Central Texas landscape near Iowa

Iowa Burial Insurance With No Medical Exam

Looking for burial insurance in Iowa? No medical exam, claims paid in 24 hours. Funeral Advantage coverage $5,000-$35,000. Call (800) 930-7459.

4.8 ★
Trusted by 1M+ policyholders
24 hrs
Approved claim payout
63+
Years serving families
No Exam
One-page application

What Happens When There's No Funeral Plan

The hardest moment for a family is also the most expensive. A small plan now spares them both.

Funeral costs over $10,000

Traditional burial in the Austin area averages about $7,912, and total costs often top $10,000 once add-ons are included.

Declined for life insurance

Many seniors are turned away because of age or health. Standard underwriting rules out coverage that families really need.

No plan in place

When a loved one dies suddenly, families face thousands in costs and impossible decisions in the middle of grief.

Overwhelmed by funeral homes

Comparing prices, reading contracts, and avoiding upsells at the worst possible time is a lot to ask of any family.

Trusted by Iowa Families Statewide

Nationwide Final Expense, rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best, has provided final expense coverage to American families since 1963. Over 1,000,000 policyholders trust the Funeral Advantage program for whole life coverage from $5,000 to $35,000 (2026 rates) with no medical exam.

Iowa families face traditional burial costs averaging $8,755 for a full service with viewing and burial, based on NFDA 2023 West North Central regional data, the highest regional figure in the country. Cremation with a service averages $6,713 regionally. No published city-level averages are available for Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, so the regional figure is the most reliable benchmark. With a cremation rate of approximately 57 percent, planning for either service type is a practical step for families statewide.

State Medicaid rules offer useful planning tools: a revocable burial fund up to $1,500 is exempt from asset counts, and a burial space, including a plot, vault, or marker, carries no dollar limit. Irrevocable funeral trusts (IFTs) are allowed under state law, giving families pursuing Medicaid eligibility an additional way to protect burial funds; confirm the current cap in Iowa's Medicaid manual. The Iowa Insurance Division (iid.iowa.gov) regulates all life insurance sold here, and every policy includes a standard 10-day free-look period during which you may cancel for a full premium refund.

With roughly 18 percent of residents aged 65 or older and a life expectancy of approximately 77.9 years, planning ahead is practical. Chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, and unintentional injuries rank among the state's leading causes of death. Families near major medical centers like University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and MercyOne in Des Moines often begin planning after a health event or hospital stay. Nationwide Final Expense licensed agents serve seniors from Des Moines and Cedar Rapids to Waterloo, Council Bluffs, Iowa City, Dubuque, and smaller communities like Fort Dodge, Mason City, and Burlington, with over-the-phone applications and no medical exam required. Approved claims are paid within 24 hours.

Areas served

  • Des Moines
  • Cedar Rapids
  • Davenport
  • Sioux City
  • Iowa City
  • Waterloo
  • Council Bluffs
  • Ames
  • Dubuque
  • Ankeny

Local landmarks

  • University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  • UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist Medical Center
  • Mercy Medical Center Des Moines
  • MercyOne Iowa Heart Center
  • Iowa State University
Senior adult walking in the Iowa area

Senior Final Expense Coverage Options

No medical exam

A one-page application with a few simple health questions. Most Iowa applicants qualify the same day.

24-hour claim payout

Approved claims paid in cash within 24 hours so your family has funds for the funeral home deposit and what comes next.

Personal Funeral Advisor

A live advisor calls Iowa-area funeral homes, compares prices, and reviews contracts on your family's behalf.

How to Get Coverage in 4 Simple Steps

From quote to policy to claim, every step is simple and no-pressure.

1

Get your free quote

Call or fill in the online form. No personal medical history needed to get a rate.

2

One-page application

A few simple health questions, no medical exam. Most applicants qualify the same day.

3

Policy issued

Pick your coverage from $5,000 to $35,000. Your premium is locked in for life.

4

24-hour claim payout

When the time comes, approved claims are paid within 24 hours so family has cash on hand.

Ready to Protect Your Family?

No medical exam, no pressure. A licensed advisor will tell you honestly whether the coverage fits.

