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Life Insurance and Sleep Apnea

Licensed Life Insurance Agent/Marketing Manager
March 31, 2020

It is possible that having sleep apnea can affect life insurance. Sleep apnea can determine whether you qualify for life insurance and how much you will pay. 

This article will go over four main topics:

  1. Can you get life insurance if you have sleep apnea?
  2. What rate class can you qualify for with sleep apnea?
  3. What is the process of applying for life insurance with sleep apnea?
  4. What do I do if I have been declined coverage due to sleep apnea? 

Can you get life insurance with sleep apnea?

The quick answer is, yes, life insurance carriers will approve clients that have sleep apnea.

If you have sleep apnea, the life insurance company may ask you questions such as:

  • when you were diagnosed 
  • what type of treatment you receive 
  • what type of sleep apnea you have 
  • has your sleep apnea condition improved, remained the same, or degraded

The life insurance company will ask a variety of questions to learn about your specific circumstances, health and your lifestyle. They will use this information to help determine if you qualify for life insurance and how much you will pay. 

How much does life insurance with sleep apnea cost?

Life insurance companies use what they call a rate class to determine how much you will pay for life insurance.

Rate classes are based on a combination of age, health, gender, lifestyle and many other factors. Rate classes vary by life insurance company and it is up to their discretion which tier they put you in. This means that some companies may have higher rates for sleep apena than others.

It is important to shop around to find the best companies and rates for those with sleep apnea. A life insurance agent can also help you navigate this process and sift through the companies and policies for you. They can provide you with quotes from multiple companies so you can find the right policy for you.

If you don't currently have a life insurance agent, feel free to give us a call. We can help guide you in the right direction and provide quotes. 

What is the process to apply for life insurance

If you want to apply for a typical life insurance policy, then you are required to take a life insurance medical exam.

The examiner typically comes to your home and checks your height and weight and takes a small blood and urine sample. They are also able to view your medical records and your previous or current prescriptions. The life insurance company then analyzes the results along with your application to determine if you qualify for life insurance and how much you will pay. 

The whole process is handled by a life insurance agent. 

What if I've been denied life insurance coverage?

As with any industry, competition is constantly driving insurance carriers to compete with one another for your business.  As a result this provides you with a variety of options. If one company denies you coverage then you can submit your application with another company and go through their process.

If you still aren't sure which company or policy is best for you then you should consider consulting a life insurance agent. They can help guide you towards the right life insurance company and type of policy. They can also provide you with quotes from multiple companies so you get the right policy at the best price.

Written by
Chelsie Ball
Chelsie is fixated on developing innovative ways to present complex ideas and maneuvering people to the information they need. She has worked in digital marketing for the past eight years and has been a licensed life insurance agent since 2010. When she isn’t looking out for the user, you can find her watching Netflix or desperately trying to find a real hobby.