Can I Get Life Insurance After a Heart Attack?
Surviving a heart attack is an eye-opening and frightening experience. And it’s typical for survivors to wonder, “Can I get life insurance after a heart attack?”
The short answer is yes, it is possible to get life insurance after a heart attack.
There are two common types of life insurance, each suited for different stages of life or levels of risk tolerance.
- Term life insurance is purchased to provide coverage for a specific period of time. This type of coverage may be used in the event of your death to help cover needs like paying mortgage payments or other debts, providing an emergency fund, or helping pay for a child’s education.
- Permanent life insurance, such as a whole life insurance policy helps provide protection that lasts a lifetime or for the life of the policy. It may be used to help cover long-term needs, such as paying for final expenses and other debts, or providing financial support for your family. Whole life can be a popular policy for those whose primary concern is covering funeral costs.
If you apply for a term life policy after suffering a heart attack, you may expect to undergo more scrutiny from the insurance company and could be offered less coverage for higher rates; they may decline to offer coverage. Also, you may not be able to secure some of the policy options available to someone in good health.
A more likely life insurance option following a heart attack is a guaranteed whole life policy, which does not require a medical exam and is usually available to anyone age 45-85. Typically, you can expect to pay more for less coverage due to the higher risk associated with your health issues.
Several factors determine the type of coverage you might qualify for, including your age and how long it’s been since you had a heart attack. The severity of the heart attack is also important. The more severe the heart attack, the more difficult it may be to get insurance.
Compounding health issues, like diabetes or other diseases, can add another level of difficultly when trying to secure coverage and can make it more expensive. The fewer health issues you have, typically the better your chances of getting coverage.
However, if you’re asking, “Can I get life insurance after a heart attack?” there are steps you can take to help reduce the cost of coverage. These steps include closely following your doctor’s post-surgery treatment guidelines, adopting healthy habits in diet and exercise, and eliminating unhealthy habits like smoking.
So the answer to the question “Can I get life insurance after a heart attack?” is yes, it is possible. Find more information here about life insurance options and which policy may be best for you.
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