quick Facts
- If you or a loved one has a disability, you still have life insurance options
- Life insurance eligibility and rates depend on the type and severity of disability and your general health
- For people with serious disabilities who do not qualify for traditional or permanent life insurance, there are options that do not require a medical examination.
According to a recent study conducted by Centers for Disease ControlAbout 26% of adults in the United States have a disability. One in four adults in the United States looking for life insurance has the same questions and concerns you do.
Getting life insurance is essential. Having life insurance if you live with a disability often makes getting coverage more important. But having a disability, especially a life-threatening one, can make it more difficult to find coverage, especially if you’re trying to find one Cheapest life insurance premiums.
However, the good news is that no matter your disability and severity, it is still possible to get life insurance and protect your family.
How can a disability affect my insurance premium?
Every life insurance company has a different system for Evaluate your risk level and underwrite your life insurance policy. In addition, they will assess you individually to determine how your disability affects your activities of daily living and your general health.
They will also take into account other factors such as your income, lifestyle, credit and health history.
In general, the greater the impact of a disability on life expectancy, the greater the impact it will have on life insurance choices.
If your disability does not affect your life expectancy, you may not increase your premium. However, if this is the case, you can look into life insurance policies that are for people with disabilities that are considered high risk. These “high risk” policies are often referred to as Issuance of guaranteed life insurance policies.
The guarantee is that insurance coverage cannot be denied despite pre-existing medical conditions, such as disability if you are willing to pay higher premiums and undergo a life insurance waiting period.
Life insurance quotes are always free.
Secured with SHA-256 encryption
What is considered a disability?
According to the Adults with Disabilities ActA disability is a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more major life activities.
Basic or daily living activities include:
- hearing, vision, or other senses
- a movement
- Thinking and remembering
- communication
- Psychological health
Disabilities range from mild to severe, and can be hidden or obvious, and the doctor must document them further. However, the question remains whether you can purchase life insurance while on disability or if you are disabled.
The Americans with Disabilities Act says that people with disabilities cannot be denied certain services. In addition, because disability can affect your overall health and life expectancy, life insurance companies can consider your disability when determining how much life insurance to offer you and what to pay for your premium.
How you manage your disability, the severity of your disability, and your family history all affect how your disability affects your insurance options and rates.
But how exactly does insurance work for people with disabilities? Keep reading to discover how disability can affect your rates and company selection.
When does a disability affect your ability to obtain life insurance?
Your ability to obtain a life insurance policy generally changes if your disability is related to a condition that may affect the length of your life.
For example, suppose you are blind or unable to walk due to a serious health condition such as diabetes, cancer, or an injury. In this situation, you may find that life insurance companies charge you higher premiums or even reject your application outright because of your disability affecting your daily life activities.
Similarly, if you have a mental disability such as major depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, insurance companies may be concerned that you could develop self-destructive behaviors, so your access to certain life insurance policies or the cost of a life insurance policy may be affected. .
What determines my rates for people with disabilities?
There are many factors that insurance companies consider when issuing life insurance to people with disabilities.
First, the cause of your disability is an important determining factor. For example, suppose you are currently on disability or are disabled due to an accident. In this case, it will be easier for you to insure, in general, because accidents usually have less impact on life expectancy.
Disabilities caused by chronic, critical or chronic illnesses can be difficult to cover. However, depending on the severity of the disease and how well it is managed, you may be required to have a guaranteed problem policy.
Secondly, medical treatments and medications will also be taken into account. A life insurance company will evaluate things like any prescription medications and treatments you’re taking and previous surgeries or hospitalizations with a life insurance policy Medical Information Bureau (MIB).
Last but not least, your general health, including tobacco use, will be taken into consideration when setting policy and rates. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be in the best possible health, regardless of disability. Learn how to reach the Medical Information Bureau (MIB).
What if I’m considered “high risk” or denied coverage?
If your disability significantly affects your general health or your ability to care for yourself, you may not qualify for a standard or permanent term life insurance policy. However, other types of life insurance can provide some financial support to your loved ones despite their consideration “High risk.” Find life insurance for high-risk individuals here.
If your disability does not prevent you from working but you are still denied standard coverage, you may want to consider group life insurance. If you obtain life insurance through your employer, you are not subject to individual health assessments or underwriting.
However, if you can’t work because of your disability, it’s time to look for a guaranteed trouble policy. These policies typically offer up to $25,000 in coverage and have a two-year waiting period. This waiting period means that you must survive the first two years of your policy before the death benefit is paid to your beneficiary.
Don’t give up hope of finding a life insurance policy just because you live with a disability. Many companies are willing to offer coverage if you take the time to shop around.
Life insurance quotes are always free.
Secured with SHA-256 encryption
Here are some tips for life insurance for people with disabilities
- Some companies offer life policies specifically for disabled adults, so you might want to shop around
- You may want to get quotes from several insurance companies, especially if you are considered “high risk.”
- Improve your current health with diet and exercise if you can
- Work with a broker to find the best company and coverage
- If your employer offers you group life insurance, it may provide a way to obtain some life insurance protection at little or no cost to you, despite pre-existing conditions
Final thoughts on life insurance for adults with disabilities
Living with a disability can be hard enough. No need to add stress to your life by worrying about whether or not you can get life insurance. The good news is that even with a disability, you can still get life insurance.
Depending on your disability and other risk factors, you may be eligible for some standard or long-term products. However, if you are considered “high risk”, your options will be limited to Guaranteed Release (GI) policies.
Certainly, when you sign up for a guaranteed issuance policy, you will have a waiting period and you will not be able to avoid higher premiums. The important thing to remember, however, is not your higher premium but your ability to get insurance despite your disability.
No matter what disability you may be living with or its severity, there are still companies that understand your desire to protect your family and are willing to insure you despite pre-existing medical conditions such as a disability. Just be sure to shop around before making any decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is disability covered by life insurance?
Disability coverage is not automatically included in life insurance policies, but you can add passengers with special needs to your policy at an additional cost. You will need to purchase any disabled passengers you want during the application process.
Are life insurance and disability insurance the same?
While life and disability insurance offer an income alternative, they are not the same thing. Life insurance protects the financial health of your beneficiaries after your death, while disability insurance pays you while you are alive and if you become too incapacitated to work.
Can I get life insurance while on disability?
Yes, but depending on your medical condition, you may have to pay a higher fee.
Life insurance quotes are always free.
Secured with SHA-256 encryption
Editorial Tips: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about life insurance. Our goal is to be an objective third party source for all things life insurance. We update our website regularly, and all content is reviewed by life insurance experts.