Life Insurance for Cancer

If you are a cancer patient or survivor, you must know that you may still be eligible for life insurance. However, many different life insurance policies are available, and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and situation. This guide will discuss the different types of life insurance policies available to cancer patients and survivors and the eligibility requirements. We will also provide tips on finding the best life insurance for patients with cancer.

Does Life Insurance Cover Cancer?

Yes, people diagnosed with cancer can still get life insurance. Even though it may be more difficult, getting life insurance can provide significant financial protection for you and your loved ones. A cancer diagnosis can cause a lot of worry and uncertainty. However, you don’t have to worry about your ability to get life insurance.

Life Insurance For Cancer Survivors

Yes, as early as one year of remission, you can typically qualify for many traditional term life or permanent life policies again. In addition, depending on the type of cancer, some insurers may still help cover you if you were diagnosed more recently.

Life Insurance Underwriting For Cancer Patients and Survivors

When underwriting a cancer history, the following factors are essential in assessing the risk:

• Age of the applicant
• Type and grade of cancer or tumor
• The tissue of origin (i.e., colon, prostate, breast, etc.)
• Type of treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment)
• Grade Time since treatment has ended.
• Stage Any recurrences or relapses
• Time since diagnosis
• Time since treatment has ended.
• Any recurrences or relapses

Thyroid Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you are a thyroid cancer survivor:

• Early-stage thyroid cancers can be considered for life insurance once in remission for at least one month.
• If the cancer is more advanced, the waiting period is longer.
• No aggressive histology was present.
• The tumor was removed entirely.
• No more than one relapse of the cancer and all treatment was concluded.

Cervical Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you are a survivor of cervical cancer:

• Stage 1 cervical cancer can be considered for life insurance once in remission for at least one month, depending on the type.
• Stage 2 cervical cancer can be considered for life insurance once in remission for at least two years, depending on the type.
• Life insurance for Stage 3 cervical cancer can be considered once in remission for at least four years.
• Stage 4 cervical cancer is typically not eligible for life insurance

Prostate Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you previously had prostate cancer:

• Early-stage prostate cancers can be considered for life insurance once in remission for at least one month, depending on the age at diagnosis and the cancer details.
• The more advanced the prostate cancer, the longer the waiting period will be to get insured.

Testicular Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you are a testicular cancer survivor:

• Life insurance for Stage 1 can be considered once in remission.
• Stage 2 can be considered for life insurance once in remission for at least one month, depending on the age of diagnosis and cancer details.
• Stage 3 is eligible for life insurance once in remission for at least two years, depending on the age at diagnosis and cancer details.

Brain Cancer or Tumor Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you previously had brain cancer:

• Acoustic neuroma and benign meningioma wholly removed with no recurrence can be considered for life insurance once removed.
• If the brain cancer is in remission for at least two years, one could get highly-rated insurance coverage.

Breast Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you are a breast cancer survivor

• Life insurance policies for most early-stage breast cancers that are effectively treated can be considered at least two years after treatment is completed depending on the cancer type.
• Advanced breast cancers would require a more extended waiting period to be considered for life insurance coverage.
• If there are any recurrences or distant metastasis the coverage will typically be declined.

Colon Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you are a survivor of colon cancer:

• Stage 1 colon cancer can be considered for a life insurance policy once in remission for at least one month, depending on the cancer type.
• Stage 2 colon cancer is eligible to be considered once in remission for at least two years, depending on the type.
• Life insurance policies for Stage 3 colon cancer can be considered once in remission for at least four years, depending on the type.
• Stage 4 colon cancer is typically ineligible for life insurance coverage.
• Every carrier is different, so please contact us before applying.

Leukemia Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you previously had Leukemia:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

• Adults can be considered for coverage once in remission for at least four years, depending on the type of treatment and age when Leukemia was first discovered.
• Children at least 16 years old can be considered for a life insurance policy once in remission for at least ten years.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

• Adults can be eligible for life insurance once in remission for at least three years.
• Children at least 16 years old must be in remission for at least five years before being able to be considered for a life insurance policy.

Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia (CLL)

• Applicants aged 55 and older with stage 0 can be considered for life insurance after two years of remission.
• Applicants diagnosed under the age of 55 will typically be declined coverage.

Lung Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you previously had lung cancer:

• Stage 1 lung cancer can be considered for life insurance once in remission for at least three years.
• Some stage 2 lung cancer types are life insurance eligible once in remission for at least four years.
• Other types of stage 2 lung cancer and all stage 3 and 4 lung cancers are not typically eligible for life insurance.
• You’ll be declined if you’re still smoking tobacco products.

Melanoma Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you previously had melanoma:

• Stage 0 melanoma can be considered for life insurance policies once removed.
• Stage 1A melanoma can be considered for a life insurance policy once in remission for at least one month.
• Stage 1B melanoma can be considered for life insurance coverage once in remission for at least one year.
• Stage 2A melanoma is eligible for live insurance coverage once in remission for at least two years.
• Life insurance for Stage 2B melanoma can be considered once in remission for at least three years.
• Stage 2 melanoma can acquire a life insurance policy once in remission for at least four years.
• Stage 3 and 4 melanoma are typically declined coverage.

Ovarian Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you are an ovarian cancer survivor

• Stage 1 ovarian cancer can be considered for life insurance once in remission for at least one month, depending on the cancer type.
• Certain stages 2, 3, and 4 of ovarian cancer are eligible once in remission for at least one year.
• Other types of stage 2, 3, and 4 ovarian cancers are typically declined coverage.

Kidney Cancer Life Insurance Eligibility

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you previously had kidney cancer:

• Stage 1 kidney cancer can be considered once in remission for at least two years.
• Stage 2 kidney cancer can be considered once in remission for at least three years.
• Stage 3 kidney cancer can be considered once in remission for at least four years.
• Stage 4 kidney cancer is typically declined.

Hodgkin’s Disease and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Below is a list of scenarios that can help you get life insurance coverage if you previously had Hodgkin’s disease:

Hodgkin’s Disease

• Stages 1, 2, and 3A can be considered for a life insurance policy once in remission for at least one year, depending on the cancer details.
• Stages 3B, and 4 are typically declined life insurance coverage.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

• Stages 1, 2, and 3 can be considered for a policy once in remission for at least one month, depending on the cancer details.
• Stage 4 is typically declined coverage

Life Insurance Companies For Cancer (We Recommend)

Lincoln Financial is a top-rated insurance company that has been in business since 1905. They offer a wide range of products, including life insurance, health insurance, and annuities. Lincoln is known for their aggressive underwriting of cancer policies and table shave program, which can save policyholders money on their premiums.

Disclaimer: We are licensed life insurance agents for Lincoln. If you need a quote or want to apply, contact us below. There is no charge for the service. We strongly discourage applying without the assistance of an agent because if you apply on your own and get declined coverage, for whatever reason, no other life insurance company will consider you for coverage for approximately two years.

What If I’m Declined Coverage?

You could still purchase a guaranteed issue policy if an insurer declined your life insurance application.

What Is A Guaranteed Issue Policy?

A guaranteed issue policy is life insurance that does not depend on your health. This means you can get life insurance even if you have had a stroke and have been declined. However, there are a few drawbacks that you should consider before getting this type of policy.

Many insurers that offer guaranteed issue life insurance policies have a limit on the death benefit. This amount is usually between $25,000 and $30,000, depending on your age.

If you die from natural causes, your family will have to wait for two or three years before the company will pay the full death benefit. Most companies, however, will deliver a benefit equal to the total premiums paid plus 5 to 10 percent.

Since the insurer is unsure how healthy you are, they will charge you more for your life insurance policy than someone healthier.

Although there are some disadvantages to guaranteed issue life insurance, it is still a better option than asking your loved ones to pay your final expenses.

Need Help Getting Life Insurance Coverage?

If you have a preexisting medical condition and want to buy life insurance, you will need help from an expert. This person can help ensure you get coverage so you don’t get declined.

Warning: Applying for life insurance without a medical exam can be risky. If you get declined coverage, it could be at least two years before you can get any life insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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