What It Signals

Tegretol (Carbamazepine) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizure disorders, nerve pain conditions, bipolar disorder, and other neurological conditions. Use primarily indicates you have been diagnosed with a seizure disorder or neurological condition requiring anticonvulsant therapy. Seizure disorders are taken seriously by life insurance underwriters because they involve unpredictable health events with potential for injury. However, well-controlled seizure disorders are insurable. The critical factor is how well your seizures are controlled with medication.

“Seizure disorders managed with Tegretol require careful underwriting, but approval is achievable for applicants with good seizure control. Underwriters evaluate the frequency of seizures, how long you’ve been seizure-free, and your compliance with treatment. Well-controlled epilepsy can result in approval at reasonable rates, while poorly controlled seizures present a higher underwriting challenge.”

– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team

What Underwriters Need to Know

Seizure disorders (epilepsy) are neurological conditions characterized by recurring, unpredictable seizures. Seizures vary widely in severity, from barely noticeable absence seizures to severe generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Most people with seizure disorders live normal lifespans with appropriate medication. Approximately 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy at some point. Well-managed seizure disorders do not significantly impact life expectancy, but uncontrolled seizures present health risks that concern insurers.

1. Time Since Last Seizure

This is the single most important factor. Seizure-free for 2+ years is highly favorable. Seizure-free for 1 year is favorable. Recent seizures (within the last 6 months) present a significant underwriting challenge. The longer you’ve been seizure-free, the better your underwriting outcome.

2. Seizure Frequency

Underwriters want to know how many seizures you typically have per month or year. No seizures on current medication is ideal. Rare breakthrough seizures are acceptable. Frequent seizures despite medication indicate inadequate control and complicate underwriting significantly.

3. Medication Compliance

Do you take Tegretol as prescribed? Missed doses or medication changes can trigger seizures. Underwriters want to confirm you’re consistent with your treatment regimen. Compliance is essential for approval. Non-compliance is a serious red flag.

4. Type and Severity of Seizures

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (severe) are rated more heavily than focal seizures or absence seizures (milder). Seizures involving loss of consciousness are more concerning than simple partial seizures. Your neurologist can describe your seizure type in detail in your medical records.

5. Medical Records and Testing

Underwriters request EEG results, MRI or CT imaging if available, and neurology records. Recent medical documentation is very important. If you have hospital admissions for seizures, those records will be reviewed. Underwriters may also request blood work to check Tegretol levels and liver function.

6. Cause of Seizures

Is the seizure disorder idiopathic (unknown cause) or from a known cause (brain injury, stroke, trauma, tumor)? If from a known cause, the underlying condition itself may be underwritten separately. A seizure disorder from a mild head injury is less concerning than one from a serious stroke.

The bottom line: Underwriters want to know you have good seizure control on your current medication, you’re compliant with treatment, and you haven’t had recent seizures. Meeting these criteria results in approval, typically at moderate to moderately elevated rates depending on other factors.

Critical: Full Honesty Required

Always disclose your seizure disorder diagnosis and Tegretol use on your life insurance application. Omitting or minimizing epilepsy could be treated as application fraud and could result in policy denial or cancellation. Complete honesty is essential.

What to Disclose Specifically

• Year of seizure disorder diagnosis
• Type of seizures you have
• How frequently do you typically have seizures
• When your last seizure occurred
• All medications you take (Tegretol and any others)
• Any hospitalizations for seizures
• Any driving restrictions or employment limitations
• Results of any recent EEGs or imaging
• Your neurologist’s name and contact information

Be Accurate About Seizure Frequency

This is critical. If you say you’re seizure-free but records show monthly seizures, this discrepancy will cause major problems. If you’ve had recent seizures, say so. Underwriters can handle recent seizures if you’re honest—what they cannot handle is dishonesty or attempted concealment.

Provide Neurology Records

Request medical records from your neurologist and provide them with your application. These records provide objective documentation of your seizure control and medication compliance. Complete, recent records speed up underwriting significantly and support your application.

Realistic Approval Expectations

Most applicants with well-controlled seizure disorders receive approval. Approval depends heavily on seizure control—if you’ve been seizure-free for 1- 2+ years on stable medication, approval is likely. If you have frequent seizures or recent breakthrough seizures, approval becomes more challenging. However, even poorly controlled seizures don’t guarantee denial—they result in higher rates or requests for more medical information.

What May Delay or Complicate Approval

Seizures within the last 6 months, frequent breakthrough seizures despite medication, non-compliance with treatment, or seizures from a serious underlying condition (brain tumor, significant stroke). These factors don’t necessarily mean denial, but they require additional underwriting review and typically result in higher rates or possible postponement until seizure control improves.

Rate Impact for Seizure Disorders

Rates for applicants with well-controlled seizure disorders are typically 20-50% higher than standard rates. This is a meaningful increase, but approval at these rates is achievable for most applicants with good seizure control. Poorly controlled seizures may result in significantly higher rates (50-100%+) or possible denial depending on severity.

