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Life insurance for people with hepatitis
Your insurance rates will depend on whether you're currently in remission.
Many insurers are willing to offer policies to customers who have hepatitis, but you could have to pay a higher premium.
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Can I qualify for life insurance if I have hepatitis?
Possibly. If you have hepatitis, whether or not you’ll be able to qualify for life insurance will depend on the insurer and its acceptance criteria.
If your condition is under control, has spontaneously cleared up or you’ve been through successful antiviral treatment, you may be able to get coverage with little to no increase in cost. This is particularly true for cases of acute hepatitis that have been in remission for several years or more.
If you have an active hepatitis infection you still may be insurable pending a premium loading, or a percentage increase on your premium. Factors considered during the underwriting of someone with hepatitis include what type of hepatitis you have and your age, alcohol consumption, duration of infection, gender and liver function.
What if my application is denied?
If your application is denied, you have three options:
- Apply with a different insurer. Each insurer has its own underwriting guidelines. While one insurer might consider you too high-risk, a different one may be willing to offer you a policy.
- Wait and reapply. If you were recently diagnosed, recently hospitalized or had any kind of health crisis in the past 6 months to a year, you may have better luck if you wait at least several months before reapplying so that an insurer can see a stable health history.
- Get a guaranteed-issue policy. If you can’t qualify for a medically-underwritten policy, you can get a guaranteed-issue policy instead. Almost anyone can qualify, regardless of medical history. But these policies tend to be expensive and have lower coverage amounts.
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When a claim can be denied
After the insurance contract has been finalized, subsequent changes to health can’t be reflected in premium or coverage adjustment, and it’s illegal for the insurer to cancel the insurance contract if you get sick. However, your insurer can cancel your policy or deny a claim if:
- You lied on your application or didn’t disclose an illness.
- You breach your contact.
- You fail to make premium payments.
- You make a fraudulent claim.
Tips for people taking out life insurance with hepatitis
If you’ve been diagnosed with a strain of hepatitis and want to take out a life insurance policy:
- Speak with a consultant. Each insurer will have different terms and conditions and a consultant can help you compare hundreds of different policy options.
- Know what documentation is required. Your insurer will likely want to know your viral load, current medications, liver function test results and a host of other things. Find out what tests you need before your doctor’s appointment so that you don’t have to go back. A consultant can provide assistance during this process.
- See a doctor. Find out if your condition is under control and compare your test results to those from your last visit. If you’re in remission and can prove that you’ve been in remission for a substantial period of time, it’ll be a lot easier to get insured.
- Be honest on your application. There are hundreds of stories of people paying thousands in premium payments throughout the life of the policy only to be denied the benefit payment at claim time. Take the time to be detailed on your application and know exactly what you’re covered for.
Bottom line
Getting life insurance with hepatitis will require extra documentation, but it isn’t impossible. If you’re in remission you may be able to get a policy with little to no premium loading, and if you’re not in remission but your condition is under control, you may be able to get a policy for a higher cost. Compare life insurance providers to find the best possible rate.
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