2025 Gerber Guaranteed Life Insurance – This Policy Sucks!

In this Gerber Life insurance review, I’m going to only focus on their Guaranteed Issue product.

When seniors start looking for life insurance, they want a policy that is easy to qualify for, affordable, and will protect their family when it is needed the most.

Seniors need to know about the Gerber life insurance plan, as many people have said they wish they had never bought this coverage in the first place.

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WHAT IS GUARANTEED ISSUE FINAL EXPENSE INSURANCE

Guaranteed Issue means exactly what it sounds like. If you are between 50 and 80 years old, Gerber will sell you a policy regardless of your health…guaranteed!

Here’s what’s included:

• Mandatory 2-year waiting period…even if you’re healthy
• No health questions
• No medical exams
• Guaranteed approval

The coverage amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000. Because it is whole life insurance, as long as you want to keep paying, the policy will last forever.

Your premiums stay the same every month, and the policy will even build a small cash value.

Seniors typically buy this policy so they can take care of funeral, burial, cremation, or final expense costs.

People like the idea that they won’t be leaving behind a surprise bill when they pass. However, there are some things every buyer should be aware of.

Better: The Final Expense Guy can qualify you for 1st-day coverage at significantly lower rates than Gerber. We NEVER recommend Gerber if you qualify for 1st-day coverage.

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THE GERBER LIFE TWO-YEAR WAITING PERIOD

The horrible feature about Gerber Life Guaranteed Issue is the graded death benefit. It won’t pay out a penny if you die of a health or medical reason in the first two years.

Instead, they simply refund your premiums paid plus an extra 10 percent interest. The only exception is accidental death, which is payable from day one.

Here is their exact verbiage:

“Our payment of a Graded Death Benefit for the first two (2) years of coverage enables Gerber Life to guarantee acceptance of all applicants ages 50 to 80. If death occurs within the first two policy years for any reason other than an accident, all premiums plus 10% interest shall be paid to your beneficiary.”

This will be the death benefit payout schedule with Gerber guaranteed acceptance insurance:

• First Year – Premiums Refunded + 10%
• Second Year – Premiums Refunded + 10%
• Third Year and Beyond – 100% death benefit

This means that if a senior buys a $15,000 policy and dies from cancer in the first or second year, the family wouldn’t get anything to help defray burial, cremation, or funeral costs. They would merely get back what they had paid plus interest.

This policy sucks, and seniors often complain about not being clearly advised about this aspect of the policy-sign-up process.

Working with a broker, such as The Final Expense Guy, often results in first-day coverage for seniors, even with significant health issues. If you purchased Gerber in the last one to five years, you could still qualify for a plan that offers first-day pay.

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GERBER LIFE INSURANCE COST

Gerber’s Guaranteed Issue premiums are significantly higher than those of most other insurance companies.

Because there are no health questions or qualification criteria, Gerber Life spreads the risk among all applicants. This significantly increases the price compared to standard 1st-day coverage plans.

For example, a 65-year-old woman buying $10,000 of coverage might pay about $65 per month. A man of the same age would pay close to $85. These are estimates, but they line up with the reports from many customers. If they increase the coverage amount to $25,000, the monthly cost rises considerably to more than $200.

With Gerber, seniors are often confused and complain about the cost once they see how little the amount of coverage is for all of the premiums that they are paying.

Better: An independent broker like the Final Expense Guy can shop many carriers. This often results in lower premiums of 20 to 40 percent for the same amount of coverage. Many seniors who think they only qualify for guaranteed issue coverage at Gerber later discover they can receive first-day coverage from the Final Expense Guy, for significantly less premium each month.

GERBER LIFE INSURANCE PRICING

Gerber guaranteed issue life insurance rates are based on your age, gender, coverage amount, and the state you live in at the time of application.

