9.95 insurance

TV advertisements are often too good to be true.

So, is the Colonial Penn life insurance you see on TV legitimate, a scam, or a ripoff?

Their commercials tell you to shop for the 3 P’s: Price, Price, and Price.

And yet they have one of the most overpriced life insurance products.

Most informed seniors are also concerned about the high number of negative reviews and complaints about Colonial Penn.

How It Works

Policy Options

Colonial Penn offers two types of final expense life insurance plans targeted at seniors:

  • Their Guaranteed Issue $9.95 plan, also known as the “995 Plan.”
  • Their Permanent Whole Life Insurance plan, also known as “Whole Life.”

Colonial Penn won’t price shop other companies to get you lower rates because they only sell their life insurance products.

Neither the Colonial Penn 995 plan nor their permanent whole-life insurance should be your first choice, as both are overpriced.

$9.95 Plan

If you die in the first two years for health or medical reasons, this plan won’t pay your loved ones a single penny of life insurance.

Colonial Penn uses persuasive terms to describe its 995 life insurance plan.

  • “Guaranteed acceptance life insurance.”
  • “No medical exam and no health questions required.”
  • “Guaranteed acceptance coverage options start at just $9.95 a month.”
  • “Your acceptance is guaranteed.”

The pricing structure on this plan is based on each unit that costs $9.95. The number of units purchased determines your death benefit. Ten units would cost $99.95.

Your age determines the cost of each unit, and the older you are, the more each unit costs you.

Some would say the 995 plan was designed to do two things:

  1. To make loads of money off of uninformed insurance shoppers
  2. To make it easy for their employees to sell because it has no medical questions

The truth is that their $9.95 plan is terrible for consumers because rates are often 30-40% higher than other companies, and you have to pay those bloated premiums for the rest of your life.

9.95 insurance

Whole Life Plan

Colonial Penn’s permanent whole life insurance policy for seniors is NOT the same as their $9.95 plan.

With this whole life plan, there is no medical exam, but you must answer many health questions and have your prescription records reviewed by them to qualify.

They have strict underwriting, so often, only healthy applicants can qualify, and you will most likely be offered the Colonial Penn 995 guaranteed acceptance plan with a two-year waiting period.

Pros & Cons

There are other pros and cons to selecting a 995 plan or a whole life plan from Colonial Penn.

PROS

$9.95 Plan

  • Cash Value
  • Lifetime Coverage
  • Guaranteed Acceptance

Whole Life Plan

  • No Medical exam
  • Lifetime Coverage
  • First-day Coverage

CONS

$9.95 Plan

  • Per-Unit Price
  • Expensive Rates
  • Low Death Benefit
  • 2-Year Waiting Period
  • Unpaid Claim Concerns
  • $9.95 Pricing Is Deceptive
  • Many Consumer Complaints
  • Accidental death in first two years

Whole Life Plan

  • Expensive Rates
  • Low Death Benefit
  • Strict Underwriting

Coverage Facts

$9.95 Plan

If you die in the first two years, your beneficiary will only receive your premiums paid plus 7% interest in the first two years.

A $9.95 unit of Colonial Penn life insurance coverage will never be enough to pay for their burial expenses.

Even people who want to be cremated likely won’t have enough money to pay for it with a single coverage unit.

Colonial Penn knows a single unit provides insufficient coverage, so they encourage seniors to buy more exorbitantly priced life insurance with a 2-year waiting period.

Whole Life Plan

Colonial Penn life insurance for seniors is a permanent life insurance policy with no medical exam, but you need to answer many health questions to qualify.

This plan has strict underwriting, so only healthier applicants can qualify.

If you qualify, your rates will be higher than those of other insurance companies like Funeral Funds of America offer.

 $9.95 PLANPERMANENT WHOLE LIFE
Age Availability 50-85 40-75
Medical Exam No No
Health Questions No Yes
Coverage Amount 1-15 units $10,000-$50,000
Fixed Premium Yes Yes
Fixed Benefit Yes Yes
Living Insurance No Yes
Advertised on TV Yes No
2-Year Waiting Period Yes No

Riders

$9.95 Plan

No riders are included with this plan.

