Lincoln Heritage life insurance review 2024
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At a glance
Bankrate's take
Policyholders looking for a final expense life insurance policy may find Lincoln Heritage a good choice, as this is the carrier's only type of coverage. However, Lincoln Heritage doesn’t offer many online tools and has no local agents to work with policyholders.
- No medical exams are required for final expense insurance
- Quick claims payout, often within 24 hours
- AM Best rating of A- (Excellent), indicating strong financial stability
- Offers policies in every state except New York
- Focuses exclusively on final expense insurance, which may not meet all life insurance needs
New
AM Best has revised the outlook for Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company from stable to positive, affirming the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of "a-" (Excellent). This revision reflects Lincoln Heritage’s improved underwriting performance, increased net investment income and record operating earnings in 2023. The company, which specializes in final expense insurance, has strengthened its market position with 22 percent of new final expense business in 2023, despite competitive pressures in the sector.
Lincoln Heritage life insurance review
Lincoln Heritage is a smaller, family-owned life insurance company that specializes in final expense insurance. Its Funeral Advantage program is one of the most prominent final expense insurance offerings in the United States. Lincoln Heritage, founded in 1963, has sold final expense life insurance policies for several decades. The company focuses exclusively on final expense products and does not offer traditional individual life insurance policies like term life or whole life insurance. Its Funeral Advantage product is available in every state except New York.
If you are in the market for final expense insurance, Lincoln Heritage life insurance may be worth considering. However, this provider does not sell traditional term life insurance or whole life insurance policies. The coverage limits are fairly low, and the company does not list any riders on its website. Here is a closer look at what you get with Lincoln Heritage’s signature Funeral Advantage program:
- Final expense insurance: Final expense insurance is designed to cover funeral expenses, including cremation services, burials and final medical bills. This policy may be considered by older adults who need guaranteed coverage. The Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage program includes up to $20,000 in coverage. There is no medical exam required. The company’s policy has a cash benefit and boasts a 24-hour claim payout for approved claims, plus level premiums for the duration of the policy. You can also purchase accidental death benefit coverage up to $100,000.
Pros and cons of Lincoln Heritage life insurance
When considering a life insurance provider, it's important to understand the unique advantages and limitations each company offers. Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of Lincoln Heritage life insurance to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs:
Pros
- No medical exams are required
- Claims are usually paid out quickly
- Family support services are offered for free
Cons
- Does not offer term or whole life policies
- Low coverage limits
- No local agents
Lincoln Heritage insurance riders
Life insurance riders are additional aspects that can be added to policies to customize them. Lincoln Heritage may offer a few riders that can be added to its policies. The following riders are discussed by Lincoln Heritage, although it does not directly specify if it offers these:
- Waiver of premium: This rider can cover the ongoing costs of the policy premium if the policyholder becomes disabled.
- Accelerated death benefit: Policyholders may become eligible for a portion of the policy benefit if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness and are estimated to have less than a year to live.
- Term life rider: This rider can add a term life policy to the existing policy, increasing the death benefit.
- Guaranteed purchase option rider: With this rider, purchasing additional life insurance does not require a medical exam.
Lincoln Heritage customer satisfaction
Several third-party entities evaluate insurance companies using a variety of metrics. AM Best provides a measure of the company's financial strength and assigns Lincoln Heritage a rating of A- (Excellent). This high rating from AM Best indicates that Lincoln Heritage has a strong financial foundation, which is crucial for ensuring that the company can meet its policy obligations and provide reliable service to its customers. While Lincoln Heritage did not rank in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, the company's solid financial rating from AM Best can be a positive indicator of customer satisfaction, as it reflects the company's stability and ability to pay claims efficiently.
Lincoln Heritage insurance customer complaints
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) compiles and monitors customer complaints against insurance companies to generate complaint indexes. These indexes help to measure a company's performance in relation to its market share. An index of 1.00 represents the baseline average, indicating a company receives the expected number of complaints for its size. A score above 1.00 suggests more complaints than expected, while a score below 1.00 indicates fewer complaints than average.
The NAIC differentiates complaint indexes based on product type, allowing consumers to see how companies perform in specific areas of their business. This approach provides a detailed view of customer satisfaction and potential issues within different segments of an insurance company's offerings. Lincoln Heritage has done well over the past three years, consistently holding a complaint index under 1.00.
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Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.
- Coverage for life
- Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
- 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component
Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.
