High Blood Pressure and Life Insurance: What You Need to Know

High blood pressure is a concern for about 1 in 3 Americans. If you have this condition and want life insurance, it’s important to understand how insurance companies evaluate it to find the best policy for you.

When someone applies for life insurance, the insurance company needs to evaluate their risk and eligibility. This is called underwriting. To do this, the company reviews information such as the person’s medical history, lifestyle, occupation, and other factors that could affect their life expectancy. Based on this information, the underwriter decides whether to approve or reject the application and determines the premium and coverage amount for the policy.

However, having high blood pressure doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for life insurance. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through how life insurance companies assess high blood pressure, the factors they consider, and how you can still get approved for life insurance with this condition.

Why Do Insurance Companies Care About High Blood Pressure?

Life insurance companies take high blood pressure seriously because it significantly increases the risk of complications such as heart disease and stroke. These complications can lead to premature death, which is the event that life insurance policies are designed to cover. Therefore, individuals with high blood pressure are often seen as a greater risk to insure. Insurance companies are in the business of managing risk, and the more risk they take on by insuring someone with high blood pressure, the higher the premiums they will charge.

Underwriting High Blood Pressure

During the application process for life insurance, the insurance company will evaluate various factors to assess your overall health and determine the risk you pose as an insured individual. This evaluation process is known as underwriting. The factors that will be considered include your age, gender, family medical history, occupation, lifestyle habits, and any other health conditions you may have. The goal is to gauge your likelihood of passing away during the policy term.

Once you have been evaluated, the insurance company will categorize you into a specific rate class. These rate classes, also known as risk classes, determine the cost of your life insurance policy. The most common risk classifications fall into three groups: preferred, standard, and substandard. Preferred classes are reserved for the healthiest individuals and offer the best pricing, while substandard classes are for high-risk individuals who may have to pay a higher premium. Tobacco users have their own standard and preferred classes.

Can I Get Life Insurance With High Blood Pressure?

The good news is that you can still obtain life insurance if you have high blood pressure. The risk class you qualify for will depend on how well you manage your condition, along with other personal factors. It’s important to note that life insurance underwriters don’t just consider your high blood pressure; they also take into account your age, gender, family medical history, other health conditions you may have, and lifestyle habits like alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

To give you a clearer understanding of how high blood pressure can affect your ability to get life insurance and the cost of your policy, let’s look at some real-life case studies.

Case Study #1: Preferred Plus Rating

In this case study, Jennifer is a healthy 52-year-old teacher who applied for a 15-year term policy with $250,000 in coverage. During her insurance exam, her blood pressure was high at 160/95 due to a recent cold and medication. However, follow-up measurements with her doctor showed a normal blood pressure of 120/80, which is consistent with previous measurements. As a result, she can qualify for Preferred Plus ratings and pay monthly premiums as low as $22.41.

Based on the insurance company’s recent history of applications the following are possible (not guaranteed) outcomes:

• $2,000,000 in maximum coverage available for No Exam Life Insurance
• 72% probability of qualifying for a fluidless (no blood or urine) application process.
• 2 days on average to approve (52% instantly)
• 26% of policies issued at a higher cost than applied for

A key takeaway is that Jennifer was able to get the best rating and the lowest premium from the insurance company. She also had a high chance of getting a no exam policy and a fast approval.

Case Study #2: Standard Rating

David is a 60-year-old accountant who has been diagnosed with hypertension for the past 8 years. He would like to have a ten-year term life insurance policy. During his life insurance medical exam, his blood pressure was measured at 158/96. However, after checking his medical records, it was found that these readings were in line with previous doctor visits. Although he has occasionally missed his medication doses, he has never drank or been treated for any other medical conditions. As a result, he can qualify for Standard ratings and pay monthly premiums as low as $94.24 per month.

• $2,000,000 in maximum coverage available for No Exam Life Insurance
• 32% probability of qualifying for a fluidless (no blood or urine) application process.
• 22 days on average to approve (52% instantly)
• 0% of policies issued at a higher cost than applied for

Note that standard and higher ratings usually do take longer to complete because they require more review. However, an experienced insurance agent can help you through the process. If you’ve read enough and you’re ready to get started with your application, click here.

Case Study #3: Standard Rating

Janice is a 30-year-old nurse, and she would like to buy a $300,000 twenty-year term life insurance policy. She is moderately overweight and uses an inhaler for asthma about four times per week. Additionally, she had surgery in the past to remove her tonsils due to recurrent infections. Her average blood pressure is 130/90. Even though she has other medical conditions she still can qualify for a standard rating and pay monthly premiums as low as $20.01.

• $1,500,000 in maximum coverage available for No Exam Life Insurance
• 90% probability of qualifying for a fluidless (no blood or urine) application process
• 3 days on average to approve (50% instantly)
• 17% of policies issued at a higher cost than applied for

A key takeaway for Janice is that she also was able to get a good rating and a low premium. Two factors that helped her get a lower premium were her age and gender. When you are younger life insurance is cheaper. And generally, women have a longer life expectancy than men. However, her application stood a better chance of taking a little longer for approval because of her recent surgery. Plus, she also faced a risk of paying more than she expected if the underwriter found other factors that increased her risk.

Case Study #4: Declined for Traditional Life Insurance

Morgan is a 63-year-old construction worker who drinks four to six beers every day. He rarely visits a doctor, but his exam notes show that he has a history of diabetes and heart attack. His blood pressure is 156/95. He would likely be rejected for traditional life insurance but may be eligible for guaranteed-issue life insurance.

