Can you get life insurance with medical issues?

Asked by: Reba Lebsack  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (28 votes)

While having a medical issue doesn't automatically disqualify you from buying life insurance, it may result in less choice and higher premiums.

What medical conditions prevent you from getting life insurance?

Generally, the younger and healthier you are, the lower your rates will be, while certain pre-existing medical conditions — including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and depression — are likely to raise the price of premiums and if severe enough, can disqualify you from getting coverage altogether.

Can you get life insurance with pre-existing medical conditions?

The most popular and cost-effective type of life insurance, term life insurance offers coverage for a set period of time, typically 10-30 years. That means you can lock in protection for your family exactly when you need it. If your pre-existing condition is under control, you may be able to qualify for term life.

What pre-existing conditions?

A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts. Insurance companies can't refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition or charge you more.

Why would I get denied for life insurance?

Their reasons could be anything from a serious medical condition (like heart disease) or poor results from your life insurance medical exam to nonmedical reasons like bankruptcy, a criminal record, a positive drug test or even a dangerous hobby.

How Can I Get Life Insurance with a Medical Condition? | Quotacy Q&A Fridays

38 related questions found

Does life insurance check medical records?

Life insurers check your medical records to make sure the information you provided coincides with your medical records. ... Life insurance companies use this information to make sure you are a good risk. But they also use it to see if anyone committed insurance fraud and lied on their application.

What do life insurance blood tests detect?

With the life life insurance blood test, they'll be looking for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or glucose levels, as well as indications of nicotine, tobacco or drug use. Depending on your results, you may be able to qualify for one of an insurers' best underwriting rate classes.

Do I have to tell my life insurance if I start smoking?

No. Your cover is based on your smoker status when you applied. As long as the information was accurate at the time, your premiums are guaranteed, regardless of any changes to your personal health. If your policy was previously with Friends Life, this may not apply, so check your policy documents or contact us.

How long before you are classed as a non-smoker?

Our definition of a non-smoker is no tobacco or nicotine replacement products (including electronic cigarettes) to have been used in the last 12 months.

How do insurance companies know if you have a pre existing condition?

How do insurance companies know if you have a pre-existing condition? Life insurance applications ask questions about your health, and the process typically requires you to give the insurer permission to access any medical records needed to validate your information.

What is considered a smoker for health insurance?

Health insurers consider you a smoker, subject to a hefty premium surcharge if you used any tobacco products four or more times a week in the past six months. If you're not honest about tobacco, you risk being charged with insurance fraud. ...

What happens if you fail a drug test for life insurance?

You'll be declined for life insurance coverage if a blood or urine test indicates you use any illegal drugs, such as amphetamines or opiates. The only exception to this rule is marijuana, as each insurer evaluates marijuana consumption differently.

Can I drink coffee before life insurance exam?

The Day of the Exam

Avoid caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, soda and tea. Avoid strenuous exercise, which can raise your blood pressure. Drink plenty of water. Being well hydrated also makes it easier to provide urine and blood samples.

What happens if you fail life insurance exam?

What Happens If You Fail a Life Insurance Medical Exam? If the information you submitted on the original application does not match the data collected during your medical exam, then you may be denied coverage, or you may receive a request for additional testing.

What percentage of life insurance claims are denied?

Life insurance is nearly always settled as expected. According to the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), fewer than one in 200 claims are denied.

Why do life insurance companies require medical exams?

Most life insurance policies, like term life insurance, require a medical exam. This exam helps the insurance company accurately assess risk and set your premium. If you have a serious medical condition, you may worry life insurance is off-limits to you, but this may not be the case.

Can I get life insurance if I have high blood pressure?

In severe cases of high blood pressure, some life insurers may deny coverage but this is typically not the norm. With research and a willingness to comparison shop, those with high blood pressure may be able to find a form of life insurance coverage that provides the financial protections you or your dependents need.

Can I be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition?

Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. ... They don't have to cover pre-existing conditions.

Is High Cholesterol a pre-existing condition?

Are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, enlarged prostate, heartburn considered pre-existing conditions? Yes.

Is back pain a pre-existing condition?

In essence, they're medical conditions that existed before your policy started. Some of the commonly understandable pre-existing conditions can be chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma etc. The pre-existing conditions can include chronic injuries like back pain too.