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Having sleep apnea won’t automatically disqualify you for life insurance, but it can affect your rates — especially if your condition is severe or you don’t follow your treatment plan.
Yes, many people with sleep apnea are able to qualify for coverage. Your eligibility and rates will be based on the severity of your sleep apnea, how well you stick to any treatment protocols your doctors prescribed and what other health conditions you have.
If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and you follow all of your doctor’s advice, it may not affect your life insurance eligibility or rates at all. But if you have severe sleep apnea or you don’t routinely stick to your treatments, you could be charged higher premiums or denied coverage altogether.
Each insurer will assess sleep apnea differently, but your premium rates will be based on a combination of the type and severity of your sleep apnea, your treatment and what other health conditions or risks you have.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, sleep apnea conditions are categorized into three main levels of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). AHI is an index that is used to assess the severity of the disorder based on total number of intervals or pauses in your breathing every hour of sleep.
Some insurers are more accommodating to those with sleep apnea. When you’re shopping around for the best possible policy and premium, explore these life insurance companies.
Insurer | A.M. Best rating | Better Business Bureau rating |
---|---|---|
AIG | A (Excellent) | A+ |
Legal & General | A+ (Superior) | A+ |
Lincoln Financial | A+ (Superior) | A+ |
Mutual of Omaha | A+ (Superior) | A+ |
Pacific Life | A+ (Superior) | A- |
Protective Life | A+ (Superior) | A+ |
Transamerica | A+ (Superior) | A- |
Our writers and editors are committed to objectivity and empowering our readers to make decisions free of bias.
When analyzing life insurance providers, we assess the insurer’s reputation in the industry, as well as their policy lineup, premiums and underwriting guidelines.
To determine industry reputation, our editorial team researches the company’s financial strength, accreditations and ratings, and reads customer reviews.
The most important thing you can do to increase your chance of both qualifying and getting a good rate is to follow your doctor’s advice. This may include taking medications or undergoing treatments. If you can prove you’re committed to managing your sleep apnea, that can go a long way with your insurance company.
These strategies may also help to lower your premium:
Sleep apnea is a common condition in the US, and it’s one that most insurers are used to seeing. A sleep apnea diagnosis won’t automatically disqualify you for a life insurance policy — it might not even affect your rates at all if you follow your doctor’s advice. If you’re ready to get started, compare life insurance companies to find one that’s the right fit.
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