Aetna vs. Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company [2025]

In the complex landscape of insurance, the choice between Aetna and Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC) is a pivotal decision. This comparison navigates the intricate offerings of both companies, shedding light on their distinctive approaches to insurance, from preneed funeral arrangements to comprehensive life, disability, and health coverage. Aetna, with its extensive range of options and health and wellness programs, stands out for its commitment to providing a diverse spectrum of coverage. On the other hand, FDLIC, specializing in preneed funeral arrangements, offers unique benefits for those focused on end-of-life planning. As we delve into coverage rates, options, discounts, and reviews, this guide aims to unveil the standout performer in each category, empowering readers to make informed decisions tailored to their individual needs and preferences.

Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC)

Pros:

• Specialized focus on preneed funeral arrangements.
• Tailored services for funeral planning and specific preferences.
• Transferable preneed plans for flexibility.
• Graded benefit insurance for those with past health issues.

Cons:

• Limited offerings beyond funeral-related insurance.
• Coverage and plans mostly available through funeral homes.
• Health qualifications required for life insurance aspects of preneed plans.

Read more: Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company Review

Aetna

Pros:

• Diverse insurance options including life, health, and disability coverage.
• Wide network of healthcare providers.
• Customizable medical insurance plans.
• Various health-related discounts and wellness programs.

Cons:

• Complexity in understanding and selecting from numerous plans.
• Out-of-network expenses for healthcare may not be fully covered.
• Certain health conditions may impact eligibility for specific plans.

Read more:

• Aetna vs. HCC Life Insurance Company
• Aetna vs. Health Net Insurance Company
• Aetna vs. USAA Life Insurance

Choosing Between Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC) and Aetna

When selecting an insurance provider, weighing the offerings and rates is essential. Below are reasons why AETNA stands out:

Diverse Coverage: Aetna provides a broad spectrum of insurance options, from life and disability to medical and dental plans. The extensive range allows customers to tailor coverage to their specific needs.

Health and Wellness Programs: Aetna offers various health-related discounts, vision plans, gym memberships, and other wellness initiatives, ensuring a holistic approach to insurance.

Flexible Plans: The customizable medical insurance plans allow individuals to select suitable options based on their preferences and requirements.

Choosing between insurance companies should be based on individual needs and preferences. While Aetna offers a comprehensive range of insurance options and wellness programs, Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company specializes in preneed funeral arrangements.

Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company

A small group of funeral directors started FDLIC back in the 1980s. FDLIC specializes in prepaid funeral arrangements, also referred to as preneeds. FDLIC’s target market includes marketing organizations, funeral profession associations, and funeral homes.

If you’re interested in FDLIC’s products, you generally must contact a prearrangement specialist or funeral director in your community.

Arrangements

Preneeds enable you to plan the details of your funeral before you die. This shifts the burden of funeral planning from your grieving family members to you. The following includes just a few of the many types of arrangements you can make in a preneed:

• Organs – If you are interested in donating certain organs upon your death, you can specify which ones you would like to donate in your preneed.
• Songs – If you want a relative to sing a specific song at the funeral, you can specify that in your preneed.
• Other things – You can also develop your written wishes for your casket, burial location, and other specifics in a preneed.

Cost Benefits

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (“NFDA”), funeral expenses can amount to, on average, more than $7,000. The preneeds allow you, rather than your family, to pay funeral expenses in installments while you are still living.

Features

FDLIC’s preneeds are transferable to funeral homes across the country. Moreover, as long as you’re alive, you can alter the preneed to reflect your changing tastes and desires.

Other Products

FDLIC also offers a preneed insurance policy. If you die before you have paid all the installments for your plan, the policy provides life insurance that covers the remaining costs. You must, however, meet certain health qualifications to qualify for the life insurance aspect of the preneed insurance policy.

FDLIC offers a graded benefit insurance. This policy is for those, other than the terminally ill, who have had health issues in the past. The graded benefit insurance starts out as partial coverage and graduates to full coverage after the first two years.

