If you are shopping for term life, see our guide on term life insurance.
Accident Protection
Gerber's Accident Protection product pays only on accidental death. It pays nothing on death by illness. This is not a replacement for life insurance. It covers a specific cause of death only.
The Guaranteed Life plan is the product most adult shoppers mean when they search for Gerber Life insurance. The rest of this page covers that product only.
How it works
How does Gerber Life insurance work?
You apply online or by phone. There are no health questions and no medical exam. If you are between 50 and 80 (50 to 75 in New York), you are accepted.
You pick a coverage amount between $5,000 and $25,000. Your premium is calculated based on your age and gender at the time of application. Once set, that premium never changes.
The two-year modified benefit
Every guaranteed-issue policy has a modified benefit period. With Gerber, it lasts two years (one year in North Dakota). During that period:
- If the insured passes away from a non-accidental cause, beneficiaries receive 110% of earned premiums. Not the full death benefit.
- Gerber's own language says the modified benefit applies for death "for any reason other than an accident as defined in the policy." Gerber adds: "Important exclusions apply regarding accidental death."
- After two years, the full death benefit pays out regardless of cause of death.
One clarification: "110% of earned premiums" is Gerber's exact phrase. Some websites describe the graded benefit as "premiums paid plus 10% interest." That wording describes Gerber's suicide clause, which is a different provision. The modified benefit and the suicide clause are separate terms with separate payout formulas.
What the policy builds over time
Gerber Guaranteed Life is whole life insurance. It builds a small cash value over time. You can borrow against that cash value through a policy loan at 8% interest. The carrier cannot cancel the policy as long as premiums are paid. A 30-day free look period gives you time to review the policy after you receive it.
Whole life basics
Gerber whole life insurance explained
Gerber Guaranteed Life is a whole life policy. Here is what that means in plain terms.
Your price is locked. The premium you pay at age 60 is the same premium you pay at 75. It never goes up, no matter how your health changes.
Coverage never expires. Unlike term insurance, whole life stays in force for your entire life as long as you pay the premium. There is no renewal date and no expiration.
Cash value grows over time. A portion of each premium builds a cash value inside the policy. You can borrow against it through a policy loan at 8% interest. If you cancel the policy, you receive the cash surrender value.
The carrier cannot cancel your policy. As long as you pay your premium, Gerber Life cannot cancel your coverage. This is a standard feature of whole life insurance.
The distinction between Gerber's product and most other burial insurance is the entry point: guaranteed issue vs. simplified issue. Simplified-issue carriers ask 5 to 12 health questions and can decline applicants. In exchange, they skip the waiting period and charge lower premiums. Gerber accepts everyone and charges more. For more on this trade-off, see our guaranteed-issue vs. simplified-issue guide.
2026 pricing
Gerber Life insurance rate chart
Rates below come from Gerber Life's own public quote tool, which anyone can use. It requires only a state, age, and gender. The email field is optional.
| Age | $10,000 (Female) | $10,000 (Male) | $25,000 (Female) | $25,000 (Male) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $34.47/mo | $44.09/mo | $84.79/mo | $108.86/mo |
| 60 | $51.06/mo | $63.89/mo | $126.27/mo | $158.36/mo |
| 70 | $75.53/mo | $99.18/mo | $187.46/mo | $246.59/mo |
| 80 | $176.37/mo | $247.32/mo | $439.55/mo | $616.92/mo |
How Gerber compares to simplified-issue carriers
Simplified-issue carriers ask a short health questionnaire (no exam, no blood work). If you qualify, you get full coverage from day one with no waiting period. Here is what the same $10,000 of coverage costs from three simplified-issue carriers on Asurgo's panel, compared to Gerber's guaranteed-issue rate.
| Age | Gerber GI (2-yr wait) | Mutual of Omaha SI (day 1) | Aetna/Accendo SI (day 1) | Transamerica SI (day 1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $34.47 | $24 | $27 | $33 |
| 60 | $51.06 | $33 | $41 | $41 |
| 70 | $75.53 | $53 | $58 | $65 |
| 80 | $176.37 | $98 | $101 | $134 |
At age 60, Mutual of Omaha charges $33 per month for the same $10,000 of coverage that costs $51 with Gerber. That is a 35% savings, plus full coverage from day one with no waiting period. At age 80, the gap widens: $98 versus $176.
