Does anybody know where a person who has hep c can buy life insurance.?

Question

Does anybody know where a person who has hep c can buy life insurance.?

Answer 1

Life Insurance – Unlike health and disability insurance, underwriters who review life insurance applications are interested only in life expectancy, not future medical bills or periods of disability. Because of that life insurance is available for some people dealing with Hepatitis C.

Rating of life insurance – Life insurance companies may choose to accept an applicant who has health issues, but they will increase or “surcharge” the premium rates due to factors that could affect the person’s life expectancy. These policies are called “rated” policies and are offered to persons that the industry labels “impaired risk” as opposed to “standard” or “preferred” risks.

Whether a person with Hepatitis C will be able to buy life insurance depends on several factors:

Age - The younger the person with Hepatitis C, the more strictly their records will be reviewed, and the more frequently an applicant will be turned down. Here’s one place where age can be an advantage.

Life-Style - Underwriters look more favorably on applicants with a healthy lifestyle. There should be no alcohol consumption at all. Not smoking, not overweight, and regular exercise will help also.

Time since diagnosis - Underwriters prefer applicants who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C for some time and whose health has been relatively stable. If you are newly diagnosed, chances are the insurance companies will postpone accepting you, sometimes for several years.

Health of liver - The more damage there is to the liver due to Hepatitis C, the greater the chances you will be refused life insurance. Persons with significant liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or other irreversible liver damage will be refused insurance. The fewer the liver problems, the greater the chance of getting insurance and the lower the premium.

Acute Viral Hepatitis C - People with a history of successful treatment, no current symptoms, and normal liver function test results may be able to purchase life insurance with only a slight surcharge to the “standard” rate. Even then, they will probably be “rated” up to a Table 2 or higher rate. Each table increases the “standard rate” by 25%. Table 2 would be rates 50% over the standard rate; Table 4 would be rates that are double the standard rate.

Chronic Hepatitis C – Persons dealing with Chronic Hepatitis will have more problems getting life insurance. Most insurance companies refuse coverage to anyone in this group. A few carriers will write coverage with a slight rate surcharge if the insured can show a history of successful treatment. The insurance company will almost always require a current liver biopsy before making their decision.

If you are interested in purchasing life insurance, you need to find an insurance agent that is familiar with the “impaired risk” life insurance market. This may be an individual or a complete insurance agency. This is probably not the neighborhood life agent, but if you know one, it is a good place to start.

You will know when you have located someone who knows impaired risks when you are asked details of your medical condition. The impaired risk specialist knows that the more details on your medical condition he/she can provide the underwriters at the different insurance companies, the greater the chance of finding a carrier that will consider the application.

Other ways of finding an impaired risk specialist is to check the Yellow Pages of your phone book or conduct a websearch for “impaired risk insurance”.

You might also check:

http://www.oxbowmkt.com/risk.htm

Answer 2

I got accepted for Banner Life Insurance - when I had Hep C. Went through treatment and so far don't have it anymore.

You won't get the greatest policy, but at least you will have some.

Answer 3

An independent life broker can shop with several insurance companies to find a policy for you at the best rate. Call someone local and you can get coverage for this condition.

Answer 4

United Insurance Company of America has a plan that is guaranteed (I've written many people who are HIV positive also)

It has a 2-year wait - they will have to LIVE for 2 years after the paperwork is signed to the FULL payout....

If they do not live 2 years - you will get your monthly payments back with interest - so it can also be used as a savings plan for their burial expenses - so either way - it's a great plan