AETNA

AETNA has been around since the 1850s. Its diverse product line allows AETNA to tailor plans that meet multiple healthcare needs. AETNA targets its marketing to both individuals and businesses seeking to provide their employees with healthcare. If you’re interested in AETNA’s services, you likely can obtain information directly from the company’s website or through your employer.

Pharmacy Plans

AETNA offers pharmacy plans. AETNA’s pharmacy plans allow you to obtain prescription drugs at a discounted price when you purchase them in accordance with the plan. Another means of savings through the pharmacy plan is though what AETNA calls “pre-certification.” Pre-certification involves you and your doctor obtaining approval for the drugs before seeking insurance coverage for them.

Life Insurance

AETNA Life Insurance Company provides insurance policies agreements wherein the insurance provider pays out a pre-agreed amount upon your death. The arrangement allows you to designate a person, called a beneficiary, to receive those life insurance proceeds when you die.

Disability Insurance

Excellent disability insurance is available through AETNA. If you face a qualified disability, AETNA will help supplement the income loss you suffer as a result. Disability stemming from certain conduct is not covered. For example, if you become disabled while attempting to rob a bank or commit some other crime, your disability insurance will be of no help to you.

Other examples include injuries you inflict on yourself, injuries stemming from acts of war, and those resulting from your driving while under the influence of alcohol. To find the cheapest insurance, enter your ZIP code at the top or bottom of the page to use our FREE quote comparison tool!

Vision

Aetna offers vision plans that offset the costs of annual eye exams, prescription eye glasses, contacts, and surgeries. Aetna’s vision plans allow you to choose from a network of providers to maximize savings. You may also use out-of-network eye doctors and seek reimbursement from Aetna for the additional expense. You can purchase AETNA’s vision plan as a stand-alone plan or as part of an overall medical insurance plan.

Medical Insurance

Aetna’s medical insurance plans are highly customizable. One plan, for example, is only for retirees who are eligible for Medicare and exceed age 65. It’s called the Medicare Advantage plan. Other plans vary based on whether you choose to work inside or outside Aetna’s network of healthcare providers. The Network Only Plan, for example, allows you to choose whether you want to access particular facilities or providers with or without referrals.

Dental

AETNA has several dental insurance plans to help offset the expense of dental visits. Some of the plans include the Advantage Dental, Basic Dental, and Family Preventive. To obtain the benefits of the plan, you generally must find a dentist who’s a member of Aetna’s dentist network. If you visit a dentist outside AETNA’s network, you will have to pursue reimbursement for the amount in excess of your deductible through AETNA.

Other Health-Related Products

Aetna also offers non-insurance products that serve a health-related purpose. For example, you can obtain a discount on gym equipment and gym memberships through what AETNA calls the AETNA Fitness SM Discount Program. Other examples of Aetna’s health-related products are its discount program for alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture.

Bottom Line:

• Both Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company and AETNA offer life insurance.
• Moreover, they both offer products that are tailored to the customer’s needs.
• Aside from these two similarities, the two companies are miles apart in terms of product offerings and the types of customers they serve.

FDLIC’s focus and AETNA’s variety allow both companies to continue to make their marks in the insurance industry. Both companies have shown longevity and a commitment to their craft. These companies illustrate the fact that, where insurance is concerned, different can be a good thing.

Before making any final decisions on your insurance company, it is important to learn as much as you can about your local insurance providers, and the coverages they offer. Call your local insurance agent to clear up any questions that you might have.

Questions to consider asking include, “What is the best coverage plan for me/my family/my situation?” “What are the minimum coverage requirements in my state and what form of coverage do you recommend?” “Do you guys offer any bundle discounts if I take out my auto insurance, life insurance, and home insurance with you?” and “What is the average rate of insurance quotes you guys offer?”

Before making any big insurance decisions, use our free tool to compare insurance quotes near you. It’s simple, just plug in your zip code and we’ll do the rest!