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The cost of a funeral in Illinois can range from $2,770 to $10,000 or more depending on the service you are provided. An Illinois family may struggle trying to pay for their funeral if they pass away without savings or a life insurance policy.
Final Expense insurance, from Senior Life Insurance also known as burial insurance, can help them with the financial burden their family may be left with when the time comes. These funds can also be used to pay off debt or medical expenses that their loved ones are left with. Buying insurance in Illinois can be different compared to other states. This guide will help you through the process, to be a better assistance to your clients and show how Legacy Assurance
can provide peace of mind for your loved ones.
The Funeral Rule
Federal law dictates basic laws surrounding burial services. Known as the Funeral Rule, these rules apply to every state and are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
*Pricing – Funeral homes must quote prices for products and services over the phone if requested. In person, they must provide a general price list, a casket price list, and a burial container price list (when applicable).
*Contracts – An itemized statement of charges and estimates must be provided before a contract is signed.
*Pre-Need Funeral Plans – FTC laws do not apply to the language of pre-need contracts. They do not govern payment options, costs, modifications, transfers, cancellations, or administrative fees.
Funeral & Burial Expectations in Illinois
Each state has its own set of laws that determine what happens to a body after death. Laws surrounding embalming, burial and cremation requirements, and death certificates are all decided at the state level.
Death Certificates
In Illinois, death certificates are not public records and are only available to those who have a personal or property right interest with the decedent. If you are not a relative of the deceased person, a letter or document from the office or agency that needs the death certificate must accompany the request.
Embalming
Embalming is not required in Illinois and funeral homes should never tell you that it is. If a funeral will not be conducted immediately, embalming may be recommended, but will require permission beforehand.
Burial Requirements
The services provided after a person pass is mostly decided via his or her planned directive, and in some cases the next of kin. In addition to federal laws surrounding pricing and contracts, there are some consumer protections laws in place to ensure fair treatment during this process. Illinois requires the following:
•Coroner Fees – Fees can vary by county and state law allows coroners to charge fees for certain services.
•Retail Casket Sellers – The laws that regulate the funeral industry do not apply to casket providers. However, in the state of Illinois, retail casket suppliers must provide a written price list of all burial options along with detail information concerning each casket.
•Container Requirements – Federal law requires funerals homes to accept caskets
purchased from an outside source for the funeral. authorized representative must sign a payment agreement and disclosure statement prior to cremation. The form must include the time, location, and manner of the service. There may be a
fee to view the cremation process. A casket is not required by state law, but you must store the cremated remains by:
•Placing them in a columbarium or mausoleum,
•Burying them in a cemetery plot,
•Storing them at a residence or place of worship,
•Scattering them on land or at sea (according to local laws and with the written
permission of the property owner or government agency).
Final expenses in Illinois average between $1,600 and $4,700, not including a casket, cemetery plot, or grave marker. Exact costs may be more or less depending on the products and services they choose.
Help With Funeral Costs in Illinois
When a loved one passes away, it can be extremely stressful trying to plan and pay for their funeral services. With a trusted Senior Life insurance agent and Legacy Assurance, they can ensure peace of mind for their family when it comes to paying for the service of their wishes.
Life Insurance It is necessary to plan for their passing, even though it may seem morbid. Clients/Everyone should prepare a written statement for their end-of-life wishes, their last will and testament, and the funds to help cover it through life insurance.
•Term Life Insurance – Term policies are only active for a specific time period. They may be more cost effective depending on their age, sex, and general health, but when that time period comes to an end they will need to requalify to remain covered. This can be difficult and more expensive as you get older and your health changes.
•Whole Life Insurance
Whole Life policies remain active for the entire life of the insured as long as premiums are paid. Premiums are usually more expensive for whole life, but their rate will never increase even if their age and health change.
•Final Expense Insurance – Residents of Illinois who are specifically concerned about paying for a funeral, should consider final expense insurance. Our policies are issued to cover their final expenses once you pass. This includes funeral services, medical bills, debt, and any other bill their loved ones will be left with. Most people are eligible for this policy due to their being no medical exam to qualify. Applicants just have to answer a few health questions on the application. We can assist them over the phone with our Slice App. or in their home.
Government Funeral Assistance
A one-time $255 death benefit payable to the spouse or next of kin of the deceased person is offered by the federal government to eligible parties. Eligible veterans may receive up to $300 for burial service and $150 for cemetery costs. Contact your local VA office for more detailed information.
Leading Causes of Death in Illinois
Illinois leading causes of death are very similar to the United States overall. The top 10 causes, via data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/california/california.htm), are as follows:
1 heart disease
2 Cancer
3 Stroke
4 Chronic Lung Disease
5 Accidents
6 Diabetes
7 Alzheimer’s
8 Influenza
9 & 10 kidney disease & blood poisoning
No Exam in Illinois
Nearly anyone of any age can qualify for a final expense policy without a medical exam. The coverage is provided based on your answers to the health questions on an application. Burial Insurance in Illinois for People with Medical Conditions Final Expense insurance payouts are smaller than most policies, typically ranging between $5,000 and $30,000. Because of this, people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or long-term medical conditions can qualify for final expense coverage.
