Lincoln Heritage insurance company’s Funeral Advantage program is a bundled final expense whole life package designed for end-of-life costs. It uses simplified-issue underwriting (no medical exam; health questions are required), and typical face amounts are small — commonly about $5,000–$20,000, with maximums that can vary by state and underwriting approval. Coverage is not guaranteed for all applicants. Sources: Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, and the insurer’s page for Funeral Advantage.
The program also includes Family Support Services through the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS) at no additional cost. FCGS provides 24/7 at-need support, helps families compare prices among funeral homes and negotiate, and assists with documenting and carrying out final wishes; benefits can be assigned to a funeral home and Lincoln Heritage markets fast claims once approved (often cited as within 24 hours after approval; timing varies by case). See Lincoln Heritage and FCGS for current program details. Note: availability is not nationwide (e.g., not available in New York, per recent third‑party reviews such as Forbes Advisor).
Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Overview: Financial Strength, Availability, and History
Lincoln Heritage is a family-owned final expense insurer with strong financial strength but mixed customer-satisfaction signals. AM Best currently assigns Lincoln Heritage an A- rating from AM Best (Excellent) with a Stable outlook (accessed Nov 2025); per AM Best’s guide, “A- (Excellent)” reflects an excellent ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. On customer experience, the company holds an A+ business rating from the Better Business Bureau, but recent BBB customer reviews average roughly 1–2 out of 5 stars alongside several hundred complaints closed in the last 3 years and a triple‑digit count in the past 12 months. Trustpilot also shows a below‑average star rating (roughly 1–3 out of 5 based on recent reviews). Lincoln Heritage is not ranked in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, and recent regulator data accessed via the NAIC Consumer Information Source indicate above‑average complaint levels in recent years relative to premium size. Availability spans most states (often cited as 49 states; not available in New York per third‑party reviews such as Forbes Advisor).
AM Best financial strength rating:
A- J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction rating:
N/ALincoln Heritage — Best for comprehensive coverage
PROS
- Family support services: Family Support Services via the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS) are included to provide 24/7 at-need guidance, price comparisons among funeral homes, and help carrying out final wishes at no additional cost (Lincoln Heritage; FCGS).
- No medical exam: Simplified-issue application with health questions (no medical exam). Acceptance is not guaranteed; eligibility depends on answers and underwriting (Forbes Advisor; NerdWallet).
- Quick payouts: Approved claims are often paid quickly (frequently cited as within ~24 hours after approval), and benefits can be assigned to a funeral home; timing varies by state and claim details (Lincoln Heritage).
CONS
- No online quotes: Pricing requires speaking with a licensed agent; online self-serve quotes and digital claims options are limited compared with some competitors.
- Low coverage limits: Face amounts target end-of-life costs and are commonly ~$5,000–$20,000; maximums vary by state and underwriting and may be higher in some cases (NerdWallet; Forbes Advisor).
The Life Insurance Factors We Analyzed
Customer experience
Financial strength
Coverage and rider information
Current public indicators show mixed-to-negative sentiment despite a high BBB letter grade. The BBB lists an A+ business rating but a low average customer review score (roughly 1–2 out of 5 stars) with several hundred complaints closed over the last 3 years and a triple-digit count in the past 12 months (BBB profile). Trustpilot also reflects a below-average star rating (roughly 1–3 out of 5). The NAIC Consumer Information Source shows recent complaint indices above the industry average for Lincoln Heritage in individual life; check the most recent year in the NAIC CIS. Lincoln Heritage is not ranked in the latest J.D. Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study.
AM Best currently rates Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company A- (Excellent) with a Stable outlook, indicating an excellent ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations (AM Best Ratings Center; see definitions in AM Best’s rating guide).
When evaluating a life insurance company, financial strength helps indicate the company’s capacity to pay claims as they arise.
Funeral Advantage pairs simplified-issue final expense whole life with funeral-planning support. Key elements include:
Final expense whole life: No medical exam; eligibility is based on health questions. Face amounts commonly range about $5,000–$20,000 and vary by state and underwriting. Applicants who qualify typically get immediate level benefits; some may receive a graded or modified benefit for the first two years (state-form dependent).
- Family Support Services (FCGS): Included 24/7 assistance to compare funeral homes, negotiate prices, and carry out final wishes (FCGS; Lincoln Heritage). Approved claims are marketed as paid quickly (often within ~24 hours after approval) and benefits can be assigned to a funeral home; timelines vary.
