Key takeaways
- Ensured Legacy Final Expense comes in three versions: Simplified Issue, Graded Death Benefit, and Guaranteed Issue, with total coverage from $5,000 to $40,000.
- Which version you get depends on your health answers, and the coverage range differs by version.
- Royal Neighbors is a fraternal benefit society; AM Best affirmed its A (Excellent) rating on December 12, 2025.
- A no-cost Charitable Giving Rider sends the lesser of 1% of the face amount or $1,000 to a charity you choose.
- Royal Neighbors isn't licensed in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or New York.
Royal Neighbors of America sells final expense whole life insurance under the name Ensured Legacy Final Expense, with coverage from $5,000 to $40,000. It comes in simplified issue, graded death benefit, and guaranteed issue versions, so there is a version for people who don't qualify on health questions. The main trade-offs are that you buy through a Royal Neighbors agent, and Royal Neighbors doesn't publish issue ages or graded payout terms on its website.
We're a matching service, not an insurer; licensed agents we connect you with may offer policies from some of these companies. See how we review companies.
Royal Neighbors of America at a glance
Feature | What Royal Neighbors publishes |
|---|---|
Insurer | Royal Neighbors of America (NAIC #57657), a fraternal benefit society based in Rock Island, Illinois |
Product | Ensured Legacy Final Expense whole life |
Versions | Simplified Issue (Form 211311), Graded Death Benefit (Form 211312), Guaranteed Issue (Form 221309) |
Coverage range | $5,000 to $40,000 overall; range depends on the version you qualify for |
Issue ages | Not published on the product page; ask the agent |
Waiting period / graded benefit | Graded and guaranteed issue versions exist; payout schedules are not published online |
Riders | Charitable Giving (no cost), Accelerated Death Benefit (no cost, limits apply), Grandchild Term, Accidental Death |
How to buy | Through a Royal Neighbors agent |
Not available in | AL, AK, HI, LA, MA, NH, NY |
Financial strength | A (Excellent) from AM Best, affirmed December 12, 2025 |
NAIC complaint index | Check the current figure at NAIC Consumer Insurance Search |
What is Royal Neighbors of America?
Royal Neighbors of America is a fraternal benefit society, a nonprofit membership group that sells life insurance to its members. According to its history page, it was founded by nine women and has a 130-year history. Its 2025 annual report lists more than 280,000 members and over 270 volunteer chapters.
When you buy a policy, which Royal Neighbors calls a "certificate," you become a member. Members can join community chapters and apply for programs such as volunteer grants and scholarships. Royal Neighbors notes that these programs are offered at its discretion, aren't available in all states, and shouldn't be the reason you buy insurance.
What does Ensured Legacy Final Expense offer?
Ensured Legacy is permanent whole life coverage from $5,000 to $40,000, per the Royal Neighbors product page. Your health answers decide which of three versions you get:
Version | Form series | Who it is generally for |
|---|---|---|
Simplified Issue Whole Life | 211311 | People who qualify on the health questions |
Graded Death Benefit | 211312 | People with some health history who don't qualify for simplified issue |
Guaranteed Issue | 221309 | People who can't qualify on health questions |
Royal Neighbors says the coverage range "will depend on" which version you qualify for, so the $40,000 top end may not be open to everyone. The company also states the policy is not a funeral or burial contract. Your beneficiary gets the money and can use it for any purpose.
Which riders are available?
The client brochure lists four riders:
- Charitable Giving Rider (no extra premium). At claim time, Royal Neighbors pays the lesser of 1% of the face amount or $1,000 to a 501(c)(3) charity you pick. It ends if the certificate goes into extended term insurance.
- Accelerated Death Benefit Rider (no extra premium). Pays part of the death benefit early for a qualifying terminal condition or permanent nursing home confinement. It is not available on Guaranteed Issue and needs a face amount of $7,000 or more. Early payments may be taxable and may affect eligibility for public assistance.
- Grandchild Term Insurance Rider (extra premium). Adds $5,000 of term coverage for grandchildren.
- Accidental Death Benefit Rider (extra premium). Pays an added benefit if death results directly from a covered accident.
If you want to leave money to a church or charity as well as to family, see our guide on leaving life insurance to your church.
How do the graded and guaranteed issue versions work?
With the graded and guaranteed issue versions, your beneficiary may get less than the full face amount if you die of natural causes early in the policy. Royal Neighbors confirms these versions exist but doesn't publish the payout schedule, the length of the reduced-benefit period, or the issue ages on its website. We found numbers on third-party sites, but we don't repeat them because the carrier doesn't publish them.
Ask the agent to show you, in writing, for the version you're offered:
- The issue ages and the coverage range for that version.
- What is paid if you die of illness in year one, year two, and after.
- Whether accidental death is paid in full from the start.
