Declined for Life Insurance?
You might think that being declined for life insurance means the end of the road, but you should actually look
at it as a lesson learned. A decline simply means that the particular company you applied for considers you to be
too much of a risk. The good news is that there are hundreds (actually more than 2000) of life insurance companies,
and they all have different underwriting requirements. So if one company declines you for diabetes or high
cholesterol, then the chances are very good that there is another company that will approve you.
Buying life insurance should be a strategic decision. Because life insurance carriers have
different criteria, you have to make a strategic choice when applying. Some companies want you to be in picture
perfect (or near perfect health) to be approved for good rates. Other companies offer standard rates for people who
have health issues. That's why it is so important to work with an experienced agent because he or she can guide you
towards the company that is best for you. A knowledgeable agent should be able to get you approved the first time
around if you are upfront with them about your situation. When I say "situation" I mean your health, family health,
smoking status, driving history, criminal history, and occupation and hobbies. These are the kinds of things that
life insurance underwriters look at when determining whether or not they are going to offer you coverage (and at
what rate).
Let's take a look at a couple of scenarios. Let's say that you have type 2 diabetes that is
well controlled and you also have a DUI on your driving record from three years ago. The pool of life insurance
companies that will approve you shrinks considerably, but there are companies who will offer you coverage. Or maybe
you battled breast cancer two years ago and you are now in remission. Your options for life insurance are very
decreased, but there are some companies that will offer you life insurance coverage under certain terms.
The lesson here is that if you have been declined for life insurance then you should know that
you didn't make the most strategic decision when applying, whether alone or with the help of an agent. Lay all the
cards on the table with an experienced agent and you shouldn't have a problem getting approved the second time
around.
Start by comparing rates from several top carriers. Rates and underwriting
criteria vary from one company to another, so it definitely pays to compare.
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