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How to get life insurance after an aneurysm
You can get coverage if you've had an aneurysm — but you may pay a higher premium.
If you’ve had an aneurysm in the past — or have an aneurysm that’s yet to be operated on — you can still qualify for a life insurance policy. But your insurer will scrutinize your case closely, and may charge you a higher rate.
Can I get life insurance if I had an aneurysm?
Yes — you can get life insurance if you have or had an aneurysm. Your insurer will assess your case on an individual basis, and will want to know the following:
- When you found out about your aneurysm
- How you found out about it
- How long you’ve had the aneurysm
- If your aneurysm has ruptured
- Where it’s located
- Its cause
- If you’ve had an operation to treat the aneurysm
- If you’ve had any ongoing symptoms since your aneurysm was treated
- If you have any other medical conditions
- If you’re taking any medications
- If you smoke
- If you see your doctor regularly
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Will having had an aneurysm affect my life insurance rates?
Yes. An operated or unoperated aneurysm is considered a preexisting condition, so it affects your life insurance rates.
The type of aneurysm comes into play, too. Abdominal aortic, cerebral, peripheral aortic and thoracic aortic aneurysms all carry different risks. Each have an effect on how much you’ll pay and whether or not you can obtain coverage.
Generally, an aneurysm will land you in a standard to substandard rating class. This means you can expect to pay a higher premium.
Will smoking raise my rates?
Yes. Smokers already pay double or triple the amount for life insurance as nonsmokers. And since smoking has a detrimental effect on the circulatory system, it’ll hike up your rates even more if you apply for coverage following an aneurysm.
What other factors will my insurer consider?
Your aneurysm aside, your insurer will weigh up a range of factors when determining your rate and eligibility for coverage.
These include:
- Age and gender
- Heath history
- Criminal record
- Driving record
- Height and weight
- Lifestyle
- Marital status
- Alcohol use
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How do I get life insurance following an aneurysm?
There are a few ways to go about purchasing a policy:
- Through an agent. It helps to have an agent when you’re looking for life insurance with a pre-existing condition. Not only do they know the ins-and-outs of how your condition affects your rates, but they’ll have access to a range of insurers.
- Through your work. If your employer offers group life insurance, this may be a good option. Not only is it generally cheaper than buying your own policy, you’re also more likely to get covered with a pre-existing condition.
- By comparing insurers. You can apply with insurers directly —though it’s a good idea to compare rates from a bunch of carriers.
Can I get a policy without a medical exam?
Yes. If you’d prefer to skip the medical exam, these are your policy options:
- Simplified issue life insurance. You can generally apply for a simplified life insurance policy over the phone or online. While you won’t undergo a medical exam, you’ll answer some questions about your medical history.
- Guaranteed issue life insurance. If you’re looking to avoid all medical questions and exams, guaranteed issue life insurance — also known as guaranteed acceptance life insurance — is an option. The major downside of these policies is that they’re expensive and offer less coverage than a traditional life insurance policy.
- Instant-approval term life insurance. There are a few fintech startups — like Bestow and Ethos — that offer term life insurance online with accelerated underwriting. You’ll have to answer some questions about your health and, depending on how you answer them, the insurer may still ask you to undergo a medical exam.
Bottom line
Getting life insurance with an aneurysm is possible, but be prepared to answer a string of questions about your condition – and pay a higher premim.
To get the lowest possible rate, enlist the help of a broker and compare life insurance companies on your own.
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