Felony history on a final expense app: what carriers ask and how to handle it

It comes up more than people expect, and agents handle it badly because they're uncomfortable asking. The question is on the application, so ask it the way you'd ask about blood pressure.

What the apps ask. Most FE apps ask about felony convictions within a window, commonly the last two, five or ten years, and some ask about current probation or parole. Some ask about pending charges. Read your carrier's exact question; the window matters.

How carriers treat it. A conviction outside the window is usually a non-issue. Inside the window, some carriers decline level and offer graded or guaranteed issue; some decline entirely. Probation or parole is commonly a decline for level plans.

Why it matters for the insurable interest question too. A client applying for a policy on someone who's incarcerated raises insurable interest and payor questions. That's a separate conversation, and often a no.

How to ask. "The application asks about any felony convictions in the last ten years, and about probation. Anything I need to put down?" Plain, neutral, moving on. Clients who are asked plainly answer plainly.

What not to do. Leave the question blank or answer no because it's awkward. The carrier finds out, the policy is contested and the agent's contract is at risk. It's on the app for a reason.

Guaranteed issue as the landing spot. For a client inside the window at a carrier that declines, GI is usually available and the two-year graded structure still gives the family something.

How do you phrase the question, and which carriers have you found most workable?