Whole Life Plan

“Living Insurance” is the marketing term for Colonial Penn’s life insurance riders.

These riders are not unique, and many other insurance companies offer identical or slight variations of these benefits.

These riders allow policyholders to access 25-50% of the policy face amount while alive and diagnosed with a serious illness.

  • Cancer Rider: A policy owner can withdraw up to 25% of the face amount for any type of cancer, excluding skin cancer.
  • Chronic Illness Rider: Other companies call this a “critical illness rider.” A policy owner can withdraw up to 50% of the face amount for any type of cancer, excluding skin cancer.
  • Heart Attack or Stroke Rider: Other companies call this a “critical illness rider.” A policy owner can withdraw up to 50% of the face amount for any heart attack or stroke event.

Other Benefits

Policy Loans

You can borrow up to 100% of your cash value, but you will have to pay 8% interest on your outstanding loan balance (which will lower your face or coverage amount if not paid each month.

This is a tax-free benefit but not an interest-free benefit.

Loans reduce your cash value amount and are subtracted from your death benefit, and the interest rate on policy loans varies by state.

Health Niches

$9.95 Plan

This plan accepts everyone with no health questions asked. The only reason to consider this 2-year waiting period is if your health is so bad that you don’t qualify for first-day coverage.

Even if your health is so bad that you don’t qualify for a better first-day coverage plan, this 995 plan insurance is not one you should purchase.

You can review what health conditions qualify for 1st-day coverage on our A-Z Health page.

Whole Life Plan

See the underwriting info section below for a list of all health questions and medical conditions not accepted.

Additional Health Niches

You can view our A-Z Health issue chart to see what health conditions qualify for first-day coverage with other companies at Funeral Funds of America.

Underwriting Info

$9.95 Plan

There are no health questions with the 995 plan.

This means that you could be in hospice and have a life expectancy of days, and they would still approve you, but that would be a mistake.

Remember that this plan won’t pay for any health or medical-related death. Only accidental death is covered in the first two years.

So, Colonial life insurance is a terrible option if you have serious health issues or a terminal illness.

Whole Life Plan

With Colonial Penn’s strict underwriting for their permanent whole life insurance, only a smaller percentage of applicants will qualify.

There are two processes to determine if you will medically qualify for a whole life insurance policy from Colonial Penn:

  1. Health questions
  2. Prescription history check

An underwriter may request to speak with you over the phone to ask some follow-up questions.

These are the health questions you will find on the application:

  1. Within the past 12 months, have you used a wheelchair or supplemental oxygen? Are you confined to a hospital or nursing facility? Are you currently receiving home health care? Have you been disabled due to an illness?
  2. Did the doctor advise you to have surgery or some diagnostic test that hasn’t been completed yet?
  3. Do you have a diagnosis and treatment for HIV or AIDS?
  4. In the previous three years, do you have a diagnosis or treatment for the following:
    • Coronary artery disease (congestive heart failure, heart attack, cardiomyopathy)
    • Lung disease (COPD, sarcoidosis, chronic bronchitis,  pulmonary fibrosis, or emphysema)
    • Kidney disease (needing dialysis for kidney insufficiency or kidney failure)
    • Heart surgery (valve repair or replacement, requires a defibrillator or pacemaker)
    • Any type of cancer or cancer recurrence(multiple myeloma, leukemia, or malignant melanoma)
    • Liver disease (hepatitis or cirrhosis)
    • Peripheral vascular disease, peripheral artery disease, transient ischemic attack, or stroke)
    • Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
    • Mental disorders (bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia)
    • Diabetes (using insulin, diabetic complications like amputations)
    • Neuromuscular diseases (muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
    • Collagen vascular diseases ( cystic fibrosis or systemic lupus erythematosus)
    • Alcohol or drug abuse

If you answer any of these questions “Yes,” your application will be declined. If that happens, you will likely be offered the Colonial Penn 995 guaranteed acceptance plan with a two-year waiting period.