FEMALE AGE	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000	$20,000	$25,000
50	$17.69	$34.47	$51.24	$68.02	$84.79
55	$22.60	$44.27	$65.95	$87.63	$109.31
60	$25.99	$51.06	$76.13	$101.20	$126.27
65	$31.76	$62.61	$93.45	$124.30	$155.15
70	$38.23	$75.53	$112.84	$150.15	$187.46
75	$54.54	$108.17	$161.79	$215.42	$269.04
80	$88.64	$176.37	$264.09	$351.82	$439.54

MALE AGE	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000	$20,000	$25,000
50	$22.50	$44.09	$65.68	$87.27	$108.85
55	$29.43	$57.93	$86.44	$114.95	$143.46
60	$32.40	$63.89	$95.38	$126.87	$158.35
65	$43.04	$85.16	$127.28	$169.40	$211.52
70	$50.05	$99.18	$148.32	$197.45	$246.58
75	$70.22	$139.52	$208.82	$278.12	$347.42
80	$124.12	$247.32	$370.52	$493.72	$616.92

*Pricing is for illustration purposes only and is subject to change without notice.

Gerber life insurance for adults is expensive. It should only be your last option for insurance coverage.

HOW DOES GERBER COMPARE TO OTHER COMPANIES?

If you are open to looking at better insurance companies with better rates, The Final Expense Guy can help!

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GERBER LIFE CASH VALUE ACCUMULATION

Gerber Life’s Guaranteed Issued Policies do build cash value, and seniors often ask us about this feature, as we often hear from customers who attempted to access their cash value and were unpleasantly surprised to find that only small amounts were available.

Others have even told us that they felt misled, thinking the cash value operated like a savings account. By definition, the cash value feature is not built for large withdrawals.

Seniors should treat this policy strictly as burial or final expense protection, not as a savings or investment vehicle.

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COMMON CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS

When we review feedback regarding Gerber’s Guaranteed Issue policy, we often hear the same complaints.

Seniors often complain about:

• Confusing two-year waiting periods
• Long delays when surrendering their policies
• Customer service representatives conflict with each other over recommendations
• Forms are not being filled out promptly
• Expecting lower costs
• Expecting higher cash values than they have been reported

GERBER LIFE HIRING & SALESPEOPLE

Gerber is not a “Captive Carrier,” which means that Independent agencies like Final Expense Guy can sell Gerber Life Insurance products.

Just because we can sell them doesn’t mean we ever will, as we specialize in 1st-day coverage with no waiting periods.

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PROS OF GERBER LIFE GUARANTEED ISSUE

Many seniors, who cannot get other life insurance policies, found relief after getting a policy with Gerber Life.

Pros include:

• Guaranteed approval between the ages of 50 and 80
• No medical or health exams
• Fixed premiums that never increase
• Coverage continues for life
• Brand recommendation and trust

For someone who has been declined everywhere else, Gerber’s Guaranteed Issue is a peace of mind option, knowing that at least some money will be available to take care of final expenses.

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CONS OF GERBER LIFE GUARANTEED ISSUE

The disadvantages many seniors have reported with Gerber Life after they have purchased:

• Two-year waiting period for natural causes
• Higher monthly cost than expected
• Limited coverage, often insufficient for all of the expenses
• Slow build-up of cash values that are small in amount
• Customer service concerns and delays

Seniors often say that they wish they had looked at other plans before signing up.

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WHY A GERBER LIFE POLICY REVIEW IS SMART

If you purchased a Gerber Life Guaranteed Issue policy in the last one to five years, you should have a policy review by the Final Expense Guy.

Many seniors qualify for first-day coverage, even with diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD, and other health challenges. The Final Expense Guy specializes in reviewing these situations.

A policy review often uncovers that you can:

• Get more coverage for the same money
• Pay less for the same coverage
• Eliminate the two-year waiting period

WHEN TO CONSIDER GERBER LIFE INSURANCE?

