Category: High Risk
We all know that life insurance is essential, but getting a new policy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer can be difficult.
That’s because many companies won’t insure you or will charge you more based on your health history.
RiskQuoter helps you compare prostate cancer quotes from high-risk life insurance companies and finds the right policy for your situation.
Life insurance with prostate cancer is possible if you choose active surveillance.
Your entire PSA history is needed to get life insurance offers while in active surveillance (watch and wait).
Coverage Available | Age 45-59 | Age 60+ |
---|---|---|
Term | NO(1) | YES |
Universal | NO(1) | YES |
G. I. | YES | YES |
Accident | YES | YES |
PSA needs to be stable for 12 months for age 60 or older and 3-5 years for age 59 or younger.
Standard rates are available after a 12-month postpone period.
Note: Genetic testing such as the Oncotype DX GPS test may help.
Life insurance depends on your cancer history and treatment for prostate cancer survivors.
Life insurance is available in as little as three months after open radical prostatectomy or laparoscopic surgery if: [1]
Standard rates are possible, and Prudential may consider their non-smoker plus rate.
If you don’t meet the above, you have to wait 12 months to get life insurance. [2]
Prudential will consider preferred rates if you meet the above criteria, [4] and it’s been two [3] or more years since having a radical prostatectomy.
John Hancock will consider preferred rates ten years after radical prostatectomy.
Unfavorable factors that affect underwriting:
* Requires a five-year postponement [1]
Life insurance is available 12 months (sometimes sooner) after radiation therapy.
Underwriters want to see that the treatment works and that the cancer is in remission.
If you meet the above, some life insurers will consider “standard” rates or possibly a “non-smoker plus” rate.
We need your entire PSA and biopsy history (dates and level) from when it first became elevated until now.
Cancer recurrence requires a five-year postpone period.
Types of radiation treatment include:
A quick note about radiation – The type of treatment and dose of radiation doesn’t matter.
Underwriters are more interested in the outcome.
We’ll also need to know about prostate disorders such as BPH, prostatitis, and high-grade PIN.
Have you had any genomic testing completed? It’s important to let us know what test you had and what the result was, as it can help with underwriting.
Genomic prostate cancer tests include:
We’ll share these test results with companies to get coverage for you.
Life insurance underwriting is case by case as this is considered a more extensive cancer.
Minimum postpone periods follow radiation guidelines.
A radical with positive surgical margins is viewed more favorably than cancer that spreads beyond the prostate gland.
Underwriters need to know:
Let us know if you’ve had other health issues, such as heart disease, as they may impact underwriting.
With the above, we’ll be able to provide you with accurate life insurance quotes based on your medical history.
Have you been denied because of prostate cancer?
Many declines are due to working with the wrong life insurer, as only a few specialize in high-risk cases.
Here are some actual clients that we have helped.
Approved – Non-Smoker Plus rates
Approved – Standard Non-Tobacco rates plus a 3-year flat extra expense of $600 per every $100,000 of coverage.
Gleason 7 is the reason for the more expensive life insurance rate.
Approved – Standard Non-Tobacco rates.
For the active surveillance history, life insurers were concerned about the 0.5 increase in 6 months.
But, it was documented that he planned to start treatment should his PSA reach 6.
Approved – Standard Non-Tobacco rates.
For brachytherapy cases, underwriters focus on PSA levels after reaching your nadir (lowest level).
The following are the most common questions we receive.
You can get life insurance if you meet the criteria we described above.
Life insurance is available if you meet the active surveillance criteria described.
Prudential, Lincoln Financial Group, John Hancock, and Protective Life are some of the best insurance carriers.
For example, some companies specialize in radiation and active surveillance, while others specialize in radical prostatectomy.
Remember that only a few companies specialize in high-risk coverage. That’s why it’s crucial to work with us.
In the early years, life insurers prefer radical prostatectomy. Radiation and active surveillance receive similar offers as more time passes.
We found an excellent resource for understanding your diagnosis at the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
There’s never any pressure or obligation with our service.
We provide underwriting feedback from insurance carriers specializing in high-risk underwriting.
Please take a few minutes to submit your request.
Related Articles
[1] Prudential Financial, Inc. (2017) Prostate Cancer [PDF file]
[2] Lincoln National (2020) Prostate Cancer Life Insurance Application Result
[3] Prudential Financial, Inc. (2016) Good News for Clients Treated for Cancer [PDF file]
[4] John Hancock Insurance (2018) Field Underwriting Guide – Your Guide to Underwriting Impairments, Part II Pg. 23 [PDF file]
We take our responsibility seriously and will do whatever we can to make sure you end up with the best life insurance company based on your unique life insurance needs and situation.
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