Jason Fisher Though you’ll need to undergo a medical examination, there’s a good chance you’ll still qualify for life insurance with lupus, especially if you’re in otherwise good health.
The best way to find coverage when you have lupus is by targeting companies that commonly insure high risk clients. This will also guarantee you’ll get the best rates..
Here are the basics you’ll need to find life insurance with lupus.
Table of Contents
What Is Lupus?
Understanding how your medical conditions affect life insurance underwriting is key to finding the best coverage. We’ll begin by explaining what lupus is, so you understand what risks you pose to a life insurance company.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. It can affect any part of the body including the skin, joints, and organs. The disease is caused by the immune system attacking itself.
There is no cure for lupus. Most people affected with the disease struggle with it their entire lives. It is treatable, however, and many treatments are highly effective at minimizing symptoms.
Lupus affects roughly 200,000 Americans each year. About 1.5 million Americans in total are currently living with the condition.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lupus has a variety of symptoms. These symptoms tend to flare up and then subside on a regular basis. The most common symptoms include:
- Muscle pain
- Chest pain while breathing
- Joint stiffness
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Ulcers in mouth
- Hair loss
- Red or scaly rashes
Certain people are at a greater risk for developing lupus. For example, 9 in 10 lupus patients are women. The disease is also most common in African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. People are usually diagnosed with it between the ages of 15 and 40.
Though there currently isn’t a cure for lupus, numerous treatments help minimize symptoms and improve quality of life. The most effective is taking medications (anti-inflammatories and steroids) as prescribed by your doctor. Changing your lifestyle (sun protection and healthy diet) help as well.
Seeking the best treatment and dedicating yourself to a healthy lifestyle are essential to finding affordable life insurance coverage with lupus. The better managed your condition, the higher your chances of receiving traditional coverage.
What Is the Application Process Like?
First things first, start the life insurance application process by narrowing down your search to those companies who insure high risk clients.
As long as you’re in otherwise good health, there’s a very good chance you’ll qualify for traditional coverage.
A medical exam is a necessary aspect of applying for traditional life insurance. The exam looks at your lupus diagnosis as well as your overall health. The goal of the exam is to help assess your overall risk to the life insurance company.
A number of questions will be asked by an underwriter to assess your rating class. The answers to these questions determine how much you’ll pay for coverage. Be prepared to answer questions about the following subjects:
- Overall Health: good health, aside from your lupus, is a must to receive the best rates.
- Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle: your diet and how much you exercise help assess your lifestyle. Another big factor is smoking. Smokers can still qualify for traditional coverage but it’s often 2 to 3 times more expensive than for non-smokers.
- Date of Diagnosis: an underwriter wants to see your condition has been successfully treated and managed for some time.
- Condition History: the symptoms you experience, how often you have flare-ups, and when you last had symptoms will all be questions asked.
- Treatments: what treatments are you using to manage lupus? A successful regimen of medications is a must.
- Doctor Visits: regular visits to your doctor ensure you’re getting the best care possible and tracking the severity of your lupus over time.
Be sure to only look at companies who actually ask these questions. Those who ask them understand lupus and how it affects your overall health better than the rest.
What Kind of Rate You Can Expect
The vast majority of those with lupus will qualify for traditional coverage. However, there’s no telling exactly what type of life insurance you’ll receive without knowing the specifics of your situation.
The best case scenario for life insurance with lupus is a Medium Sub-Standard rating. You don’t have a very good chance of qualifying for anything better.
A Medium Sub-Standard rating requires your lupus was detected early. Your symptoms must be controlled and you must be free of complications. Good overall health and a lifestyle tailored to managing your lupus symptoms are also essential.
Those with more serious forms of lupus should still be able to qualify for a Severe Sub-Standard rating. This is also the rating those with complications will likely qualify for.
Some of those with the most serious lupus symptoms or complications won’t qualify for traditional coverage.
Fortunately, there are a wide variety of life insurance alternatives to look into, like a graded death benefit policy, if you’re not accepted by a traditional life insurance provider.
Keep in mind you can reapply for life insurance on a regular basis. If you show your condition has improved, you can sometimes qualify for coverage you were initially denied.
How to Get Approved for Life Insurance with Lupus
Preparation is key to receiving the best life insurance rates with lupus. Start by researching those companies that are most likely to insure high risk clients.
. Working with an experienced life insurance agent is the key to improving your chances of qualifying for traditional life insurance coverage.
In short, don’t hesitate to apply for life insurance if you have lupus. It might be more difficult to find than with some other diseases and disorders, but it can be done.
The bottom line is, there is most likely an insurance provider out there willing to insure you.
