For Families
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Policy
A good life-insurance decision is usually a slow one. Use this list when you talk with a licensed independent insurance professional, including NCSBFC, or when you read a policy on your own. The questions are educational. They do not replace the policy form, and they do not mean a particular product will be offered.
North Carolina families often hear nicknames first—burial insurance, funeral insurance, final expense—and only later see a contract. Asking the same questions every time keeps the conversation honest. If an answer is only a slogan, ask to see the matching document.
Key takeaways
- Ask who is insured, who owns the policy, and who the beneficiary is.
- Ask whether a waiting period, graded benefit, or exclusion may apply.
- Ask what happens if a payment is missed and how a claim is filed.
- Do not rely on nicknames such as burial insurance or funeral insurance in place of the contract.
- You may review options before applying. Requesting information does not require a purchase.
The people on the policy
- Who is the proposed insured?
- Who will own the policy, and can ownership be changed later?
- Who is the beneficiary, and is a contingent beneficiary named?
- How would we change a beneficiary if family circumstances change?
What the policy may pay
- What death benefit is being discussed, and is that amount available for this applicant?
- Is there a waiting period or graded period for certain causes of death?
- Are accidental deaths treated differently from other deaths in the early years?
- What exclusions should we read carefully?
- Is this life insurance, a prepaid funeral plan, or something else?
Cost and keeping the policy in force
- How is the premium determined for this applicant?
- Can the premium change, and under what conditions?
- What happens if a payment is late or stops?
- Is there a grace period, and how would we be notified?
Application and underwriting
- Does the application ask health questions?
- Is a medical exam required for this product, or might it be?
- How should health history and tobacco use be reported?
- When would we receive the policy or an outline of coverage to review?
Claims and documents
- How does a beneficiary start a claim?
- What documents should we keep, and who should know where they are?
- Who is the insurer, and who is the licensed person helping us?
- Is NCSBFC an independent insurance agency/agent, not a government office? (Yes.)
Eligibility, premiums, coverage, policy features, carrier availability, and waiting periods vary by age, health history, tobacco use, insurer, policy, underwriting, and North Carolina or other state requirements.
Related reading: What Is Final-Expense Life Insurance?, Waiting Periods, Funeral Insurance vs. Pre-Need Plans, and FAQs.
Short FAQ
Do I need to ask these questions before I apply?
It is wise to ask them before you apply or accept a policy. You can still ask after an offer is made. The policy form remains the authority.
Can an adult child ask these questions for a parent?
Yes, as part of a family conversation. The proposed insured and the policy owner still need to be involved as required for any application.
Will NCSBFC answer these in a sales pitch?
NCSBFC’s aim is a calm, no-obligation conversation. If a specific policy is discussed, you should be able to see matching documents.
Last reviewed: September 17, 2026
