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Steven Barratt

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High-Risk Life Insurance for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Published: April 26, 2024

Life’s journey is full of unpredictable twists, and health is where uncertainty often takes the stage. When formidable health hurdles, such as severe illnesses like cancer, make an entrance, their impact goes beyond the physical and emotional, seeping into financial territories. The expenses tied to medical treatments, continuous care, and lifestyle adaptations can mount up significantly. This is where pre-existing high-risk life insurance makes its entrance.

What is high-risk life insurance?

It is designed to be a safety blanket for those confronting health uncertainties, where most other insurance companies will not insure. It extends a financial lifeline for both the individuals treading this path and their cherished companions.

The importance of high-risk life insurance

When health obstacles such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension enter the scene, worries about financial stability can surge. Pre-existing high-risk life insurance can provide essential benefits in such circumstances:

  • Complete protection: High-risk life insurance offers specialised coverage matching your unique health situation. It guarantees that your medical bills and therapies are included, lessening the monetary stress on you and your loved ones.
  • Financial protection: Health challenges can lead to unforeseen medical expenses and income loss. Peace of mind is the gift that high-risk life insurance helps your family, assuring their financial stability in the event of your unexpected passing.
  • Budget-friendly payments: Don’t fret about the money implications due to health-related risks; high-risk life insurance can be crafted with affordable premiums, fitting into your financial plan.
  • Guaranteed payout: This ensures a payout to your beneficiaries upon your passing, providing them with financial stability during a challenging time.
  • Flexibility: These policies can be tailored to your specific needs, accommodating the unique requirements posed by health challenges.
  • Supplemental income: Some policies offer living benefits, allowing you to access a portion of the death benefit in the case of terminal illness, hence providing additional financial support.
  • Coverage accessibility: High-risk life insurance offers coverage when traditional policies might be limited or costly due to your health condition.
  • Tranquil assurance: With high-risk life insurance, your family’s financial security is safeguarded, allowing you to concentrate on your well-being and recuperation.

Ensuring a secure tomorrow for your loved ones

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Apart from high-risk life insurance the standard policies listed below offer excellent cover. They make sure your family is shielded, even when times get tough. They’re a solid way to keep your family’s financial future safe. So, let’s take a closer look at these options.

Over 50’s life insurance

Over 50’s life insurance  is designed to provide mature people with a way to secure their family’s financial future. This option offers:

  • Guaranteed acceptance: No medical exams are required, and acceptance is guaranteed.
  • Fixed premiums: Premiums remain consistent throughout the Policy, making it easy to budget.
  • Instant protection: This plan offers swift coverage with a lump sum payout to beneficiaries when the policyholder dies. The funds can assist with funeral costs or other financial requirements.
  • Tranquil assurance: Seniors gain a sense of tranquility, confident that their family will be financially safeguarded.

The Whole of Life Insurance

The Whole Of Life Insurance offers lifelong protection, making it an excellent choice for individuals with health challenges. It includes:

  • Lifetime coverage: The policy remains in force as long as premiums are paid, ensuring beneficiaries receive a payout upon the policyholder’s passing.
  • Cash value: Over time, the policy accumulates a cash value that can be borrowed against or withdrawn.
  • Estate planning: The Whole of Life insurance can help with estate planning, offering beneficiaries a tax-free lump sum to cover inheritance tax or other expenses.
  • Flexibility: Some policies allow adjusting coverage or premium payment schedules to fit changing financial needs.

Critical illness cover

Critical illness cover provides protection in the event of a severe health condition. It does not cover all illnesses but offers:

  • Guaranteed acceptance: Some companies will issue cover without the policy holder having a medical.
  • Financial support during illness: If the policyholder is diagnosed with a covered critical illness, the Policy pays out a lump sum that can be used to cover medical expenses or other financial needs.
  • Range of covered conditions: Critical illness cover typically includes a wide range of severe health conditions.
  • Additional peace of mind: Knowing that financial support is available in times of need can provide added peace of mind.
  • Standalone or add-on: Critical illness cover can be purchased as a standalone policy or added as a rider to a life insurance policy.

Family income benefit

This is the same as other insurance products in that it pays a tax free sum on death, however the sum is paid out over a period of time rather than just one cash lump sum. 

