The age window, carrier by carrier

Every GI product defines an issue window — commonly 50–80, with several major carriers writing to 85. Below the window you're pointed to regular products (usually good news — you'll qualify for cheaper coverage); above it, new GI policies close. Two consequences worth planning around: the window applies at issue only — a policy bought at 79 continues past 100 if premiums are paid — and the window shrinks in practice, because buying at the top of it means the two-year graded period runs to 82–87.

State availability — the quiet variable

Life insurance is state-regulated, and GI product menus differ meaningfully by state: a carrier may write to 85 in one state and 80 next door, offer different graded terms, or not offer a product at all. New York deserves special mention — its stricter rules mean several national products simply aren't sold there and the alternatives are structured differently. Practical consequence: quotes follow your state of residence, and moving states between quote and application can change the offer.

What can still stop an application

Applying: what to expect

A GI application collects identity, address, beneficiary and payment details — nothing else. No records pulled, no prescription database, no phone interview about health. Policies typically issue within days. Two honest tips: have the beneficiary conversation now (name a person, not "my estate" — estates slow payouts), and set up automatic payment — the only way a GI policy fails after issue is a lapse, and at these ages a lapse is usually unrecoverable at the same price.

Quick answers

Can my spouse and I apply together? Policies are individual, but applying together is routine and some carriers discount the second policy's fee.

I'm 48 — can I get GI? Below most windows — and that's good: at 48 you'll pass most questionnaires and shouldn't pay GI prices anyway. See who shouldn't buy GI.

Does the guarantee expire? The issue window does; the coverage doesn't. Once in force, it's whole life for life.

Funeral-cost figures are medians of 197 General Price Lists published online by U.S. funeral homes under the FTC Funeral Rule, collected July 2026 ("n" = price lists behind each figure). Premium figures are structural market ranges, not quotes — guaranteed issue pricing varies by carrier, age, gender and state, and your rate is set by the carrier at application. Product rules (waiting periods, age windows) vary by carrier and state; always confirm in the policy documents.