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 for polycystic kidney disease.

Questions that will be addressed will include:

• Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease?
• 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 been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease?

Yes, it is possible to qualify for life insurance if you have been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). However, the terms of your policy and the premiums you will pay may be affected by your diagnosis. However, PKD is a genetic disorder that causes clusters of cysts to form in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage and an increased risk of kidney failure it’s safe to say that most insurance companies are going to want to know more about your condition before extending an offer of coverage.

After all…

PKD can also cause other health problems, such as high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. So if you have been diagnosed with PKD,  you should expect the insurance company to want to know more information about your condition and how it is being managed. They may also ask about any other medical conditions you have and your family medical history.

It is also worth noting that different insurance companies have different underwriting guidelines and may have different approaches to assessing risk for individuals with PKD. It may be helpful to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the right policy for you.

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

When applying for life insurance, you will typically be required to complete an application with questions about your personal and medical history.

If you have been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), the insurance company may ask for more information about your condition and how it is being managed. Some of the information they may request includes:

• Details about your diagnosis, including when you were diagnosed, what symptoms you experienced, and the severity of your condition.
• Information about your treatment, including any medications you are taking, lifestyle changes you have made to manage your condition, and any surgical procedures you have undergone.
• Any additional medical conditions you have and your family medical history.
• Your current and past occupation and any hazardous activities you engage in as part of your work or leisure activities.
• Your lifestyle habits, including your diet, exercise routine, and use of tobacco or alcohol.

Specific questions about your condition may also include:

• When were you first diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease?
• Who diagnosed your Polycystic Kidney Disease? A general practitioner or a specialist?
• What symptoms led to your diagnosis?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other pre-existing medical conditions?
• Have you been prescribed any prescription medications?
• Has your doctor suggested you may need to go on dialysis or receive a kidney transplant?
• In the past two years, have you been hospitalized for any reason?
• Are you currently working now?
• In the past 12 months, have you applied for or received any form of disability benefits?

What rate (or price) can I qualify for?

As you can see, many variables can come into play when trying to determine what kind of “rate” an individual is diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease. This is why knowing what kind of “rate” you might qualify for is almost impossible without first speaking with you directly. That said, however most individuals who have been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease will usually fall into one of three different categories that we can make some “assumptions” about that will generally hold true.

Category #1.

The first group of individuals that we’ll typically encounter are those who have been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease before age 40 and who aren’t suffering from any kidney impairment.

In cases like these, what we’ll typically find is that as long as they don’t suffer from any other pre-existing medical conditions, there is a “reasonable” chance that they will be able to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy at a “high-risk” category, usually a Table D-H rating.

Category #2.

The second group of folks we’ll encounter will be similar to our first group. However, these folks will usually be diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease after the age of 40. In cases like these, applicants may still be able to qualify for coverage, only knowing they’ll probably end up qualifying for a rate somewhere around D-J (a little worse than D-H).

Category #3.

The last group that we may encounter will be those who have been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and are beginning to show signs of “kidney impairment.” 

In cases like these, what you’re going to find is that most (if not all) of the top-rated life insurance companies will be unwilling to insure someone for a “traditional” life insurance policy, which is when we’ll typically advise that some of our clients should consider a Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Policy.

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 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 me?

Suppose you have been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and are looking for the best life insurance coverage. In that case, there are a few steps you can take to improve your chances of getting approved and securing the most favorable rates:

1. Work with a knowledgeable insurance agent: An experienced insurance agent can help you understand your options and find a policy that fits your needs and budget. They can also help you navigate the application process and provide tips for improving your chances of getting approved for life insurance.
2. Manage your PKD and other health conditions: Taking steps to manage your PKD and other health conditions can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of complications. This may include following a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, exercising regularly, taking prescribed medications, and managing other underlying health conditions.
3. Be honest and complete when providing information: When you apply for life insurance, it’s important to be truthful and accurate when providing information about your health, including your PKD diagnosis and any treatments you have received. Providing inaccurate or incomplete information could result in your application being denied or your policy being invalidated later on.
4. Be prepared to provide medical records: Insurance companies may request medical records related to your PKD diagnosis and treatment. Be ready to provide these records to the insurance company to help them assess your risk and determine your rates.
5. Shop around for rates: Different insurance companies may evaluate PKD differently and offer different rates for coverage. It’s important to shop around and compare rates from multiple insurance companies to find the most favorable policy for your needs and budget.

By taking these steps and working with a knowledgeable insurance agent, you can increase your chances of getting approved for life insurance with PKD and securing the most favorable rates for your coverage.