Why Central Texas Families Choose Nationwide

We treat a hard subject with dignity and make a confusing decision feel simple.

Approved claims paid in 24 hours

Your family has cash on hand right when they need it, not weeks or months later.

No medical exam to qualify

A one-page application with a few simple health questions. Most applicants qualify.

Pre-existing conditions accepted

Health issues that get you declined elsewhere don't disqualify you with us.

Premiums never increase

A fixed monthly rate from day one. Locked in for the life of the policy.

Personal Funeral Advisor included

A live advisor calls funeral homes for your family, compares prices, and reviews contracts - at no extra cost.

A.M. Best A- and BBB A+ rated

A 63-year-old company with more than 1,000,000 policies in force across the country.

What Iowa-area families say

Real stories from policyholders who trusted us with the most important plan they ever made.

"After being turned down twice for my health, I was sure no one would cover me. They approved me with just a one-page form and no exam. Such a relief."

Carol R.

Round Rock, TX

"When my husband passed, their advisor called the funeral homes for us and saved us thousands. I don't know how we'd have managed the paperwork on our own."

Dolores M.

Austin, TX

"The claim was paid the very next day. The money was there when we needed it, not weeks later. Exactly what they promised."

James T.

Georgetown, TX

Frequently Asked Funeral Coverage Questions

What is the average funeral cost in Iowa?

A traditional burial in Iowa averages about $8,755 for a full service with viewing and burial, based on NFDA 2023 West North Central regional data, the highest regional figure in the country. Cremation with a service averages around $6,713 regionally. No city-level averages are published for Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, so the regional figure is the most reliable benchmark. A Funeral Advantage policy is sized to cover these typical costs with room for outstanding bills.

Does Iowa have a Medicaid burial exemption?

Yes. A revocable burial fund up to $1,500 is exempt from Iowa Medicaid asset counts, and a burial space, including a plot, vault, or marker, is exempt with no dollar limit. Irrevocable funeral trusts (IFTs) are allowed under state law, giving families pursuing Medicaid eligibility an additional way to protect burial funds. Confirm the current IFT cap in Iowa's Medicaid manual with a licensed agent, as specific limits may be updated.

Who regulates burial insurance in Iowa?

The Iowa Insurance Division (iid.iowa.gov) regulates all life insurance sold in the state. Final expense policies include a standard 10-day free-look period: you may cancel within 10 days of receiving your policy and receive a full premium refund. Standard two-year contestability and suicide clauses apply, consistent with most states. Iowa's guaranty fund covers up to $300,000 in benefits, which fully protects any final expense policy since face amounts are under $50,000.

Are irrevocable funeral trusts available in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa law allows irrevocable funeral trusts (IFTs), which can shelter burial funds from Medicaid spend-down. This is useful for seniors planning for long-term care who want to protect their final expense savings from asset limits. Confirm the current permissible cap in Iowa's Medicaid manual with a licensed agent before finalizing a plan.

Can Iowa seniors qualify with a pre-existing health condition?

Yes. Most applicants with pre-existing conditions qualify on a simplified-issue basis with no medical exam. For more severe conditions, a guaranteed acceptance option is available with a modified benefit and a 2 to 3 year waiting period that refunds premiums plus interest if a claim occurs during that period.

Which Iowa cities and communities do you serve?

We serve seniors statewide, including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, Waterloo, Council Bluffs, Ames, Dubuque, and Ankeny, with licensed agents and over-the-phone applications available from anywhere in Iowa.

How quickly can I get a burial insurance quote in Iowa?

Most applicants receive a same-day quote. There is no medical exam, just a one-page application with a few health questions. Policies are typically issued within days of applying, and approved claims are paid within 24 hours.

Where can I find burial insurance near me in Iowa?

We offer burial insurance to seniors across all 99 Iowa counties. Whether you live in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, or a smaller community like Fort Dodge or Mason City, you can apply over the phone with a licensed agent. No in-person visit is required, and most applicants receive a same-day quote.

Ready to protect the ones you love?

Get a free quote in minutes — no medical exam, no pressure. Most applicants qualify.