Looking to protect your family from burial and funeral costs but having a tough time finding the right policy because of COPD? You’re not alone. Final expense life insurance with COPD—and especially one with immediate, full coverage—is harder to come by, but not impossible.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to get life insurance with COPD, what affects your rates and eligibility, and how to avoid overpriced or underperforming policies.
Final Expense Life Insurance for COPD: Start Here
We get calls every day from people living with COPD or other chronic respiratory diseases who are trying to plan ahead for their families. The good news? You can still qualify for whole life insurance that protects your loved ones for life—even with a COPD diagnosis.
We’re focusing specifically on whole life policies in this article, because:
- They never expire (unlike term life)
- Your premiums never increase
- The death benefit never decreases
- They’re generally easier to qualify for—even with chronic health conditions
No Exam Whole Life Insurance with COPD
If you’re looking for no-exam life insurance (no doctors, no nurses, no needles), whole life is your best bet.
That said, having COPD is considered a permanent health condition and will limit your choices—especially if you’re looking for immediate coverage with no waiting period. Still, with the right broker, there are top-tier insurance companies that will offer you a policy with full benefits from day one.
Here’s what matters most:
- Locking in your rate early (younger = lower cost)
- Making sure you work with a broker who understands high-risk cases
- Avoiding guaranteed issue policies unless absolutely necessary
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance for COPD: Last Resort Only
There are some final expense policies out there that ask zero health questions. These are called guaranteed issue policies, and you’ve probably seen them from companies like Colonial Penn or AARP/New York Life.
Here’s the truth:
These are not ideal for someone with COPD.
Why?
- They have a 2-year waiting period before the full benefit kicks in
- They are more expensive
- They are designed for people who can’t qualify for anything else
So yes, they have a place—but that place is only after you’ve exhausted other options. Most people with COPD still qualify for immediate, full coverage policies. Don’t assume you’re uninsurable. Talk to an independent expert first.
Why Company Choice Matters for COPD Life Insurance
Every insurance company evaluates COPD differently. Some are strict. Others? Much more flexible. This is what we call niche underwriting—certain companies are more lenient with specific conditions.
Here are 3 top-rated life insurance companies for someone with COPD looking for final expense insurance:
1. Royal Neighbors of America (RNA)
- First-day full coverage is available (no oxygen use)
- Offers unique member benefits: legal assistance, retail discounts, dental/vision/hearing perks
- Competitive rates and customer-first service
2. SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance of MA)
- Liberal underwriting for COPD
- Excellent pricing and fast approvals
- Includes Sequoia Funeral Concierge to help your family negotiate funeral expenses
3. Transamerica
- Often more forgiving of COPD and related prescriptions
- One of the few that may approve preferred rates with COPD
- Includes Everest Funeral Concierge for beneficiaries
Each of these companies has been known to issue full, immediate coverage for COPD clients under the right conditions.
Pro Tip: There’s one more carrier we really like for COPD—but they’re not available in all states and don’t appear in our instant quote tool. Give us a call and we’ll tell you if they’re available where you live.
Getting a Quote for Final Expense Life Insurance With COPD
Our online instant quote tool only shows companies that offer immediate coverage and have published rates. But there are other options out there too.
When you’re dealing with COPD, your best chance at affordable, immediate-coverage insurance comes from working with an experienced independent agent. This isn’t something you want to DIY.
The quote process is simple, fast, and doesn’t cost a penny more to get professional help.
What If I’m Using Oxygen for COPD?
Using oxygen daily? That puts you in the severe COPD category.
Transamerica may still be an option. We’ve helped clients get full, first-day coverage while using oxygen, but we’ve also seen declines. It really depends on your overall health profile.
Here’s the reality:
- Most insurers will either decline or offer graded/limited coverage for 2–3 years
- Transamerica is more liberal than most—but it’s not a guarantee
- You must talk to a knowledgeable broker to avoid a decline
We’re just being honest here. A serious COPD case using oxygen 24/7 is a tough sell to most carriers. Many times we have to resort to guaranteed issue whole life after reviewing our clients overall health.
Can I Get Final Expense Life Insurance With COPD?
Yes, absolutely. You can still get no-exam life insurance, even with a COPD diagnosis.
But here’s what you need to know:
- If your COPD is mild or moderate, you likely qualify for first-day, full coverage
- If your condition is more severe (e.g., using oxygen), you may need to consider graded or guaranteed issue policies
- Most best-value policies include some health questions—but that’s how you avoid paying too much
No one wants to buy life insurance as it is not pleasant to think about—but it’s a guarantee that your family will be protected. And, with a whole life policy, your rates will never go up, and your benefits will never go down.
Your Next Step: Let’s Get You Protected
When it comes to final expense life insurance with COPD, your choice of broker is just as important as your choice of carrier. Trying to go through a company like Mutual of Omaha with a COPD diagnosis? You likely won’t get a good offer.
We specialize in helping people with challenging health profiles, and we have access to the best carriers for COPD life insurance.
If you’re ready to stop wondering and finally take care of what matters most:
📞 Call us today at 269-230-3464
💬 Request a free quote online or use our instant comparison quote tool on this page 24/7.
Let’s find you the best final expense policy for your situation—no needles, no nonsense.
Special Risk Life is a veteran independent life insurance agency that specializes in guiding people with even the toughest health conditions thru the life insurance process. We are very passionate about helping people get the financial protection they want while delivering affordable coverage people can absolutely count on.
