Prudential Financial has been around for over 150 years and offers a wide range of financial products. However, for seniors specifically seeking burial or funeral coverage, Prudential Life Insurance may not be the most affordable option.
For seniors looking to protect their loved ones from financial burdens, choosing the right life insurance policy can be a lot of pressure. With so many options available, finding a provider that understands the unique needs of older adults is essential.
At Final Expense Benefits, we find that burial insurance is a straightforward and affordable choice for seniors.
To learn more about life insurance, call us at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or check our free online quoting tool for a personalized pricing estimate.
Key takeaways
Prudential is a well-established life insurer, offering a wide variety of term and permanent life insurance options.
Their final expense offerings are limited, and may not be the best fit for seniors seeking simple burial insurance.
Prudential receives strong third-party ratings, but customer reviews highlight challenges with policy clarity and support.
Best suited for younger or high-income applicants, Prudential may not offer the flexibility or affordability needed for end-of-life planning.
What is Prudential Life Insurance?
Founded in 1875, Prudential has celebrated 150 years of providing life insurance. Their long history is marked by important steps that have shaped the company that exists today.
Prudential Life Insurance offers different policy options.
Below are a few of their options:
Prudential Life Insurance Coverage Options
Prudential Life offers several types of life insurance, but they don’t provide burial insurance with seniors in mind.
Here’s what they have:
1
Prudential Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period, mostly used by young adults. Prudential life insurance covers a limited 10 to 20 years, rather than the typical 10 to 30 years. Prudential has four term life products: EssentialTerm Value, EssentialTerm Plus, Term Essential, and PruTerm One. These policy types vary in coverage amounts and monthly premiums. For seniors, these policies usually require a medical exam. Final Expense Benefits does not typically recommend term life insurance to seniors because they risk outliving their coverage, and medical requirements are strict.
2
Prudential Universal Life Insurance
Universal life policies offer long-term protection and coverage with the upside of managed investing. However, premiums and cash value can change based on investment performance and may lead to losses. Because of how their cash value works, universal policies offer payment flexibility. Prudential provides several universal life policies, including some with a higher coverage amount that covers two people at a lower cost than insuring them individually.
3
Prudential Final Expense Insurance
Final expense insurance is a whole life policy used to cover end-of-life costs, such as funeral expenses, medical bills, or outstanding debts.
Prudential offers a final expense product; however, it comes with some limitations that make it less ideal compared to other providers. Their policy caps coverage at $30,000, which may fall short for families facing rising funeral costs. Many top insurers offer up to $50,000 or more in coverage, providing greater flexibility and support.
Prudential does not provide free online quotes for its final expense policy, making it harder for seniors to compare options or understand pricing without speaking directly to an agent. This lack of transparency can be difficult for those seeking quick, stress-free answers.
Contact our expert agents at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, for a free quote or to start your life insurance application process.
4
Prudential Life Insurance Riders
Life insurance riders are optional add-ons that can tailor your policy to better fit your needs, lifestyle, or health conditions. While basic life insurance provides financial protection for your loved ones, riders offer additional layers of coverage that address specific concerns, like chronic illness, accidental death, or even premium waivers if you become disabled.
- Temporary Accidental Death Benefit
- Included automatically, paying an additional death benefit if you die by accident within the first two years.
- Optional addition for applicants under 70, providing an extra payout if death occurs due to an accident before age 100, which would increase the premium.
- Terminal Illness Benefit
- Included automatically, allowing access to a portion of the death benefit if diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Covers conditions like alzheimer’s & dementia, high blood pressure, and other conditions like below:
- Asthma and other controlled breathing conditions, like mild COPD
- Cancer
- Disabilities not related to illness
- Epilepsy & managed seizures
- HIV / AIDS
- Living in assisted living / long-term care facilities
- Major stroke events
- Managed heart conditions
- Managed Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Mental health issues like anxiety or depression
- Minor health complications from being overweight
- Obesity
- TIA stroke event (“mini stroke”)
- Tobacco use
- Terminal illnesses
If you’re interested in burial insurance, contact Final Expense Benefits. We’re experts in the burial insurance market and can connect you to a great plan that fits any need and budget.
How Much Does Prudential Life Insurance Cost?