With the Funeral Advantage plan, premiums and the base death benefit are level for life with modest cash value typical of whole life. Lincoln Heritage emphasizes rapid claims once approved (often within 24 hours after approval, case dependent), and an optional Accidental Death Benefit rider may be available subject to age, amount and state limits. Accidental death riders pay an additional benefit only for qualifying accidental deaths and include exclusions and age caps; terms vary by insurer and state (NAIC Consumer’s Guide; Insurance Information Institute).
The Competition
| Reviews.com score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options. | AM Best Financial Strength Rating AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Life Insurance Study Score** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | NAIC Customer Complaints The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), ensures insurance providers comply with national regulations and state laws to protect public interests. | |
|---|
| Pin Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage | N/A | A- | N/A | Above industry average (recent years) | |
| Pin Northwestern Mutual | N/A | A++ | N/A | See NAIC CIS | |
| Pin State Farm | N/A | A++ | N/A | See NAIC CIS | |
| Pin Nationwide | N/A | A+ | N/A | See NAIC CIS | |
| Pin New York Life | N/A | A++ | N/A | See NAIC CIS | |
| Pin Mutual of Omaha | N/A | A+ | N/A | See NAIC CIS | |
| Pin Principal | N/A | A+ | N/A | See NAIC CIS | |
*All information accurate as of November 7, 2025.
**Based on a 1,000-point scale.
The Bottom Line
Lincoln Heritage’s Funeral Advantage bundles simplified-issue final expense whole life coverage with FCGS funeral-planning support. The insurer’s AM Best rating is A- (Excellent) with a Stable outlook, signaling strong claims-paying ability, but public satisfaction indicators are mixed: below‑average customer star ratings on BBB reviews and Trustpilot, and regulator complaint metrics trending above industry average per NAIC CIS. If you value hands-on help with funeral logistics and the option to assign benefits — and only need a small, permanent policy — Funeral Advantage can be a practical fit. Availability is broad but not universal (commonly cited as 49 states; not New York). Financial strength: AM Best.
Our evaluations consider financial strength (e.g., AM Best), coverage design and riders (e.g., simplified-issue vs. guaranteed issue, accidental death riders per NAIC Consumer’s Guide), state availability, and customer-experience indicators (BBB reviews, Trustpilot, and complaint indices from the NAIC CIS). We also monitor broad satisfaction trends from the J.D. Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study and current market context to help readers compare options that fit specific needs.
Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage FAQ
Lincoln Heritage offers a niche value proposition: small, permanent coverage bundled with funeral-planning help (FCGS). Financial strength is solid — AM Best rates the company A- (Excellent) with a Stable outlook — but customer sentiment is mixed-to-negative on public platforms (low BBB and Trustpilot star averages and above-average regulator complaint indices). It can be a fit if you want hands-on planning support and can qualify through simplified-issue underwriting; price shoppers may find lower premiums with other simplified-issue competitors. Sources: AM Best, BBB, Trustpilot, NAIC CIS.
Funeral Advantage is a simplified-issue final expense whole life policy bundled with FCGS Family Support Services. It’s intended to help cover funeral, burial or cremation costs and final bills. Coverage amounts are typically small (often ~$5,000–$20,000; state and underwriting variations apply). Some applicants may receive graded benefits during an initial period, while those who qualify receive immediate level benefits. Learn more at Lincoln Heritage, and see independent overviews from Forbes Advisor and NerdWallet; FCGS details at fcgs.org.
Lincoln Heritage does not publish standardized pricing for Funeral Advantage. Final expense premiums vary based on factors like age, tobacco use, health history, state, and the face amount you select. Because underwriting is simplified issue (health questions; no exam), applicants who qualify for immediate level benefits generally pay less than those who only qualify for graded benefits. The only way to determine your cost is to get a quote from a licensed agent.
No. Lincoln Heritage is not a mutual insurer and does not pay policyholder dividends. The value you receive is the contractual insurance coverage and any claims payout per the policy’s terms.
No traditional medical exam is required. Funeral Advantage uses a simplified-issue application with health questions; most applicants can be evaluated quickly, though acceptance is not guaranteed. See the insurer’s overview of Funeral Advantage and independent reviews (Forbes Advisor; NerdWallet).
Yes. You can request cancellation by contacting a licensed agent or the company directly. Before cancelling, ask about any implications for your policy’s cash value, outstanding loans (if any), or coverage reinstatement options. Your state’s free-look period and policy terms will govern any refund eligibility.