Common health issues that result in a declined application for Colonial Penn whole life:

  • Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Psychosis
  • Blood thinner use
  • COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis
  • Cancer of any type
  • Cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, mini-strokes (TIA attack)
  • Diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy
  • Disabled due to an illness
  • Hospitalized within the last year
  • Insulin use or dependency
  • Liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatitis
  • Multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy
  • Oxygen use
  • PVD, severe obesity, or amputations
  • Receiving home health care
  • Renal disease, kidney failure
  • Systemic lupus
  • Wheelchair use

A “yes” answer to any of these medical conditions will automatically decline your request for coverage.

If you were declined, you would typically be offered the Colonial Penn guaranteed acceptance 995 plan with its undesirable two-year waiting period.

Pricing Examples

$9.95 Plan

Check out the Colonial Penn life insurance 995 rate charts below to see how inadequate their coverage amounts are for $9.95.

AGEMONTHLY
PAYMENT
MALE
BENEFIT
FEMALE
BENEFIT
MALE &
FEMALE
50 $9.95 $1,786 $2,083 2-Year Wait
51 $9.95 $1,732 $2,068 2-Year Wait
52 $9.95 $1,676 $2,022 2-Year Wait
53 $9.95 $1,621 $1,973 2-Year Wait
54 $9.95 $1,562 $1,929 2-Year Wait
55 $9.95 $1,506 $1,884 2-Year Wait
56 $9.95 $1,452 $1,838 2-Year Wait
57 $9.95 $1,392 $1,786 2-Year Wait
58 $9.95 $1,333 $1,732 2-Year Wait
59 $9.95 $1,273 $1,676 2-Year Wait
60 $9.95 $1,214 $1,621 2-Year Wait
61 $9.95 $1,157 $1,562 2-Year Wait
62 $9.95 $1,099 $1,506 2-Year Wait
63 $9.95 $1,043 $1,452 2-Year Wait
64 $9.95 $987 $1,392 2-Year Wait
65 $9.95 $932 $1,333 2-Year Wait
66 $9.95 $880 $1,273 2-Year Wait
67 $9.95 $834 $1,214 2-Year Wait
68 $9.95 $792 $1,157 2-Year Wait
69 $9.95 $753 $1.099 2-Year Wait
70 $9.95 $717 $1,043 2-Year Wait
71 $9.95 $683 $987 2-Year Wait
72 $9.95 $652 $932 2-Year Wait
73 $9.95 $620 $880 2-Year Wait
74 $9.95 $589 $834 2-Year Wait
75 $9.95 $560 $792 2-Year Wait

Whole Life Plan

Look at the pricing table below to estimate coverage amounts with the Colonial Penn whole life insurance policy.

FEMALE AGE
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
50
$19.29
$36.33
$53.37
$70.42
55
$21.42
$40.60
$59.77
$78.95
60 $24.26
$46.27
$68.28
$90.29
65 $28.16
$54.07
$79.98
$105.89
70 $34.15
$66.04
$97.94
$129.83
75 $43.08
$83.92
$124.75
$165.58
MALE AGE
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
50
$21.46
$40.66
$59.87
$79.07
55
$24.21
$46.16
$68.12
$90.07
60 $27.90
$53.56
$79.21
$104.87
65 $33.01
$63.77
$94.52
$125.28
70 $40.62
$78.98
$117.35
$155.72
75 $51.62
$100.99
$150.36
$199.73

*Pricing is for illustration purposes only and is subject to change without notice.

Getting Approved

$9.95 Plan

You will be approved without being asked any health questions.

With this plan, your rates will also be 30-40% more expensive than 1st-day coverage with no waiting period.

Whole Life Plan

You will have to answer a detailed health questionnaire and have your prescription medication records checked.

You will be approved or declined based on your health and prescription medication records.

Company Overview

Sales Process

Colonial Penn is a “Captive Carrier.”

This means their agents can only sell Colonial Penn products.

Their insurance agents will never tell you about other companies’ lower rates.

Informed buyers know that almost all other life insurance companies offer better coverage and rates, and most come with no waiting period.

Operational History

The Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company was founded in 1968 by AARP co-founder Leonard Davis to provide insurance coverage to the American Association of Retired Persons members.

FPL Group acquired the company in 1985. FPL sold the company to Leucadia National in 1991.

