Speak with an experienced advisor! If you’ve been declined for life insurance because of your Lupus, and want a quick quote, fill out the form to the side. The results will display immediately.
Getting declined for life insurance when you have Lupus is one more stress that you do not need. Fortunately, for many people who have this difficult to insure condition, getting declined may not be the final word in the matter.
Since Lupus is a higher risk case in the eyes of life insurance carriers, it can oftentimes be a difficult process to navigate, both for the client and the company. Because Lupus appears in several forms and affects people differently, getting approval can be unpredictable and subjective. Too often this process causes unnecessary stress and time, leading many Lupus clients to believe they are uninsurable.
The good news though is that getting declined does not mean you cannot get coverage elsewhere. If your Lupus is under control, you most likely used the wrong company and worked with an agent that was inexperienced in underwriting clients with Lupus. Since many factors play a role in getting life insurance coverage, every company will look at your risk differently. It is just a matter of finding the right experts to guide you through the process – which is why we’re here to help.
At Lupuslifeinsurance.com, we understand the seriousness of Lupus as a chronic, incurable medical condition. We work with Lupus clients on a daily basis and have successfully placed those who were previously declined for life insurance coverage. As a commitment to you, we’ve developed key relationships with life insurance carriers that have a track record of approving coverage at competitive rates.
If you’ve been declined for life insurance coverage with Lupus, here’s what you need to know before trying again.
Life Insurance Approval with Lupus
Getting approved for life insurance is possible for both Systemic and Discoid Lupus. Yet every case is considered unique and there are several factors that carriers consider. Typically, those who have a less severe type will have a higher chance at receiving coverage. However, since the death rate for people with Lupus is relatively low, many life insurance companies will insure people who have the disease.
The approval process, however, does vary depending on the type that you have and it’s severity. Understanding how the life insurance application process works with Lupus will be the first step in seeking coverage for the second time.
Systemic Lupus
This type of Lupus is the most prevalent and is considered the more severe of the two. Systemic Lupus (SLE) can affect almost any part of the body and tends to come and go over time. Typically SLE occurs in women during their childbearing years. Some of the more common symptoms include joint pain, fever, extreme fatigue, rashes, and ulcers. SLE is also known for more severe symptoms depending on which part of the body the disease is attacking.
If you have Systemic Lupus you can still be insured, but the rates will depend on the severity of the disease, the age of onset, and the response to treatment since diagnosis. The absolute best rate you can receive with SLE is Table 2. Remember, receiving coverage is also heavily dependent on which carrier you apply with since they all view Lupus differently.
Ways that you can disqualify for coverage with Systemic Lupus:
- You were age 20 or under during onset
- You are on disability
- You have neurologic or psychiatric involvement
- There is certain internal organ involvement, such as lungs, kidneys, cardiovascular, or CNS involvement
- You applied within 12 months of onset
Discoid Lupus
This kind of Lupus only affects the skin and causes a thick, red, and scaly rash on the face, neck, and scalp. Discoid Lupus (DLE) can cause scarring, pigment changes and hair loss in the scalp area. For some people with DLE, the rashes may never go away. In others, they may last for a few days or years, then go into remission and come back. Like SLE, this type is more common in women than men and occurs between the ages of 20 and 45 years old. For a small percentage of people affected by DLE, the condition will progress to Systemic Lupus.
If you have Discoid Lupus you have a good chance at getting insured, and the best rating you can receive is Standard. Receiving this rate is dependent on your lab results, which medications you take and how recent your diagnosis was.
The way you can disqualify for coverage with Discoid Lupus:
- If you take a high dose of oral steroids (more than 15mg per day) – DECLINE
Additional Factors to Consider
When you’re applying for a second or third time for life insurance coverage with Lupus, your number one priority is being as prepared as possible. During the application process, companies will be concerned with more than the condition and type of your Lupus, they’re going to want an overall picture of your health. Carriers will want to see that you’ve taken the proper steps in keeping your condition under control by living a healthy lifestyle.
To increase your chance for approval while keeping your premiums as low as possible, consider the following:
- Exercise regularly and participate in a healthy diet
- Keep your blood pressure low through a healthy lifestyle and/or medication
- Follow up with your doctor on a regular basis
- Always be proactive in managing your condition
- Stop smoking and limit your drinking
- Apply when your Lupus has been in remission for at least six months
- Regularly take your medication
- Be truthful in your condition so your agent can do the hard work for you
What Life Insurance Companies Are Looking For
The next critical step in applying for coverage again is being prepared for the questions that will be asked. As we mentioned, life insurance companies are concerned with how you’ve taken care of yourself and managed your Lupus, and providing detailed information is an excellent way to prove that.
In addition to submitting basic application information, the underwriters will ask specific questions about your Lupus and overall health.
These are some questions to be prepared for:
- When was the date of your initial Lupus diagnosis?
- What age were you?
- What type of Lupus have you been diagnosed with? (Systemic or Discoid)
- Has your condition progressed over time?
- What areas are affected? (e.g. skin, kidneys, blood vessels?)
- What kinds of treatment are you using?
- If you are taking prescription medication, what medication(s) and at what dosage?
- How has your body responded to treatments?
- Do you have any recent lab tests from the past 12 months?
- Has the condition disappeared completely? (if yes, date of last required treatment)
- If the condition has disappeared, has it relapsed? (if yes, provide dates, details, severity, and area)
- Do you have any underlying health concerns (e.g. cancer, etc.)
- Have you smoked cigarettes in the last 12 months?
In addition to having these questions answered, it’s best that you have contact information for your doctors and any copies of medical records. The more prepared you come to the call, the better job your underwriter can do. Having to apply for life insurance more than once is a time consuming and stressful process. By being as prepared as possible, you will increase your chance in receiving the coverage you and your family deserves.
How An Independent Agency Can Help
The final step in applying for life insurance after you’ve been declined is to work with an independent agent. Because there are so many different companies and having Lupus is a difficult to insure condition, it will be extremely time-consuming to call each one on your own.
The best and easiest way is to work with an independent agent who has access to dozens of top U.S. rated life insurance companies. Our agents at lupuslifeinsurance.com work specifically with Lupus clients and carriers who understand their needs. When you work with us, you are working with a professional team that has empathy for your situation and will advocate on your behalf to secure financial protection for you and your family. We have experiencing placing clients who have been declined in the past, ensuring that they receive the coverage they deserve.
To learn more about obtaining life insurance coverage with Lupus after you’ve been denied, simply fill out the form on this page. You are also welcome to contact us directly at info@lupuslifeinsurance.com or by phone at 877.574.9920 for a free no-commitment consultation.