Guaranteed life insurance policies are usually whole life policies and have some restrictions on how the death benefit is paid. For example, the benefit would only be paid after two years of the individual owning the policy. If they die within those two years, there is only a refund of premiums paid. Guaranteed life insurance policies are usually lower amounts from $5,000 to $25,000 in death benefit. The cost range for Morgan would be between $39 and $192 per month.

These case studies illustrate how high blood pressure can affect both your ability to get life insurance and the cost of your policy. However, it’s important to note that individual circumstances can vary, and the rates shown are for illustrative purposes only.

How to Obtain Life Insurance With High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure and are looking to obtain life insurance, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of approval and secure the most affordable rates.

Step 1: Manage Your High Blood Pressure

The first and most crucial step is to effectively manage your high blood pressure. This includes following your doctor’s treatment plan, taking medication as prescribed, and making lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress levels, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol consumption. By demonstrating that you are actively managing your condition, you can present yourself as a lower risk to insurance companies.

Step 2: Organize Your Medical History

Insurance companies will require access to your medical records to assess your health and determine your insurability. You don’t have to get the medical records, the insurance company will do that for you at no cost. Interestingly, the insurance company pays your doctor for taking the time to send your records. So if you have to contact your doctor to clarify any information, you should not be charged for that.

All you need to do is get your doctors full name, address phone and fax number to provide to the insurance company. When you complete the application, indicate what your recent blood pressure readings have been. Plus, what has been your medication history. Be sure to include all medication, not just blood pressure medications. A month to one year history is good. Having these records readily available will streamline the underwriting process and help the insurance company make an accurate assessment.

Along with your medical history, a few other pieces of information you will likely be asked about are your driving record, occupation, travel history and travel intentions. As an extreme example, if you are a stunt pilot that has speeding tickets for going over a hundred and you intend on traveling to a war zone for your next adventure, you’ll likely be declined coverage. But seriously, if you have travel plans in mind, you can check the United State Department of State’s Travel Advisory to check the safety of your travel destination.

Step 3: Work with an Experienced Insurance Agent

Navigating the life insurance application process can be complex, especially when you have a pre-existing medical condition like high blood pressure. Working with an experienced insurance agent who specializes in high-risk cases can greatly increase your chances of finding a life insurance policy that fits your needs. An experienced insurance agent has access to multiple insurance companies and can help you find the one that offers the most favorable rates for individuals with high blood pressure.

Advice4LifeInsurance has been helping clients find the best life insurance at the lowest rates for more than 30 years. If you’d like to learn more about us, click here.

Step 4: Be Transparent in Your Application

When completing the life insurance application, it’s crucial to be transparent and provide accurate information regarding your high blood pressure and any other relevant health conditions. Failing to disclose this information can lead to a denial of coverage or even the cancellation of your policy in the future. Honesty is key when it comes to obtaining life insurance with high blood pressure.

Step 5: Consider No Exam Life Insurance Options

Certain insurance companies offer no exam life insurance policies, which can be a viable option for individuals with high blood pressure. These policies typically have a simplified underwriting process and do not require a medical exam. Instead, applicants answer a series of health-related questions to determine their eligibility. While these policies may have higher premiums, they can be a good choice for individuals who want to avoid the hassle of a medical exam.

Step 6: Shop Around and Compare Quotes

Insurance rates can vary significantly among different companies, so it’s important to work with an experienced insurance agent who can help you compare quotes from multiple insurers. Each company has its own underwriting guidelines and may rate high blood pressure differently. By obtaining quotes from various insurers, you can ensure you’re getting the most competitive rates available to you.

FYI, the quote you usually get initially online may be different than the price you end up getting. The reason is most online quote systems only consider general rates. They do not take into account your specific situation.

Best companies for life insurance if you have high blood pressure

We used industry data, pricing from our carrier partners, and third-party ratings like A.M. Best to pick the best insurers on the market. Our independent recommendations will help you get life insurance coverage with confidence. The following information is based on recent application experience. It is subject to change. It also is not a guarantee of acceptance. Each person is given individual consideration.

• Best overall: Legal & General (Banner Life Insurance)
  • $1,500,000 in maximum coverage available for Instant Issue
  • 90% probability of qualifying for a fluidless (no blood or urine) process.
  • 3 days on average to approve (50% instantly)
  • 17% of policies issued at a higher cost than applied for
• Best term life insurance: Corebridge Financial
  • $1,000,000 in maximum coverage available for No Exam Life Insurance
  • 40% probability of qualifying for a fluidless (no blood or urine) process
  • 28 days on average to approve with No Exam Life Insurance process
  • 35% of policies issued at a higher cost than applied for
• Best no-medical-exam life insurance: Ameritas
  • $2,000,000 in maximum coverage available for Instant Issue
  • 72% probability of qualifying for a fluidless (no blood or urine) process
  • 2 days on average to approve (52% instantly)
  • 26% of policies issued at a higher cost than applied for

Conclusion

While having high blood pressure may impact your life insurance rates, it doesn’t mean you can’t obtain coverage. By effectively managing your condition, being transparent in your application, and working with an experienced life insurance agent, you can increase your chances of getting approved for life insurance with high blood pressure. Remember compare quotes and choose a policy that best fits your needs and budget. With proper planning and consideration, you can secure the life insurance coverage you need to protect your loved ones and provide financial security for the future.