Compare life insurance for major organ transplant

The type of life insurance policy you can get depends on which organ was transplanted, the condition that caused you to need a transplant and your health after surgery. If your surgery is considered one of the highest risk transplants, like a liver transplant, you have a few no-exam options to choose from.

Can I get life insurance after a major organ transplant?

You can buy life insurance even with a past transplant for a major organ. But you may find options limited if you’ve undergone one of the riskiest transplants, like a heart transplant.

Also, your chance of getting approved for standard life insurance depends on the organ, the transplant’s complication risks and the survival rate.

If you qualify, insurance companies will likely rate you below the standard or preferred rate classes, leading to a higher insurance premium than average.

Which transplants qualify for standard life insurance?

If you’ve undergone these types of major organ transplants, you have the best chance of getting approved for a standard policy.

• Bone marrow
• Kidney
• Pancreas — Your health is considered on a case-by-case basis from companies willing to accept higher risk than the standard.
• Transplants occurring over 10 years ago with little to no complications

Which transplants may get denied?

Most insurers won’t approve you for a standard policy after these transplants because they can lead to higher health risks.

• Heart
• Liver
• Lung

The best life insurance for someone with a major organ transplant

It’s worth considering a standard life insurance policy if you can qualify. Otherwise, you might opt for a policy that bypasses the medical exam. Your options include:

• Guaranteed issue. This policy doesn’t require a medical exam or health questionnaire. But expect a low death benefit from $5,000 to $50,000 that costs more than most standard life insurance policies.
• Simplified issue. This policy nixes the medical exam but asks health questions in your application. This policy often caps death benefits at $250,000, much higher than guaranteed issue policies.
• Standard life insurance. You can look for life insurance companies known for their lenient approval process, but you’ll still have to take a medical exam.

How to buy life insurance after having a major organ transplant

These basic steps apply to most people, but you might work with an insurance rep more closely and need extra medical documentation due to the transplant.

Steps to follow:

1. Reach out to the insurance company. If you’re applying for a standard policy, consider calling an insurance agent before applying to gauge whether that company will accept your application.
2. Offer details about your organ transplant. Be honest about your organ transplant on the application and any complications you’ve experienced since. This helps you get an accurate quote and get approved by the right company.
3. Provide any medical proof required. You’ll most likely need a medical statement showing your transplant’s treatment and prognosis. Then, take the medical exam or answer health questions as the insurer requests.
4. Wait for approval. Some guaranteed or simplified issue policies grant approval within hours or days. But other policies take about three to four weeks for approval.

How does a major organ transplant affect life insurance rates?

Having an organ transplant in your past probably will lead to higher insurance premiums than average. For context, the average term life policy costs $70 a month, though people who are young and healthy can get rates as low as $13 a month.

Not only does the transplant provide extra health risks from medication and secondary health problems, but the condition that caused you to need a transplant will factor into your risk level. Also, no-exam policies cost more to offset the company insuring unknown risks.

Bottom line

Take comfort in knowing that you can leave something behind to help your loved ones get by through life insurance, even after a major organ transplant.

It’s worth shopping around for life insurance policies, especially if you’re in solid health after your surgery. And if you can’t qualify for traditional life insurance, a no-exam policy is still on the table.