Is Life Insurance With A Heart Condition Possible?

Can I Get Life Insurance If I Have A Heart Condition Or A Stent?

Providers typically ask detailed questions about the applicant’s health. They will likely discuss the applicant’s past, inquiring about conditions and medications taken at different times.

Applicants should be honest regarding past or current heart and other medical problems.

The good news is that medical technologies and treatments enable people with heart conditions to live long, healthy lives, and some life insurance providers cater to this population.

Getting life insurance with a heart condition requires the help of more specialist insurers who have researched the risks and can, therefore, offer the most accurate and often the lowest premiums.

Help Protect Your Family’s Future. Compare Top Insurers. Find Your Cheapest Quote

We have an excellent range of insurers sympathetic to those with past or present heart conditions.

• Compared with the main competition, they have fewer exclusions
• Assistance from start to finish, you’ll know you’ve got the best policy to protect your family
• Outstanding reviews for customer care
• Come with excellent rates for shared coverage
• Terminal illness coverage at no extra charge (available on all term policies)

Life Insurance With Heart Condition: Assistance Is Available

Some companies specialise in finding life insurance for people suffering from heart conditions, including heart disease.

These firms know which insurers offer life cover for those with a history of heart issues. Though they cannot guarantee they will find acceptable cover, they scour the market to see what is available.

If they find several prospective insurers, they help consumers identify which one offers the most comprehensive coverage at the lowest cost.

Some companies even help applicants complete the required paperwork and will remain in contact until a policy is bound.

The life insurance industry has traditionally been reluctant to cover individuals with heart-related medical conditions.

However, some providers have begun offering cover to people with stable angina and controlled high blood pressure.

People with heart arrhythmia can find coverage at rates close to normal if they do not have complications, and even diabetes or other co-existing conditions.

Topic	Details
Eligibility for Heart Condition Patients	Individuals with heart conditions, including heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and heart failure, can obtain life insurance. The application success and premium costs depend on individual circumstances.
Insurance Options	Options include standard life insurance (potentially higher premiums), specialist insurer policies, and over 50 life insurance plans (no medical questions, acceptance guaranteed for ages 50-85).
Factors Influencing Premiums	Premiums are influenced by age, smoking status, overall health, lifestyle, and family medical history. Heart condition severity also plays a significant role.
Policy Types	Available policy types include term life insurance (covering a set period), whole of life insurance (covering the entire lifespan), and over 50 life insurance (guaranteed acceptance for ages 50-85).
Application Process	Insurers may inquire about the heart condition’s diagnosis date, symptoms, treatments, and related health issues. A medical exam is not always required, but may be necessary for severe cases.
Benefits of Life Insurance	Life insurance provides financial security for covering costs like mortgages, living expenses, childcare, and funeral costs. It can also serve as an inheritance.
Special Considerations	Post-heart attack or stroke victims can still obtain life insurance, though options may be limited based on the attack’s recency and recovery status. Specialist insurers often cater to such cases.
Additional Coverage	Policies may include terminal illness coverage, allowing early claims in case of terminal diagnoses. Critical illness cover is also available, offering payouts for specified non-life-threatening illnesses.
Support Services	Resources like the British Heart Foundation and NHS support individuals with heart conditions, helping them understand and manage their health.

Can Insurance Hero help me find a suitable insurer if I’ve previously been declined coverage?

Yes, Insurance Hero can help you find a suitable insurer even if you have been declined. We specialise in assisting individuals who may have previously faced rejection from insurers.

With the expertise of our specialist impaired team, we have the knowledge and experience to navigate the complexities of the heart conditions life insurance market and guide you towards finding an insurer that can meet your needs.

We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and we are committed to exploring all possible options to secure life insurance coverage for you, regardless of any previous rejections.

I have a heart condition. How do I save money on premiums?

To save money on your life insurance premiums, there are several factors to consider:

• Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: Insurers may view you more favourably if you lead a healthy lifestyle. Adopting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of heart conditions and other health issues. Taking care of your mental health is also crucial.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking is known to contribute to various heart-related problems and increases the risk of other medical conditions. Smokers with heart conditions can face significantly higher premiums compared to non-smokers. By quitting smoking, you can save a substantial amount on your premiums. Note that some insurers may still classify you as an ex-smoker and charge higher premiums until you have been smoke-free for a certain period, such as five years.
• Control Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can have detrimental effects on your heart health. Limiting your alcohol consumption or avoiding it altogether can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and potentially lead to lower premiums.
• Consider Your Age: Life insurance premiums increase as you age. Securing a policy at a younger age can help you obtain more affordable premiums. Waiting until you’re in your 70s or 80s, especially if you have a life-threatening condition like heart disease, may result in significantly higher premiums or even denial of coverage. If you’re over 50, an over-50 plan could be suitable, as acceptance is guaranteed despite any health issues.

Factors Affecting Life Insurance Post-Heart Attack:

Factor	Impact on Life Insurance
Time since the heart attack	A longer time elapsed may lower premiums
Number and severity of heart attacks	Multiple or severe attacks may increase premiums
Related medical conditions	Conditions like hypertension or diabetes can affect rates
Treatment and recovery status	Successful treatment or surgery can lead to more favourable rates

Types of Life Insurance for Heart Attack Survivors:

Insurance Type	Description
Term Life Insurance	Pays out a lump sum on death within the term
Decreasing Term Life Insurance	Cover decreases in line with mortgage repayments
Guaranteed Life Insurance	Provides cover for non-heart-related conditions immediately

Life Insurance Specialists For People With Heart Problems. Heart Disease Life Insurance. Quick Quote Form

How much life insurance do I need with a heart condition?

