Life insurance with Huntington’s disease

A Huntington’s diagnosis limits the types of life insurance you’re eligible for with a few key exceptions.

Can I get life insurance if I have Huntington’s disease?

Yes, but most life insurance companies limit your options to guaranteed-issue life insurance.

Guaranteed-issue policies aren’t based on your medical history and require no underwriting. They often offer lower coverage caps — around $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the company — and have higher premium payments than you’d see for a medically underwritten policy.

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Is life insurance covered by GINA?

No. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act doesn’t apply to a handful of specific insurance types, including life insurance.

What other types of insurance are available?

Beyond guaranteed issue, look for peace of mind offered by:

• Group life insurance. Life insurance offered through an employer, also called group life insurance, generally doesn’t require medical underwriting. But because it’s tied to your job, you likely won’t be able to keep your policy after you leave your employer.
• Mortgage protection insurance. If you’re making payments on a home, mortgage protection insurance can pay off the remainder of your mortgage after death so that your family can continue to live in the home without worrying about payments.
• AD&D insurance. While it doesn’t cover illness related to Huntington’s disease, accidental death and dismemberment insurance pays out a lump sum if you die or are seriously injured in an accident.

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Name	Product	Issue age	Minimum Coverage	Maximum Coverage	Term Lengths	Medical Exam Required
Policygenius - Life Insurance		18 - 85 years old	$50,000	$10,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years	Depends on provider and policy	Compare 12+ top insurers side-by-side to get the best possible deal, and shop return of premium policies online.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Sproutt		18 - 60 years old	$50,000	$4,000,000	5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years	No	Compare 40+ insurers and apply online to get the lowest possible price — no medical exam required.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Everyday Life		18 - 70	$100,000	$10,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years.	No	Ladder multiple life insurance policies to save on the coverage you need for all your debts.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
JRC Life Insurance		18 - 85 years old	$5,000	$50,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 years to lifetime/age 121	May be required	Compare policies up to $10 million from 45+ top insurance companies with the click of a button.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide life insurance		18 - 80 years old	$25,000	$10,000,000	10, 15, 20 and 30 years	Yes	Get term, whole, universal or no-exam life insurance with up to $1 million in coverage.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Haven Life		20 - 64 years old	$250,000	$3,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years available to those aged 20 - 49 years old. 10, 15, or 20 years available to those aged 50 - 64 years old.	No exams for some applicants	Fill out a quick online application and get approval in minutes with up to $3 million in coverage.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Quotacy		18 - 80 years old	$50,000	$65,000,000	10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 years	Depends on provider and policy	Score the lowest rate on life insurance by comparing no obligation quotes from 14+ companies online. No contact info, no spamming.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

A Huntington’s disease diagnosis can make it difficult to qualify for a medically underwritten life insurance policy. But other options may help your loved ones remain financially stable when you’re no longer able to provide for them. Compare life insurance policies to explore an insurer that can fit your needs.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I qualify for life insurance if one of my parents had Huntington's?

  It depends on your medical situation. If you’re tested for the Huntington’s inherited or new gene mutation and found negative, you’re likely eligible for coverage. If you haven’t yet undergone testing for Huntington’s, your ability to get coverage varies by insurer.

  For example, one underwriter working for a well-known life insurance provider said it’s possible to find insurance at a higher premium, while one at another insurer recommends not applying. You may need to apply with several insurers to find a policy that fits your needs.

  If you’re tested and found to have a Huntington’s genetic mutation, you likely won’t qualify for a medically underwritten policy. Look into guaranteed-issue life insurance as an alternative.

• Do I have to tell an insurer if I've had genetic testing?

  Yes. And it includes testing outside of doctors or genetic counselors, such as results from 23andMe or AncestryDNA genetic kits.

  If you don’t disclose genetic testing to your life insurance company, you run the risk of a claims denial when you or your family needs it most — even if you’ve faithfully paid your premiums.

• Can a life insurance company require me to undergo genetic testing?

  No, at least not currently. As testing becomes more common, insurance companies may require genetic testing in the future.

  If you’re applying for a medically underwritten life insurance policy, ask your insurer whether it tests for the inherited or new Huntington’s disease mutation before you submit to a medical exam — especially if you don’t want to know your status.

• Can I qualify for Social Security disability with Huntington's disease?

  Yes. The Social Security Administration’s includes Huntington’s disease is its list of compassionate allowances, which means you may be eligible for an expedited decision on your disability benefits if your disease progresses to the point where you’re no longer able to work.

  You can apply for disability benefits online, at your local SSA office or by calling 800-772-1213. TTY users can apply for benefits at 800-325-0778.