Are you a serious athlete, you might have a condition known as athlete’s heart. This is when your heart becomes enlarged because it has adapted to your intense training.
While an athlete’s heart doesn’t cause any health problems, it could pose a problem when applying for life insurance because this condition makes it look like you might have heart problems.
To get prepared for your application and to avoid unnecessary issues because of your condition, be sure to review our guide to insurance underwriting for an athlete’s heart.
Researching your life insurance options can be draining. There are so many companies out there willing to sell you a policy without explaining the ins and outs. And many want to give you a quick cheap quote and then charge you way more once it’s approved.
Our goal is to give you information that provides you with insight into details to seek out when it comes time for you to apply. Life insurance is an investment, but with us, we can make it a GREAT investment.
Nothing should keep you from getting the life insurance that your loved ones need. Even if you’ve been rejected in the past, don’t assume that you can’t get a quality and affordable insurance policy.
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Life Insurance Underwriting With Athlete’s Heart
If you make it known that you have an enlarged heart, then the agent you talk with is going to have questions about the condition to see whether it’s an athlete’s heart or a more serious problem.
You’ll need to answer:
- What date was your athlete’s heart diagnosed?
- Have you ever had problems like chest discomfort, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest palpitations?
- Have you ever taken cardiac tests like a measured exercise treadmill or an electrocardiogram? If yes, were the results normal or abnormal?
- Did you have any other problems with your heart?
- Do you use tobacco, or have a family history of heart disease?
- On any prescriptions?
Be sure to answer all the questions on your application in as much detail as possible. This is your chance to show that you have an athlete’s heart and not a more serious problem.
Life Insurance Quotes With Athlete’s Heart
When insurance companies receive your insurance application, they will want to learn more about your condition. You may need to take an electrocardiogram and/or a stress test to complete your application.
If the tests show that you are in good health and just have an athlete’s heart, this condition won’t be a problem for your rating. It may actually help your rating because it shows you are in good shape.
If the insurance companies find other heart problems, it will hurt your rating. Based on what we know here are some predictions on what could be your rating.
Preferred Plus: You could get this rating if the application tests show that you only have an athlete’s heart and you have no symptoms of heart disease (dizziness, chest discomfort, etc.) You should also be in near perfect health and have no family history of heart disease.
Preferred: Also possible if the tests show you only have an athlete’s heart. This rating is a bit easier to get and is more likely for applicants in good health who have an athlete’s heart.
Standard: The most likely rating for applicants with an athlete’s heart and no other health problems. Insurance companies will give you this rating if you have some minor health problems like slightly high blood pressure or cholesterol along with your athlete’s heart.
Table Rating (Substandard): You would get a table-rated policy if you are showing signs of heart problems along with your athlete’s heart.
You could also get a rated policy if you have other risk factors for heart disease like very high cholesterol or a family history of serious heart problems. Your rating would depend on how serious your symptoms of heart problems are as well as your overall health.
Declines: If the tests for an athlete’s heart actually show you have serious heart disease or heart failure, your application will be declined.
Your application could also be declined if you are showing symptoms of heart problems and you refuse to take any additional medical tests for underwriting.
This does not mean you cannot get insured. We may be able to get you a reasonable rate with a no exam life insurance policy or even a guaranteed issue policy if necessary.
Athlete’s Heart Insurance Case Studies
A good application can help your chances of getting a good rating.
We’ll go over some situations that can help:
Case Study #1: Thirty-five year old male with Athlete’s heart at 30, no heart problems, and in near perfect health
This applicant was in great health and was an active rower. Because of his training, he ended up with an athlete’s heart. He was quoted an expensive premium when he applied at first, which didn’t make sense considering this applicant’s great health.
We thought this was because the insurance company didn’t realize the applicant had an athlete’s heart and rated him as someone with heart problems.
We recommended getting a note verifying his condition. With this new information, the client reapplied and received a discounted Preferred policy.
Case Study #2: Forty-six year old female with Athlete’s heart at 36, used to have high blood cholesterol, treated the problem with lipids
This applicant was generally in good health and was a serious athlete. However, despite all her exercise, she was surprised to find out in her forties that she had high cholesterol. This turned out to be because of a family predisposition.
She tried applying for life insurance with high cholesterol and couldn’t get a good rating. The risk of cholesterol plus the possibility of heart problems from her athlete’s heart was too much of a risk for insurance companies.
After she treated her cholesterol with lipids, we recommended she try applying again. We also referred her to a company that regularly deals with athlete’s heart. When she tried again this time, she received a more appropriate Standard rating.
Every insurance company is different, and all of them are going to offer you different rates. Some insurance companies are going to offer you affordable rates while others are going to automatically decline you because of your health.
Every insurance company has different medical underwriting or rating systems that they use. That means your rates are going to vary widely depending on the company that you use.
There are a couple of things that you can do that will save you money on your life insurance rates, even if you have a severe health complication.
These suggestions will help you in the long run and also save you some money. We always tell people to quit or don’t start using tobacco as your rates could be double what is normally charged.
Definitely our top tip, compare, compare, compare! There are two ways of doing this. Spending your evenings and weekends calling every company you find on Google, or you can look for a non-tradition insurance agency.
These people can give you one quote that shows many different companies competing for your application.
We have experience dealing with life insurance applicants with various health complications. We work with high-risk clients and our goal is to find the perfect plan to benefit your family.
Don’t let your athlete’s heart get in the way of the insurance rating you deserve. With a little planning, you should get a decent rating.
What to Do If You’re Denied Life Insurance with Athlete’s Heart
- No Medical Exam Life Insurance: Consider policies that don’t require a medical examination, making them suitable for individuals with health issues.
- Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: Explore policies that guarantee acceptance regardless of health conditions or age.
- Workplace Life Insurance: Check if your employer offers group life insurance with lenient underwriting standards.
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: Consider AD&D policies that pay out for accidents, regardless of your health.
- Final Expense Insurance: Look into policies designed for end-of-life expenses with simplified underwriting.
- Consult an Independent Agent: Seek guidance from an independent insurance agent who specializes in high-risk cases.
- Reapply for Traditional Life Insurance: If your health has improved or time has passed since your denial, consider reapplying.
- Explore Multiple Options: Different insurers may have varying underwriting standards, so explore multiple options with expert guidance.
Final Thoughts on Life Insurance With Athlete’s Heart
If you’ve faced challenges obtaining traditional life insurance due to health concerns like an athlete’s heart, don’t lose hope. There are several alternative avenues to secure financial protection for your loved ones.
Consider no medical exam, guaranteed issue, or workplace insurance policies, especially if you have pre-existing conditions. Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and final expense insurance can also provide peace of mind.
Consulting an independent insurance agent experienced in high-risk cases can be invaluable. If your health improves or time passes, reapplying for traditional life insurance may become an option.
Exploring various insurers with expert guidance ensures you find the right coverage despite health-related obstacles.
