Life insurance for people with high cholesterol

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 28 million American adults have high cholesterol and a whopping 94 million are at risk for the ailment. While you may be aware of some of the consequences of high cholesterol on your health, it may also have an impact on your life insurance coverage. The insurance editorial team at StrongInsurance has a combined 47 years of insurance industry expertise and explains all you need to know about buying life insurance with high cholesterol.

Life insurance and high cholesterol

As part of the underwriting process for a life insurance policy, your life insurance company will usually need you to have a medical exam. The exam's goal is to assess your overall health, and it usually consists of a medical questionnaire to establish your medical history and a physical examination that includes a blood test. The blood test looks for a variety of diseases, including excessive cholesterol.

Your total cholesterol level is termed borderline if it is between 200 and 339 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). You have high cholesterol if your total cholesterol level is 240 mg/dL. High cholesterol can restrict blood flow, increasing your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. There are no signs of high cholesterol, but there are symptoms of disorders connected with high cholesterol.

How will high cholesterol impact my premiums?

When establishing your premium, even the greatest life insurance companies consider the possible risk of insuring you. If you are deemed a high risk, your life insurance premium will most likely be more than that of a lower-risk client. While a medical test is one component of the underwriting process, life insurance companies will also consider your age, medical history, and even your interests.

Insurance companies consider high cholesterol a risk factor since it puts you at risk for heart attacks and strokes, two of the top causes of mortality in the United States. You may be refused coverage if your cholesterol is especially high, is not well controlled with medication, or if you have other health conditions.

Can I lower my life insurance premium after I have my policy?

If you are able to lower your cholesterol levels, you may be able to request another medical exam from your life insurance provider. If the results of the exam are good, your premium may be reduced. You could also apply for a new life insurance policy, take a new medical exam, and replace your current policy with the newer, lower-premium coverage.

How to prepare for a life insurance medical exam

You can prepare for your life insurance medical exam in a variety of ways. If you know you'll be getting life insurance soon, set aside a day for your medical exam so you can prepare ahead of time. You can prepare for your exam by eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, abstaining from alcohol for a few days, and exercising. You may be requested to fast for at least six hours before your appointment in order to have your fasting blood levels checked. You might want to try scheduling your exam for the morning to aid with the fasting. The examiner will collect a blood sample and evaluate your blood pressure and pulse, as well as other health metrics such as your height, weight, and blood oxygen level, during the medical exam. You will be asked questions throughout the assessment, so bring your medical documents with you.

If you have high cholesterol and need life insurance rapidly, you might expect to pay a greater premium than if you have lower cholesterol. If you have time to lower your cholesterol levels before purchasing a policy, you may be able to get a better rate.

Will my life insurance application be declined for high cholesterol?

Potentially. Every life insurance company has its own rating system, and if your cholesterol is extremely high, uncontrolled by medicine, or you have other health conditions in addition to your high cholesterol, your coverage may be canceled.

If your application is turned down and you don't have time to lower your cholesterol before purchasing a policy, you might want to look into guaranteed issue life insurance, which is a sort of whole life insurance. Guaranteed issue life insurance does not require a medical exam or health check and, as the name implies, is guaranteed regardless of your health. However, these insurance typically have minimal coverage limits, expensive premiums, and may have minimum age limitations.