Are you looking for abdominal aortic aneurysm life insurance? Having an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) does not disqualify you from purchasing affordable life insurance. We can help you get qualified for the best coverage available.
If you have had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, you understand how precious your time on this earth can be. Life is fragile, and none of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. When our bodies have medical issues, we often think about our mortality, which leads to us thinking about life insurance.
If you have experienced an aneurysm in your abdomen, some insurance companies will not look at your past medical history favorably. The good news is you will have affordable abdominal aortic aneurysm life insurance options with top-rated insurance companies that will look at your medical condition more favorably.
Other types of aneurysm life insurance you may be researching:
- Cerebral aneurysm life insurance.
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm life insurance.
- Peripheral aortic aneurysm life insurance.
- Aortic dissection life insurance.
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Everyone of us has an aorta in our body. Your aorta is the largest artery in your body. The aorta exits from the left ventricle of the heart and travels downward through the chest and abdomen. It splits into two arteries in the hip area to provide the blood supply for each leg.
The aortic artery must be very flexible for the heart to pump blood and oxygen throughout our bodies. The aortic wall’s connective fibers allow this artery to stretch outwards and relax inwards as your blood pressure increases and decreases with your heartbeat.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is not a thoracic aortic aneurysm. A thoracic aortic aneurysm is where there is abnormal stretching or a bulge in the wall of the aortic artery.
As the walls of our blood vessels lose flexibility, they may bulge or stretch. This bulging or stretching increases the size (dilates) of the aorta. An aortic aneurysm is a point where the aorta becomes dilated to three or more centimeters in diameter.
If your aorta were to become dilated more than 5 cm, your aorta could rupture. This is a life-threatening medical emergency and is very dangerous if not caught immediately.
The good news and the bad news:
The good news – most aneurysms are small and are unlikely to rupture.
The bad news – Over 17,000 people die every year in the US from aortic aneurysms. AAA’s account for nearly 80% of all aortic aneurysms for people living in the United States.
If you’re a male – worse news – Men have a 5 to 10 times higher risk of developing an aortic aneurysm than women. Two-thirds of all aortic dissection patients are male.
What do the insurance companies want to know about my abdominal aortic aneurysm?
The most important thing the insurance companies consider for abdominal aortic aneurysm life insurance approval is the diameter of the bulge (dilation) of your aorta.
Smaller diameter bulges result in less risk of catastrophic health consequences. The smaller the bulge or dilation, the better life insurance rates you will qualify for with most insurance companies.
Because the chances of your aorta rupturing are reduced when your aorta is a smaller diameter, you will qualify for better life insurance rates.
What does the diameter of my aorta mean for my life insurance rates?
Some life insurance companies offer up to a “preferred” rate class if your abdominal aneurysm is 3 cm or less.
With an aorta dilation of more than 6 cm, your best chance for life insurance approval would be with a guaranteed life insurance policy. These policies typically offer coverage up to $25,000-$35,000 in life insurance coverage.
Within an aortic aneurysm, you are considered a high-risk candidate for life insurance.
If not managed properly, an aneurysm can result in death. If you’ve had an aneurysm, life insurance companies will be thorough in assessing your risk of premature death.
Insurance companies view aorta dilation diameters differently. Some will not approve applicants dilated more than 4 cm. Some will approve aortic dilation up to 6 cm; it depends on the life insurance company.
This is why it is to your advantage to shop with an independent life insurance agency, like Life Wealth Win, with access to many different life insurance companies.
What else will the insurance companies want to know about my body and my health?
Have you ever had surgery for an aneurysm?
If you have had an aortic aneurysm surgery, the insurance companies will often require that you be medically stable for at least three years before being eligible for life insurance coverage (other than guaranteed issue life insurance). You must also have had regular annual doctor visit checkups to qualify.
Your aorta cannot have increased in size to be eligible for life insurance. If your doctor recommended you have surgery, and it was not performed, you may not be eligible for life insurance, or your application may be declined.
Maintaining your health is important.
The life insurance companies will want to make sure you have adequate medical care following your abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnosis. This may include:
- Regular annual checkups with your cardiologist.
- Medical data to support you have good control of your condition.
- Medical data to support you are managing your condition effectively.
- Ultrasound or CT scans to show that your aorta is stable.
- Medical records showing you are following your physician’s medical treatment plan.
- Medical records showing you are visiting your doctor for regular checkups.
Insurance companies will want to see the medical evidence that you are following your doctor’s treatment plan and managing your medical condition effectively.
What if my abdominal aortic aneurysm is not medically stable?
If your aneurysm has increased in size, or if you have a history of bleeding or pain with your aneurysm, a guaranteed issue policy may be the best direction to go for life insurance until your medical condition stabilizes.
When was your aneurysm diagnosis?
Life insurance companies will want to know how stable your medical condition is and how long it has remained stable.
With no surgery, insurance company underwriters will want to know the size of the dilation in your aortic aneurysm. If dilated less than 4 cm, there are insurance companies that can offer you immediate life insurance coverage (assuming there are no other underlying medical conditions).
An insurance company may postpone the approval of your life insurance policy for up to 6 to 12 months to make sure your medical condition is stable.
Each company has different underwriting procedures they follow. Insurance companies will want to see the long-term stability of the size of your aneurysm before approving you for a life insurance policy. Ideally, they would like to see 2 to 3 years of medical stability with no increase in aorta bulging or dilation.
If you are experiencing pain in your legs while walking or have any aortic bleeding, it may mean your aneurysm is unstable. This may result in you being declined for life insurance policy.
What are the risk factors for being diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
High blood pressure – high blood pressure damages blood vessels and increases your risk of developing an aneurysm.
Eating poorly – eating foods high in fat can lead to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the number one cause and contributor of an aortic aneurysm. Eating healthy foods and a well-balanced diet is important, and avoiding deep-fried foods is beneficial.
Lack of exercise – exercise helps raise the good cholesterol levels in your body, which can help prevent your body’s arteries from hardening. Exercising also lowers the risk of diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases.
Tobacco use – nicotine hardens the blood vessels over time and increases the chances you will have an aneurysm. Cigarette smoking is especially harmful to your health and contributes to aortic aneurysms.
Age – if you’re over the age 65, your chance of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm is increased. It is rare for people under the age of 60 to be diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm. Aortic aneurysms are one of the leading causes of death for male Americans over the age of 65 years old.
Family history – genetics make a difference. If you have a family history of aortic aneurysms, you are more likely to have an aortic aneurysm.
Where should I purchase abdominal aortic aneurysm life insurance?
Because of your unique health situation and the risks associated with your abdominal aortic aneurysm, work with someone, like Life Wealth Win, with access to many different life insurance companies.
Captive agencies (that only sell their proprietary life insurance products) often deny people with unique and high-risk health challenges.
We understand what companies will consider your health condition most favorably and which companies will offer you the best and most affordable premiums.
Conclusion
If you have been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or are an abdominal aortic aneurysm survivor, call us to help you understand your life insurance options.
Surviving an abdominal aortic aneurysm gives you the gift of another day with your loved ones on this earth. Take advantage of the time and get the proper amount and kind of life insurance to protect your family and loved ones when you die.