These are conservative estimates based on common underwriting practices. Actual rates vary by insurance company, your age, amount of coverage, and other health factors. Getting your seizures under better control before applying can significantly improve your rates.

Wait for Better Seizure Control (If Applicable)

If you’ve recently had seizures or are not yet seizure-free for a full year, consider waiting a few months before applying. Being seizure-free for 1-2 years on stable medication results in significantly better underwriting outcomes and lower rates. A 3-6 month wait can result in 10-20% better rates.

Get Updated Medical Records

Request recent records from your neurologist before applying. Include recent office visits, EEG results if available, and any imaging. Current, comprehensive records speed up underwriting significantly. Outdated records may result in requests for additional testing.

Document Your Seizure History Carefully

Prepare a written summary of your seizure disorder: when diagnosed, type of seizures, typical frequency, date of last seizure, any hospitalizations, and medications tried. This clarity helps your application move faster through underwriting.

Confirm Medication Compliance

Be completely honest about taking Tegretol as prescribed. If you’ve missed doses or haven’t always taken it consistently, say so—but emphasize that you now understand the importance and are committed to compliance. Compliance is critical for approval.

Be Upfront About Driving Restrictions

If you have driving restrictions due to seizures, disclose them. Underwriters often know about seizure-related driving restrictions and will check. Honesty builds credibility and supports your application.

Will my seizure disorder automatically disqualify me from life insurance?

Direct answer: No. Seizure disorders do not automatically disqualify applicants.

Most applicants with well-controlled seizure disorders receive approval. Seizure control is the key factor, not the diagnosis itself. If your seizures are controlled on Tegretol and you’ve been seizure-free for at least 1 year, approval is likely.

How much will my rates be increased because of my seizure disorder?

Direct answer: Typically 20-50% higher than standard rates for well-controlled seizures. It can be higher for poorly controlled seizures.

The rate increase depends heavily on seizure control. Seizure-free for 2+ years typically results in 20-35% increase. Seizure-free for 1 year typically results in 35-50% increase. Poor seizure control can result in significantly higher rates. These are conservative estimates; your actual rate depends on your specific circumstances.

Do I have to disclose my seizure disorder and Tegretol use?

Direct answer: Yes. Always disclose all diagnosed health conditions and medications.

Omitting seizure disorder information could be treated as application fraud. This could result in policy denial or cancellation. Complete honesty protects your coverage. Insurance companies verify health information through medical records and APS (Attending Physician Statements) anyway—disclosure is always the safest approach.

How long does underwriting take with a seizure disorder?

Direct answer: Typically 4-6 weeks. Some cases take longer.

Seizure disorder cases require detailed medical review, so they take longer than straightforward cases. Well-controlled seizures with complete neurology records move faster. Cases requiring additional information, testing, or clarification take longer. Providing all medical records upfront speeds the process significantly.

Will I definitely need medical testing because of my seizure disorder?

Direct answer: Very likely, yes. Blood work and possibly an EEG will probably be required.

Most insurers require blood work to check Tegretol levels and liver function. Some may request an EEG to assess current seizure activity. Medical testing is standard and necessary for accurate underwriting. The insurer will provide instructions for where to go for testing.

Is how long I’ve been seizure-free really that important?

Direct answer: Yes, absolutely. Time since last seizure is the single most important factor underwriters evaluate.

The longer you’ve been seizure-free, the better your underwriting outcome. Seizure-free for 2+ years is highly favorable. Seizure-free for 1 year is favorable. Recent seizures (within the last 6 months) present significant underwriting challenges. If you’re not yet seizure-free for a full year, waiting a few more months before applying can dramatically improve your rates and approval odds.

What if I’ve had recent breakthrough seizures?

Direct answer: Recent seizures complicate underwriting, but don’t automatically mean denial. Approval is still possible, often at higher rates.

Underwriters want to understand why breakthrough seizures occurred—did you miss doses, change medications, change Tegretol dose, or is there an unknown cause? If you can explain the reason and confirm the issue has been addressed with your neurologist, approval remains possible. Waiting a few months to establish a new seizure-free period results in better underwriting outcomes.

Does my seizure disorder cause a driving restriction, and how does that affect insurance?

Direct answer: State driving restrictions vary. If you have restrictions, disclose them on your application.

Most states require a seizure-free period (commonly 3-12 months) before driving is permitted. Underwriters know about these restrictions and may ask about your driving status. Be honest. Having driving restrictions doesn’t typically affect insurance approval or rates directly, but it factors into the underwriter’s overall assessment of seizure control.

Will my insurance rates change after I get the policy?

Direct answer: No. Once approved and in force, your premiums remain locked in regardless of future seizure activity.

Any changes to your seizure activity, medications, or medical status after the policy issues won’t affect your rates or benefits. Your rates stay the same for the life of your policy. Lock in coverage now and protect your family regardless of what happens medically in the future.