Keep the house if something happens to you.
- Coverage matched to your mortgage balance
- Pays your family, not the bank
- Options for illness and return of premium
Licensed agents · Free quotes · No obligation
Protect the people and the home you love.
Life insurance doesn't have to be complicated. We focus on two plans that solve two very real problems: paying off your home, and paying for your final expenses. Pick the one you're thinking about and see your options in about a minute.
Leave your family memories, not bills.
- $5,000 to $25,000+ for burial, cremation and bills
- Many plans need no medical exam
- Permanent coverage with a premium that's set when you buy
51%of Americans own life insuranceLIMRA 2025 Insurance Barometer
4 in 10say they need coverage or need moreLIMRA 2025 Insurance Barometer
$8,300median funeral with viewing and burialNFDA 2023 General Price List Study
Life insurance 101
Life insurance in plain English
You pay a monthly premium. If you pass away while the policy is in force, the insurance company pays a lump sum, called the death benefit, to the people you choose.
Term or whole life
The two main kinds of coverage differ in how long they last.
TermCovers a set number of years, like 15, 20 or 30. Lower cost. Often used for mortgage protection.
Whole lifeCovers you for life as long as premiums are paid. Builds a little cash value. Used for final expense.
What sets your price
- Age: the younger you start, the lower the premium.
- Health: answers to health questions, sometimes an exam.
- Tobacco: smokers usually pay more.
- Amount and length: more coverage or longer terms cost more.
Who gets the money
You name a beneficiary: a spouse, child, family member or trust. They receive the death benefit directly and decide how to use it. Life insurance payouts are generally not taxed as income to the beneficiary.
How a claim works
Your beneficiary contacts the insurance company with a copy of the death certificate. Once approved, the benefit is paid, often within weeks. Most policies can be reviewed more closely during the first two years, so honest application answers matter.
Final expense insurance
A small whole life policy for the costs families face first
Final expense insurance, sometimes called burial insurance, is whole life coverage sized for end-of-life costs, usually $5,000 to $25,000. It's built for people 50 to 85 who want to make sure their family isn't left paying for a funeral, medical bills or small debts.
- Coverage lasts your whole life, as long as premiums are paid
- Premiums are typically locked in when you buy
- Many plans use health questions instead of a medical exam
- Paid to your beneficiary, who can use it for anything
Two common ways to qualify
| Type | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Simplified issue | A few yes-or-no health questions, no exam. Full coverage from day one if approved. | Most people in average to good health |
| Guaranteed issue | No health questions. Usually a waiting period of about two years for full benefits from natural causes. Before that, it typically refunds premiums plus interest. | Serious health conditions |
Mortgage protection insurance
Life insurance built around your biggest bill
Mortgage protection is life insurance sized to your mortgage. If you pass away, it pays a benefit your family can use to pay off the balance or keep making the monthly payments, so they can stay in the home.
- Coverage based on your mortgage balance and years left
- Paid to your family, who decide what to do with it
- Stays with you if you refinance, sell or move
Options many plans offer
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Level term | The benefit stays the same for the whole term, even as your balance shrinks. |
| Decreasing term | The benefit shrinks with your balance. Usually costs less. |
| Living benefits | Use part of the benefit early if you're diagnosed with a critical, chronic or terminal illness. |
| Return of premium | Get back what you paid if you outlive the term. Costs more. |
Options and riders vary by insurance company and state.
Side by side
Which one fits you?
Many families end up with both: a term policy while the house is being paid off, and a small whole life policy for final expenses.
| Final expense | Mortgage protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Funeral, burial or cremation, final bills | Pay off or keep paying the mortgage |
| Typical coverage | $5,000 to $25,000+ | Your mortgage balance |
| Type of policy | Whole life (lasts your lifetime) | Usually term (10 to 30 years) |
| Typical ages | 50 to 85 | 25 to 70 |
| Medical exam | Often none | Often none for smaller amounts; depends on age and coverage |
| Who gets paid | The beneficiary you choose, not a funeral home or lender | |
How it works
Three steps, no pressure
- Answer a few questionsAbout a minute. Tell us what you'd like to protect and a little about you.
- Confirm your phoneWe text you a 6-digit code, so your request reaches only you.
- Talk with a licensed agentThey compare plans from several insurance companies and explain your options. You decide.
Words you'll hear
Life insurance terms, explained
- Premium
- What you pay, usually monthly, to keep the policy active.
- Death benefit
- The amount paid to your beneficiary when you pass away.
- Beneficiary
- The person or people you choose to receive the money. You can change it.
- Rider
- An optional add-on, like living benefits or return of premium.
- Underwriting
- How the insurer reviews your application and health to set your price.
- Graded or modified benefit
- A waiting period, often two years, before full benefits are paid for natural causes.
- Contestability period
- Usually the first two years, when the insurer can review a claim against your application.
- Cash value
- Savings that build slowly inside a whole life policy.
Questions
Common questions
Is Express Life an insurance company?
No. Express Life connects you with licensed insurance agents who compare plans from insurance companies and help you apply. We are not a government agency and not affiliated with any mortgage lender.
Is this from my mortgage lender?
No. Mortgage protection is private life insurance you own. Your lender doesn't sell it to you through us and doesn't receive the benefit.
Do I need a medical exam?
Often not. Many final expense plans and smaller mortgage protection policies ask health questions instead. Larger amounts or older ages may require more review.
Can I get coverage with health problems?
Many people can. Some plans accept common conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Guaranteed issue final expense plans ask no health questions, usually with a waiting period for full benefits.
What happens to mortgage protection if I refinance or sell?
The policy belongs to you, not the house, so it stays in force as long as you pay the premiums. You can keep it, adjust it, or let it go.
Will my rate go up?
With most whole life final expense plans and level term policies, the premium is set when you buy and stays the same. Your agent will confirm the details for the plan you choose.
How fast is the money paid?
Once the insurer approves a claim, many pay within a few weeks. Your beneficiary will need a copy of the death certificate.
What does it cost to get a quote?
Nothing. Quotes are free and there's no obligation to buy.
Ready to see your options?
It takes about a minute, and a licensed agent will walk you through everything.