Getting Life Insurance with Ulcerative Colitis in 2024
Written by Daniel Ray, Life Insurance Expert |
✅
Fact Checked by
Lisamarie Monaco |
Editorial Disclosure
If you are looking for a life insurance with Ulcerative Colitis, you’ve come to the right place!
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that affects your digestive system. It can cause pain, diarrhea, and fatigue but it does not lead to early death.
However, because of the long-term nature of ulcerative colitis, many people with this condition are also dealing with an increased risk of life insurance disability or inability to work due to their illness.
But there are steps you can take today to protect yourself in case you have this chronic inflammatory bowel disease!
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Can You Get Life Insurance If You Have Ulcerative Colitis?
Can I get life insurance if I have ulcerative colitis? This is a widespread question.
There are over 900,000 Americans who suffer from this terrible condition.
For example, there are 2 types of ulcerative colitis:
Ulcerative Proctitis ~ affects the rectum only.
Proctosigmoiditis ~ involves the rectum and adjacent areas.
Depending on which one you suffer from and the severity of your symptoms will depend on what affordable life insurance policy you will qualify for.
Clearly from above, if you suffer from Proctosigmoiditis, your premiums may be slightly higher as it is more of high risk for the carrier.
Depending on the carrier, because they are all different, you may be denied coverage with a traditional life insurance policy.
There is always another option, such as a guaranteed acceptance policy.
This article will tell you everything you need to know on how to get the best life insurance with ulcerative colitis. Let’s begin.
Ulcerative Colitis Life Insurance
Does ulcerative colitis affect life insurance? Is ulcerative colitis considered a pre-existing condition?
To begin with, ulcerative colitis is a pre-existing condition.
Just like gastroesophageal reflux disease, diverticulitis is a pre-existing condition.
What will happen when I apply for life insurance with ulcerative colitis? The life insurance company’s job is to assess the overall risk. Although ulcerative colitis is not life-threatening, other medical conditions can arise from your health.
The carrier will assess many factors during your application process from your age, height and weight, date of diagnosis to family history, etc. (see below for more detailed underwriting questions.)
With that said, it is best to obtain affordable life insurance when your condition is under control. You do not have other high-risk medical conditions. So, your premium rates will be significantly lower.
Equally important, be honest on your application.
There is no “one size fits all” life insurance policy for ulcerative colitis. Your independent agent will guide you through the process.
The key is to get a plan in place now while you are at your best health.
Ulcerative Colitis Pre Existing Condition
When you are diagnosed with any health impairment it will be considered a pre-existing medical condition.
If you have been denied life insurance ulcerative colitis you may have been speaking to the wrong agent. For instance, getting life insurance with ulcerative colitis is easily obtainable and usually can get a standard rate when working with us.
So if your question is, “Can I get life insurance with ulcerative colitis”, the answer is yes!!
Life Insurance Ulcerative Colitis Underwriting
Above all, if you have ulcerative colitis, you are at a higher risk for cancer.
Life insurance underwriters will take a long look at your medical history.
Let’s take a look at what underwriters will want to know and ask you when getting life insurance with ulcerative colitis:
- Family history?
- Age?
- When was your last flare-up? How frequent?
- What kind of ulcerative colitis do you have?
- Current tobacco user?
- When were you diagnosed?
- Have you had any surgeries?
- Are you currently taking any medications?
- When was your last colonoscopy/results?
Best Life Insurance Company for Ulcerative Colitis
Every carrier will look at you differently. Furthermore, each insurance carrier has the guidelines they follow. One carrier may offer you table rated while another may offer you standard ratings.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- AIG (American General)
- Prudential Life Insurance
- Banner Life
Disability Insurance with Ulcerative Colitis
People with ulcerative colitis qualify for disability benefits.
In addition to term life insurance or life insurance quotes, you may qualify for social security disability benefits depending on the severity of your condition.
In fact, many of our clients have traditional life insurance coverage in addition to disability insurance. If you are currently employed, you may have these benefits through your employer.
Be aware. If you lose your job or quit, those benefits are gone. If you need to file disability claims, you will not be covered.
For instance, it is wise to have a disability insurance policy in addition to your work disability policy and traditional life insurance policy.
What Is Ulcerative Colitis
In detail, ulcerative colitis is the most common gastrointestinal disease out of all.
It is inflammation of the lining or mucosa of your colon. Inflammation typically starts at the rectum. The inflammation causes open sores (ulcers) to affect the large intestine.
While this results in bloody diarrhea, it is similar to inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease.
Like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Celiac Disease and Crohn’s, there is no cure for ulcerative colitis.
Can ulcerative colitis be managed without treatment? No! Any symptoms you experience, go to your physician.
Symptoms Of Ulcerative Colitis
Indeed, symptoms vary from person to person and the severity. For example, here is a shortlist of some signs you may experience:
- Abdominal pain/cramping
- Frequent bowel movements/diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Mucous in stool
- Fatigue
- No appetite
Markedly, less common issues associated with ulcerative colitis:
- Skin or mouth lesions
- Eye inflammation
- Liver disease
Most people will have periods of remission. As we know, there is no cure for ulcerative colitis.
With this in mind, your physician may prescribe you medication to help with your symptoms.
Ulcerative colitis is not affected by the foods you eat. However, some foods may aggravate your symptoms.
Ulcerative Colitis Life Expectancy
To emphasize, ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition. If not treated by a medical physician, you could have severe complications and other health issues.
With that being said, if maintained with few flare-ups you could live a long healthy lifestyle.
For more information on Ulcerative Colitis, CLICK HERE.
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Conclusion
If you have ulcerative colitis, it’s possible to get life insurance. But there are a few caveats that could make this tricky. For one thing, your health will be monitored more closely than someone who doesn’t suffer from UC and any conditions like Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome may also complicate the process of getting coverage. Keep in mind that if you’re not sure about whether or not you’ll need long-term care services at some point down the line (many people with chronic illnesses do), then having an illness won’t really affect your chances of securing life insurance nor what type of policy is offered for purchase. We can help by providing simple quotes on our website so don’t worry!
