Does anyone know of an insurance company that offers life insurance policies for really old people, 80+ years old? Most insurance companies only insure up to age 75 or 80, it appears. I did hear one company advertise on the radio, saying it insured people up to age 85, but I was driving and could not write down their number or website. I tried to memorize it until I could pull over and write it down, but I was not successful. I just spend 20 minutes on the internet, and this is a terrible way of researching insurance. I specifically search for "elderly" life insurance and I get directed to companies that I know, from past experience, won't write such a policy. And I'm not interested in leaving my contact information at dozens of different websites to be spammed by insurance salespeople starting tomorrow and ending 10 years from tomorrow. (Salespeople WILL call you regardless of whether they have the kind of policy you want-- they'll try to switch your interest to some other product they offer.)
IMHO insurance for the elderly is a waste of time. Insurance is a hedge against the unexpected. At 80+ the end of their life isn't exactly unexpected. Personally I think you'd be better off putting whatever premiums you'd pay into a CD, and hoping they don't pass for a long, long time.
Guy at work couldn't collect on his aunt's death (just burial amount, he wasn't trying make a profit). The lady even fell which lead to the death. The coroner said good luck trying to collect they won't pay. Turns out the coroner was correct. I know there are many types of policies, but I doubt you can find one that would be worthwhile.
I had the pleasure of selling insurance for a short time, and I'd have to agree with AR-trvlr. The purpose of life insurance should be to provide income replacement for minors in the event of premature death of the insured. If someone has passed the age of needing to provide for others, then their absolute best bet is to either 'self insure' enough to be buried with or buy a 'burial policy'. Unfortunately, the actuarial tables for octogenarians is rather poor for any insurance policy.
My wife works for state farm, and she says it is possible (but crazy expensive). But she says the best bet is a final expenses policy, but even that is expensive. If you need the money for final expenses a cd is not a good idea because of early termination fees, and you may have to pay estate taxes. There are no estate taxes on insurance payouts. She can tell you more. If you pm me, I can have her call you.
NOT to be morbid, nor to take this too off-topic, but if the concern is for at end of life expenses & burial expenses, one might consider making "pre-need" funeral/burial purchases. MUCH cheaper. Pair that with an estate package (Will, Living Will, Health Care Proxy, Power of Attorney), and this gives peace of mind and takes care of lots, though not all, concerns. I am no insurance expert, but agree insurance at an advanced age might not be a good fit for many. I am not guessing as to OP's needs. It all depends what the ultimate goal of the sr. citizen might want to accomplish. Hope all works out
Old age is one of those darned 'pre-existing conditions'. Maybe the government someday will require life insurance companies to write old folks policies at young folks rates.