Life insurance for pre-existing conditions

Your likelihood of being approved for any kind of life insurance other than guaranteed life insurance depends on your specific condition. Here are some examples of pre-existing conditions that your life insurance company may use to adjust your premiums, or as justification to deny you coverage.

Diabetes

Life insurance companies will consider a number of factors for customers with diabetes. People with diabetes have the best chances of qualifying for life insurance when they’re a healthy weight, not dependent on insulin, and not suffering any kidney damage. Your age can come into play as well; people with diabetes who are older but in otherwise good health have shown they can manage their disease and will have an easier time being approved.

High blood pressure

Because high blood pressure has been linked to more serious events, like heart attack and stroke, it makes the list. If you have high blood pressure, the best thing you can do to improve your chances of getting life insurance is control your weight and try to keep your blood pressure down. Different insurance companies also have different standards of acceptable for blood pressure, so making an informal inquiry before applying for life insurance might give you a better idea of which companies are more likely to accept you. If you keep your blood pressure down for 12 months prior to a medical exam—just like if you quit smoking for 12 months before a medical exam—your premiums can be lowered.

Cancer

While great advances have been made in identifying and treating different types of cancers, life insurance companies still see a great risk in offering insurance to survivors. You’re most likely to be able to get coverage if you’ve had a highly treatable form of the disease, and have been in complete remission for at least two years, (but the longer, the better).

Stroke

If you’ve survived a stroke, insurance companies will ask about any permanent damage, what medications you take, and when you had the stroke. If it’s been over two years and you’ve recovered well, you may be able to get life insurance. You’ll have better chances of being approved if you have good blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and if you don’t smoke.

HIV/AIDS

Few insurers sell simplified issue life insurance to people with HIV/AIDS, though this is changing as society gets over the stigma the condition has had in the past. Those life insurance companies that do insure people with HIV/AIDS look for people who have lived at least 3–5 years beyond diagnosis, are able to live a normal life, and are continuing to effectively control the virus with medication.

Transplant 

Many transplant recipients fear they'll never qualify for life insurance, but it's not the case. Despite immunosuppressive medication and a high-risk of further complications, it's still possible to get life insurance, and sometimes without a medical exam. Take care of yourself, eat healthy, exercise regularly and you can reduce the chances of further complications alleviating any pressure from the insurance provider and therefore, your rate. 

Regardless of your pre-existing condition, having been turned down for any life insurance policy in the past will be a red flag on any subsequent life insurance applications, even with different companies. That’s why it’s important to do your homework and understand your odds of your application being approved. A qualified insurance broker can help recommend life insurance products that you’re likely to be approved for, and make inquiries on your behalf. Get started with a quote today, and we'll help point you in the right direction.

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