Buying Life Insurance When You’re Pregnant: What to Know

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

Congratulations on your pregnancy! This is an exciting time, and you have much to consider. One crucial decision you must make is whether or not to buy life insurance. This can be a difficult decision, especially if you are pregnant. In this guide, we will discuss what you need to know before buying life insurance when you’re pregnant.

Confused About Life Insurance?

Are you new to life insurance and unsure where to begin? Visit our Learning Lab for expert guidance and insights.

The Importance of Life Insurance During Pregnancy

As you prepare for the arrival of your little one, it’s natural to have questions and concerns about how to protect your family’s financial future. Life insurance is a crucial tool that can provide financial security for your loved ones if the unexpected occurs. Obtaining the right life insurance coverage becomes even more critical during pregnancy, as it helps safeguard your family’s financial well-being in unforeseen circumstances. Life insurance can offer a vital safety net, from covering funeral expenses to paying off debts, providing for your child’s education, and ensuring your partner’s financial stability.

Understanding the Types of Life Insurance

There are two main types: term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period, typically 10, 15, 20, or 30 years, and pays out a death benefit to your beneficiaries if you pass away during the term. On the other hand, permanent life insurance covers your entire life and includes a savings component that can accumulate cash value over time. Both life insurance types have pros and cons; choosing the right one depends on your unique financial goals and circumstances.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Life Insurance During Pregnancy

When selecting the best life insurance for pregnancy, several factors must be considered to ensure you obtain the optimal coverage for your needs. These factors include:

  • Coverage Amount: Calculating the correct amount is crucial in ensuring your family’s financial needs are adequately met. Consider factors such as funeral expenses, outstanding debts, future childcare and education costs, and your family’s ongoing living expenses when determining the appropriate coverage amount.
  • Premiums: Premiums are the payments you make to your life insurance policy. During pregnancy, you may face increased expenses, and choosing a life insurance policy with premiums that fit comfortably within your budget is essential.
  • Policy Term: The term of your life insurance policy should align with your financial goals and needs. Consider how long you need coverage, and choose a policy term that provides adequate protection.
  • Riders: Riders are additional features or benefits that can be added to a life insurance policy for an additional cost. Everyday riders for pregnancy-related coverage may include maternity coverage, coverage for complications during pregnancy, or coverage for the newborn child.
  • Insurer’s Financial Strength: The financial stability and reputation of the insurance company providing your policy are crucial factors to consider. Research the insurer’s financial strength ratings and reviews to ensure you choose a reputable and reliable provider.
Can You Get Life Insurance On An Unborn Child

Can You Get Life Insurance During Pregnancy?

One common question expectant parents ask is whether obtaining life insurance coverage while pregnant is possible. The good news is that, in most cases, it is possible to get life insurance during pregnancy. However, some important considerations must be remembered to ensure a smooth application process.

Disclosing Your Pregnancy to the Insurance Company

When applying for life insurance during pregnancy, being upfront and transparent about your pregnancy with the insurance company is essential. Providing accurate information about your pregnancy, including your due date and any related health conditions, is crucial to avoid any potential issues with the policy later on. Failure to disclose your pregnancy could result in denial of coverage or cancellation of the policy in the future, leading to financial consequences for your family. Therefore, it’s always best, to be honest, and open with the insurance company during the application process to ensure smooth and successful coverage.

Medical Underwriting for Pregnancy-related Conditions

During the life insurance application process, the insurance company may require you to undergo medical underwriting, which includes a review of your health history and current health status. This may include additional scrutiny on pregnancy-related conditions, such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, which can affect the outcome of your application. Therefore, it’s essential to be prepared for potential medical underwriting and provide accurate information about your health to the insurance company to avoid any issues or delays in obtaining coverage.

Finding the Best Life Insurance for Pregnancy

With the myriad life insurance options available, finding the best life insurance for pregnancy can seem overwhelming. However, with careful research and consideration, you can make informed decisions to secure the optimal coverage for your family’s needs.

Researching and Comparing Insurance Providers

Take the time to research and compare different insurance providers to find the one that best aligns with your needs and budget. Look for reputable insurance companies with strong financial ratings and positive customer reviews. Consider coverage options, policy terms, riders, premiums, and customer service when evaluating different insurance providers. It’s also wise to seek recommendations from trusted sources, such as financial advisors or friends and family members who have experience with life insurance during pregnancy.

Reviewing Policy Details and Exclusions

When comparing life insurance policies, carefully review the policy details and exclusions to ensure you understand the coverage. For example, pay attention to the coverage amount, policy term, premium amounts, and any riders or additional features included in the policy. In addition, be aware of any exclusions or limitations that may apply, such as pre-existing conditions, high-risk activities, or specific pregnancy-related exclusions. Understanding the policy details and exclusions will help you decide and choose the policy that best meets your family’s needs.

