Final expense · GA

Final expense insurance in Georgia

Buying a final expense policy in Georgia comes with a few state safeguards worth knowing. State law gives you ten days after receiving an individual life policy to return it for a full premium refund if you're not satisfied. If a licensed life insurer fails, the Georgia Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association protects up to $300,000 in death benefits and up to $100,000 in cash surrender value per insured life. Questions about a policy, an agent, or a claim can go to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire at 800-656-2298, and the State Board of Funeral Service licenses funeral professionals.

Facts checked against the sources listed below.

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Guaranty protection

$300,000

Death benefit protected per life if an insurer fails

Cash value protected

$100,000

Per life, by the guaranty association

Free-look period

10 days

To return a new policy for a refund

Cremation rate

48%

Share of deaths, 2020

What a funeral costs in Georgia

NFDA doesn't publish funeral prices by state. Nationally, the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023, and $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation. Cemetery costs such as a plot, vault, and headstone are extra, and prices vary widely between funeral homes.

In Georgia, about 48% of deaths resulted in cremation as of 2020. Source: NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data)

Federal law (the FTC Funeral Rule) requires funeral homes to give you an itemized price list, so you can compare. Estimate your own total with our funeral cost calculator.

Consumer protections in Georgia

If a life insurer licensed in Georgia becomes insolvent, the Georgia Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association covers up to $300,000 in death benefits and $100,000 in cash value per insured life. Source: GLHIGA — Frequently Asked Questions (coverage limits)

You have 10 days after receiving a new individual life insurance policy to review it and return it for a refund (Applies to individual life policies; policies issued in connection with a credit transaction are excluded.). Source: O.C.G.A. § 33-25-8 (Right to return policy)

Questions or complaints about an insurer or agent go to the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (800-656-2298). Funeral homes are licensed by the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service (Secretary of State).

See what you qualify for in Georgia

A licensed agent can compare final expense options for you. Free, with no obligation.

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Help paying for a funeral

Veterans may qualify for VA burial allowances and a free burial in a national or state veterans cemetery — see benefits for Georgia veterans. A small final expense policy is one way families make sure the rest is covered; learn how final expense insurance works and how guaranteed issue waiting periods work.

Frequently asked questions

What happens to my life insurance in Georgia if the insurance company fails?

The Georgia Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association protects Georgia policyholders if a licensed insurer becomes insolvent, up to $300,000 in life insurance death benefits and $100,000 in cash value per insured life under state law. Coverage above those limits isn't protected.

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How long do I have to cancel a new life insurance policy in Georgia?

Georgia gives you a free-look period of 10 days to review a new individual life insurance policy and return it for a refund. Applies to individual life policies; policies issued in connection with a credit transaction are excluded.. Check your policy for the exact terms.

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How common is cremation in Georgia?

About 48% of deaths in Georgia resulted in cremation as of 2020, according to NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data).

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Who regulates life insurance in Georgia?

The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire licenses insurers and agents and handles consumer complaints; its consumer line is 800-656-2298. Funeral homes are licensed by the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service (Secretary of State).

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Sources

  1. GLHIGA — Frequently Asked Questions (coverage limits)
  2. O.C.G.A. § 33-25-8 (Right to return policy)
  3. NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data)
  4. National Funeral Directors Association — statistics
  5. Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire

Final expense insurance in other states