- Fixed premium over term
- No savings benefits
- Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back
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Compare Lincoln Heritage with other insurers
Because Lincoln Heritage only offers one type of life insurance product, it may not be the right carrier for everyone. Whether you’re looking for the cheapest life insurance, different riders or all other policy types, these life insurance companies may be good alternatives:
Lincoln Heritage vs. New York Life
If you’re considering a provider with broader benefits, New York Life may be worth exploring. In addition to a variety of life insurance options, New York Life offers estate planning and wealth management services. Additionally, New York Life collaborates with AARP to provide exclusive life insurance products for its members, including both term and permanent group coverage, without requiring a physical exam for most products. This partnership can be particularly appealing for seniors looking for comprehensive insurance solutions tailored to their needs.
Learn more: New York Life Insurance review
Lincoln Heritage vs. Gerber Life
If you’re looking for a range of insurance products, including life insurance for children, Gerber Life may be a good option. The company offers term, whole and guaranteed life, as well as a few products geared specifically toward children and young adults.
Learn more: Gerber Life Insurance review
Lincoln Heritage vs. State Farm
If you’re sure you want a final expense plan, State Farm may be a fitting alternative to Lincoln Heritage. However, while the company does have a network of local agents that may appeal to some customers, its final expense insurance only goes up to a $10,000 death benefit.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Lincoln Heritage vs. Globe Life
If you're comparing final expense insurance providers, Lincoln Heritage and Globe Life are two notable options. Lincoln Heritage, known for its focus on final expense insurance, offers policies without the need for medical exams and is backed by strong customer support services. However, it lacks the variety of traditional life insurance products such as term and whole life policies.
On the other hand, Globe Life provides a broader range of life insurance products, including term, whole and final expense insurance, all available without a medical exam. Globe Life's strong financial rating from AM Best and higher-than-average customer satisfaction scores may make it an appealing choice for those looking for flexibility and reliability in their coverage.
Learn more: Globe Life Insurance review
Our insurance editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of combined experience, and we used our intimate knowledge of the industry to conduct this in-depth Lincoln Heritage insurance review.
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Is Lincoln Heritage a good insurance company?
Lincoln Heritage might be a good fit if you’re specifically looking for final expense insurance. Their Funeral Advantage product is designed to cover the costs of funerals and related expenses, and it’s available in every state except New York. A significant advantage of this policy is that it does not require a medical exam, which can simplify the application process. Once approved, Lincoln Heritage advertises that claims can be paid out within 24 hours, providing quick financial support during a difficult time.
However, if you’re looking for more comprehensive life insurance options, Lincoln Heritage may not be the best fit. The company does not offer traditional term or whole life insurance policies, which are often essential for broader financial protection and planning. For those needing more extensive coverage, exploring other providers and using tools like Bankrate’s life insurance calculator can help you find the best option for your unique needs. Taking the time to compare different life insurance companies can help you find a policy that offers the right coverage and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
What are real-life customers saying about Lincoln Heritage?
In an effort to provide more insight into the Lincoln Heritage customer experience, we scoured Trustpilot and other review sites. Given that Lincoln Heritage exclusively sells final expense insurance, a niche market, reviews can be few and far between. Here’s what real customers had to say:
Fast and efficient - Jun. 7, 2024
"We like how fast and efficient the company was on getting out our payment. All the people I spoke to were kind and caring in my time of despair. I would refer you all to others. Thank you very much! - Trustpilot user 1*
A scam? - Oct. 14, 2023
"Lincoln Heritage is a SCAM!!!! I am an 80-year-old woman. Someone contacted me, and the advisor was aggressive but made it sound beneficial. After years of paying, I had my son look at this policy. I was told it’s a funeral fund, but it’s actually life insurance. I’ve paid almost $5k to Lincoln Heritage and just found out I will have to pay till I’m 100 years old or when I pass, and the payout is $5k, which these days doesn’t even cover funeral costs. This is a complete scam, and Lincoln Heritage targets the elderly and takes advantage of them." - Trustpilot user 2*
These reviews highlight a mix of positive and negative experiences. While some customers appreciate the prompt payment and compassionate service, others feel misled by the policy details and express frustration over the perceived value of their coverage.
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
Lincoln Heritage company details
Here are a few ways you can get in contact with Lincoln Heritage:
- Customer service: 1-855-706-2396, open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., MST
- Claims: 1-855-706-2396
- Policy payments: 1-800-930-7459
- Company website: www.lhlic.com
- Company address: Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company - 4343 E Camelback Road Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85018
State availability
Lincoln Heritage is available in the District of Columbia and all states but New York.
Lincoln Heritage tools and benefits
While most life insurance companies offer multiple policies, Lincoln Heritage only offers final expense insurance, a form of guaranteed life insurance. It is also called funeral insurance or burial insurance. You cannot purchase any other type of life insurance or property insurance from this provider. All final expense policies are underwritten by Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company. Beyond its policies, Lincoln Heritage offers a couple of amenities to its policyholders:
- Free membership to the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS)
- Digital guides and resources for life insurance and funeral arrangements