Seeking Professional Advice

Obtaining life insurance during pregnancy can be complex, and it’s always a good idea to seek professional advice from a qualified insurance agent or financial advisor. They can provide expert guidance tailored to your unique situation and help you navigate the complexities of life insurance coverage during pregnancy. A professional advisor can also assist you in understanding the different policy options, riders, and exclusions and help you choose the best life insurance for your specific needs and budget.

Can You Get Life Insurance While Pregnant

How Much Life Insurance Should I Buy To Protect My Child?

How much insurance you need should be determined by what your family needs. Thinking about your kid’s future if something happens to you while pregnant is critical.

When determining how much life insurance to purchase, factor in the cost of caring for your kid and their expenditures after you’ve passed. Make a list of what you give your family, including food and medical expenses. Include nonessential items and other quality-of-life requirements on your list as well.

Pay Off All Debts

Your family may be responsible if you have outstanding debt at your death. This might be a mortgage you took out with your spouse, credit card bills, or a student loan. You should get enough coverage to assist your beneficiaries in paying off these debts without causing them financial stress.

College Education Expenses

When you haven’t even had your kid yet, the expense of higher education for your kids might appear distant. However, tuition is one of your child’s most significant expenses. So if you want to help them achieve better education and greater chances in life, you should budget for college expenses in the future.

Do I Need To Buy A Life Insurance Policy For My Baby?

Life insurance is financial security for dependents who would be left destitute when their breadwinner dies. Because newborns do not give financial support, you may skip out on buying life insurance. However, in the event of an unexpected death, you might wish to get a policy on your kid to cover their funeral expenses. A baby’s insurance policy would also lock in premiums early, guarantee your child’s insurability, and might be used to invest or save your child’s future costs.

Adult life insurance policies available to you may include a small monthly charge for kid riders. In addition, if your child dies before age 25, the rider will pay you a death benefit.

To receive compensation through a rider, you must show that your kid meets the coverage age requirements when filing a claim. There isn’t usually any underwriting required. To obtain the insurance, your baby won’t need a life insurance medical examination; however, an insurer may request some health questions from you.

Some pre-existing conditions in high-risk children might not be covered. But, typically, your children are covered by a single rider.

Compare Pregnancy Rates

When Should I Buy Life Insurance If I’m Pregnant?

f you’re pregnant and haven’t yet set up your life insurance policy, don’t wait any longer. Contact us for a quote, and we can help you get coverage immediately. Having a baby on the way is a great time to get life insurance since you won’t have time to focus on it once the little one arrives. And remember, the sooner you purchase life insurance, the better!

Helpful Tip: If you are seeking a cost-effective approach to setting up your estate plan, including a living trust and last will and testament, then we highly recommend:

Life Insurance Pregnant

Next Steps

Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative time, and protecting your family’s financial future should be a top priority. Life insurance during pregnancy can provide the peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially protected in case of the unexpected. By understanding the importance of life insurance, disclosing your pregnancy to the insurance company, researching and comparing different insurance providers, reviewing policy details and exclusions, and seeking professional advice, you can secure the best life insurance for pregnancy and ensure that your family’s future is protected.

Need Help Getting Life Insurance Coverage?

Contact us if you need help purchasing a life insurance policy. The service is free of charge.

Life Insurance Inquiry
First
Last

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get life insurance when you’re pregnant?

Did you know it is possible to secure life insurance coverage even if you are pregnant? Even with certain pregnancy complications (or a history), competitive rates can still be acquired.

Do you have to disclose pregnancy life insurance?

It would be best if you informed your insurer that you’re pregnant. Insurance companies consider this during the underwriting process and ask about it when applying or reviewing risk factors associated with insuring you. Informing them of this vital information upfront will help ensure a smooth underwriting experience and accurate rate classification.

Should I get life insurance before or after having a baby?

To ensure you’re covered with life insurance before your new baby arrives, purchasing a policy at least four to six weeks before the due date is best. Then, the underwriting process can be fully completed, and you’ll know your family is cared for.

When should you no longer carry life insurance?

Although it’s not necessarily necessary to keep life insurance after retirement if you are financially secure and able to make ends meet, there may be other reasons why having coverage is beneficial. Keeping a policy in place is an excellent choice, for example, if you still owe debts or have dependents relying on your income. Additionally, maintaining life insurance during your retirement can help with any estate taxes that may arise as well.

How much is life insurance for a newborn?

Regarding coverage and premiums, life insurance is cost-effective, with amounts typically under $50,000. For example, Quotacy reports that the average annual premium rate for a newborn’s policy of $25,000 is only $150 – plus, you can rest assured knowing your rates won’t increase over time.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links. I may receive a commission at no cost to you if you purchase a policy. It helps us keep the lights on!

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

I’m a licensed financial professional focusing on annuities and insurance for more than a decade. My former role was training financial advisors, including for a Fortune Global 500 insurance company. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, and Women’s Health Magazine.

The Annuity Expert is an online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. My goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning or find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates for you. 

Scroll to Top