Prudential life insurance costs can vary widely based on your age, health, coverage amount, and the type of policy you choose. However, for seniors interested in final expense insurance, Prudential’s pricing may not be the most competitive. Unlike many insurers that offer transparent, no-obligation quotes online, Prudential requires direct contact with an agent for personalized rates. This makes it difficult to quickly compare their prices to other providers.
At Final Expense Benefits, we believe in full transparency. You’ll never be left wondering what you’re paying for. Whether you’re comparing plans or ready to enroll, we make it easy to get real answers, fast. Contact our expert agents at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, for a free quote or to start your life insurance application process.
Prudential Life Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong financial history
Prudential is a long-established company with excellent financial ratings, giving policyholders added confidence in its reliability. - Guaranteed coverage options
Some whole life policies may offer guaranteed acceptance without requiring a medical exam or health questionnaire, making it ideal for those with pre-existing conditions. - Included riders
Select policies include or allow optional riders, such as accidental death coverage or serious illness protection, adding valuable flexibility. - Flexible underwriting policies
Some of the most lenient HIV underwriting in our experience insuring individuals.
Cons
- No online quotes
Prudential doesn’t offer instant online quotes. To get pricing, you’ll need to speak with an agent, making comparison shopping more difficult. - Mixed customer reviews
While many trust the brand, reviews reveal varied experiences with customer service and claims handling. - Poor web accessibility
Their site can be hard to navigate, especially for seniors seeking final expense coverage. The emphasis on universal life makes it harder to find relevant information. - Low coverage amount
Final expense policies cap out at $30,000, while many competitors offer $50,000 or more. Other coverage types may better meet today’s medical and funeral costs.
Ready to explore your options for final expense life insurance? Call us at (866) 786-0725 to speak with a licensed agent today.
Prudential Life Insurance Reviews: Third-Party Rating Services
Let’s explore what other customers say about their service and how easy it is to sign up.
1
AM Best Rating
A.M. Best assigns financial strength ratings that assess an insurer’s ability to pay claims, from A+ (Superior) down to F.
Prudential Life Insurance holds an A+ (Superior) rating for its life/health insurance subsidiaries, reflecting its exceptionally strong balance sheet, high-quality investments, and robust risk management.
2
NAIC Rating
The NAIC Complaint Index compares a company’s share of complaints to its market share, with 1.00 being average. A score higher than 1 means more complaints than expected. In 2024, Prudential’s brand-wide index was 0.39, well below average, indicating fewer complaints than expected. However, its individual annuities unit had a notably high index of 62.11, signaling substantially elevated consumer grievances in that sector.
3
J.D. Power Ranking
J.D. Power surveys customers nationally and ranks life insurers based on overall customer experience. In the 2024 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, Prudential scored 626 out of 1,000, ranking second‑to‑last (20th) out of 21 companies, trailing industry leaders like State Farm (699) and distinctly below the top tier.
While Prudential demonstrates exceptional financial strength and maintains a low overall complaint rate, its annuities division struggles with high complaint levels, and its customer satisfaction score trails most of its peers. It’s important to balance financial stability with customer experience when evaluating your life insurance provider.
Prudential Life Insurance Reviews: Customer Ratings
Mary L.
Oaklyn, NJ
1/5
My husband passed away in June. I gave the funeral home the information for his life insurance he had through his employer, GE. After 4 weeks, I received a call from the funeral home saying they needed $500 from me since the insurance had not paid yet. Contacted the insurance company, Prudential, whom said they would send me out the documents that they require and complete forms and return with a death certificate.
Joe B.
Cleveland, OH
1/5
Don’t rely on Prudential for anything, they are in charge of leave for the company I work for and they denied, no surprise there, had an appeal as things have gotten worse. Before the process was even completed “Joy” (an oxymoron if there ever was one) informed me because I saw a dr before starting they were going to deny this appeal. Now for the fun part, I had been on leave for some minor issues, then I was diagnosed with cancer, not once did she show any empathy.
She could not have cared less and said, “It doesn’t matter what your illness is because you saw that dr all claims will be denied.” She did not offer any assistance in what may help, ways to help but they make you fill out about 25 pages of information including work history which they said was to see if they could find something for you, they have no interest in helping you. Stay away, they are heartless.
