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 being diagnosed with an intellectual disability.

Questions that will be addressed will include:

• Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability?
• 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 have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability?

Yes, it is possible to qualify for life insurance if you have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability. However, the availability and cost of life insurance coverage may depend on the severity of your intellectual disability and any associated health conditions or complications.

When applying for life insurance, the insurance company will ask you several questions about your health, including any medical conditions you have been diagnosed with, including your intellectual disability. They may also ask about your ability to perform daily living activities, your level of independence, and any support or care you require.

If you have a mild intellectual disability and no other significant health conditions, you may be able to qualify for standard life insurance coverage. However, suppose your intellectual disability is severe, or you have other health complications. In that case, you may only be eligible for a modified or guaranteed issue policy, which typically has higher premiums and lower coverage amounts.

Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability?

There are several reasons why life insurance companies are concerned if an individual has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability.

Firstly, there is a correlation between a shorter lifespan and the degree of disability, which raises concerns for the insurance company. When an individual has an intellectual disability, the insurance company may view them as a higher risk and charge higher premiums or limit coverage amounts.

This is because individuals with intellectual disabilities may have a shorter life expectancy and a higher likelihood of developing health complications or experiencing accidents and injuries. Additionally, depending on the severity of the intellectual disability, individuals may have a higher risk of developing certain health conditions and complications, such as seizures, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular disease.

Secondly, purchasing a life insurance policy involves a legal contract where both parties need to be of sound mind and body, so insurance companies are cautious when considering individuals with intellectual disabilities who may not fully understand the agreement they are entering.

To better understand what life insurance underwriters are looking for when making decisions about your application, it’s essential to define what an Intellectual Disability (ID) is and highlight common symptoms. This should help you prepare for questions related to your condition during the application process.

Intellectual Disabled (ID) Defined:

Intellectual Disabled, once called mental retardation, is characterized by a below-average intelligence combined with a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. Individuals diagnosed with an intellectual disability will generally be able to learn and perform new skills; however, their ability to do so will generally be much slower than an average person.

Common symptoms may include:

• Difficulty remembering things,
• Inability to link “cause and effect” to actions,
• Poor problem-solving skills,
• Difficulty in school, often performing several grade levels lower than their peers,
• Difficulty performing routine daily activities.

Individuals suffering from…

An intellectual disability will generally be classified into one of three categories: Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Profound. The following characteristics will usually define each category:

Mild:

• Mild intellectual disability, also known as mild mental retardation, is a term used to describe a person who has intellectual functioning that is below average but not severe. People with mild intellectual disability typically have an IQ score of 50-70 and may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, problem-solving, or higher-level learning. They may also have trouble with social skills and need extra support in school and other settings.
• Individuals with mild intellectual disability are capable of learning and can make progress with the proper support and accommodations.

Moderate:

• Moderate intellectual disability is a term used to describe a person who has intellectual functioning that is below average and is more severe than mild intellectual disability. People with moderate intellectual disability typically have an IQ score of 35-49 and may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, problem-solving, or higher-level learning. They may also have trouble with social skills and need extra support in school and other settings. I
• Individuals with moderate intellectual disability are also capable of learning and can make progress with the proper support and accommodations.

Severe:

• Severe intellectual disability is a term used to describe a person who has intellectual functioning that is significantly below average and is more powerful than mild or moderate intellectual disability. People with severe intellectual disability typically have an IQ score of 20-34 and may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, problem-solving, or higher-level learning.
• They may also struggle with social skills and need extra support in school and other settings.
• Individuals with severe intellectual disability are also capable of learning and can make progress with the right support and accommodations; however, individuals with severe disabilities will likely be incapable of fully caring for themselves.

Profound

• Profound intellectual disability is a term used to describe a person who has severe intellectual functioning that is significantly below average and is more severe than mild, moderate, or severe intellectual disability. People with profound intellectual disability typically have an IQ score below 20 and may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, problem-solving, or higher-level learning.
• Individuals suffering from profound intellectual disabilities may be able to learn and make progress with specific tasks. Still, they will generally be unable to care for themselves and typically require full-time care.

What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?

When applying for life insurance, the insurance company will likely ask you several questions about your intellectual disability to assess your health status and determine your risk. Some of the information that they may ask for includes:

1. Date of diagnosis: The insurance company may ask if you were diagnosed with an intellectual disability to determine the length of your condition.
2. The severity of the disability: The insurance company may want to know the degree of your intellectual disability and how it affects your daily life activities, communication skills, and ability to live independently.
3. Medical history: The insurance company may ask for your medical records to review any other health conditions or complications associated with your intellectual disability, such as seizures or cardiovascular disease.
4. Medications and treatments: The insurance company may ask about any medications or treatments you take to manage your intellectual disability or associated health conditions.
5. Functional limitations: The insurance company may ask about your ability to perform daily living activities and your level of independence, including whether you require assistance with personal care, transportation, or other activities.
6. Employment and education history: The insurance company may ask about your employment and education history to understand how your intellectual disability has affected your ability to work or pursue higher education.
7. Lifestyle habits: The insurance company may ask about your lifestyle habits, such as smoking or drinking, which can impact your health and life expectancy.

It’s important to answer these questions truthfully and accurately, as providing false or incomplete information can result in your policy being voided or denied in the future. Working with an experienced insurance agent who can guide you through the application process and provide support can be helpful.

What rate (or price) can I qualify for?

The rate or price you may qualify for when applying for life insurance with an intellectual disability will depend on several factors, including the severity of your condition, overall health status, lifestyle habits, and the type of policy you are applying for.

If you have a mild intellectual disability and no other significant health issues, you may be able to qualify for a standard rate or a slightly higher substandard rate. However, if your condition is more severe and you have other health complications, you may be offered a higher substandard rate or have your coverage declined altogether.

That said, however…

What we can say for sure is that most individuals who have been diagnosed as mildly or moderately intellectually challenged will usually only be able to qualify for a “high-risk” or “Sub-standard” rate. At the same time, those who have been diagnosed as severely or profoundly challenged will most likely not be able to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy at all.

In cases like these, we recommend that folks look at either a Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Policy or an Accidental Death Policy, which wouldn’t require one to meet specific “medical” requirements to qualify.

The good news is…

RRegardless 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 they can qualify for. This brings us to the last topic that we wanted to take a moment and discuss, which is…

How can I help ensure I get the “best life insurance” for me?

If you have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability, getting the best life insurance for your needs can be a bit challenging, but there are steps you can take to increase your chances of finding the right policy:

1. Work with an experienced insurance agent: An experienced insurance agent can guide you through the application process and help you understand the underwriting guidelines of different insurance companies. They can also help you find specialized policies that may be more accessible to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
2. Please provide accurate information: When applying for life insurance, it’s essential to provide accurate and complete information about your medical history and disability. Providing false or incomplete information can result in your policy being voided or denied in the future.
3. Get a medical exam: Some insurance companies require a medical exam as part of the underwriting process. Completing a medical exam can provide the insurance company with more accurate information about your overall health status, potentially leading to a lower premium rate.
4. Consider specialized policies: Some insurance companies offer technical policies designed for individuals with disabilities, such as Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance policy.
5. Compare policies: It’s essential to shop around and compare policies from different insurance companies to find the one that best meets your needs and budget.
6. Don’t give up: Finding the right life insurance policy may take time and effort, but don’t give up. Keep working with your insurance agent and exploring different options until you find the right policy.