Life Insurance Approval With Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Recently I had a female who was inquiring about obtaining life insurance.

She initially had researched guaranteed acceptance life policies because she was fearful that she would get denied.

She had been diagnosed with epilepsy at a very young age and because of it experienced several seizures along the way.

Her epilepsy is now controlled as she hasn’t experienced a seizure in well over five years.

It was reassuring to her knowing this as she does have controlled epilepsy that getting approved for a term life insurance policy should not be an issue.

Many people who suffer from high-risk conditions such as epilepsy or seizures believe that they’ll never get approved for life insurance, but that’s totally not the case.

In fact, even with pre-existing conditions like epilepsy, there are still plenty of affordable life insurance options.

Don’t automatically assume that you have to go with a no-exam policy or guaranteed policy. Both of these are fine options, but they are going to cost you much more every month.

There are several insurance companies that will approve you especially if the epilepsy is controlled.

What Are Insurance Companies Looking For Regarding Epilepsy?

As I told the client, as I tell anyone who is applying for life insurance, it’s better to be upfront and transparent with your entire health history. When you have a high-risk condition like epilepsy that holds true even more.

When applying for life insurance and having a condition such as epilepsy here is some of the information that the underwriters are going to want to know:

1. Date of diagnosis. Typically the month and year.

2. Condition degree. Is your epilepsy mild, moderate, or severe?

3. Have you ever been treated for your condition?

4. Have you had to have a neurological evaluation because of your condition?

5. What type of seizures do you have? This ranges from Petit Mal, Grand Mal, myoclonic, atonic, simple partial, complex partial, febrile, reflex, or nocturnal.

6. They want to know your last seizure dates.

7. The number of seizures per year.

8. Has your seizure lasted longer than 30 minutes?

Typically if the type of seizure that you’re having is myoclonic, Petite Mal, or absence and your last seizures was over two years ago, there are several insurance companies that will offer you a standard rate.

If the seizures are more recent, two years or less, and so long as you don’t have any other health conditions you may be able to qualify at a standard table two or table four.

Note: Anytime you go up a table rating, table two, three, or four, expect a 25% increase on your insurance premium.

With the other types of seizures it really just depends on how controlled they are. With my client who applied since she was in the greater than five-year window qualifying for a standard policy was rather simple.

If you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder don’t think that you can’t get approved for life insurance. If you already have been approved for insurance it might be worth investigating to see if you can get a cheaper rate from another insurance company that specializes in writing epileptic individuals.

What Life Insurance Companies Look For in Epileptics

It’s not so much the actual seizures that life insurance companies fear when underwriting a client with epilepsy. It’s accidents that could occur as a direct result of a seizure. They will look at the severity and frequency of your seizures.

If it has been several years since your last episode, this may also give you an incentive to revisit your current life insurance rate.

If you have epilepsy and are looking for an affordable life insurance policy, contact our office today and speak with one of our life insurance specialists that can help you today.

What Else Will the Life Insurance Company Look At?

Aside from all of the details regarding your epilepsy, the insurance company is also going to look at your general health and see what condition you are in.

After you complete the paperwork for your policy, the insurance company will require a health exam (unless you choose a no-medical exam policy).

They will want to know your blood pressure, heart rate, and weight, and they will also take a blood and urine sample to test for any chronic or hidden conditions.

Getting Lower Rates

Because the insurance company weighs the risk based on your health, improving your health can drastically lower your rates. Before you apply for a life insurance policy, spend some time focusing on your health.

Aside from following your doctor’s orders for managing your epilepsy, we are going to give you some techniques for saving money.

Losing any extra weight can work wonders on your health and your life insurance rates. Losing weight will help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of having other severe health complications later in life.

Being overweight drastically increases your chances of becoming diabetic or having cardiovascular problems. The higher your chances of having problems, the more risk you are to the insurance company to insure you, and the higher your premiums.

Additionally, kicking bad habits like smoking is an excellent way to save money every month. Being classified as a smoker on your life insurance applications will make your premiums double or even triple in some cases.

The one tip which we give to every applicant is to do some shopping around. You should always take the time to compare dozens of different companies that you can choose from.

Each company is different and they will all view your applications differently. It’s important that you find a company that is going to view your epilepsy more favorably.

Unlike company agents, our independent agents don’t work for one specific insurance company, instead, they represent some of the highest-rated companies across the country.

Working with one of our agents like working with 50 companies all at once. There is no quicker way to find the cheapest life insurance.

Life Insurance, Don’t Wait

Life insurance isn’t one of the most fun purchasing decisions that you can make. Nobody wants to think about their death and what would happen to their family, but not planning ahead can have dire consequences. 

Think about how many additional unpaid expenses your family would be responsible for, it’s probably a staggering number. This is why life insurance is so important.

These policies give your loved ones the money they need to pay off all of your debt if something tragic happens to you. Losing a family member is difficult enough, don’t add any additional strain by putting your loved ones under a mountain of debt with no way to get out.

You never know what is going to happen to you tomorrow, but you can always plan for the worst. Every year we hear countless stories of families that lost someone unexpectedly, and while going through the pain of death, they are also put under significant financial stress.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to get the protection that you and your family deserve.

Managing Epilepsy and Securing Life Insurance

Medical Management: Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your epilepsy effectively. Consistently follow your prescribed treatment plan, take medications as directed, and attend regular check-ups. Demonstrating a commitment to managing your condition can reassure insurance underwriters.

Seizure Control: Aim for better control of your seizures. If you’ve experienced fewer or no seizures in the past two years, you may qualify for standard or near-standard life insurance rates. Adhering to your treatment plan and making lifestyle modifications recommended by your healthcare provider can contribute to better seizure control.

Lifestyle Changes: Consider adopting a healthier lifestyle. Losing excess weight, maintaining regular exercise, and managing stress can positively impact your overall health and, subsequently, your life insurance rates. A healthier lifestyle can reduce the risk of complications associated with epilepsy.

Quit Smoking: If you’re a smoker, quitting can significantly reduce your life insurance premiums. Smoking is a risk factor for many health conditions, and it elevates the cost of life insurance. Make the effort to quit smoking, and your premiums may decrease over time.

Regular Check-ups: Attend regular check-ups with your healthcare provider and neurologist. Documenting your health status and treatment adherence can provide valuable evidence of your commitment to managing epilepsy.

Final Thoughts on Life Insurance Approval With Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Securing life insurance with epilepsy is not an impossible feat. While epilepsy may present challenges, individuals can navigate the process successfully with the right approach.

Being upfront about your health history, especially the details of your epilepsy, is crucial when applying for life insurance.

Insurance companies will consider factors such as the date of diagnosis, the degree of your condition’s severity, treatments received, neurological evaluations, seizure types, seizure frequency, and the time since your last seizure.

While epilepsy may lead to higher premiums, especially if seizures are recent or frequent, there are strategies to improve your chances.

Managing epilepsy effectively through medical care, adhering to treatment plans, achieving better seizure control, adopting a healthier lifestyle, and quitting smoking can positively impact your life insurance rates.

Additionally, seeking quotes from different insurers and working with independent agents can help you find the most competitive rates.