Thanks to advancements in medical treatment and the standards for the modern insurance market becoming more inclusive, life insurance for HIV patients is available through some of the industry’s biggest providers. Despite the availability, coverage isn’t guaranteed due to elevated underwriting requirements for the ailment, so which insurer is the best for applicants who are HIV-positive?
Gain a better understanding of what type of insurance is best suited for HIV-positive applicants, the questions you will encounter related to your diagnosis and health concerns when applying for coverage.
If you’re interested in exploring final expense insurance options, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or use our free online quoting tool for personalized pricing estimates.
Key takeaways
- Even if you’re HIV-positive, some companies can provide life insurance coverage, such as Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, and Foresters Life Insurance.
- Expect a difficult underwriting process when applying for life insurance if you’re HIV-positive.
- Term life, guaranteed, and final expense insurance are options for people with HIV.
- Not every major insurance provider will consider HIV-positive applicants for final expense coverage.
Can You Get Life Insurance If You Have HIV?
Yes, if you or a loved one is HIV-positive, life insurance options are available. However, it’s important to note that the ailment will impact the underwriting process when applying for a policy.
While there are a few insurance providers that offer policies to HIV-positive applicants, they typically will not provide a policy until at least one year following your initial HIV diagnosis. They will also want to see at least six months of stable health and treatment before offering to extend your coverage.
Life Insurance Underwriting for HIV-Positive Applicants
If you’re living with HIV, additional paperwork will be required when applying for a policy, and insurance providers will want to know more details regarding your general health and well-being. Underwriting questions meant to detail your current treatment and health profile include:
- How long has it been since you were first diagnosed with HIV?
- Are you following antiretroviral therapy (ART) and for how long (following ART will increase your approval odds)?
- What is your viral load (if it has been undetectable for more than one year, this will increase your application approval odds)?
- What is your CD4 cell count (the higher the better; some companies have a minimum of 499 or higher for cell count to consider you for life insurance coverage)?
- Do you have any additional chronic conditions?
- Are you taking any additional medications?
Strict providers will deny coverage unless you can provide at least five years of stable health history and meet additional testing criteria. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you get approved for life insurance at an affordable rate.
Other Health Concerns That Can Affect Your Policy
On the note of evaluating current health status during the application process, other common health conditions can significantly impact your life insurance policy’s approval or rate. Some of those pre-existing conditions include:
- Alzheimer’s & Dementia
- Breathing Conditions (Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy & Managed Seizures
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Living in Assisted Living/Long-Term Care Facilities
- Mental Health Issues (Anxiety, Depression)
- Obesity
- Stroke
- Tobacco Use
- Terminal Illness
What’s the Best Type of Life Insurance for HIV Patients?
Regardless of health or condition, life insurance coverage is essential to preparing for future uncertainties and protecting your loved ones. It can be a useful resource for those with or without HIV to provide financial support for their loved ones following their passing.
Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance policies offer lifetime coverage and long-term cash value growth, designed for senior applicants. This type of insurance option is also generally a more cost-effective insurance option with comparatively relaxed medical requirements.
For HIV-positive applicants, this type of policy may be an advantageous one since it can offer guaranteed death benefits and does not expire—the only exception being that most whole life plans come with higher premiums than term life insurance policies.
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance plans protect policyholders for a set period. Due to most policies not guaranteeing death benefits and because of the limited time periods, this type of insurance may be better for young adults rather than seniors. However, for HIV-positive applicants on a budget, this option may be viable for them since term life policies are often less expensive with short-term costs than their whole life counterparts.
Guaranteed Life Insurance
In short, guaranteed life insurance policies are a type of final expense insurance plan that doesn’t consider an applicant’s medical conditions. However, providers may refer to this coverage as “guaranteed issue life insurance” or “guaranteed acceptance life insurance”.
Guaranteed life insurance policies can be a good option for HIV-positive applicants who may not qualify for traditional coverage due to health reasons. Coverage is restricted to those aged 45 or older. However, this type of insurance may be a viable option if you’re over 45 and can’t secure a policy, since acceptance is almost guaranteed.
Final Expense Life Insurance
Also known as burial insurance or funeral insurance, final expense insurance is a type of whole life insurance policy used to cover end-of-life costs. Most final expense coverage doesn’t require medical exams for applying and usually accepts applicants regardless of pre-existing health conditions. With that said, this type of insurance is generally considered the best option for seniors seeking coverage.
For HIV-positive applicants, because underwriting requirements here are generally much easier to meet, these policies can be beneficial if they struggle to qualify for other types of insurance.
For more information on how you can meet those requirements without hassle, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, and get your questions answered today.
The Best Whole Life Insurance Providers for People Living With HIV
Regardless of what type of coverage you apply for, life insurance for people living with HIV is a complex matter with myriad provider exclusions and higher premiums. With that said, take a look at some of the best whole life providers for those who are HIV-positive:
Whole Life Insurance Rates for Seniors
| Company |
Male 50y/o |
Male 60y/o |
Male 70y/o |
Female 50y/o |
Female 60y/o |
Female 70y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$31 |
$44 |
$75 |
$24 |
$33 |
$53 |
|
|
$34 |
$50 |
$70 |
$27 |
$40 |
$56 |
|
|
$34 |
$45 |
$79 |
$29 |
$35 |
$59 |
|
|
$37 |
$50 |
$75 |
$26 |
$37 |
$55 |
|
|
$31 |
$43 |
$70 |
$24 |
$33 |
$53 |
For $10K policies with non-smoking applicants with no pre-existing conditions.
To explore more burial insurance options, use Final Expense Benefits’ free online quoting tool for estimates from some of the top providers on the market today.
Final Thoughts
HIV-positive individuals, despite being refused by some, still have plenty of life insurance coverage. However, the insurer you apply to and what other health conditions you may have could affect your chances of getting approval for a policy. In general, we recommend seniors with HIV look to insurance providers such as Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, and Foresters Life Insurance when seeking a quality whole life insurance plan.
Final Expense Benefits is here to help you navigate through tough times, to assist you and your loved ones in making informed life insurance decisions under pressure. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a free consultation, check our free online quoting tool for a personalized pricing estimate or call us at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
FAQ
Can you get life insurance for HIV patients?
Yes—HIV-positive applicants can get life insurance coverage. However, not every provider offers life insurance coverage to those with HIV, and those that do offer policies will have stricter underwriting.
Which providers offer life insurance if I’m HIV-positive?
Not every insurer will offer life insurance for HIV-positive applicants. However, there are still some insurers on the market, such as Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, and Foresters Life Insurance, that offer policies for HIV-positive applicants.
What’s the best life insurance provider for HIV-positive people?
For HIV-positive individuals seeking life insurance coverage, it’s important to take into consideration numerous factors when seeking the best policy for you and your loved ones. In general, providers such as Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, and Foresters Life Insurance are considered solid options for HIV-positive applicants.
Is final expense insurance okay for HIV patients?
Yes—final expense insurance is okay for HIV-positive applicants as these types of policies typically have easier underwriting requirements.