Several factors should be considered when determining the appropriate amount of life insurance for individuals with a heart condition.

Firstly, it is essential to calculate the financial needs of any dependents, such as children, based on the time until they achieve financial independence.

This may include childcare costs (e.g., part-time care), educational expenditures (uniforms, lunches, stationery), and potential contributions towards further education.

Additionally, it is important to consider the costs of funerals, as they can place a significant financial burden on families.

According to Legal & General, the average funeral cost in the UK is £4,450, with the overall cost of dying amounting to £9,200.

Since funeral costs have seen a 115% increase since 2005, it is crucial to factor these expenses into the amount of life insurance coverage one secures.

Furthermore, it is worth considering any potential lump sum cash gifts or inheritances that could contribute to the financial security of loved ones.

This could provide a more comfortable life for them or even allow a cash gift to be left for a chosen charity.

Moreover, these should be considered if an individual already possesses life insurance coverage, death-in-service benefits, or personal savings.

By including these existing sources of financial protection, the required sum assured for life insurance can be adjusted accordingly.

Determining the appropriate amount of life insurance for individuals with a heart condition requires a comprehensive evaluation of various factors, ensuring that dependents’ financial needs, potential funeral costs, potential inheritances, and existing financial protection are thoroughly considered.

Application Questions Post-Heart Attack:

Question
When was your heart attack?
How many heart attacks have you had?
Did you have any surgery after your heart attack?
Do you have any other related medical conditions?
Did you have any stents fitted?
Was your heart attack over six months ago?

Insurance for Heart Attack Sufferers and Heart Surgery Patients

Many people think experiencing a heart attack automatically prevents them from qualifying for life insurance. This is not true, especially if the attack occurred six months prior and no complications have arisen.

A heart attack sufferer who is a smoker should expect to pay at least double the premium that a non-smoker pays.

If the applicant has suffered from multiple heart attacks or has additional medical conditions, the individual may still qualify for cover at an increased premium.

People who have undergone heart surgery may also qualify for life insurance. Life insurance with heart condition coverage is available six months after an individual has successfully undergone angioplasty and stenting or aorta graft surgery for aortic swelling.

Heart Attack Statistics in the UK:

Statistic	Detail
The number of people in the UK who have had a heart attack	Approximately 1.35 million
Annual hospital admissions due to heart attacks	Around 95,000
Cardiac arrests outside of a hospital each year	More than 29,000

Bypass Surgery Considerations

For bypass surgery, heart valve replacement, and stroke patients, the cover is available one year from the procedure as long as complications do not exist.

What assistance can insurance companies provide to applicants who have undergone heart surgery?

Some insurance companies offer assistance to applicants who have undergone heart surgery. They may help people complete the required paperwork and remain in contact until a policy is finalised.

This support can be valuable in navigating the process of obtaining life insurance after heart surgery, ensuring that all necessary information is provided and the application is handled correctly.

How long should one wait before applying for life insurance after heart bypass surgery?

It is generally recommended to wait for a time to recover before applying for life insurance after heart bypass surgery.

While the specific duration is not specified, sufficient time for recovery and stabilisation of health is crucial before seeking coverage.

Consulting with medical professionals and insurance advisors can provide more detailed guidance based on individual circumstances.

What factors will the insurer consider when assessing the risk of providing life insurance after heart bypass surgery?

Insurers will consider several factors when assessing the risk of providing life insurance after heart bypass surgery.

These factors may include the type of heart condition, smoking history, weight (BMI), cholesterol, blood pressure levels, and family history of heart disease.

Insurance Buying Tips with conditions like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and heart disease

Life insurance with heart condition underwriting is based on dozens of rating factors. If an online quote website asks just a few questions and returns low premiums, be prepared to answer many more questions, some of which will pertain to heart problems.

Before processing a lengthy application, a website or agent can only provide a preliminary quote based on market knowledge and the brief medical history submitted.

To increase their chance of approval, people with heart conditions should deal with websites or agents representing multiple insurance companies offering life insurance with pre-existing conditions.

An individual with a treatable heart condition should attach a recent letter from a treating physician to the insurance application.

This should describe the medical history and current medications and include an assessment regarding the health outlook.

This gives the agent and underwriter an accurate picture of the medical situation.

Underwriters for life insurance with a heart condition focus on whether the condition is stable, improving, or worsening and whether applicants comply with medical recommendations.

Further FAQs

If I have a heart or circulatory condition, can I get financial support with critical illness cover?

Yes, heart disease patients and people with other complex medical records can get the same quality of critical illness cover, but at a slightly higher price.

I have congenital heart disease. Can I get a plan to cover my mortgage payments?

Yes, some of the most cost-effective life insurance providers offer specific cover for your mortgage principal. The right life insurance policy for you is called decreasing term cover.

I have high blood pressure and have been told I am at risk of a heart or circulatory disease. Could this invalidate my existing life insurance policy, as my personal circumstances have changed?

Yes, the insurer may refuse to pay out if you have broken the terms of your policy.

I have a history of cardiovascular disease, but now I am well. I got life insurance with a higher-than-usual premium several years ago; should I consider buying a policy from another provider?

Yes, if your risk factors have reduced, your pre-existing health condition may be able to be managed differently without a much higher premium.

If you still need life insurance, Insurance Hero provides objective professional advice on finding the right life cover.

If you have paid down your mortgage, we can provide objective, professional advice on reducing the amount of money you pay each month.

Research and External Resources:

• https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/living-cardiomyopathy/get-practical-support/life-insurance
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/recovery
• https://www.legalandgeneral.com/insurance/life-insurance/health/life-insurance-with-a-heart-condition