The trade-off: simplified-issue carriers can decline you based on your health answers. Gerber cannot. If you have been declined by simplified-issue carriers, Gerber gives you a path to coverage. If you have not been declined, checking whether you qualify for simplified issue first can save a significant amount.
See your rate from 25+ carriers
Asurgo represents Gerber Life and 25+ other carriers. We can compare your Gerber option against simplified-issue alternatives in one call.
Category
Is Gerber burial insurance the same as final expense?
Yes. Final expense and burial insurance are the same category: small whole life policies designed to cover funeral costs and related expenses. Gerber Guaranteed Life fits this category. It offers $5,000 to $25,000 of whole life coverage with no medical exam, targeted at seniors.
The average funeral costs about $8,300 (cremation) to $12,000 (burial). A $10,000 to $15,000 policy covers the median range. The $25,000 combined cap on Gerber Guaranteed Life means this is the maximum across all Guaranteed Life policies you hold with Gerber. If you need more than $25,000, you will need a second carrier.
Not sure how much coverage you need? Our burial cost calculator can help.
Financial strength
Gerber Life ratings and financial strength
AM Best: A+ (Superior), Positive outlook
Gerber Life holds an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) with a Positive outlook. This rating was affirmed on 23 April 2026. Gerber was upgraded from A (Excellent) to A+ (Superior) in February 2024. AM Best is an independent agency that grades how financially strong insurers are. The A+ rating speaks to Gerber's ability to pay claims. (Source: AM Best, AMB #007299, retrieved 2026-09-09.)
BBB: A+, accredited
Gerber Life holds a BBB A+ rating and has been BBB-accredited since 16 February 2026. (Source: BBB, retrieved 2026-09-09.)
Gerber Life Insurance Company is backed by Western and Southern Financial Group, a diversified financial services holding company. The parent company's scale adds a layer of financial backing to Gerber's claims-paying ability.
Fit
Who Gerber Guaranteed Life fits, and who it does not
Gerber Guaranteed Life may be the right choice if:
- You have been declined by two or more simplified-issue carriers and need guaranteed acceptance.
- You have severe or active health conditions (active cancer treatment, dialysis, a recent organ transplant) that make simplified-issue underwriting impossible.
- You prefer not to answer any health questions. Gerber skips them entirely.
- You want a policy from a carrier with AM Best A+ (Superior) financial strength.
Gerber Guaranteed Life is probably not the right choice if:
- You can answer a short health questionnaire. Most seniors with managed conditions like diabetes, COPD, or heart disease qualify for simplified-issue coverage at lower premiums with no waiting period.
- You need more than $25,000 of coverage. Gerber caps all Guaranteed Life policies at $25,000 combined.
- You live in Montana. Gerber Guaranteed Life is not available there.
- You want to compare multiple carriers side by side. Buying from Gerber directly means seeing only Gerber's price.
The single most common mistake: assuming your health disqualifies you from simplified issue. Many seniors with managed conditions qualify. An independent broker checks eligibility across 25+ carriers. If simplified issue is not an option, Gerber Guaranteed Life is a strong fallback from a well-rated carrier.
Head-to-head comparisons
Two comparisons come up most often:
- Colonial Penn vs. Gerber Life: both are guaranteed-issue carriers. This comparison covers pricing, benefit structure, and which product fits which buyer.
- Globe Life vs. Gerber Life: Globe Life offers both simplified-issue and guaranteed-issue tiers. This comparison covers how the two products stack up.
Check if you qualify for simplified issue first
Asurgo represents Gerber Life and 25+ other carriers. We check simplified-issue eligibility first. If you qualify, you save money and skip the wait. If you do not, we can place Gerber directly.
Other products
What about the Gerber Grow-Up Plan?
The Grow-Up Plan is Gerber's whole life policy for children. It is a different product for a different buyer than the senior Guaranteed Life plan covered on this page.
The Grow-Up Plan is what most of Gerber's TV advertising promotes. It provides small coverage amounts for children and is designed to grow with them into adulthood. If you are a parent researching that product, it is outside the scope of this page. Gerber's own materials cover the Grow-Up Plan in detail.