Geber Life may be appropriate for the following health conditions:

• Activities Of Daily Living (ADLs)
• Alzheimer’s
• AIDs, HIV, ARC
• Current Cancer
• Cardiomyopathy
• Dementia
• Diabetic Amputation
• End-stage Renal Disease
• Hospice
• Nursing Home Confinement
• Terminal Illness

Gerber guaranteed issue life insurance pricing is competitive compared with AIG and Colonial Penn.

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GERBER LIFE REAL WORLD EXAMPLES

We hear from many families frequently who have had different experiences with Gerber Life Guarantee Issue.

One senior, a female in her 70s, purchased a $10,000 policy. However, she was shocked when she learned from her family that there was a waiting period. She thought that “guaranteed” meant immediate coverage.

She later contacted us, and we found a first-day coverage plan for her for approximately $35 less a month (a savings of $420 a year).

A senior male had his daughter review his policy with me. After reviewing with us, she learned that her dad could get better options with no waiting period.

Better: These examples illustrate the importance of asking The Final Expense Guy for help. Policies are not one-size-fits-all. What matters is finding the right fit for your health, family needs, and budget.

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SHOULD YOU BUY GERBER LIFE GUARANTEED ISSUE?

No…not if you qualify for 1st-day coverage.

If you are in terrible health and have been declined by multiple companies, Gerber’s Guaranteed Issue may be appropriate if you want your family to receive some money after you pass.

However, seniors often qualify for better plans than they think. That’s why talking to the Final Expense Guy could eliminate thousands of dollars over time.

Better: Selecting the wrong fit could lead to high costs, small coverage amounts, and delays in benefits. The right choice from the Final Expense Guy can provide peace of mind and financial relief for your family.

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COMPANY BACKGROUND

Gerber Life Insurance Company began in 1967 as part of the Gerber Products Company, the same brand famous for baby food.

The purpose of Gerber Life was to provide a means for families to protect both their children and parents with simple insurance policies. In 2018, Western & Southern Financial purchased Gerber Life, but the company continues to operate under the Gerber name.

The company is licensed in all 50 states and backed by excellent financial ratings. A.M. Best has given Gerber Life an “A,” which is an “Excellent” rating. Millions of policies are enforced today.

This means the company will have no difficulty paying insurance claims or meeting financial obligations in the future.

However, many seniors report later that they did not realize what was covered and the fine print, and or they felt the cost exceeded their needs and expectations.

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CONCLUSION

We often hear many reports of customer dissatisfaction and complaints. Seniors sometimes report that there is a two-year waiting period, the cost was more than expected, and the coverage was limited. Other reports have been related to frustrations about delays, claims, and small cash values.

We don’t recommend them unless your health is terrible and you have no other options.

Better: An independent agent like the Final Expense Guy can compare dozens of top-rated companies to help ensure that you are getting the best policy for your needs. If you already have a Gerber Life Guaranteed Issue or any Guaranteed Issue Life Policy, reviewing it can help you save money and provide your family with better protection.

FAQ: Gerber Life Insurance

Gerber Whole Life Insurance Reviews Gerber’s whole life policies are simply designed and easy to obtain, but many seniors feel that the price is too high for the limited amount of insurance

Is Gerber whole life insurance good? For basic protection, it can be good, but often at a higher price than other plans available through independent brokers.

Is gerber grow up plan whole life? Yes! The Grow Up plan is a type of whole life insurance for children, with small cash value, and coverage doubles at age 18.

Is Gerber Life Insurance whole life? Gerber offers both whole life and term life insurance, but is best known for its whole life insurance policies for children and seniors.

Is Gerber Life Insurance whole or term? Gerber sells both whole life and term life insurance, depending on which product you are going with.

Gerber whole life insurance for seniors is marketed as Final Expense insurance to help with burial costs, but it comes with higher monthly premiums.

Guaranteed issue whole life policy? A policy that accepts all applications with no health questions. Usually, there are higher costs and a two-year waiting period before all benefits are paid.

Gerber Guaranteed Life Insurance Reviews Mixed reviews – some seniors enjoy the easy approval, and many seniors have complained about the 2-year waiting period, high price, and small cash value.