After several ownership changes, in 1997, it became a subsidiary of Conseco, now known as CNO Financial Group.

In 1998, Colonial Penn was renamed Conseco Direct Life to show Conseco ownership. But, in 2001, the insurance name reverted its name back to Colonial Penn.

The company is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Colonial Penn is not serving New York, but it’s covered by Banker’s Conseco Life Insurance Company, another CNO subsidiary.

Colonial Penn

399 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Customer Service: (800) 523-9100
Life Insurance In New York: (877) 891-0915

Colonial Penn Claims

Life Claims Dept
PO Box 1918
Carmel, IN 46082-1918
Life Insurance Sales: (877) 877-8052

Consumer Complaints

The Better Business Bureau gives Colonial Penn 1.18 stars out of 5, citing many consumer complaints.

Investopedia states, “Some 90% of the companies we reviewed received a higher grade than Colonial Penn from AM Best.” They rate Colonial Penn as 2.4 out of 5 stars.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) states that the national median of complaints is 1.00, while Colonial Penn’s complaint ratio is 3.06.

Colonial Penn has 300+% more complaints than other insurance companies, according to the NAIC.

Some NAIC-reported complaints filed against Colonial Penn:

  • Lack of death benefit
  • Exclusions and riders that significantly reduce death benefit payouts
  • High premiums
  • Pressure to buy other products
  • Bait and switch tactics

Their $9.95 advertising creates a lot of interest, phone calls, and possibly thousands of negative consumer reviews and complaints annually.

It would be wise to research their many complaints to see if this is the company you want to buy insurance from.

Financial Rating

Based on its financial stability and record of paying claims, Colonial Penn Insurance Company has received an A- (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.

Before You Buy

If you need burial, cremation, final expense, or funeral insurance coverage and want to ensure you get the lowest premium possible, Funeral Funds of America can help you shop and compare companies, policies, and prices.

Just fill out our quote form on this page or call us at (888) 862-9456.

Common Questions

Colonial Life Some people say this as a shortened version of Colonial Penn Life Insurance. 995 Coverage Colonial Penn’s $9.95 plan. Some people mistakenly call it the 996 plan, 997 plan, 998 plan, or 999 plan. Rate Lock The Colonial Penn rate lock for life insurance means your premium will be locked in at your current age and will not increase in price later in life. A rate lock is a stardard feature with every company that offers whole life insurance. Colonial Penn replacement Colonial Penn policy are often replaced with lower cost final expense life insurnance that offers first-day coverage. Guaranteed Acceptance A policy offered by Colonial Penn and other insurance companies that asks no medical questions and comes with a mandatory 2-year waiting period for any health or medical related death.

Sources Cited In This Article

  • Richard Burke. “Colonial Penn Life Insurance Review”. Updated June 24, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/colonial-penn-life-insurance-review-5075429
  • Colonial Penn. “Coverage Options Starting At $9.95 A Month”. Accessed October 12, 2022. https://colonialpenn.com/
  • Better Business Bureau. “Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company”. Accessed October 12, 2022. https://www.bbb.org/us/pa/philadelphia/profile/insurance-companies/colonial-penn-life-insurance-company-0241-80001800/customer-reviews
  • NAIC. “Results By Complaint Index”. Accessed October 12, 2022. https://www.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=62065&REALM=PROD

What does Colonial Penn give you for $9.95 a month?

The Colonial Penn life insurance plan for $9.95 per month is a guaranteed acceptance whole life policy with a waiting period of two years. It offers permanent lifelong coverage with a premium that will never increase and builds cash value. There are no health questions or exams to determine your eligibility.

How much do you get for the 995 plan?

With this plan, you can receive a coverage maximum of $50,000, and it is available to anyone between the ages of 18 and 75.

Is Jonathan from Colonial Penn an actor?

No, Jonathan Lawson is not a paid actor in the Colonial Penn commercials. He is an actual employee featured in their commercials since losing Alex Trebek.

How much is a unit of life insurance?

The unit price is what you pay per bucket of coins. Life insurance will commonly price out their death benefit in $1,000 units. So when you're buying a policy with a $250,000 death benefit, what you're really buying is 250 buckets of coins.