This page covers only Gerber's Guaranteed Life product for seniors ages 50 to 80 who are shopping for final expense or burial coverage.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is Gerber Guaranteed Life insurance?
Gerber Guaranteed Life is a guaranteed-issue whole life policy for adults ages 50 to 80. It covers $5,000 to $25,000 with no health questions and no medical exam. The trade-off is a two-year modified benefit period. If the insured passes away from a non-accidental cause in the first two years, beneficiaries receive 110% of earned premiums instead of the full death benefit. Gerber Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Western and Southern Financial Group and holds an AM Best A+ (Superior) financial strength rating.
Can adults get Gerber Life insurance?
Yes. Adults ages 50 to 80 can apply for Gerber's Guaranteed Life policy. It is a guaranteed-issue whole life plan with no health questions and no medical exam. Gerber also sells term life (issued by Western-Southern Life Assurance Company, not Gerber Life) and an Accident Protection product. The Guaranteed Life plan is the one most adult shoppers mean when they search for Gerber senior coverage.
Does Gerber Guaranteed Life have a waiting period?
Yes. Gerber Guaranteed Life has a two-year modified benefit period. If the insured passes away from a non-accidental cause in the first two years, beneficiaries receive 110% of earned premiums instead of the full death benefit. Gerber's own language states that the modified benefit applies for death "for any reason other than an accident as defined in the policy," and adds "Important exclusions apply regarding accidental death." After two years, the full death benefit applies. In North Dakota, the modified period is one year.
How much does Gerber life insurance cost for seniors?
Gerber Guaranteed Life costs about $51.06 per month for a 60-year-old woman at $10,000 of coverage (Ohio, EFT-discounted, from Gerber's public quote tool, September 9, 2026). Rates climb with age. At 80, the same coverage costs about $176.37 per month. Simplified-issue carriers that require a short health questionnaire often charge 30% to 45% less for the same coverage with no waiting period. Compare quotes here.
Is Gerber Life legit?
Yes. Gerber Life Insurance Company is a legitimate, state-licensed insurer backed by Western and Southern Financial Group. It holds an AM Best A+ (Superior) financial strength rating with a Positive outlook, affirmed April 23, 2026. Gerber Life also holds a BBB A+ rating and has been BBB-accredited since February 16, 2026.
Is Gerber burial insurance the same as final expense?
Yes. Final expense and burial insurance are the same category: small whole life policies designed to cover funeral costs. Gerber Guaranteed Life fits this category. It offers $5,000 to $25,000 of whole life coverage with no medical exam, targeted at seniors.
How does Gerber Life insurance work?
You apply online or by phone. There are no health questions and no medical exam. If you are between 50 and 80, you are accepted. You choose coverage between $5,000 and $25,000. Your premium is set at application and stays the same for life. In the first two years, the modified benefit applies: 110% of earned premiums for non-accidental death. After two years, the full death benefit applies. The policy builds cash value and offers policy loans at 8%. The carrier cannot cancel it as long as premiums are paid.
Can I switch from Gerber to another carrier?
Yes. You can buy a new policy from another carrier at any time. Once your new policy is active, you can cancel Gerber. There is no cancellation penalty. Your new price will be based on your current age, so switching sooner saves more. An independent broker can compare options before you make a change.
Related pages
About this page
Methodology and sources
Nicholas Norminton, licensed insurance agent
Nicholas is an independent insurance agent and the founder of Asurgo. Asurgo is an appointed producer for Gerber Life Insurance Company and also represents 25+ other carriers.
Sources and verification
Gerber Guaranteed Life rates are from Gerber Life's public quote tool at gerberlife.com, which requires only state, age, and gender. No information was obtained from agent quoting platforms or any source whose terms restrict republication.
AM Best rating verified directly from AM Best (AMB #007299). BBB data from bbb.org. Product details from Gerber's published consumer materials (policy form series ICC12-GWLP / GWLP-12). All retrievals dated 2026-09-09.
Simplified-issue carrier rates (Mutual of Omaha, Aetna/Accendo, Transamerica) are from current Asurgo carrier illustrations. Individual rates vary by state, health, and coverage amount.
If any fact on this page no longer matches Gerber's current published material, call (855) 380-9555.
Want to see how Gerber compares?
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