- Whether any terms differ in your state.
Our guides to guaranteed issue life insurance and guaranteed vs. simplified issue explain how graded benefits usually work.
How strong is Royal Neighbors financially?
AM Best affirmed Royal Neighbors' A (Excellent) financial strength rating on December 12, 2025, according to the company's annual report. Royal Neighbors notes that A is the third-highest of AM Best's 13 rating levels. You can check the latest rating for free at AM Best.
The same report lists these year-end 2025 figures:
- Total admitted assets of about $1.33 billion
- Certificateholders' surplus of about $159.9 million, down from about $167.7 million in 2024
- Net income of about $0.9 million, down from about $1.8 million in 2024
Royal Neighbors says its surplus is well above minimum regulatory requirements.
What does the NAIC complaint data show?
The NAIC complaint index compares an insurer's complaints with its size. A score of 1.00 is the expected level, below 1.00 means fewer complaints than expected, and above 1.00 means more. Small numbers of complaints can swing the index a lot from year to year.
We couldn't pull Royal Neighbors' current figures from the NAIC tool while writing this review, so we don't list a number. To check it, search "Royal Neighbors of America" or NAIC company code 57657 in NAIC Consumer Insurance Search.
Pros and cons of Royal Neighbors of America
Pros
- Three versions (simplified, graded, and guaranteed issue) under one product line.
- Coverage up to $40,000 on the versions that allow it.
- A no-cost Charitable Giving Rider and a no-cost Accelerated Death Benefit Rider on eligible certificates.
- AM Best rating of A (Excellent), affirmed December 12, 2025.
- Membership programs and volunteer chapters, if you value that.
Cons
- Issue ages and graded payout terms aren't published on the company's website.
- The $40,000 top end may not apply to graded or guaranteed issue versions.
- The Accelerated Death Benefit Rider isn't available on Guaranteed Issue or on certificates under $7,000.
- Not sold in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or New York.
- Surplus and net income were lower in 2025 than in 2024.
Who may Royal Neighbors fit, and who should look elsewhere?
Royal Neighbors may fit you if you:
- Want one product line with simplified, graded, and guaranteed issue versions.
- Would like part of your benefit to go to a charity at no extra premium.
- Like the idea of a membership group with community and volunteer programs.
You may want to look elsewhere if you:
- Live in one of the seven states where it isn't licensed.
- Prefer not to work with an agent; Royal Neighbors directs Ensured Legacy buyers to its agents.
- Want issue ages and graded terms published before you apply.
What are the alternatives to Royal Neighbors?
Other reviews you can compare:
- Foresters PlanRight review, another fraternal insurer
- Mutual of Omaha final expense review
- Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage review
For faith-based fraternal groups, see our comparison of Christian life insurance companies. You can also read our list of the best final expense insurance companies or browse all company reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fraternal benefit society?
A fraternal benefit society is a nonprofit membership organization that sells insurance to its members and runs member and community programs. When you buy a Royal Neighbors policy, called a certificate, you become a member. The insurance itself is regular life insurance regulated by state insurance departments.
See final expense optionsDo I have to be a woman to buy from Royal Neighbors?
No. Royal Neighbors was founded by women and its mission focuses on supporting women, but the company says it has also welcomed men as members. You become a member when you buy a certificate, so ask the agent about eligibility rules in your state.
See final expense optionsCan the death benefit be used for things other than a funeral?
Yes. Royal Neighbors states that Ensured Legacy is not a funeral or burial contract. The death benefit goes to your beneficiary, who may use it for any purpose, such as funeral costs, medical bills, or debts.
See final expense optionsDoes the Accelerated Death Benefit Rider come with guaranteed issue coverage?
No. Royal Neighbors says this rider is not available on the Guaranteed Issue version and is only offered on certificates of $7,000 or more. It must be added before the certificate is issued or at reinstatement.
See final expense optionsAre Royal Neighbors member benefits guaranteed?
No. Royal Neighbors says member programs are provided at its discretion, are not available in all states, and should not be the reason you buy a policy. Buy the coverage only if it meets your insurance needs.
See final expense optionsSources
- Royal Neighbors of America — Ensured Legacy Final Expense
- Royal Neighbors of America — Ensured Legacy Final Expense client brochure (Rev. 2-2024)
- Royal Neighbors of America — Annual Report (AM Best rating affirmed December 12, 2025)
- Royal Neighbors of America — History
- Royal Neighbors of America — 10 Facts about Royal Neighbors
- NAIC — Consumer Insurance Search
About the author
Editorial TeamResearch & editorial
Our editorial team researches and writes these guides from primary sources — including the VA, IRS, Social Security Administration, CFPB, NAIC, and NFDA — and updates them as rules and figures change. Guides are general information, not financial, legal, or tax advice.