Family income benefit is often less expensive than other life insurances, which can be an important consideration if other forms of life insurance are too expensive. It offers:

  • Not just one payment: On going payments to your family for a set period
  • Standalone or add-on: Family income benefit can be used with Critical Illness cover or on its own.
  • Lower cost: Cheaper than most other life insurance policies

Some conditions eligible for high-risk life insurance

Living with a high-risk illness such as cancer can create uncertainty, but high-risk life insurance options offer a safety net for those facing health challenges. These options recognise the unique needs of individuals dealing with various medical conditions. Let’s explore just 10 from the many pre-exsiting medical conditions eligible for high-risk life insurance:

Cancer

Cancer, a collection of illnesses, involves abnormal cell growth and division. Tumours can develop in different body areas, infiltrating neighbouring tissues. Origins encompass genetic changes, exposure to cancer-causing substances, and lifestyle choices. The outcomes differ based on cancer type and stage, resulting in potential discomfort, tiredness, organ issues, and overall health decline.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer targets breast tissue cells. It emerges due to genetic changes, hormone imbalances, and lifestyle choices. Early detection and treatment increase survival rates. Aftermaths might involve changes in breast look, discomfort, tiredness, and emotional strain.

Crohn’s

Crohn’s disease, a chronic digestive tract inflammation, can lead to discomfort, diarrhoea, exhaustion, and weight reduction. Its origin involves an atypical immune reaction to gut bacteria in those with a genetic disposition.

HIV

HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, undermines the body’s safeguards, leaving it open to a range of illnesses. It spreads mainly through unsafe sexual contact, shared needles, and from a mother to her child during birth or breastfeeding. Effects include increased vulnerability to infections, fatigue, weight loss, and complications leading to AIDS.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, occurs when blood pressure against the walls of arteries remains persistently high. This can result from genetics, obesity, stress, and unhealthy habits. The consequences encompass a higher likelihood of heart disease, stroke, kidney issues, and vision complications.

IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) emerges as a prevalent digestive disorder, bringing symptoms such as belly discomfort, bloating, and shifts in bowel patterns. While its precise origin remains a mystery, it tends to be triggered by specific foods, stress, and hormonal changes. The results encompass physical unease, shifts in daily life, and emotional strain.

Lupus

Lupus, an autoimmune condition, involves the immune system targeting healthy tissues. Its origins stem from a blend of genetic predisposition and external triggers. Aftermaths encompass a spectrum, from achy joints, skin eruptions, and tiredness to potential organ engagement of greater intensity.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a neurological ailment, leads to the immune system targeting the shielding layer of nerve fibres. Its origins remain uncertain, although hereditary traits and environmental elements play roles. Aftermaths comprise compromised movement, muscle frailty, and challenges in cognitive functioning.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia, a form of blood cancer, initiates within the bone marrow and impacts blood cells. The precise trigger remains uncertain, though genetic alterations contribute. Effects encompass weariness, anemia, heightened susceptibility to infections, and bleeding tendencies.

Heart attack

During a heart attack, blood flow to the heart muscle is obstructed, often by a clot. Underlying factors involve coronary artery disease and the accumulation of plaque. Effects span chest discomfort, breathlessness, queasiness, and potentially severe complications if not managed promptly.

Choosing security with life insurance

Your next steps

Woman with thumb up

Securing high-risk life insurance when dealing with severe medical conditions requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the steps you should consider taking:

  • Research and understand your options: Research insurance companies specialising in high-risk cases. These companies have experience dealing with various medical conditions and can provide tailored coverage. Some may offer a price match guarantee.
  • Compile health documents: Include your medical records, encompassing diagnoses, treatments, and medications. Insurance companies will require this information to assess your risk accurately.
  • Undergo medical exams: Prepare for a possible medical examination. The results will impact your premium rates. 
  • Be honest and transparent: Provide accurate and detailed information about your medical condition and lifestyle. Transparency is essential to avoid coverage denials later.
  • Compare quotes: Obtain quotes from multiple insurers. Compare their rates, coverage, and terms to best fit your situation.
  • Review policy carefully: Review the policy terms, coverage limits, and any exclusions related to your medical condition.
  • Apply and follow up: Complete the application process accurately. Contact your broker or agent to ensure the application is processed smoothly.
  • Stay patient: High-risk insurance applications may take longer to process due to the need for thorough underwriting. Be patient during the evaluation period.

Conclusion

To sum up, understanding specialist life insurance, is important in today’s uncertain post covid world. Life is a journey of surprises, especially in health matters like cancer. According to Cancer Research UK 50% of people born after 1960 will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.

These unexpected turns don’t just affect us mentally and physically but can also put a strain on our finances. as dealing with medical treatments, ongoing care, and necessary lifestyle changes can come with a hefty price tag. This is where high-risk life insurance steps in and offers a protective shield that offers peace of mind and financial security for you and your loved ones.

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If you would like to learn more about locating low-cost funerals, low-cost headstones, natural burials, DIY funerals, free financial help from the Government and charities as well as bereavement support, then please visit Save Funeral Costs™

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SW Barratt
Founder: SW Barratt

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