Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling of the tissue in your digestive tract, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, reduced appetite, weight loss, and malnutrition. People with Crohn’s disease are still eligible for life insurance, but there are specific factors that may affect the types of coverage you qualify for and the cost of your premiums. This article will help you understand how having Crohn’s disease affects your life insurance options, as well as the types of coverage that may be the right fit for your needs.
How Having Crohn’s Disease Affects Life Insurance Rates
Crohn's disease can have an impact on your life insurance rates due to its chronic nature and potential complications. Insurers will consider factors such as the severity of the condition, frequency of flare-ups, medications, and overall health history when determining your premiums. Just as with other pre-existing conditions, if your Crohn’s disease is mild and you can demonstrate that it is well-managed, you’re more likely to be assigned favorable rates and have more types of coverage available to you. However, if you have frequent flare-ups or ongoing complications, or if your condition is not being sufficiently treated or managed, you may be quoted for higher rates or be excluded from certain types of coverage.
Life Insurance Options for People with Crohn’s Disease
There are a variety of life insurance options available for people with Crohn’s disease, with the right fit for your needs, depending on your unique circumstances. If your condition is mild and well-controlled with medication or other treatment, you’ll typically be able to qualify for traditional term life insurance or permanent life insurance. Term life insurance is a popular option due to its affordability and flexibility, as you only purchase as much coverage as you need. Permanent life insurance, on the other hand, provides protection for your entire lifetime and often comes with a cash value component that accumulates over time.
If your Crohn’s disease is not well-managed or has resulted in additional health challenges or complications, it may be beneficial to explore coverage options outside of traditional life insurance, like final expense insurance. Final expense insurance policies can be a good fit for people with pre-existing conditions like Crohn’s disease because they typically have limited or no medical underwriting requirements. These policies include:
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: If you’re between the ages of 45-85, you can’t be denied guaranteed issue life insurance. You also will not need to undergo a medical exam or answer questions about your health status or history.
Simplified Issue Life Insurance: While coverage through simplified issue life insurance isn’t guaranteed, it can still be a good fit for people with pre-existing conditions because it only requires a brief health questionnaire rather than a full life insurance medical exam.
Critical Illness Life Insurance: Critical illness life insurance offers protection in the form of a lump sum payment if the policyholder is diagnosed with a serious illness covered by the policy. This typically includes illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, and organ failure. This type of coverage can be a good option for people who are at risk of future health complications due to their Crohn’s disease.
SelectQuote Can Help Crohn’s Disease Patients Find the Coverage They Need
Working with SelectQuote can make it easier for people with Crohn’s disease to navigate decisions about life insurance. We have nearly 40 years of experience helping people with all kinds of needs and health-related circumstances find the right coverage for their loved ones. We work on your behalf, not the carriers, so you can feel assured that we always have your best interests in mind.
