Life Insurance after a Stroke or a Cerebrovascular Accident.
In this article, we wanted to take a moment to answer some of the most common questions we get from folks applying for life insurance after having suffered from a Stroke or a Cerebrovascular Accident.
- Can I qualify for life insurance if I have suffered from a Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident?
- Why do life insurance companies care if I have suffered from a Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident?
- What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?
- What “rate” can I qualify for?
- What can I do to help ensure that I get the “best life insurance” for me?
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Can I qualify for life insurance if I have suffered from a Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident?
Yes, individuals who have been diagnosed with a previous Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident can and often will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy.
The only problem is that most of the time, once an individual has been diagnosed with a previous Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident, they will usually be considered a “higher-risk” applicant automatically.
Which means that…
Their life insurance application is likely to become much more complicated than most. It may include the need to submit one’s medical records before receiving a decision or approval from a life insurance company.
As a result, this may make it impossible for them to be able to qualify for a term life insurance policy without a medical exam, as these policies tend to be more reserved for those without any serious pre-existing medical conditions.
Why do life insurance companies care if I have suffered from a Stroke or a Cerebrovascular Accident?
Life insurance companies consider a history of stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) to be a risk factor when determining the premium for a life insurance policy. This is because individuals who have had a stroke or CVA are at an increased risk of experiencing another one in the future, which could lead to premature death.
However, it’s important to note that having a history of stroke or CVA does not necessarily mean that you will be unable to obtain life insurance. Many insurance companies offer policies to individuals with a history of stroke or CVA, but the premium may be higher than it would be for someone who has not had these conditions.
We should also mention that not all strokes are equal. Some individuals may suffer significant complications due to their stroke while others may only experience some issues, many of which may improve over time.
For this reason…
We want to take a moment and just review what it means to suffer from a Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident so that we can shed some light on exactly why a life insurance company is going “care” about the fact that you have suffered from one (or multiple) Strokes as well as what symptoms and/or complications which could make them nervous!
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Defined:
A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also known as a stroke, is a medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is disrupted. This can be caused by a number of factors, including a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). When the brain does not receive enough blood, brain cells can die, leading to serious complications and potentially permanent damage.
Symptoms of a CVA may include weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding others, problems with vision, dizziness or difficulty walking, and severe headache. CVA is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to minimize brain damage and improve the chances of a full recovery.
There are several potential causes of a stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Some of the most common causes include:
- Ischemic stroke: This type of stroke occurs when an artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA): Also known as a “mini-stroke,” a TIA is caused by a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain. TIAs do not cause permanent damage, but they can be a warning sign of an impending stroke.
- Embolic stroke: This type of stroke is caused by an embolus, which is a clot or other foreign substance that travels to the brain and blocks an artery.
Other potential causes of stroke include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and certain medications or medical conditions. Some lifestyle factors, such as smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, can also increase the risk of stroke.
Now regardless of what…
May “cause” someone to suffer from a Stroke, the resulting “blockage” will typically cause some brain cells to suffer and even die, causing a patient to suffer from a variety of different symptoms.
Possible treatment options:
The treatment for a stroke, depends on the type of stroke and the severity of the damage. In general, the goals of stroke treatment are to restore blood flow to the brain, prevent further brain damage, and manage symptoms. Some common treatments for stroke include:
- Medications: There are several medications that can be used to treat stroke, including medications to dissolve blood clots (thrombolytics) and blood thinners to prevent new clots from forming.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove a blood clot or repair a damaged blood vessel.
- Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is an important part of stroke recovery, and may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to help the individual regain function and independence.
- Lifestyle changes: Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking, can help prevent future strokes.
It’s important to note that treatment for stroke must be started as soon as possible in order to be effective. If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke, it’s important to call 911 or seek emergency medical attention immediately.
What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?
If you have had a stroke and are applying for life insurance, the insurance company will likely ask you for some detailed information about your stroke. This may include:
- The date of the stroke: The insurance company will want to know when the stroke occurred, as this will help them assess the severity of the stroke and determine the likelihood of future strokes.
- The type of stroke you experienced.
- The symptoms you experienced: The insurance company will want to know what symptoms you experienced during the stroke, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding others, problems with vision, dizziness or difficulty walking, and severe headache.
- The treatment you received: The insurance company will want to know what treatment you received for your stroke, such as medications, surgery, or rehabilitation.
- The long-term effects of the stroke: The insurance company will want to know if you have experienced any long-term effects as a result of the stroke, such as difficulty with mobility or cognitive function.
- Your current health status: The insurance company will also want to know about your current health status, including any ongoing medical conditions or treatments, as well as your lifestyle habits (such as smoking or exercise).
It’s important to be as honest and forthcoming as possible when answering these questions, as this will help the insurance company accurately assess the risk associated with insuring you and determine the appropriate premium for your policy.
What rate class can I qualify for?
As you can see, there are many factors that can come into play when trying to determine what kind of “rate” an individual might qualify for once it has been determined that an applicant has suffered from a previous stroke.
This is why it’s almost impossible to know what kind of “rate” you might qualify for without first speaking with you for a minute or two.
That said however…
There are a few “assumptions” that one can make that will generally hold true once it has been determined that an individual has been diagnosed with a previous cerebral thrombosis.
For example…
If it has been determined that you have actually suffered from multiple Cerebrovascular Accidents and are currently suffering from a variety of complications as a result of these “attacks” it’s pretty safe to say that most life insurance companies aren’t going to be willing to approve your application.
In cases like these…
An individual will typically need to seek out an “alternative” product such as a guaranteed issue life insurance policy or an accidental death policy should they still wish to purchase some “kind” of protection for their families.
As for those…
Who may have only suffered from a single Cerebrovascular Accidents and aren’t currently suffering from any “significant” complications from this single attack, you may be able to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy, however, it’s safe to say that you probably won’t be able to qualify for a Standard or Better rate.
The good news is…
That regardless of your situation, we here at IBUSA can help because we have tons of experience helping folks with all sorts of pre-existing medical conditions like yours and are committed to helping all of our clients find the “best” life insurance policy that they can qualify for.
Which brings us to the last topic that we wanted to take a moment and discuss, which is…
What can I do to help ensure that I get the “best life insurance” for me?
In our experience here at IBUSA, what we have found that usually, the folks who seem to find the “best” life insurance policy for them are those that:
- Take their time reviewing their options.
- Ask a lot of questions.
And seek out those life insurance agents who not only have experience working with individuals who have been diagnosed with a wide variety of pre-existing medical conditions but also have access to dozens of different life insurance companies so that when it comes time to helping a more “challenging” case, they don’t have to rely on a…
“One size fits all approach!”
The good news is that this is exactly what you’re going to find here at IBUSA!
