Have you ever wondered why most people prefer to get insurance while they are young and healthy? The answer is, insurance is cheaper when you have no pre-existing medical conditions. But once you get older and risk developing medical problems, getting insurance becomes more expensive.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, buying any type of insurance can be difficult. It decreases your options of coverage available and increases your monthly premiums.
How pre-existing conditions affect life insurance
When you get an insurance policy, the company puts you into a category based on your health. Most companies have approximately 3 categories in which they put their clients. The specific categories vary from insurer to insurer, but mostly call them standard, preferred, and elite.
If you have a pre-existing health problem, your insurer may put you into the standard category. This also increases the risk for the insurer so they quote a higher price for these policies. So, getting life insurance or health insurance with a pre-existing condition will cost you more. If the company thinks your health is very unstable, they may deny coverage altogether.
Best life insurance options for pre-existing conditions
Even if you suffer from a health problem, there are a few options available for you to get a life insurance policy.
Guaranteed issue life insurance: You do not have to undergo a medical exam to get this type of life insurance. If you are unable to buy term or permanent type life insurance, you should consider getting guaranteed insurance. The downside is you end up paying more for this type of insurance compared to others.
Permanent life insurance: You can also buy permanent life insurance if you have a pre-existing health condition. This is usually available if your health condition is minor. Even then, you will have to pay higher premiums than normal.
Term life insurance: A term life insurance is one which you buy for a specified period like 20 or 30 years. You can buy term life insurance if your health condition is minor. And if there is a very low risk of you dying or developing a serious disease during the term.
Simplified or No-medical life insurance: This type of life insurance is better than the guaranteed issue. It provides higher coverage. With simplified life insurance, you have to answer a medical questionnaire. But there is no need to undergo a physical examination.
Types of pre-existing conditions that matter when getting life insurance
The types of life insurance that you qualify for depends on the health conditions that you have. It also depends on the severity of that disease and associated factors. If you have any of the following health problems, you may have to pay higher premiums:
- Diabetes
- Anemia
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Tuberculosis etc.
No medical exam and simplified issue life insurance with pre-existing conditions
A simplified issue life insurance policy can either be a permanent or term life insurance policy. It has lower medical requirements and usually provides a lower death benefit. You only have to answer a health questionnaire. Based on which the insurer decides your coverage.
Tips for buying life insurance with a pre-existing condition:
Here are a few tips that can help you buy life insurance if you have a pre-existing health condition:
•Apply for insurance at a favorable time: Don’t apply for insurance right after having a health scare. Wait for some time and let the condition improve. Collect proof that your treatments are working before applying for insurance.
•Take care of your health: If you want to reduce your premiums, you should work hard and control your health conditions. Take medication on time, eat healthy food, and exercise. Once you see improvement, you can ask your insurer for a re-exam. If the results are better, it may help lower your premiums.
•Find an agent that specializes in difficult to insurance cases: Get an online insurance agent that specializes in insurance people with medical conditions. They can recommend companies that are more likely to quote a good price.
Conclusion
In short, if you get diagnosed with a medical condition, do not worry. It is still possible to get a life insurance policy despite your diagnosis. You need to do your research and can follow the tips mentioned above.
