Gerber Life College Plan Review

We review a lot of insurance companies and products for our readers, and if you follow us closely, you’ll notice we don’t ever call anything a “scam.”

We do, however, from time to time, point out that there may certainly be better ways to accomplish a particular insurance-related goal. The “Gerber Life College Plan” may fit into that category.

What’s the “pitch”?

So, why should you invest your nest egg with a baby food company?

This product offers a “safe and guaranteed growth” plan for your investment money, which is ultimately a term life insurance policy with an accruing cash value. This means unlike regular term insurance policies, you can borrow against your balance as it accrues.

The marketing is targeted as a college savings vehicle, but any research you perform will quickly point out the money can be used for “anything,” including expenses that are not remotely linked to college.

The idea here is that you can save money for your child’s college fund, with no risk of investment loss…and if you “expire” prior to the policy term, the insurance policy limit is paid to your beneficiary, even though you didn’t live long enough to complete your savings goal.

If you don’t die, you simply save about the exact amount of money you were aiming for over the period of the Gerber Life College “term.”

[Term life vs. whole life insurance]

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What are the benefits of Gerber Life?

Policy Values – you can opt for a policy in the amount of $10,000 all the way up to $150,000.

Guaranteed Money – Unlike other college investment plans, which invest your money into stocks and mutual funds, the Gerber Life College Plan will never return less than what you put into it (unless you borrow against the funds and pass away prior to repayment).

Fixed Monthly Payments – you will pay a fixed installment each month during the term of the policy.

Is there a catch?

We’re glad you asked. Yes, there are some “catches” and as you may suspect, Gerber does not advertise these particular potential downsides to “investing” with them.

The reality is; this is not technically an insurance policy, but an “endowment” policy. Why does that matter? Because endowment policies that return capital are taxed as such, whereas other college savings plans are not (think the 529 college savings plan).

So, while you are seeing your money grow in the Gerber Life College plan based on their examples, they forget to tell you that you are paying taxes on some of the “growth.” If you were to pay your taxes out of your plan, the returns would be significantly less over time. Ouch!

At the end of the day, most of the individuals who opt for this plan, those 24-45 years old, are not likely to die and collect the policy limit payout.

This is why term life insurance policies are so cheap and offer very high limits in the first place…insurers love them. If you don’t die, you are basically giving your money to Gerber for 10-20 years and getting it back with no real increase in your investment. Your money may even lose value as inflation eats away at it.

All the while, Gerber is using your money for whatever they want (probably investing for a return) each time you make a monthly installment.

Another potential downside may be the fact that you can probably only afford to contribute to the $25,000 plan, as the costs are already hefty at this level.

What are the odds your child will be able to attend a college in 20 years that will only cost $25,000. Are you kidding? That may be good for a single year at an out-of-state college in 2022.

No sweat, opt for the $150,000 plan, right? Well, how does a potential $400-plus monthly contribution sound to you? Not good? We thought so.

Is Gerber Life the best way to invest for college?

The answer depends on your tolerance for risk…just like every other investment on the planet. The Gerber Life College Plan could be for you if you like the idea of not losing a dime of the money you are setting aside over the long term, with the “safety net” of the insurance policy paying out the full amount if you don’t make it.

BUT, and this is a large but, if you were to simply buy a term life insurance policy for SIGNIFICANTLY less per month versus your Gerber installments and place the rest of the money in a 529 college savings plan with a reasonable rate of return, you’d have SIGNIFICANTLY more money to pass on in the event of your untimely death, and the 529 money would return quite a bit more over any period of time you measure against Gerber’s plan.

The term life policy may cost as little as $25 per month for $100,000 in coverage. If Gerber is asking you for $150.00 per month and only offering $25,000 in life coverage, you’d be paying $125.00 more for one-quarter of the life insurance coverage portion of their plan.

Now, take the leftover $125.00 you saved with the term life policy and place it in a 529 college savings plan for the same 20-year period and you’ll likely earn much more money on your investment…and your child will have an additional $75,000 if you kick the bucket before you’re done saving for their college expenses.

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What other types of insurance does Gerber Life Insurance offer?

Life insurance protection is important. You don’t want to leave your family in a bad financial state with unexpected expenses when you pass away.

In addition to the College Savings Plan, the Gerber Life insurance company offers two policies featuring life insurance for children, the Gerber Life Grow-Up Plan and the Gerber Life Young Adult Plan. The Gerber Grow-Up Plan is available for children of any age and it offers permanent coverage.

The company also offers whole life insurance, term life insurance, and guaranteed life insurance to adults. A guaranteed life policy comes with automatic approval and there is no medical exam required.

Whole life insurance is a type of life insurance that offers coverage for life instead of a set period of time like the coverage offered by term policies. Usually, whole life policies come with a fixed monthly payment that doesn’t go up as you age.

An accident protection insurance policy, also known as accidental death and dismemberment insurance, is also available for adults.

These are traditional life insurance policies that are available from most companies in the insurance industry.

Navigating Gerber Life College Plan Claims Process

Ease of Filing a Claim

Gerber Life College Plan offers multiple options for filing a claim, ensuring convenience for policyholders. You can file a claim online through their user-friendly website, over the phone by speaking with their customer service representatives, or even through their dedicated mobile app.

This flexibility allows policyholders to choose the method that suits them best, making the claims process straightforward and accessible.

Average Claim Processing Time

One crucial aspect of any insurance plan is the speed at which claims are processed. Gerber Life College Plan is known for its efficient claims processing. While specific processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the claim, the company strives to handle claims promptly.

Policyholders can generally expect a timely response and resolution, providing peace of mind during challenging times.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Customer feedback is a valuable indicator of an insurance company’s performance. Gerber Life College Plan has garnered positive feedback from policyholders regarding claim resolutions and payouts.

Many customers have expressed satisfaction with the smooth and hassle-free claims process, highlighting the company’s commitment to providing the financial support they need in times of necessity.

Unveiling Digital and Technological Features of Gerber Life College Plan

Mobile App Features and Functionality

Gerber Life College Plan offers a comprehensive mobile app that enhances the overall customer experience. The app provides policyholders with easy access to their account, enabling them to view policy details, make premium payments, and track the cash value of their plan.

Additionally, it offers tools for calculating potential payouts and loan options, making it a valuable resource for policy management on the go.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Managing your policy online has never been easier with Gerber Life College Plan. The online account management platform allows policyholders to handle various aspects of their policy, from updating personal information to reviewing policy documents.

This user-friendly portal simplifies the process of keeping track of your coverage and ensures that you are always informed about your policy status.

Digital Tools and Resources

Gerber Life College Plan provides a range of digital tools and resources to help policyholders make informed decisions. These resources include educational materials about the policy, guides on college planning, and interactive calculators to estimate potential savings.

The availability of these digital tools empowers policyholders to maximize the benefits of their plan and plan for their child’s future education more effectively.

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What’s the bottom line?

Do yourself a favor and compare term life insurance policies online. You’ll probably be happy to see you can obtain similar coverage for a tenth of the cost of the Gerber Life College Plan and have a ton of money left to invest in the 529 plan for college costs, which will likely at least keep pace with inflation for goodness sake.

If you’re considering buying a Gerber Life Grow-Up Plan policy or an adult life insurance policy from Gerber Life, make sure to compare quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read over a Gerber Life insurance review and talk to an insurance agent or financial advisor to make sure you have all the information you need.

Read more: How much does life insurance cost?

(photo: gruntzooki)

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