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If you live with asthma, you may find it affects the amount of coverage you get from your life insurance policy. But depending on the severity of your asthma, and if you know where to look, it’s possible to get a good rate.
Can I get life insurance if I have asthma?
Yes, you can get life insurance with asthma. But whether or not you’re issued a policy and how much you pay will come down to the severity of your condition. When applying for life insurance if you have asthma, expect to be asked the following questions:
- When were you first diagnosed with asthma?
Knowing how long you’ve had a condition will give the insurer a better understanding of how your body has reacted to treatment and how much risk you pose. - When was your last asthma attack?
Similarly, knowing when your last asthma attack was provides your insurer with valuable insight into the severity of your condition. - How often do you experience these attacks?
If you get attacks once a week, once a month or if they’re seasonal gives the insurer an idea how severe your asthma is. - What medications are you currently taking for your asthma?
Some insurers may consider you to be a higher risk if you need multiple controller medications or if you use certain medications with known side effects. - How often do you take medication?
Following all of your doctor’s orders when it comes to taking your medications can help show an insurer that you’re being proactive and keeping your lungs healthy. - Visits to the hospital.
Have you ever been hospitalized or visited the emergency room because of your condition? If so, this will affect your risk rating.
Other factors that come into play are common underwriting questions such as your:
- Age
- Alcohol or tobacco use
- Driving record
- Gender
- Height
- Hobbies
- Marital status
- Occupation
- Weight
Compare life insurance options for people with asthma
Does asthma affect my life insurance rates?
The short answer: maybe. Whether or not asthma affects your life insurance rate comes down to how you answer the underwriting questions above.
For example, if your asthma was induced by sports and you haven’t had an attack since you were a child, your insurer may not see it as a legitimate risk and rate you as preferred plus, the best possible outcome.
However, if you’ve been hospitalized multiple times, need home oxygen, are on a steroid regimen or suffer from chronic asthma you’d be categorized anywhere from the standard life insurance rate class to substandard — possibly even uninsurable.
How do I get life insurance when I have asthma?
If you have asthma the good news is that, for most people, the full gamut of life insurance products is available to you.
Term life insurance
In most cases, you can get approval for term life insurance if you have asthma. The benefits of getting an underwritten term life insurance policy is that your rates reflect exactly how much of a risk you pose to the insurer.
So if you’re in good health — aside from the occasional asthma attack — this could be a good option for you. However, in many cases, this means you’ll have to undergo a medical exam.
Can I get a policy without a medical exam?
If you don’t have time for a medical exam, you’ve still got options.
Simplified issue life insurance
Simplified life insurance policies allow you to take out a policy and get coverage within days without the need for a medical exam. However, you’ll still need to answer some questions about your health.
Guaranteed issue life insurance
Guaranteed issue whole life insurance — also known as guaranteed acceptance life insurance — provides you with coverage without undergoing a medical exam or answering any medical questions.
The downside is that, because the insurer knows virtually nothing about you, your rates will be much higher than they would for a traditional life insurance policy.
Instant-approval insurance with accelerated underwriting
Some newer insurers only require that you answer a few basic medical questions for you to take out coverage instantly. However, there’s the chance that you’ll be asked to undergo a medical exam if the insurer feels it’s necessary.
Bottom line
Getting life insurance with asthma is certainly possible and, in many cases, asthma won’t affect your life insurance rates at all. Do your homework and compare your options for the best life insurance for asthma.
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