Andrew D.
New Orleans, LA
1/5
The company did not disclose the proper information I needed for life insurance until it was impossible for me to attain. I will encourage all the veterans I can reach to avoid the company and all of their services. So glad I have a large platform on social media to let everyone know.
Why You Should Consider Final Expense Insurance
Also known as burial insurance, final expense insurance is generally better than term and universal policies for seniors looking for dependable, low-cost coverage. Some burial insurance policies offer guaranteed acceptance, which is great for seniors with serious pre-existing conditions.
Here are sample rates for burial insurance from some of our top providers, calculated for a benchmark $10,000 policy using a non-smoking applicant with no pre-existing conditions:
Best $10,000 Burial Insurance Companies
| Company |
Male 50y/o |
Female 50y/o |
Male 60y/o |
Female 60y/o |
Male 70y/o |
Female 70y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$34 |
$27 |
$50 |
$40 |
$70 |
$56 |
|
|
$31 |
$26 |
$43 |
$35 |
$71 |
$53 |
|
|
$31 |
$24 |
$44 |
$33 |
$75 |
$53 |
|
|
$34 |
$29 |
$45 |
$35 |
$79 |
$59 |
|
|
$33 |
$26 |
$48 |
$36 |
$82 |
$58 |
These figures are estimates only, based on a $10,000 final expense insurance policy with no applicant pre-existing conditions.
Beyond picking a specific company, it’s essential to understand why final expense insurance is a smart idea for planning your future.
Key Advantages of Final Expense Insurance
Burial insurance is affordable because death benefits are limited to around $5,000 to $50,000, which can cover end-of-life expenses like funeral and burial plot costs. Burial policies are whole life insurance, so you’ll enjoy premium rates locked at the policy’s start, cash value growth, and benefits that will never decrease.
Unlike other brokerages like Big Lou or Ethos Life Insurance that rely heavily on automated systems and scripted, aggressive sales tactics, we believe in genuine conversations. You’re never just a name on a form. You’re making an important choice, and we’re here to help, not tell you what to do.
Still have questions about final expense life insurance? Call one of our licensed agents at (866) 786-0725, or utilize our free tools: the funeral cost calculator or quoting tool.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right final expense insurance is a personal decision that needs careful thought. Prudential Life Insurance offers a special kind of Universal Life policy for funeral expenses, and now you know how Prudential compares to other choices.
The most important thing to remember is that final expense insurance helps protect your family from money worries during a difficult time. It ensures that costs like funerals or medical bills are covered, giving everyone peace of mind. We specialize in final expense insurance, a type of universal life insurance designed to fit seniors’ needs, but we are here to help you find the right coverage for your needs. For more assistance making an informed decision, check our free online quoting tool and funeral cost calculator.
Contact our expert agents at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, for a quote or to start your life insurance application process. Be sure to check out our free online quoting tool to get some quote ideas and to check your available options.
FAQ
Can I cash in my Prudential life insurance policy?
Yes, you can often “cash in” policies like Universal Life or Whole Life if they have “cash value.” This means you can borrow from it, take out money, or cancel the policy to get the cash value back.
What is Prudential life insurance?
Prudential Life Insurance is part of a large U.S. company called Prudential Financial, Inc. They offer different types of life insurance (like Term, Whole, and Universal Life) to financially protect families when someone passes away.
Where is Prudential Life Insurance located?
The main office for Prudential Life Insurance (Prudential Financial, Inc.) is in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States. They serve customers all over the U.S.
Who owns Prudential Life Insurance?
Prudential Life Insurance is owned by many different shareholders because it’s a publicly traded company. It’s important to remember this U.S. company is separate from Prudential plc, which is based in the United Kingdom.
What is ICICI Prudential Life Insurance?
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is an insurance company that operates in India. It’s a partnership between an Indian bank (ICICI Bank) and the UK-based Prudential plc. It is not part of the U.S.-based Prudential Life Insurance (Prudential Financial).
Does Prudential Life Insurance require a medical exam?
It depends on the policy. Their “Funeral Insurance” (for final expenses) typically does not require a medical exam or health questions because it’s “guaranteed acceptance.” However, many of their other, larger life insurance policies often ask health questions or require a medical exam.
