In this article, we wanted to take a moment and try and answer some of the most common questions we get from folks applying for life insurance after they have suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack TIA or Mini Stroke.
Questions that will be addressed will include:
- Can I qualify for life insurance if I’ve suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or Mini Stroke?
- Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or Mini Stroke?
- What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?
- What rate (or price) can I qualify for?
- How can I help ensure 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’ve suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or Mini Stroke?
Yes, individuals who have suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or a “mini” stroke can and often will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy. In fact, some may even be able to qualify for some of the best no-medical exam life insurance companies at a Preferred rate!
The only problem is that because a TIA or mini-stroke could be a symptom of some other more “serious” pre-existing medical condition, most (if not all) life insurance companies will want to learn more about your TIA before making any definitive decisions about your life insurance application.
Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or Mini Stroke?
Given the fact that Transient Ischemic Attacks or Mini Strokes are pretty standard and usually the effects of having one go away after about 24 hours, it’s safe to say that most top-ranked life insurance companies aren’t all that concerned about the fact that an individual has suffered from one.
Instead, the insurance companies will be more concerned about “why” one individual might be more prone to suffer from one than any condition from another. For this reason, we wanted to take a moment to discuss exactly what a Transient Ischemic Attack is and highlight some of the most common symptoms/complications so that we might gain a better idea of what a life insurance underwriter will be looking for when making their decision about your life insurance application.
Transient Ischemic Attack or Mini Stroke Defined:
A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or “Mini” Stroke is a stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It usually occurs when the blood supply to a particular part (any part) of the brain is momentarily blocked. As a result, an individual will begin experiencing symptoms similar to a “full-blown stroke, but in these cases, the symptoms will not last long.
Common symptoms may include:
- Weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body.
- Paralysis may include parts of one’s face, arm, or legs,
- Slurred or garbled speech,
- Vision difficulties,
- Dizziness,
- Loss or coordination,
- Severe headache
Risk factors may include:
- Family history of strokes,
- Over the age of 55,
- Being a male,
- Hypertension (high blood pressure),
- Diabetes,
- Smoking.
Fortunately…
Many of these symptoms will quickly disappear within the first 24 hours, and in some cases, people may only experience symptoms of their TIA for a few minutes. This is why many individuals who suffer from a TIA may not even seek out medical treatment. And for those that do, Aspirin combined with clopidogrel (Plavix) will often be prescribed.
What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in regarding my TIA?
When applying for life insurance, insurance companies typically ask for detailed information about your medical history, including past or present health conditions. So, if you’ve suffered from a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or “mini-stroke” in the past, most insurance companies are going to want to know more about it.
They may also ask about any other health issues you have, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, as these conditions can increase the risk of stroke. Additionally, they may also ask about your lifestyle, including your diet, exercise habits, and any risky behaviors such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, as these factors can also impact your risk of stroke and other health issues.
Being honest and transparent when completing a life insurance application is essential. Providing accurate and complete information will help the insurance company assess your risk profile and determine the most appropriate coverage and premiums for your situation.
Also, it’s a good idea to know what is in your medical records and to discuss your health history with your doctor before completing the application to ensure you have all the necessary information.
What life insurance rate can I qualify for if I’ve had a TIA?
Your life insurance rates are determined by your life insurance health rating the company you apply with assigns to you, and as you can see, there are a lot of variables that can come into play when trying to determine what kind of “rate” an individual has suffered from a previous Transient Ischemic Attack or Mini Stroke. This is why it’s challenging to know what kind of “rate” you might be able to qualify for without first speaking with you directly.
That said, Most individuals who have suffered from a previous TIA will usually fall into one of two different categories that we can make some “assumptions” about that will generally hold.
Category #1.
The first group will be those who suffered from a TIA, made a full recovery, and don’t seem to have any “other” pre-existing medical conditions or family history of cardiovascular disease. In cases like these, most life insurance companies typically “note” one’s TIA but do not speed it up too much.
Instead…
They’ll spend most of their time focusing on whether or not you appear healthy now, in which case many life insurance companies will still allow someone who has suffered from a TIA to qualify for a Preferred rate.
Category #2.
The second group of folks that we’ll commonly encounter will be those who have suffered from a TIA and made a full recovery. Still, they either have a family history of cardiovascular disease or suffer from some other “type” of a pre-existing medical condition, which could be contributing to the fact that they have suffered from a previous TIA.
In cases like these…
You’re likely to find that it may still be possible to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy, but now you’re probably not going to be able to qualify for a Preferred rate. Instead, you’ll probably have to settle for a Standard or substandard rate from Tables A to H.
Life Insurance Table Rates
Table rates are substandard health ratings typically reserved for “higher-risk” applicants. They range from Table A, which would be considered the “best” or least expensive table rate, to Table J, which would be considered the “worst” or most expensive table rate.
The good news is…
Regardless of your situation, we at IBUSA can help because we have extensive experience helping folks with pre-existing medical conditions like yours. We are committed to helping all our clients find the “best” life insurance policy they can qualify for. This 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
If you have suffered from a TIA (transient ischemic attack), which is a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, and you are looking to obtain the best life insurance coverage for you, here are some tips to help you along the way:
- Be honest and upfront about your medical history: When you apply for life insurance, it is important to provide complete and accurate information about your medical history, including your TIA diagnosis. This will help ensure that the insurer accurately understands your health and can provide you with the most appropriate coverage.
- Work with a licensed and experienced insurance agent: An agent can help you navigate the application process and find the best policy for your needs. They can also help you understand the underwriting process and work with the insurance company to get you the most favorable coverage.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing your condition: It is essential to follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing your TIA, including any medication regimens, lifestyle changes, or follow-up appointments. Doing so lets you demonstrate to the insurance company that you are taking proactive steps to manage your condition and improve your overall health.
- Shop around: Different insurance companies have different underwriting guidelines, so it may be beneficial to shop around and compare policies from multiple providers. This can help you find the best coverage and rates for your situation.
- Consider a guaranteed issue policy: If you have been denied coverage or cannot qualify for traditional life insurance due to your TIA, you may want to consider a guaranteed issue policy. These policies do not require a medical exam or underwriting, but they may have higher premiums and lower coverage limits than traditional policies.
- Consider a term life insurance policy: A term life insurance policy may be a good option if you have had a TIA, as it provides coverage for a specific period and may be more affordable than a permanent one.
Remember, obtaining the best life insurance coverage after a TIA may require some extra effort and research, but finding coverage that meets your needs and fits your budget is possible. Working with an experienced insurance agent and following your doctor’s recommendations for managing your condition can increase your chances of obtaining the most favorable coverage.
Now, will we be able to help out everyone who has been previously diagnosed with a TIA?
No, probably not.
But what we can tell you is that in addition to offering a wide variety of different term and whole life insurance policies, IBUSA has also worked very hard to establish relationships with many of the Best Final Expense Insurance Companies so that if someone isn’t able to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy, chances are there may be some other “type” of product that they CAN qualify for.
So, if you’re ready to explore your options, call us!