Free Look Period
In Illinois, the free look period lasts for 30 days and begins 10 days after they receive their policy. They may evaluate their insurance policy during this time to ensure they are satisfied. If they are not completely satisfied with a policy, they can cancel it and receive a full refund of any premiums paid. Insurance companies are not required to issue refunds after this free look period.
How to Get Burial Insurance in Illinois
Finding a provider, they trust is the first step to getting burial insurance. Calling you! It is beneficial to look for a company with experience in the industry like, Senior Life Insurance Company.
It’s imperative to find a plan with affordable premiums but also enough coverage to cover their desired services. No other providers can even offer family support services for before and after the passing like our Legacy Assurance-Senior Care Plan. Not Just a Policy. – Family First Partnerships (seniorlife.love)
Complete an Illinois Life Insurance License Application
Once you pass the life insurance exam, you must wait five days after passing your exam to apply for your Illinois life insurance license. The application fee is $215, and the NIPR will charge a $5.60 transaction fee for a total of $220.60.
The IDOI will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam.
Illinois now requires you to apply for your license electronically. Once you complete the application process through the NIPR, you’ll receive an email from the NIPR that confirms it submitted your application to the IDOI.
To apply for a life insurance license in Illinois, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Illinois Insurance Code.
Send any questions or supporting documents to [email protected].
Complete Continuing Education and Renew Your License
In Illinois, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain your license in good standing. Three of those 24 hours must focus on ethics, and you must complete them in a classroom setting or via webinar.
If you have a non-resident license with good standing in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Illinois.
You can’t renew your license until you complete your continuing education hours and pay any outstanding fines.
In Illinois, you also must renew and manage your life insurance license every two years. To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete the required CE hours at least 10 days before your license expires. You must submit your license renewal application through the NIPR. The renewal fee is $180.
Illinois Department of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address
Illinois Department of Insurance
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62767
Phone: (217) 782-4515
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://insurance.illinois.gov/
License Search: Illinois Insurance License Lookup
Illinois Department of Insurance
Telephone: 217-782-4515
Website: www.insurance.illinois.gov
Illinois Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association
8420 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 550
Telephone: 773-714-8050Chicago, IL 60631-3404
Website: www.ilhiga.org
Illinois State Fingerprinting | Identogo
Illinois Life Insurance License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a life insurance license in Illinois?
Obtaining a life insurance license in Illinois requires these fees:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $149+ via Kaplan Education Company
Exam Fee: $184 via Pearson VUE ($92 each for the general and state-specific sections)
Application Fee: $215 + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR
How long does it take to process a life insurance license application in Illinois?
This process typically takes up to three business days from the date you submit your application.
Can I get a temporary life insurance agent license in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois provides a 180-day, temporary life insurance license. You can apply via the NIPR website and select Temporary Producer.
Can I get an emergency life insurance agent license in Illinois?
No. An emergency license isn’t available for life insurance agents in Illinois.
Do I need to get my securities license on top of a life insurance license in Illinois?
Probably. While you can sell certain basic life insurance products with just a life insurance license, a securities license removes the limits on what you can sell and puts you in a much better career position. As a securities license holder, you can provide your clients with products tied to the securities market as part of their retirement and life insurance plans. But, you’ll need FINRA accreditation to obtain your securities license.
What can I sell with a life insurance license in Illinois?
With an Illinois life insurance license, you can sell life insurance policies that pay a designated beneficiary when the insured person dies. You also can sell annuities that pay a set income at retirement.
How much can you make with a life insurance license in Illinois?
According to ZipRecruiter, life insurance agents earn an average of $79,730 per year.
What are the limitations of an Illinois life insurance license?
Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products (e.g., the combined life and health insurance license), having an Illinois life insurance license only qualifies you to sell life insurance policies as well as retirement plans and annuities. You can’t sell other types of insurance. A securities license on top of your life insurance license removes that limitation and enables you to offer securities, including stocks and bonds.
Can I cancel my life insurance license in Illinois?
Yes. To cancel your license, mail a signed request (including your entity license number) to:
Illinois Department of Insurance
Attn: Licensing Unit
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62767
The market in Illinois is wide open for you to grow a great agency and help thousands of Families.
Our Huge Market – Family First Partnerships (seniorlife.love)
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Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on May 13th., 2023.
Any Information on this site is not guaranteed or warranted to be correct, accurate, or up to date. Family First Partnerships & State Requirement and its members and affiliates are not responsible for any losses, monetary or otherwise. State Requirement & Family First Partnerships is not affiliated with any state, government, or licensing body. For more information, please contact your state’s authority on insurance.